Strings

Killer Tofu · July 19th, 2007, 10:23 PM

What do you folks prefer for your acoustic strings?

I used to always use Martin or D'Addarrio's, but then about six months ago I got turned onto Elixirs with the Nanoweb coating. So far, they're the nicest strings I've ever seen. But, in the never ending quest to find the ultimate string, I have to wonder, is there anything better out there? Or is Elixir as good as it gets?

blue metalflake · July 20th, 2007, 09:35 AM

I got into Elixir Nano around 6 weeks ago, and I'm still totally in love with them.

If you search, there was a thread I started on these around that time. Lots of counter opinions as usual - seems like the usual love / hate thing. I don't experience any problems with them - good with fingers or pick.

zoso · July 22nd, 2007, 01:39 PM

I use ernie ball earthwood light strings because if jimmy page uses them, then so do I.

imwjl · July 23rd, 2007, 08:29 AM

I'm not sold on the Elixirs yet, but my HD-28 came with new original alloy and I put phos bronze on my Larrivee D and Little Martin. They're great on the Little Martin that has become the road, beach, and dirt guitar occasionally shared with my daughter. Both types of Elixirs seemed to lack some bang and growl and hammer on performance D'Addarios have on my dreads. It's not a huge difference, but to me it's more fun to get the most boom the boom when you're boom chucking and bang when you're hammering on....

The opposite end of the spectrum: DR round cores (Tite-Fit) have become my favorite Telecaster string, so I've tried both round core Sunbeam and the Rares on 2 acoustics now. The Sunbeams are on my small body cutaway, and they give it an electric guitar feel soft sustaining tone, but not dead tone. Today marks a week of the Rares replacing EJs on my Martin dread. The jury is out on the Rares. They have very nice tone like EJs, but they have the soft feeling the Sunbeams have - on the fingers and not the tone. These flexy DRs are bendy and why they're nice on the cutaway, but I really think I just like stiffer strings on the dreadnoughts.

On long life: Elixirs are standing up to sweat, more dirt and sunblock (beach trips) than standard strings. I tried one set of D'Addario EXPs and bought more. They do not have the first hour of WOW playing uncoated strings, but they are like having 1-2 day old EJs that stay that way just about 3x longer.

I think I only got those over more Elixirs 'cause a pack of EXP and Dunlop picks were still less than Elixirs, and I'm reading a lot about broken Elixirs, and again, I think D'Addarios are the best for really digging in hard on a dreadnought.

I have also tried webstrings.com's electric and acoustic strings. At $3 or less for a set you cannot go wrong. They did not stand out or disappoint and the price lets you keep fresh strings on all the time if you're willing to spend the time. Time is why I bought more long lifers.

O.K. Morning coffee done, time, bandwidth and disk space wasted and off to work!

;)

Stefan · July 24th, 2007, 03:13 AM

I prefer Martin strings. Their 80/20 bronze Marquis sets in .012 are my favorite. Bronze strings sounds better to my ears and the also have a silk-wrapped ball end that prevents wear on the bridge.

studio1087 · July 24th, 2007, 09:27 AM

I've always thought that Martin strings feel very brittle. I don't like them for fingersytle playing at all. I have 6 Martin guitars and I string them with D'Addario EXP 12-53's. The EXP is D'Addario's coated string. EXPs will last as long as Elixers but they sould fuller and they have an elastic quality that feels great for fingerstyle. I use the EXP's on my Larrivee L-03R also. I play D'Addario 80/20's or PB's on my LXM or Yamaha travel/camping guitars.

I'm 43 and I've played mainly D'Addarios since I was 13. I guess I'm biased.

giginthesky · August 8th, 2007, 06:06 PM

most of my life i've used adamas strings however, the last few years i've been using the elixers. i've used maxima golds before and they were great but VERY expensive.

williamfriggle · August 8th, 2007, 06:18 PM

I tried Elixer strings several times and can't stand them. Their tone is awefule. I use mostly Dadarrio EJ16. But I did use DR "Rare" Phoshper Bronze for a long while. There is a big differance between the regualr and Rare. I do like the Rare. Need to get a set to try on my Guild. I have used Dadario mostly. Tried a number of other brands and didn't like them as well.

Bill

Paul in Colorado · August 8th, 2007, 08:18 PM

I use Elixers on my Taylor acoustics. When our band recorded our last CD, I had my 12 string there in the studio with a fresh set of strings. While we were getting sounds I had two different engineers come in to see my guitar and heap compliments on my tone. One guy wasn't even on the session and was just walking by. I wonder if Elixers just don't work on some guitars. That would explain the love/hate thing I see so much of. And I can't stand Elixers on electric guitar. Lucky for us we have choices. I also like D'Addario strings for acoustic and their what I use when I don't have enough cash for Elixers.

dave42 · August 8th, 2007, 11:38 PM

Martin SP (pb) Lights... MSP4100. I use them on all acoustics. They seem to get better mileage when playing out. Great sound, and tone is everything, to me.

But everyone has different ears........

