| Author | Message | ||
| dubalbal
Intermediate Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 168 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hi Folks , I've been proposed elixir strings today in a music shop ...do some of you use them ? what do you think of these specific coated strings ? ...i bought Dr's one , elixir's were really expensive...so before i buy one set , i need your so good advices ! Tkx ALAIN | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 961 Registered: 11-2003 |
Alain, I've used the Elixir nanoweb strings. I did like them, good tone, smooth feel, very little finger noise. They stayed in tune reasonably well but that wasn't a strong point. The price is why I don't use them on a regular basis. My regular string choice, Dean Markley nickel plated Blue Steels, are about half the price. I like them just as much and they stay in tune better. So to answer your question, the Elixers are good but not enough for me to pay the higher price. That's my opinion. Strings are a personal choice. There's as many favorites as there are players it seems. The only way for you to know if it's the string for you is to get a set and try them. You may find them worth the price. Sam | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 545 Registered: 11-2004 |
Alain, I had nanowebs on my Epics 4 and 5 for a while. I liked the tone and longevity pretty well. I believe what they say about the coating making them last longer. They sounded good for a really long time. I experimented with other strings and settled on another type because the tone and feel were more what I was looking for. I agree with Sam. Taste in strings is a very personal thing. I feel the Elixirs were good strings. They may turn out to be exactly what you are looking for. Rich | ||
| bassfingers
Member Username: bassfingers Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hi Alain, I tried the Polywebs not long after they came out and fitted them the night before starting a 12 day tour in Italy.The E string didn't seem to have the twang I'd hoped for when fitted.Oddly,after the first gig it sounded much better.I attribute this to my lack of knowledge about 'witness points',especially at the bridge. They were some of the hottest,sweatiest gigs I've ever done but only the E string had faded a little by the end of the tour.I got another 6-8 gigs out of them when I got home.Way impressive!.I've used nanowebs since (taking care to establish the witness points this time) with much the same result. Cost and availability are the only issues I have.I can't always afford them and many shops don't stock them because customers are reluctant to incur the expense in order to experiment.Personally I think they're worth the price and would suggest you try them.As Rich said,they could be just what you always hoped for,but only you can be the judge of that.Good luck and if you try them,please let us know what you think. Best Wishes, Simon. | ||
| mrben
Junior Username: mrben Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2004 |
Strings are such a personal thing... I know a number of people who hate Elixirs, for reasons I've never fully understood. But for me, they've been a revolution and a revelation. Conventional strings beneath my probably rather sweaty fingers become dead as a dead thing after only a couple of days. Elixirs on the other just go on for months, remarkably. Their consistency/quality control has been excellent in my experience, with apparently dead sounding E or B strings invariably caused by inadequate contact with the bridge (push firmly either side of the bridge point and you'll avoid this). Tone isn't quite as zingy as some regular strings straight from the packet but stays the same for a long time - I'm very happy with their sound and smoother feel. Eventually they can get slightly 'furry' looking but the tone just keeps on going. As to expense, well they might seem too much to begin with, but their longevity more than compensates in the long-run. I should point out that I have no connection with the company whatsoever, I speak only from having spent far too much dosh on strings in my life! Just my opinion though, not everyone is find of them. Ben | ||
| dwmark
Member Username: dwmark Post Number: 65 Registered: 1-2005 |
Also like them but had a set that dewebbed after a bit of use and actually snapped one while playing (finger style guy--only time that has ever happened). With that, they're a strong second choice to the TI Jazz Flats. | ||
| daveo
Junior Username: daveo Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2005 |
I used to use them on my guitar, but stopped because I felt even the nanowebs were dulling my sound. I've had great luck with DR's but they're pricey, too. | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 547 Registered: 11-2004 |
As Ben said, you do start to notice "hairs" of the coating sticking out after a while. But on mine the hairs occurred where the string contacts the frets. Since I don't finger the string right on top of the fret itself I don't see that any finger gunk would work its way in where the coating was wearing off. The fur is so thin and short that nobody would notice from 2 feet away. I also agree with Ben that in the long run they are a good deal if you like the sound and feel. Rich Edit: On second thought, they did get hairy where I pluck fingerstyle, so they could get a little gunky right there. However, I don't think it created a problem in terms of their usable life. (Message edited by richbass939 on January 15, 2006) | ||
| worldfamousandy
Junior Username: worldfamousandy Post Number: 37 Registered: 3-2004 |
I was turned on to D'Addario EXPs a couple years ago, and I am sold on them. I'm sure there are similarities between all the manufacturers' coated strings, but I have never noticed any fur on my strings, even after doing a dozen gigs. EXPs play great, and they hold a nice tone for 12 gigs and all the rehearsals and practice that accompanies that amount of work. In fact, I usually replace them because of the dents in the strings from the frets. Tone is normally still pretty good at that point, although that does vary a little from one set to another. Playability is normally what causes me to change them. | ||
| willride3
Junior Username: willride3 Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2005 |
I am using a set of the early polywebs on my 95 Essence 5. Elixir sent me a free set when they were being introduced in the Detroit area, I put them on about 5 yrs ago. They still do a great job, sound great, feel great. I play fingerstyle, and some with a pick. There are some spots where the strings have gotten fuzzy. I use them for regular practice, and play almost every week. My hands don't sweat, maybe that's key to the long life. Also, I don't beat them up too bad with my fingers, but the pick has made some bare spots. I've tried lots of strings over the years, I like the Elixir Polywebs a lot. I did buy a set of the Nanowebs, but I changed my mind about replacing the Polywebs just yet. Someday soon....maybe. I hope I like the Nanowebs as well, whenever I do put them on. Willride3 | ||
