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Post by John on Apr 3, 2024 11:35:55 GMT -7
I'm a string changing fiend. I change them all the time. I REALLY like fresh new/bright strings. A few years ago, I tried my first coated guitar strings. They were D'Addario "XT" model. I tried to keep an open mind, but I really didn't think they were anything special. The tone was a little different, the feel was a little different. I felt like I could feel the coating. I didn't buy anymore.
I recently purchased the new D'Addario version...the "XS" model. And I like them...a lot. They don't feel like they're coated. They don't sound different. They're rather expensive...$17.66/set (if you buy them in the 3 pack) Which is a little more than twice the price of the usual D'Addario Phosphor Bronze strings I use. But have they lasted twice as long? YES...So I may be a convert to these new coated strings.
I've ordered a set of Elixers (sort of the industry standard), and I'll see how they hold up to the new XS D'Addario sets.
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Post by scottyc13 on Apr 3, 2024 11:39:57 GMT -7
I’ve used Elixers for years. Tried the D’Addario but didn’t like the sound. I guess it’s what you’re used to.
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Post by iluvpunz on Apr 3, 2024 11:42:04 GMT -7
I used the Elixirs for a long time. Switched to the D'Addario XS phosphor bronze and I like them better than the Elixr.
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Post by Russell B on Apr 3, 2024 13:38:49 GMT -7
I've used Elixirs for a long time, but I have a three pack of D'Addario XS's that will make a debut soon.
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Post by John on Apr 3, 2024 14:43:07 GMT -7
I've used Elixirs for a long time, but I have a three pack of D'Addario XS's that will make a debut soon.
Report back with what you think of the XS....and I'll report back with what I think of the Elixers
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Apr 3, 2024 15:45:54 GMT -7
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Post by GuitarZ on Apr 3, 2024 19:22:00 GMT -7
Interesting thread timing for me. I have a coated set of the martins waiting to go on my Martin HD-28V.
I tried the original Elixirs a long time ago and hated the feel.
Martin changed the phosphor bronze strings I used to use. After trying out various other options, I’ve been back to the new Martin phosphor bronze strings. But, they just don’t sound as good as the old model. Thus, I figured I’d give the coated a try.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Apr 4, 2024 12:13:33 GMT -7
yeah. not for me. I don't care for them and I don't need them (no issues with my sweat causing corrosion and I like dead-sounding strings). At twice the price of non-coated, the XS may stand for "excess" in regards to the price. what do they give you, John? You think they sound fresher longer?
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liamb
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by liamb on Apr 4, 2024 14:00:20 GMT -7
I use Elixir currently, but I've been planning on trying the XS myself. Great thread timing. lol
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Post by John on Apr 4, 2024 16:12:35 GMT -7
yeah. not for me. I don't care for them and I don't need them (no issues with my sweat causing corrosion and I like dead-sounding strings). At twice the price of non-coated, the XS may stand for "excess" in regards to the price. what do they give you, John? You think they sound fresher longer?
Yes, they seem to not have the dead/dull sound. I really don't like old/dead/dull sounding strings, and I'm very pleased that this set has lasted as long as it has.
With regular strings, I can see after perhaps a few days or a week, where my finger frequently touch the wound strings..that they're brown. And even after playing a set for a week, I can put a new set on and can hear the difference. So even at twice the price, they're lasting a LOT more than twice the time.
Elixers came today. I'll be out of town for the weekend, but I'll slap a set on another acoustic and see if I can tell the difference.
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Post by scottyc13 on Apr 5, 2024 3:55:02 GMT -7
FWIW, my Taylors came with Elixers so the guitar were voiced for them. Perhaps that’s why the D’Addario sounded off. I did try DR non-coated strings, but they got dull after a couple of weeks.
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Post by ntotoro on Apr 5, 2024 6:42:07 GMT -7
The XS aren't cheap, but they've become my go-to on my Bourgeois Dread. They don't feel or sound coated... at least to me... and they last a good bit of time. I destroy untreated PB's in a couple days otherwise.
Nick
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Post by John on Apr 7, 2024 10:01:06 GMT -7
I destroy untreated PB's in a couple days otherwise.