July 19th, 2007, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Killer Tofu TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Age: 23 Posts: 59	Strings What do you folks prefer for your acoustic strings? I used to always use Martin or D'Addarrio's, but then about six months ago I got turned onto Elixirs with the Nanoweb coating. So far, they're the nicest strings I've ever seen. But, in the never ending quest to find the ultimate string, I have to wonder, is there anything better out there? Or is Elixir as good as it gets? __________________ Lucifer Sam.. Siam Cat.. Always sitting by your side Always by your side That cat's something I can't explain

July 24th, 2007, 03:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
Stefan Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden Age: 29 Posts: 1,810 36 Photos	I prefer Martin strings. Their 80/20 bronze Marquis sets in .012 are my favorite. Bronze strings sounds better to my ears and the also have a silk-wrapped ball end that prevents wear on the bridge. __________________ 1981 Capri Orange Fender Telecaster 1976 Fender Stratocaster 2007 Martin Backpacker 2005 Martin HD-28

July 24th, 2007, 09:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,584 36 Photos	I've always thought that Martin strings feel very brittle. I don't like them for fingersytle playing at all. I have 6 Martin guitars and I string them with D'Addario EXP 12-53's. The EXP is D'Addario's coated string. EXPs will last as long as Elixers but they sould fuller and they have an elastic quality that feels great for fingerstyle. I use the EXP's on my Larrivee L-03R also. I play D'Addario 80/20's or PB's on my LXM or Yamaha travel/camping guitars. I'm 43 and I've played mainly D'Addarios since I was 13. I guess I'm biased. __________________ JLG Carry On

August 8th, 2007, 06:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
williamfriggle Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, PA, USA Age: 41 Posts: 286	I tried Elixer strings several times and can't stand them. Their tone is awefule. I use mostly Dadarrio EJ16. But I did use DR "Rare" Phoshper Bronze for a long while. There is a big differance between the regualr and Rare. I do like the Rare. Need to get a set to try on my Guild. I have used Dadario mostly. Tried a number of other brands and didn't like them as well. Bill __________________ Fender MIM Strat w/ Callaham block, GFS Premium Alnico Strat Pickups :-) SWEET!!!!! :-) Guild GAD50 Douglas Tele Fender Frontman 65R Fender Frontman 25R http://www.myspace.com/billfriggle

July 20th, 2007, 09:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
blue metalflake Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ireland Age: 54 Posts: 2,303 10 Photos	I got into Elixir Nano around 6 weeks ago, and I'm still totally in love with them. If you search, there was a thread I started on these around that time. Lots of counter opinions as usual - seems like the usual love / hate thing. I don't experience any problems with them - good with fingers or pick.

July 22nd, 2007, 01:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
zoso Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 168	I use ernie ball earthwood light strings because if jimmy page uses them, then so do I.

July 23rd, 2007, 08:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
imwjl Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,127	I'm not sold on the Elixirs yet, but my HD-28 came with new original alloy and I put phos bronze on my Larrivee D and Little Martin. They're great on the Little Martin that has become the road, beach, and dirt guitar occasionally shared with my daughter. Both types of Elixirs seemed to lack some bang and growl and hammer on performance D'Addarios have on my dreads. It's not a huge difference, but to me it's more fun to get the most boom the boom when you're boom chucking and bang when you're hammering on.... The opposite end of the spectrum: DR round cores (Tite-Fit) have become my favorite Telecaster string, so I've tried both round core Sunbeam and the Rares on 2 acoustics now. The Sunbeams are on my small body cutaway, and they give it an electric guitar feel soft sustaining tone, but not dead tone. Today marks a week of the Rares replacing EJs on my Martin dread. The jury is out on the Rares. They have very nice tone like EJs, but they have the soft feeling the Sunbeams have - on the fingers and not the tone. These flexy DRs are bendy and why they're nice on the cutaway, but I really think I just like stiffer strings on the dreadnoughts. On long life: Elixirs are standing up to sweat, more dirt and sunblock (beach trips) than standard strings. I tried one set of D'Addario EXPs and bought more. They do not have the first hour of WOW playing uncoated strings, but they are like having 1-2 day old EJs that stay that way just about 3x longer. I think I only got those over more Elixirs 'cause a pack of EXP and Dunlop picks were still less than Elixirs, and I'm reading a lot about broken Elixirs, and again, I think D'Addarios are the best for really digging in hard on a dreadnought. I have also tried webstrings.com's electric and acoustic strings. At $3 or less for a set you cannot go wrong. They did not stand out or disappoint and the price lets you keep fresh strings on all the time if you're willing to spend the time. Time is why I bought more long lifers. O.K. Morning coffee done, time, bandwidth and disk space wasted and off to work! ;)

August 8th, 2007, 06:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
giginthesky Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: south jersey Age: 36 Posts: 984 6 Photos	most of my life i've used adamas strings however, the last few years i've been using the elixers. i've used maxima golds before and they were great but VERY expensive.

August 8th, 2007, 08:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,123 3 Photos	I use Elixers on my Taylor acoustics. When our band recorded our last CD, I had my 12 string there in the studio with a fresh set of strings. While we were getting sounds I had two different engineers come in to see my guitar and heap compliments on my tone. One guy wasn't even on the session and was just walking by. I wonder if Elixers just don't work on some guitars. That would explain the love/hate thing I see so much of. And I can't stand Elixers on electric guitar. Lucky for us we have choices. I also like D'Addario strings for acoustic and their what I use when I don't have enough cash for Elixers.

August 8th, 2007, 11:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
dave42 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 50 Posts: 32	Martin SP (pb) Lights... MSP4100. I use them on all acoustics. They seem to get better mileage when playing out. Great sound, and tone is everything, to me. But everyone has different ears........