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Elixir Guitar Strings Sound Better Longer

Posted by The Guru | Posted on 15-07-2010

Category : Brands, Coated Guitar Strings, Electric Guitar Strings, Elixir

Tags: coated guitar strings, Elixir guitar strings, guitar strings

Elixir makes just about any kind of guitar strings you can think of: electric, acoustic, bass, mandolin, and banjo. Elixir guitar strings are coated in special materials designed to prevent string corrosion, which is what starts to make even the best guitar strings start sounding like garbage after a while. Other companies use coatings on the wrap wire around the string, but Elixir guitar strings are coated in a special way that completely prevents corrosion.

How Guitar Strings Go Bad

There are teensy-tiny spaces in between guitar strings and the wrap wire around them, and even though the space is small, it’s enough for dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and other assorted junk to get in. Slowly but surely, all of that stuff starts to collect and mash together, which stops the strings from vibrating properly. And when that happens, you’ve got dead strings that sound like crap.

Elixir Guitar String Coatings

Elixir has a patented system for coating their strings so that contaminants can’t get in. It works like shrink wrapping; the string gets coated in an ultra thin polymer tube which protects the strings without inhibiting all those good vibrations.

Elixir guitar strings come in two different types of coatings: polyweb and nanoweb. Polyweb coated strings have a warm tone and are ultra smooth thanks to the slick coating around them. Being so smooth means they barely make any finger squeaking noise. Nanoweb coating is thinner and gives strings a brighter sound that is more similar to traditional, uncoated guitar strings.

Playing on dead strings just plain sucks; every guitar player knows it. Elixir guitar strings are made to sound better longer thanks to their patented coatings. If you’ve never tried a set, go pick some up and see how you like them. You might find they’re perfect for you.

Classical Guitar Strings – Which Should I Choose?

Posted by The Guru | Posted on 06-07-2010

Category : Classical Guitar Strings, D'Addario, Dean Markley

Tags: classical, classical guitar strings, guitar strings, nylon guitar strings

Classical guitars have a warm tone and unique sound, thanks mostly to the strings they use. Classical guitar strings are made of nylon, which means they look, feel, sound, and react to play completely differently from the way electric or steel acoustic strings do. Just like other guitar strings, classical strings come in different tensions, are made from a variety of materials, and are manufactured by several companies.

What’s In A String? – Materials

Bass (E, A, D) strings and treble (G, B, e) strings are made from distinct materials for classic guitars. Treble strings can be made from carbon fiber, clear nylon, or rectified nylon. Carbon fiber strings tend to have a brighter sound than their nylon counterparts and they are a little smaller in diameter too. Clear and rectified nylon strings are made slightly differently, but produce a very similar feel and sound. You may find that you prefer one over the other, so try out both and figure out what works for you as a guitarist. The bass strings on a classical guitar are made from very fine plastic fibers that are wrapped with metal wire, which will be silver plated copper or bronze.

Finding The Right Tension

Each guitarist has their own preferences on string tension, so no one can tell you whether you should go for low, medium, or high tension classical guitar strings. Instead, you’ll have to figure it out for yourself. I recommend you buy a set of each tension from the same manufacturer, change them out, and pay attention to the differences. It won’t be long before you get an idea for which you prefer.

Which Manufacturer Should I Go With?

Another great question that does not have a specific answer, other than: Go with what feels right for you! Augustine, D’Addrio, Dean Markley, La Bella, Savarez, and many other manufacturers make great quality strings that you can try out. Personally, I use medium tension D’Addrio strings, but you might prefer something else.

Your guitar can sound quite different depending on which classical guitar strings you choose to use. Take some time to investigate the differences in materials, tensions, and manufacturers that are available. Try some out, see what works for you, and figure out what you like best. Then you can stop worrying about strings and start playing!

Buying guitar strings in bulk… why?

