The selection of strings for a guitar is not the easiest thing. Experienced musicians, of course, already know their instrument well and are unlikely to make a mistake in choosing, however, for beginners this task can be quite difficult. For example, not all novice musicians know that metal strings will never fit a classical guitar , and the sound of an acoustic guitar, on the contrary, will deteriorate greatly if you use nylon. But if the seller should warn about such nuances from the very beginning, then some issues have to be solved independently.
Which brand to choose? Despite the fact that the final answer to this question is achievable only through trial and error, some basic information can be obtained by reading reviews on various brands. One of the most popular and well-known products of the music industry are Elixir guitar strings, which will be discussed later.
Elixir brand overview
The American company Elixir was the first manufacturer to start using ultrathin materials in the manufacture of strings. It is for this reason that Elixir strings are often called eternal. They are much less susceptible to corrosion, not so polluted over time. The polymer used in the manufacture of these strings fills the gaps between the turns of the winding, preventing the ingress of dirt from the fingers and the influence of moisture and cleaning agents. The manufacturer claims that Elixir strings "live" up to five times longer than unprocessed ones, without losing their fresh and "juicy" sound.
Elixir Strings Reviews
The vast majority of musicians in every way praise the Elixir brand. Many of them pay attention to smoothness and strength, as well as incredible durability. At the same time, many pay attention to comfort when playing - Elixir strings are pleasant to the touch and practically do not get dirty. The main drawback, according to guitarists, is the price. The cost of one set can reach four to five thousand rubles. The price of the kit depends on the type of tool.
Elixir: bass
Elixir bass strings come in several forms. There are kits on sale for both five- and four-string bass. Also, if necessary, strings can be purchased separately. The price of the kit can vary from two to four thousand rubles. Like all strings of this brand, Elixir basses are also equipped with a NANOWEB coating that prevents dirt from entering and protects against corrosion. Their average life expectancy is 3-4 months, subject to daily classes or rehearsals.
Elixir: electro
A guitarist who has acquired an electric guitar is most likely involved in music professionally, or has such serious intentions. For a rock guitarist performing on venues from rock clubs to concert complexes, the quality and durability of all elements of the instrument are extremely important. Elixir strings for electric guitars do their job with a bang - the likelihood that they will tear during the concert or lose sound quality after several weeks of hard rehearsals is minimized. The cost of a set of strings, including non-braided strings, with NANOWEB coating is about a thousand rubles.
Elixir Acoustics
Acoustic guitar is a solid and beautiful instrument. Often the owners are very careful about the instrument, and sometimes they even get the guitar out of the case only "on holidays". Despite the fact that in this case there is no need to constantly change the strings due to breaks or excessive pollution, a long downtime can also adversely affect the sound quality. Polymer-coated Elixir acoustic guitar strings are pretty tough - they are not susceptible to corrosion and retain their beautiful sound even in the case of long breaks in the classroom. The cost of the kit ranges from a thousand to one and a half thousand rubles.
Fake Elixir Strings
Among musicians, it is sometimes felt that there is a possibility of acquiring fake Elixir strings. Some guitarists share the bitter experience of acquiring a "counterfeit", complaining about the string instability to corrosion and short life. However, the manufacturer claims: it is almost impossible to purchase a fake kit. Also, manufacturers are ready to guarantee that all products undergo strict control, and a strong spread in quality is unlikely to be the cause of such incidents. Most likely, inattentive or inexperienced buyers did not clearly articulate their wishes in the store or purchased the goods without examining the packaging. The fact is that for some time outdated Elixir versions without a polymer coating were on sale. On the packaging of such strings there was no anti-rust marker (anticorrosion), however, the company logo and packaging design were similar, which caused similar misunderstandings.
Tips for beginners to purchase strings
The first and probably the most important advice - do not save on your tool. As you know, the avaricious pays twice, and in the case of buying strings, this statement remains valid. Deaf, hard or excessively brittle strings are unlikely to bring pleasure to the musician when playing, and soon he will again have to go to the store. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the race for the brand can also end in a spoiled mood and a hole in your pocket: some well-known manufacturers have a serious variation in quality.
Before buying, you need to study the reviews, and feel free to ask questions to the seller: most often they themselves are musicians, and are always ready to give good advice. Also, despite all the advantages of expensive high-quality strings, they still need proper care. If the guitarist does not stock up on care products, he will definitely have to fill this gap. Thus, you can significantly extend the service life and maintain the desired sound level.