• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: GUITARSTRINGS LIMITED

We had already a lot of topics, which is the best brand, but here just ONE question, and it light be interesting for every guitar player.

ELIXIR STRINGS:
- NANOWEB strings
- POLYWEB strings
What is the difference?
Is it true that a lot of guitar players choose NANOWEB? I read that the sound is better, brighter.
It's not so easy, because you get a lot of different answers, and I believe that 75% guitar players prefer nanoweb.
Who has ELIXIR STRINGS on his guitar and are you satisfied?
THANKS GUYS

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • NELA
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: West Monroe, La. 71292
  • Registered: 2007-11-28
  • Posts: 1,303

Re: GUITARSTRINGS LIMITED

Just broke my "D" string on my electric - acoustic so I decided to replace them all. I went to a music store near my office and asked about the Elixer Nanoweb and Polyweb strings. I was told that both were a coated string - nanoweb single coated and the polyweb double coated making them have a "slick" feel. The guy at the music store advised me that the double coated Polyweb strings have problems with the coatings coming off where you strum or pick as well as where the strings cross the frets (this happens over time) The nanoweb has the same problem, just not the same amount of coating. From his advice I decided against the polyweb strings but still wanted to try the nanoweb strings BUT he was sold out in the guage I wanted. So, i went to another music store and was told the exact same thing - EVEN - we are sold out of the nanoweb strings. SO, I bought me some D'ardarrio's (spelling) and went on my way.

Nela

NELA's Website

  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2007-10-20
  • Posts: 114

Re: GUITARSTRINGS LIMITED

Doc,
I've played Elixers for a long time. I've played both the nanoweb and the polyweb. I guess I prefer the polyweb. They sound better on my Takamine. Plus, I've read a lot of reviews about breakage problems with the nanowebs and I've experienced it myself. I also think the polywebs last longer. That's just my opinion.

"Do or do not, there is no try." Yoda
  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: GUITARSTRINGS LIMITED

I play Nanos and don't experience any breakage. Admittedly, I don't play hard either. I use a pick about 50% of the time but I preferthin picks. I think Elixirs are the best I've tried. Recently, I compared them to Martin Marquis (which used to be my favs) and the Elixirs sound better and play better. I'm about to try the polys on my Yamaha F400.

I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused.
Elvis Costello
  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: GUITARSTRINGS LIMITED

IN GENERAL:
Elixirs are the first major innovation in strings in over forty years, and they deliver what they promise: great tone and long life no matter what you put them on or how often you play. Nanoweb coating permits strings with the feel, bright tone, and punch of traditional strings.
Add the fact that almost every single ELIXIR STRING user tells the same story = they last 3-5 times longer than any traditional string.
Is this the end of all d'addario's, Ernie Ball's, Martin's, Gibson's strings. I don't think so, because those strings are really good, and Clapton, Page, Slash, Vai, ... use these strings (probably endorsements). I saw these strings, and they use also a certain kind of "special treatment", and they are called Slinky strings. I DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT THIS MEANS.
Those who have all the money get their strings for free, what a world!!!
About ELIXIR: 
Nanowebs are described as a "warm" sound. (this is a recurring comment)
This gives me the conclusion: "Brighter-sounding" electric & acoustic guitar string.
Polywebs are described as a more "muted" sound.
This is what I found so far.
I have 1 set of NANOWEB elixir strings, acoustic and extra light =  0.10 - 0.47 (since Saturday).
I like extra-light strings, but what about 0.12 gauges, still "light", what is the typical string-size used on acoustic guitar? Probably it all depends on your style, but all you dear friends, what is in fact the "IDEAL" size? Probably mine are to thin, and my style is more strumming, maybe an in between style, I don't strum like a PETE TOWNSHEND , I have a more gentile approach, so my opinion should be a 0.12?
What's yours, about the difference in elixir, compared to Ernie Ball who uses that SLINKY thing.
- 75% NANOWEB
- 25% POLYWEB
This was a vote about which Elixir string people use.
Polyweb strings are older, and after looking for a long time, I read that a lot of players write: POLYWEB = you FEEL the coating and NANOWEB = not

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Madeira Beach, Florida
  • Registered: 2007-12-05
  • Posts: 3,312

Re: GUITARSTRINGS LIMITED

I snapped the G on a brand new set of Polywebs Saturday night - lasted less than an hour. Elixer has a good replacement policy, and recently sent me a whole set of Nanos after a similar situation (There was a thread here about it).  However, in my totally unscientific trial and error experiment, Elixer has failed miserably. I have played maybe a dozen or so other brands / types without these breakage problems. I have had sets of Elixers last, and yea, when they don't snap, they last longer (sound good longer) than most others, but I don't need the added hassle of replacing broken strings. I'll continue my pursuit of the perfect string, but Elixer is officially out of the running.

Rule No. 1 - If it sounds good - it is good!