Elixir mandolin strings... [Archive]

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8STRINGR

May-20-2008, 4:28pm

Hello Folks,

I'm not sure if this topic has been posted before or not but I'll ask again anyway...

I've always used GHS Bright Bronze and Phosphor Bronze strings on my mandolins but I've come across artists that endorse and use Elixir guitar strings. I'm curious of anyone's take on using Elixir mandolin strings. I wouldn't mind trying out a set but was wondering if there are any "smart moves" or "regrets" from switching to these strings that you'd care to share (?). Thanks for your input! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

mandohubris

May-20-2008, 4:56pm

I use Elixir's on my Guitar and like them alright, but I tried a set on my Eastman Mandolin and found the elixirs to be overly bright and thin - which is a common comment about Eastmans - so on another brand of Mandolin they might sound good. They definitely last a long time.

mindology

May-20-2008, 5:13pm

I love them on my mandolins and guitars. The strings are a little bright at first, but within a couple of days they "warm" up pretty good. Give them a try.... It is nice to have nice sounding strings for weeks at a time. They are at least worth a go around http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Gerard Dick

May-20-2008, 6:02pm

I love 'em. Get about 8 month between changes. They just keep going and going ... like a certain bunny.

jim_n_virginia

May-20-2008, 6:10pm

WHAT?!?!? No chastisment and an admonishment to utilize the search functions?

sorry couldn't resist http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

As for me I have tried all the coated strings and to me well they sound coated and I just never liked them.

And I like the sound of Phos Bronze but dislike that I only get 3 weeks to a month max out of them.

I wish someone would make a string that sounds non coated even though it was coated.

Or something like that! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Albert Whiting

May-20-2008, 6:25pm

I only use Elixir nanoweb mediums on my mandolin. I love them!

McMandolin

May-20-2008, 6:29pm

I tried them and the coating started to come off in less than three weeks. Other than that they sounded good and felt fine until they broke down.
I must have odd skin chemistry

Tim2723

May-20-2008, 7:50pm

I've only used two sets but I liked that they lasted so long. They are very economical, and I think that would make them an especially good choice for beginners on a budget.

TNFrank

May-20-2008, 7:54pm

I've always been a GHS kind of guy on my guitars and electric bass but on my mando I've got D'addario J-74's and they seem like pretty decent strings. After I play for a while I may branch out and try something else but for now the J-74's are doing ok.

woodwizard

May-20-2008, 8:31pm

They are GREAT! and last a long time. No regrets. I use them a lot and have been for about 5 years. I also use EXP74's which are very simular to me. I like the slick feel and tone I get especially after about a week or so of playing on both brands. It would be hard for me to choose between the 2 so I usually have sets of both and switch hit with them. I have my first set of Thomastiks ordered to try. Can't wait to check them out. Never tried strings with a wound A string. I've heard that these sets will last a very very long time as they should for the much higher cost. It just takes trying out and seeing for yourself. Good luck

Roger Kunkel

May-21-2008, 5:39pm

When the coating starts to wear off, it creates a lot of drag on the pick(which I find unbearable), so I find you have to change them as often as regular strings.

flatout

Jun-17-2008, 3:47pm

Experiment! everybody has different likes and dislikes. I have been using the Elixers on my guitars and like them quite well, but iv'e gone thru 2 sets on the mando and find they are not worth the extra money. they had wear spots in less than 2 weeks. I have been experimenting with D'addario, Martin and ernie ball. Sure are a lot cheaper. good luck.

Sean Greer

Jun-17-2008, 4:04pm

I've used the Elixirs on my oval hole and really liked the tone that they provide. I'd say that I was able to let them go for about a month, but sometimes the Gore-tex coating would begin to peel after two weeks.

I haven't tried them on my Fern as I think they'd be too bright, so I stick with the J-74s. Of course, I am going to give Sam Bush's a try soon as they've been rated highly by at least one other picker on this forum.

Barb Friedland

Jun-17-2008, 4:29pm

I do use Elixirs on my guitars and mandos #but strings are sort of like film is (or maybe used to be!) for photographers- it's a comparatively low expense item that can greatly enhance your artistry and enjoyment. Same thing with picks really. So I say, try different strings and find out what works for your style playing on your instrument. I'm thinking about trying some flat wounds...

Tim F Thornton

Jun-21-2008, 12:14pm

It's all about finding what works for your instrument. I endorse them. When I played a Weber Aspen 2, I really liked the polys--the instrument tended to be bright, so the coating calmed that, but I think they stopped making them--most folks wanted something less "coated" sounding. I like the nanos on my Bitterroot from the get-go and they do last.

greg_tsam

Jun-21-2008, 9:55pm

Elixirs came on my new Breedlove. I always used non-coated strings prior but now I'm converted. I love the Elixirs b/c they are coated and my corrosive finger sweat doesn't kill them after playing twice. The strings stay smooth to the touch and don't get rusty like noncoated.

The sound is smoother and not as piercing which was really great when I had to play out of 100WFender guitar amp. It helped warm the tone. They lasted 3X longer than regular strings (6 weeks vs. 2 weeks) with the smooth play and sound until the last week. For me that's worth it. I paid 11.oo/set which averages better than regular strings awith less string changes.

