Elixir strings: review and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Choosing strings for a guitar is not an easy task. Experienced musicians, of course, already know their instrument well and are unlikely to make a mistake in choosing, but for beginners, such a task can be quite difficult. For example, not all novice musicians know that metal strings are in no way suitable for a classical guitar, and the sound of an acoustic guitar, on the contrary, will deteriorate greatly if nylon is used. But if the seller should warn about such nuances from the very beginning, then some issues have to be resolved independently.

Which brand to choose? Although the final answer to this question is achievable only through trial and error, some basic information can be obtained by reading reviews of various brands. One of the most sought-after and well-known products in the music industry are the Elixir guitar strings, which will be discussed below.

Overview of the Elixir brand

The American company Elixir was the first manufacturer to use ultra-thin materials in the manufacture of strings. It is for this reason that Elixir strings are often referred to as perpetual strings. They are much less prone to corrosion, aren't they?become contaminated over time. The polymer used in the production of these strings fills the gaps between the windings, preventing the ingress of dirt from the fingers and the influence of moisture and cleaners. The manufacturer claims that Elixir strings last up to five times longer than untreated strings without losing their crisp, rich tone.

Elixir string reviews

The vast majority of musicians praise the Elixir brand in every way. Many of them pay attention to smoothness and strength, as well as incredible durability. At the same time, many people pay attention to the comfort when playing - Elixir strings are pleasant to the touch and practically do not get dirty. The main drawback, according to guitarists, is the price. The cost of one set can reach four to five thousand rubles. The price of the kit depends on the type of instrument.

Elixir: bass

Elixir bass strings are available in several styles. Kits are available for both five- and four-string basses. Also, if necessary, the strings can be purchased separately. The price of the kit can vary from two to four thousand rubles. Like all strings from this brand, the Elixir bass strings are also NANOWEB coated to resist dirt and corrosion. Their average life expectancy is 3-4 months, subject to daily classes or rehearsals.

Elixir: Electro

Guitarist,who has acquired an electric guitar, most likely plays music professionally, or has such serious intentions. For a rock guitarist performing at venues from rock clubs to concert venues, the quality and durability of all elements of the instrument is extremely important. Elixir electric guitar strings do their job with a bang - the likelihood that they will break during a concert or lose their sound quality after several weeks of hard rehearsals is minimized. The cost of a set of strings, including strings without braid, with NANOWEB coating is about a thousand rubles.

Elixir: acoustics

Acoustic guitar is a solid and beautiful instrument. Often the owners treat the instrument very carefully, and sometimes they even take the guitar out of the case only “on holidays”. While there is no need to constantly change the strings due to breaks or excessive dirt, a long period of inactivity can also adversely affect the sound quality. Elixir acoustic guitar strings with polymer coating are quite hardy - they are not subject to corrosion and retain the beauty of the sound even in the event of long breaks in practice. The cost of the kit ranges from one thousand to one and a half thousand rubles.

Fake Elixir strings

Sometimes there is an opinion among musicians that it is possible to buy counterfeit Elixir strings. Some guitarists share the bitter experience of buying "counterfeit", complaining about the instability of the strings to corrosion and short life. However, the manufacturer assures that it is almost impossible to purchase a fake kit. Also, manufacturers are ready to vouch for the fact that all products undergo strict control, and a wide variation in quality is unlikely to be the cause of such incidents. Most likely, inattentive or inexperienced buyers did not clearly formulate their desire in the store or purchased the product without examining the packaging. The fact is that for some time outdated versions of Elixir without a polymer coating were on sale. There was no anti-rust marker on the packaging of these strings, but the company logo and packaging design were similar, which caused such misunderstandings.

String Buying Tips for Beginners

The first and probably the most important piece of advice is don't skimp on your instrument. As you know, the miser pays twice, and in the case of buying strings this statement remains valid. Dumb, hard or excessively brittle strings are unlikely to bring pleasure to the player when playing, and soon he will have to go to the store again. At the same time, it must be taken into account that the race for a brand can also end in a spoiled mood and a hole in your pocket: some well-known manufacturers have a serious variation in quality.

Before buying, you need to study the reviews, and also do not hesitate to ask questions to the seller: most often they are musicians themselves, and are always ready to give good advice. Also, despite all the advantages of expensive quality strings, they still need proper care. If a guitarist has not stocked up on care products, he will definitely have tofill this gap. In this way, you can significantly extend the service life and maintain the desired sound level.