| dubalbal
Intermediate Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 169 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hi Folks , Thank you so much for all your useful comments on this brand ! ...i remember that my very first bass had kind'o such strings...it wasn't in fact, it was really plastic coated and gave the bass a fretless sound...it was horrible... Elixir's seem to be excellent strings but i am not sure i 'll buy a set , even to try . I got back at the store and felt the strings,they gave me back this bad impression of those awful strings i had on my first bass...I perfectly know that there's a world of difference but honestly , i'm not sure i would like them , ...just a matter of feel or sensation ( on my fingers ). I had d'addario's and Dr's since i got my new baby and both please me . D'addario are really bright and punchy , DR's are , imo , the same but give a more round sound and last longer . I'm using ebs fafner head + 2 ebs cabs 4x10 . I'm also using ( brand new ) a tc-electronic effect unit : G-system ( made for guitar but in fact works so great for bass too ...!!! ) + ebs octaver pedal . ...and here's my baby : http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/18268.html?1131566691 Thank's very much folks Best regards to you all from Belgium ALAIN | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 326 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have been a user of D'addario XL's for years for my strats and I find them excellent strings. However as my fingertips sweat is quite acidic they usually last one gig or 2 max before the chrome is completely off and the string starts to corrode. Last year I decided to try some nanowebs and bought 10 sets from the guitar centre in LA. I think I came back from a 2 week tour with 7 sets left. I think they are great for me as the coating keeps the strings long lasting and although they feel a big heavier under my fingers they do have a good sligntly mellower tone than my usual strings. I'm gonna put some on my orion guitar before my next gigs. Never tried them on bass. I'll wait till I'm in the states again and get a couple of sets there. Prices are more favourable than the UK. :-) | ||
| rockbassist
Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 59 Registered: 8-2005 |
I used to use DR's. I now use Curt Mangan. According to their website, Curt worked for Dean Markely for 17 years prior to going out on his own. I love the tone and they last at least as long as anything else I have used. They are very easy to deal with and they have an artist sponsorship program which can save you a ton of money. | ||
| dubalbal
Intermediate Member Username: dubalbal Post Number: 170 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hi Kevin , Tkx for your advice ,i'll check that asap ! ALAIN | ||
| jetbass79
Intermediate Member Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 110 Registered: 2-2005 |
I thought that Elixir strings were A) really expensive and B) I didn't like the sound -- and the coating would start to come off after awhile. On my Alembic I use CX strings that came on it. I liked the way they sounded when the bass was new and I still like them. They lasted a long time -- and are half the price of Elixirs. Then again, I'm not one to sweat as much as some people do. | ||
| peever
New Username: peever Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2006 |
i dont know too much about the price (i dont buy strings very often) but if you want a coated string, the nicest PERSONALLY ive tried were the DR's. But its all personal preference. | ||
| bassplayer5
New Username: bassplayer5 Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hi, I am new to the club. I have an essence 5 string fretless and I was wondering if Labella flat wound strings are good to use on my bass. I am looking for that Jaco sound. If anyone can help I would appriciate it greatly. | ||
| dejan
Junior Username: dejan Post Number: 32 Registered: 1-2006 |
Hi Duane,like you and many others,I think about Jaco sound when I play fretless.I've found a good tone with D'addario round wound.I know that Jaco used to play with Rotosound round wound (but I'm sure that his great sound was in his finger and in his soul).Bye | ||
| bassplayer2106
Member Username: bassplayer2106 Post Number: 68 Registered: 5-2005 |
It's an expensive business trying out the various strings that are on the market nowadays, obviously what one person likes - someone else hates. I've recently started to use DR Marcus Miller signature strings 45 - 105 on my SC and they have totally changed my thinking on a good bass sound - for 10/15 years I used light gauge 30 - 90s ala Mark King and I've just realised on how much sound/tone I was losing out on. I also recently tried flatwound strings and hated them - no proper tone just a muddy thud. I think that if you find a string that gives you the sound that you like and enables you to play the way that you want, then you should stick with them. | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 358 Registered: 6-2002 |
I agree with that. I have only used the Alembic strings on my SC bass and am very happy with the sound. I may experiment with another brand when these need changing but I have not found any short scale strings in any of the music stores in my city so may have to try on-line. Jazzyvee | ||
| bassplayer2106
Member Username: bassplayer2106 Post Number: 69 Registered: 5-2005 |
I've never tried the Alembic ones - I find it hard to get short scale ones so I just buy regular ones and cut them to length. There's a couple of good on-line stores though - I use stringbusters and stringsdirect. (Message edited by bassplayer2106 on February 21, 2006) | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 360 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have bought all my alembic short scale strings from here. They are cheaper than the on-line alembic store too. www.juststrings.com I'm in the uk and they have always arrived in under 5 days. | ||
| bassplayer2106
Member Username: bassplayer2106 Post Number: 70 Registered: 5-2005 |
Ah that's a good site - I'll have to try that one. How do the Alembic ones sound - silly question I know - compared with the DRs if you've tried them. | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 361 Registered: 6-2002 |
well I've only had alembic strings on my sc so I think it must sound just like Alembic want it to sound ;-) I've never tried DR's on any of my previous basses. Jazzyvee |