I'm sold. I have 3 sets setting behind me.:laugh:

Ace

Jul-04-2008, 8:13pm

I have always used the Medium Elixers on my F5 Gibson. I want to try the light gauge but scared because I know what the mediums sound like... AWESOME!!!!!!

devilstone_the_bard

Jul-05-2008, 6:08am

I use them on an F4 style, like em a lot, nice bright CHOP!

Gutbucket

Jul-05-2008, 6:31am

If you got a kid going thru puberty, get a set of Elixirs. If you want dead strings fast, just hand your mandolin to a teenager. Seems like the hormones or something in their skin oil deadens strings fast. Any one else notice this?

Sean Greer

Jul-05-2008, 8:38am

Yep, use them on my oval hole and love the tone they produce. J74s on that mando are a bit too dark, so the brightness of the Nanowebs is appreciated.

If I play them as often as the J74s they seem to last a week or two longer, which makes them kinda spendy, but it's alright as I like the tone. Not much of an issue as the oval hole is now played less often.

greg_tsam

Jul-29-2008, 12:26pm

I've really like the Elixirs but I'm not through searching. I'm gonna try some flatwound A's, TI's, and EXP's next.

Caleb

Jul-29-2008, 12:56pm

I've got some EXP74s on my Eastman 505 right now. It came with J74s, which I didn't like nearly as much. Next up I'm planning on trying to Elixirs.

bradeinhorn

Jul-29-2008, 12:59pm

i love them on both my mandolins. i get about a week to 10 days from j74 or 75s and about a month to slightly more with the elixirs. i like how they feel. they seem to be the least stiff off all the strings i've used. i find slides are easier and i think they keep a consistent tone throughout the time they are on.

nashvillebill

Jul-29-2008, 1:47pm

I use them on guitar exclusively and mando mostly- my Flatiron tends to be a bit dark anyway- so if they're brighter sounding it seems to even out.

first string

Jul-29-2008, 2:16pm

Like them a lot. Like the DA EXP 74s even more.

mdlorenz

Jul-29-2008, 2:25pm

Concur w/ first string EXP74s I like better.

Clyde Clevenger

Jul-29-2008, 4:54pm

I tried them for a couple of weeks in June and thought I liked them until I went to a jam and everyone thought my mandolin sounded half as loud and kind of thin. The sounded fine on the couch. Back to J-75s.

8STRINGR

Aug-02-2008, 1:42pm

Well, I'm Hooked! After taking these Elixir Nano Webs for a "test drive" since my first post I'm glad I made the switch! #I've noticed a HUGE difference in tone, playablilty (smoothness down the fret board) and projection since Day One. I'm hoping that the event of the coating peeling off doesn't come sooner than expected according to some of the replies posted. If it does I'll be ready with another Elixir set to slap on. I love 'em!

I've been so impressed with these mandolin strings that I also tried a set of their Nano Web guitar strings (medium guage) and have the same reaction to sound, tone and feel. My cases are well stocked with 'em! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

matt1898

Aug-15-2008, 9:58am

Haven't tried Elixirs yet. I have just started usin GHS Silk and Steel....really diggin those.

odiepiker

Aug-15-2008, 2:46pm

I'm hoping that the event of the coating peeling off doesn't come sooner than expected according to some of the replies posted. If it does I'll be ready with another Elixir set to slap on. I love 'em!

Don't let that bother you. I've used Elixirs exclusively on my guitars, banjos and mandolins for a long time. The coating will peel, the strings will discolor under your left hand and they'll STILL sound good. I've never had a set go completely dead (unlike EXPs).

8STRINGR

Aug-15-2008, 4:54pm

Thanks for the heads up, Odiepiker. Even more of a reason to love 'em! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Rob Powell

Aug-16-2008, 4:51am

I have always used the Medium Elixers on my F5 Gibson. I want to try the light gauge but scared because I know what the mediums sound like... AWESOME!!!!!!
Don't do it!

The jury is still out for me on the Elixirs...I use EXP74's and liked them but I've been playing so much lately they've gone dead on the bass side quickly.

I just put on a set of Elixer nanoweb lights last night and so far, I just don't like them. Before I give up on Elixirs, I'll try the mediums. I was only trying the lights to see if it would be a better feel but I get decreased volume, a brighter sound (some of which I can write off to new strings) and I'm bending one of the G strings off the fretboard when I fret it up high in a chord. Basically, the G's slide apart when I fret them with my fat fingahs.

I was ready to take them off after about 20 minutes http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

GHS strings come on Webers so I'm going to try them as well. There's a set of TI's in the case which I think I'll try after the Elixir's.

I've used Elixir's on my guitars and honestly, didn't care for them. I used to play a set of Martin BG's on my D35 in the old days. More recently, I've been using EXP17's on my acoustics. I don't play as much guitar as I used to so I like the longevity you get even while sitting in the case.

Sean Greer

Aug-16-2008, 10:49am

I've used and like the medium Nanowebs on my oval hole Weber. However, I've heard that they don't carry the punch on an F-style instrument and so I haven't tried them on my Fern. Given the response above ("half as loud and thin"), I think I'll continue to eschew them.

Beergeek:

I was not impressed with the GHS strings that came on my Fern. I quickly changed them out for J74s and was very pleased with the tone. Recently I've been using the Gibson Sam Bush Monel strings and LOVE them! I'm going to try J75s at some point, but I have two more sets of Sam Bush strings coming and don't know when I'll get around to that.

I'm definitely jealous of that distressed Yellowstone. What a beauty!

Rob Powell

Aug-16-2008, 1:06pm