Customer Reviews

Elixir Strings Acoustic Phosphor Bronze Strings NANOWEB Coating, 6-String, Light

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have literally tried almost every string brand there is, including independent companies. Elixir are by far the best brand.

I first tried Elixir on a brand new Taylor Grand Cutaway (Taylor puts Elixir's ultra-thin NANOWEB stock on all their guitars since 1999). I was instantly in love, not realizing a huge part of it was the strings. I later tried the same guitar, without the stock strings, and I realized what a difference those strings made to the playability and sound.

I don't normally write reviews, but there is no way I can let someone put a 1 on these strings. People need to learn their ratings, because putting a 1 on Elixir just says "I am a moron who know nothing about guitars/strings." They may not be your style, though I can't imagine why. But a 1, they should never receive.

Having read the reviews about the new phosphor bronze Elixir strings, I was skeptical on the improvement that could be heard on my beloved Taylor 814CE over the standard Elixir strings (light gauge Polywebs) that had been recommended for this guitar. After buying and installing the first set, I was pleasantly surprised at the sound that I got from the new strings and, 2 months later, I hear no deterioration of that sound quality at all. I love the quality of sound that I get from these new phosphor bronze strings! A bit more "attitude" than the previous Elixirs that I tried but still providing the warmth and fullness that I was used to on my guitar. You must try a set on your guitar!

Elixir strings are the best strings out there. They are smooth and comfortable, they last much longer than other strings, and they sound richer for a longer amount of time. I refuse to put anything less than elixirs on my guitar.

I was skeptical of how these strings would sound on my Taylor 414ce, as I'd hated the sound of the original Elixir Nanos...but, I decided to try the Phosphor Bronze, in place of my usual Elixir Polywebs...I'm glad I tried them, as they do have more of a warm, bluesy sound to my ears...the only reason I didn't put 5 stars is that there's the usual string squeak I find with all strings I've tried, other than the Polywebs...definitely worth a try...!

I wanted not to like these. Coated strings on a Martin is frowned upon in certain circles. But when it comes down to it, I love these strings on my Martin 000-15. Firstly, it saves me a truckload on strings. I was having to change uncoated strings about once a month, and even that was too long depending on how much recording/playing I was doing. Now I get 6 months to a year before I feel it's time to replace them. I also get a more consistent sound while recording from day to day. Uncoated strings change from ultra-bright when they first are put on, then they hit a sweet spot, then they die off and get dull and lifeless. The Elixirs pretty much just hit the sweet spot immediately and stay that way for months.

These phosphor bronze strings are simply amazing. Sound so good. A little more brighter than the regulars. But not in a bad way.

I've been playing guitar on stage for nearly 40 years, and always put a lot of wear on my strings. I am a lead guitarist, fingerpicker and bluegrass flatpicker. I consider Elixir strings to be unequivocally the best I've ever used for acoustic or electric.

During many years of using regular uncoated strings, I could never count upon them for more than 3 shows before they were simply dead or horribly uneven. That meant changing strings on my key guitars often twice a week - ugh! When Elixirs came onto the market over 10 years ago I was skeptical, but they quickly proved themselves under tough conditions and have continued to improve. I can count on Elixirs to sound great on my Martin acoustics for weeks on end, no matter what I am doing. My string life didn't just double, it improved by a factor of 5 or more!

This weekend (1/28/12) was a case in point - I had a big show to do and my Elixirs were finally kaput after several MONTHS of use on my favorite small Martin. I couldn't find any Elixirs locally, and so grabbed a new set of another very well known (and perfectly good) brand of strings, also coated. The result: I killed those strings in one hot and heavy night of acoustic music. The show was sold out and fantastic, but the strings gave out. For Elixirs it would have been just the first night of many.

I use both the 80/20 and Phosphor Bronze strings for different guitars. Nothing else comes close, worth every dime.

I thought I'd give the "NANOWEB" strings a try but I was disappointed.
First I noticed that the strings were slighty muted. It was VERY slightly, so it wasn't a huge deal.
As time went on, I noticed that they started to look really dirty, much faster than the Martin strings I usually use. I've only had them on for about a month and they already look bad. They still sound OK, but I plan on switching back to Martins before I put on my next show.

I've had a Taylor 410ce for about 11 years, and have always used Elixir strings, including those it came with. I love the guitar, but its one shortcoming was that the bass always seemed a little weak, compared to, say, a Martin dreadnought that would have cost another $800. About a year ago I needed to restring, and the music store I stopped into was out of the bronze-wound Nanowebs I'd been using. So I bought a set of phosphor-bronze Nanowebs, put them on and, bingo, there was the bass response I'd been missing. FWIW, I just checked and the non-phosphor strings I'd been using were the same weight: .12 - .53. Dunno if anyone else has had this experience. Generally, though, Elixirs are great strings for tone and durability.

I haven't had any of the problems noted here with staying in tune. As with any strings, this can be a problem when they are brand-new. When restringing, you need to leave enough slack so that they get several wraps around the capstan before beginning to tighten up, and to stretch them and retune several times once they are up to pitch, but that's true of any string. Once that's done, I usually can leave my guitar on the stand or in the case for days and find it still in tune when I pick it up.

Can't understand any of the negative reviews. I've used only Elixir Nanowebs for years. They last longer, sound not only brighter, but fuller (especially on my Guild Jumbo). Before Elixirs, the oil from my fingers would destroy my strings (like another reviewer - acid sweat?). Elixirs don't corrode and stay in perfect tune for months, and I play every day. All of my guitars have Elixirs on them. I highly recommend them!