Seems to be my experience too.
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Post by Ridgeback on Apr 7, 2024 11:45:55 GMT -7
I'm just becoming interested in acoustic guitars after 22 years of playing electric so this thread is very timely. Trying to learn all I can and test driving a variety of them at my neighborhood shop to see what fits my hands and ears. They sure vary a lot.
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Post by John on Apr 9, 2024 8:05:40 GMT -7
UPDATE:
I put the Elixer nanotech strings on a guitar. They felt rather creepy when putting them on...as if someone had been eating chicken wings and got the grease all over the strings. I thought they would be terrible. But when I actually played, they weren't too bad. They didn't have the greasy feeling I thought they would have.
They are a few $$ cheaper than the D'Addario XS that I like. So we'll see. I put another Elixer set on another this morning. Felt the same way when I played. Summary...I expected them to be noticeably 'not as nice'...they were only a little bit 'not as nice'.
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Post by GuitarZ on Apr 9, 2024 9:00:40 GMT -7
My first impressions with the Martin coated Lifespan strings is that I'm not digging them. The felt, well, like they were coated. The sound was a little off along with the feel for me.
I kind of wish I could have done a blind trial since my impression was a bit too obvious knowing what the strings were.
Edit: I picked up my acoustic again yesterday with the coated Martins. Actually, it felt and sounded good. So, we'll give them some time.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Apr 9, 2024 10:08:52 GMT -7
i wonder what your impression of uncoated Nickel Bronze might be. i'm using D'addario Nickel Bronze .12-.56
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Post by Russell B on Apr 9, 2024 15:43:07 GMT -7
I got the D'Addario XS's on my Taylor 611. My first impression is they sound great! They feel a little different than the Elixirs do in a good way. They are not as “slippery” as the Elixirs. I’m hoping for long lasting strings. Only time will tell. I’ll report back.
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Post by GuitarZ on Apr 10, 2024 8:22:59 GMT -7
i wonder what your impression of uncoated Nickel Bronze might be. i'm using D'addario Nickel Bronze .12-.56 I'll have to give them a try. In the description where it reads "Made with a NY Steel core and nickel-plated phosphor bronze wrap wire", that sounds somewhat like my old Martins. The Martins had some kind of plating or something. The high E & B strings were golden in color. The replacement phosphor bronze strings they sell now do not have the 'golden' high E & B. I have one pack of the old strings that I've been holding onto. When I eventually put them on, I'll be curious to see if I go "That's the sound!" or if I'll simply say my mind's been messing with me that the new version sounds different. I'll try the D'addario's in the meantime. Thank You!
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Post by GuitarZ on Apr 11, 2024 7:12:39 GMT -7
I picked up my acoustic again yesterday with the coated Martins. Actually, it felt and sounded good. So, we'll give them some time.
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Post by John on Apr 11, 2024 7:24:07 GMT -7
I think I'm going to be a convert to coated acoustic strings. The way my oil/sweat/dirt destroys uncoated strings in such a short time, I think it's the way to go. Now it's a matter of deciding on which set.
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Post by John on Apr 30, 2024 16:34:36 GMT -7
I had a gig over the weekend. Three sets. I 'thought' I put on Elixer coated strings. When I pulled the guitar out yesterday, the strings were dead. Not a little dead...but completely dull and lifeless. Like they'd been on the guitar for a year. I was really disappointed. Then I realized I had put 80/20 strings on it. I had some sets left over. I'm lucky if these survive a gig. I can sometimes tell during the last set that they're gone. And I'm not being picky...they really are dead. But I have a couple of sets of 80/20 that I recently bought, figuring I'll use them for 1 gig, then change them. (80/20 are currently cheaper than phosphor bronze or ANY coated sets) While phosphor bronze will last 1 gig, they won't last two. It doesn't help that my main gigging acoustic is not a bright guitar. So any drop off in that new string brightness and crispness is quickly noticeable.
But I just put on a set of Elixers, as I have a gig on Thursday and Saturday. (both solo!) Lets see if they survive two gigs. Three gigs in 8 days....I'm gonna take a break after this.
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