Posted by The Guru | Posted on 23-06-2010

Category : Acoustic Guitar Strings, Classical Guitar Strings, Dean Markley, Electric Guitar Strings, Ernie Ball

Tags: broken strings, bulk guitar strings, buying strings, Dean Markley, ernie ball, guitar strings

So the other day I was looking for a pack of electric strings to change mine out. I looked in my case, in the amp, in my room, in the acoustic case… I found a few ragtag sets, most of them missing a string or two and no two packs being the same brand let alone the same gauge. That’s when I thought back to the days when I used to buy in bulk. Now mind you at that time the company I worked for had a wholesale account with a distributor where I could buy a bulk pack of 10 Fender 150′s for $2/pair ($3 to $4 is normal) but the principal still applies.

When it comes to buying guitar strings in bulk, your best bet is usually the big time internet retailers. Take for example this set of Ernie Ball Slinkys. $3.99 plus shipping from Musiciansfriend.com. Not bad, but you could do better in bulk. That same string is offered in bulk as a 12 pack for $39.99, that’s a whole 2 packs for free!

Now I know $40 bucks might seem like a big chunk of change to be shelling out for all those strings but honestly, are you going to use them over the course of the next year or two? Isn’t it worth the gas in the car for the trip to your local music store where they are going to be more expensive anyway? Come on, you know strings always break at the worst possible time and when you don’t happen to have another one left in the exact size you need. Having a few extra sets around is a great way to buy a little insurance.

Be careful though bulk guitar string purchasing isn’t for everyone. Make sure you have used the strings you are intending to buy in bulk first, maybe even 2 packs till you really know you like them. I will never forget one time a friend told me he swore by Dean Markley Vintage Bronze Acoustic strings. I went right out with out even having had heard them let alone playing on them and bought 10 packs. Boy was I sorry, those strings broke faster than any I had ever played before (and only the e!). Lesson learned, know what you like then buy in bulk! Save yourself the money and the hassle next time and always have strings on hand.

Stainless Steel or Nickel electric guitar strings, which should I choose?

Posted by The Guru | Posted on 22-06-2010

Category : Electric Guitar Strings, Nickel strings, Stainless Steel Strings

Tags: electric guitar, guitar strings, nickel, nickel strings, stainless steel, stainless steel strings

So you are buying new electric guitar strings and you notice apart from the enormous number of brands and sizes that you also have to think about the material they are made out of. What now?

Well here are a few pointers to help pick which is right for you, Stainless Steel or Nickel:

Nickel Pros:

Generally less expensive than Stainless Steel strings
Easier on your fingers than Stainless Steel strings
Slightly “warmer” tone than Stainless Steel strings
Tend to wear frets less quickly than Stainless Steel strings

Nickel Cons:

Guitarists with a Nickel allergy may have an allergic reaction to playing with Nickel guitar strings
Can corrode very quickly when allowed to stay in a humid environment or are not cleaned after use

Stainless Steel Pros:

Brighter tone than Nickel strings
Stainless Steel strings are hypoallergenic which means no allergic reaction if you have a Nickel sensitivity
Less susceptible to moisture and corrosion over time

Stainless Steel Cons:

Wear out frets faster than Nickel strings (*see note below)
Can be rougher on your fingers (caution newer players)
Tend to be a bit more expensive than Nickel strings
Tone tends to go “dead” quicker than Nickel strings

As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about. My personal opinion: buy a pack of each and see for yourself! People can talk all day about what is good or bad about either type of string but you are the judge of what is the most comfortable and what produces the best sound for YOU.

*Regarding the additional fret wear of Stainless Steel electric guitar strings: keep in mind that when I say extra wear, I am not talking about needing a refretting job a year from now. As with any metal, a stronger metal (stainless steel) rubbing against the slightly softer metal of the frets (usually nickel alloy but sometime stainless steel) will always cause a small amount of wear. Many guitarists have played with Stainless Steel strings for 10 years without noticing extreme wear on their frets due to the harder strings. So don’t let that scare you too much, give them a try, you might just love them!

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