Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings - Acoustic Guitar
Elixir Strings Employ Coating Technology To Give String 3-5 Times The Life of Standard Strings
Let's face it. Changing strings all of the time is a pain. It is not one of my most enjoyable tasks, but it is a necessary. I will also admit that I postpone changing strings longer than I should.
This is a difficult question to answer as it usually depends of each individual guitar player. Some guitar players do not like the sound of "new strings" as they usually do not exhibit a nice warm woody tone that we expect from our prized solid-wood acoustic guitar.
I guess I have to admit that I fall into that category. I usually like the sound of the strings by the 2nd week of playing, up until 3 to 4 days before they have to be changed.
OK, but how do we know they have to be changed? Here are some of the sure symptoms:
The wound strings have the windings worn down to a point that the string is flat between the fret and the bottom of the winding. Sometimes the winding will even break and you will have no choice. This is a symptom common to both Acoustic and Classical guitar strings.
Secondly you find if hard to tune the guitar or keep it in tune. This indicates a string failure and they have outlived their usefully life.
If you get the guitar "in-tune" and a few minutes later it is already out of tune, you may be in for a string break -or- your strings is not secured good enough at the tuning machines or possibly at the bridge.
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings - Ordinary Wound Strings
Yes, it can be a bit confusing. There are different types of coating for Elixir Strings.
Elixir Polyweb: The Polyweb coating is the original coating that Elixir first introduced.
This coating will give you a warm tone and you will have smooth response from your strings.
Elixir Nanoweb: The Nanoweb strings will have a brighter tone and the punch of a non-coated string.
An additional benefit is that they will feel much like traditional strings.
Of the two Elixir flavors of strings, this one is my string of choice. I love the strings to be bright, which brings out the tone of my handmade, solid wood guitars.
I guess the only way you can be sure is to try both types. That is what I did. I felt that the Polyweb strings sound more like a 'broken-in' string, and I do like that aspect as well. I prefer just a bit more brightness though.
I have given a couple of graphs below, which will help you make a decision as to which string will be right for you.
Also, below that you can select a string conveniently from our store, at great pricing. So look around and see what you want.
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings - How Ordinary Strings Wear Out
Contamination: As shown in the illustration above, as ordinary wound strings are used, the grooves between the bronze string windings get clogged with oils, dirt and other debris.
This is really no fault of the guitar player, even one who washes their hands on a regular basis. This contamination is nearly invisible to the naked eye and it inhibits the vibration of the strings.
Corrosion: While the wound strings deal with mostly a contamination issue, the plain steel strings typically wear out because of corrosion.
Corrosion happens over time too and is caused by moisture, perspiration and just plain exposure to the atmosphere.
Corrosion makes the strings dark-looking and crusty feeling. You can't hardly slide your fingers on them because of the rust and the go out of tune quickly and loose their intonation.
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings - The Elixir Nanoweb Solution
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings - Wound Strings: After much experimentation, Elixir discovered that the real solution was to cover the entire string (the wound strings) with a protective covering. This would keep out all contaminates and corrosion.
Their coating is a micro-thin, yet flexible polymer tube that protects the entire outer wire from contaminate invasion.
You can relate this to a very very thin heat-shrink tubing placed over the strings to protect them. This coating is thinner than a human hair and nothing can get between the coatings, including the coating itself.
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings - The Plain Steel Strings: The plain steels have an Anti-Rust coating which is designed to extend the life of the plain steel strings from 3 to 5 times their normal life.
This process, which is a breakthrough technology, is a plating process the works to prevent rust and corrosion to give you a fresh feel and tone every time you pick up your guitar.
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| PN | Gauge | E-1 | B-2 | G-3 | D-4 | A-5 | E-6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16002 |
Extra Light | .010 | .014 | .023 | .030 | .039 | .047 | Buy Now |
| 16027 | Custom Light | .011 | .015 | .022 | .032 | .042 | .052 | Buy Now |
| 16052 | Light | .012 | .016 | .024 | .032 | .042 | .053 | Buy Now |
| 16077 | Light Medium | .012 | .016 | .024 | .035 | .045 | .056 | Buy Now |
| 16102 | Medium | .013 | .017 | .026 | .035 | .045 | .056 | Buy Now |
