|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Finally bought an acoustic/electric and am now looking for strings. My friend uses Elixir but dang they're $14 a set.Any other recommendations? The lightest gage possible and good longevity.
BTW I bought a Washburn WD10sce & case
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
John,
The Elixirs are worth every penny. Not as bright as bronze, but you can EQ them. Very easy on the fingers. Try a set - I bet you'll like them.
Second choice would be D'Addario (for me).
Regards,
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Quote:
John,
The Elixirs are worth every penny. Not as bright as bronze, but you can EQ them. Very easy on the fingers. Try a set - I bet you'll like them.
Second choice would be D'Addario (for me).
Regards,
Bob
+100
The Polyweb version will cut down on string squeak as well, not so much with the nanoweb - technique of course is the best control, but everytime I think I'm going to save money by not buying Elixir, I end up using the non-coated strings shorter because I'm so hooked on the feel of Elixir and sloppier technique that I can get away with using them!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
+200
And, Elixirs can LAST longer, as well.
I haven't kept any empirical measurements, but the Elixir strings seem to be lasting up to maybe four times longer as compared to other types.
Do the arithmetic, the fourteen dollah becomes a bargain IMO.
Now, why a Bass Player would want as light a gauge as possible is another story. And a puzzlement.
Me, I like a string that has enough mass to drive the guitar's top crazy...
And I find more speed when circle picking the larger gauge strings as well. Can dig in with the plectrum, as it were.
Big string = louder guitar.
louder guitar = a guitar that is easier to play at medium or soft volume levels.
And a bigger sound.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
put me on the list of people who prefer Elixir strings. For me its not only that they last longer, but I think they have a brighter sound. For acoustic I buy the phos bronze. http://www.nextag.com/elixir-phosphor-bronze/stores-html#!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722 |
+ 400 or wherever we are now. Anyway, come on John we spend boat loads of money on instruments, gadgets software or anything else we think will make us sound as good as possible . . . . here it comes, why would 14.00 bucks for good strings cause you to pause? Ducking, bobing and weaving!  Later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
I use Musicians Friend brand at $1.99 a set and they sound good too. It's not that I don't think Elixir's are great, I'm just a cheap date.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,904
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,904 |
A friend of mine plays a lot and he always buys cheaper strings by the case. His theory is all strings sound good when first installed and then a couple of weeks later they all are starting to get dull (he plays a couple of hours a day). So he buys the cheaper strings and changes them much more often than most people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
I will go with the Elixirs.Sounds right.As far as the price,not being familiar i just didn't want to be buying hype is all. I'm always willing to pay more for better.
Mac,
You hit the nail on the head. I'm a bass player.I bought my first guitar less then a year ago.Been playing bass 50.Have a chance to play rhythm acoustic in a good country band. I'll figure out the right gage I suspect. Heavy strings = sore fingers as well until conditioned. It's odd but my bass plays so easily that I really don't have calluses on my fingers & I play a lot.I use heavy gage on the bass.Folks always remark about my tone being so good.
Thanks all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Something I didn't mention in my +100: Many of the higher end, mass producers of acoustic guitars outfit their axes with Elixir. I'm not talking boutique brands, I'm talking brands like Larrivée - which can be found at Guitar Center. Why do you think they do this, when they can put $1.99 strings on their guitars? Longevity on the wall. If they work for them, they work for me. Haven't yet switched over my electric guitars to Elixir, because I haven't found the need - but on my acoustic, they are my go-to string.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Good point. I'm sold.My friend gave me a set as a gift for my new guitar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250 |
Me too! I have Elixir nanoweb 11s on my Yammy APX6. They keep their tone a long time. I tend to change mine when they get "furry"!!! (you play it long enough and the nanoweb coating wears and creates a furry looking string where you strike with the pick - lol!)
cheers
ian
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250 |
Quote:
Haven't yet switched over my electric guitars to Elixir, because I haven't found the need
I have Elixir 11s on my Strat (my sound files are in the "Showcase"), having gone through all the Ernie Ball, D'Addarrio ranges etc etc - BORING!.
I wouldnt put any other string on my guitar now. Havent had a single string breakage in 5 years. I change my strings every 6 months - whether they need it or not - lol !! (often they don't - the TONE is still there.)
cheers
Ian
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722 |
Quote:
Havent had a single string breakage in 5 years. I change my strings every 6 months - whether they need it or not - lol !! (often they don't - the TONE is still there.)
cheers
Ian
Good point. I can't remember when I last broke a string.
Later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 34 |
Elixirs save you money in the long run. You don't have to change them as often. I use a .012 set on my Martin 000-28 and they sound great. Martin also has a series of strings that compete with Elixir but I haven't tried them yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,173
Posts801,571
Members40,062
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean