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Thread: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

  1. #1

    Default Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Elixir sent out the following today to their mail list:

    Banjo and Mandolin Strings Discontinued
    Elixir® Strings is discontinuing all banjo and mandolin strings effective immediately. While supply is limited, some stock may still exist at your favorite music store or shopping site. Please check with them for availability.

    We know this is frustrating and leaving you without your favorite gear. For that, we truly apologize.

    While we believe there is no true replacement for our products, we hope that you find strings that enable you to make your best music. If you also play acoustic, electric or bass guitars, please consider Elixir Strings.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Alas, sources for coated light strings are limited. But Elixir is probably doing what it must.

  3. #3
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Bummer - those were my go to strings for years.
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    Registered User Drew Egerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    I'm seeing similar issues at my job on a daily basis. Suppliers are cutting the fat on low volume products in order to focus their efforts on high volume/profit products. Any custom low volume parts (like custom size handles or higher ratings for valves) we have been using for years are now on the chopping block and leave us looking for other suppliers and other engineering solutions. I'm sure mandolin strings sales are a drop in the bucket for Elixir and most string companies.
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    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Mapes strings are coated, they have the best prices, will custom make whatever size set you want and more. Check it out'

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    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued


  7. #7
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    D'Addario XS seem to be the replacement at the 5th String in Greenville, SC. They certainly do last a long time.

  8. #8
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Too bad. Just put a set of Elixir lights on the Brentrup yesterday. Not bad at all. We'll see how long they last. Have a lot of practice and gigs coming up in the next month.
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  9. #9
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Used to use them, but didn't like the way the fuzzed as they got worn. Went to GHS silk and bronze for a while, now their Pure Nickel. They last a long time and don't get fuzzy as they age.
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  11. #10
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    I once thought of using Elixirs but didn’t as only half of them are actually coated.

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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Quote Originally Posted by Drew Egerton View Post
    I'm seeing similar issues at my job on a daily basis. Suppliers are cutting the fat on low volume products in order to focus their efforts on high volume/profit products. Any custom low volume parts (like custom size handles or higher ratings for valves) we have been using for years are now on the chopping block and leave us looking for other suppliers and other engineering solutions. I'm sure mandolin strings sales are a drop in the bucket for Elixir and most string companies.
    Good time to start hoarding strings

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  14. #12
    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    So many better options out there than Elixir. Good riddance I say!

  15. #13
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Well, as a former Tab drinker, I understand the reasoning, but that doesn't mean i'm happy with it. But perhaps they have too many users like me -- I buy a set of elixir coated strings once a year to play in the summer because uncoated strings rot on the mandolin in less than a week in the humidity of upstate NY and in CT. I guess I'll be trying a new coated string this July.
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Randi, I play a boat cruise on the Mississippi every summer. It's hot and humid, but the nickel strings last the summer for me. They don't turn like bronze strings.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  18. #15

    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Knd of a snotty tone to that notice which rubs me the wrong way. “We’re the greatest ever, you’ll never find strings as good, we’re quitting on you, too bad, take up guitar.”

    They couldn’t keep up with the other manufacturers who seem to be doing fine providing innovative Mando and banjo strings in every price range. I bought a lot of Elixirs over the years but it’s over for them now. Including on guitar.
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  19. #16

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    Their loss is Thomastik’s and D’Addario’s gain, plus no doubt many other brands I haven’t tried. After all we are a fanatically loyal market, once we find something we like, we tend to stick with it through price increases even when they’re expensive to start with. Look at Thomastik.
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    Mandoline or Mandolin: Similar to the lute, but much less artistically valuable....for people who wish to play simple music without much trouble —The Oxford Companion to Music

  20. #17

    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Quote Originally Posted by DaveGinNJ View Post
    Good time to start hoarding strings
    Yes, and store them right next to the toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

  21. #18
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    I love the Elixirs, so I am pretty disappointed. The Curt Mangan coated strings seem to be closer to Elixir than anything else i ‘ve tried, but the wound strings in that set are more flexible than some people like.

  22. #19

    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Quote Originally Posted by sgarrity View Post
    So many better options out there than Elixir. Good riddance I say!
    I agree.

  23. #20

    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    I used -- and liked -- the Elixir coated strings.

    Now that they're no longer available, what OTHER makers are selling coated mandolin strings? D'Addario is one, I believe -- are there others?

  24. #21
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Quote Originally Posted by J.Albert View Post
    I used -- and liked -- the Elixir coated strings.

    Now that they're no longer available, what OTHER makers are selling coated mandolin strings? D'Addario is one, I believe -- are there others?
    I like Curt Mangan coated strings. Another manufacturer is DR Strings. I haven’t tried those.

  25. #22
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    As far as I can tell, Elixirs were the only 80/20 coated mandolin strings on the market. All the others are PB.

    So if 80/20 is your alloy of choice, you're out of luck now.

  26. #23
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Coated strings don't corrode as fast as other strings, neither does something like pure nickel. there are other strings that do what coated strings do without the coating. I used to use them, but never liked how the frizzed up after a while of playing.
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  28. #24

    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Having spent a few years with each, I prefer flatwounds to coated. Similar smooth touch, better durability.

    I resisted Thomastiks for a long time on the basis that all strings break when played by me. After a year and a half, three sets on two instruments, I’ve only had one break, a plain E right after it was installed, so probably I got it kinked. For me they last about a year. (Not that I can afford them on all my instruments. You gotta draw the line somewhere.)
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  29. #25
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    Default Re: Elixir Official Notice Mandolin strings discontinued

    Quote Originally Posted by Bazz Jass View Post
    As far as I can tell, Elixirs were the only 80/20 coated mandolin strings on the market. All the others are PB.

    So if 80/20 is your alloy of choice, you're out of luck now.
    Mapes offers 80/20s, and they're coated.

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