Guitarstrings

I use D'Adarrio Jazz nickle's(12-54) on my acoustic. I play outdoors in Florida at  resorts by the water so humidity and sweat are a major problem. I have found that sound quality at first isn't as good with the nickle strings but they do not lose sound quality as the life of the string goes through its cycle. Two things let me know when it's time to change them;they break or tuning becomes more of a problem. What one may lose in tonal quality with the nickle strings instead of bronze, phosphor. or poly/nano coated strings can be compensated suffentially by boosting the highs a tad on your guitar eq or guitar input source( mixer,eq,amp,etc..). I have saved a ton of money by making this change in that the life of my strings have probably increased 10 fold. So to answer your question are the Elixer strings worth it, I say yes if you're recording and no if you're just pluckin' around. Just a little input from a full-time working musician......Peace

What martin strings are you using? I use the "SP" type in phosphor bronze and get exellent sound and very good longivity.  (I still can't spell however...oh well)

I've tried the Elixer brand and have been assured that I'm one of a thousand that hates them.

I had a set of Elixir Light strings to try.  But my brother in law, whose an accomplished musician, told me to try some extra light strings.  I've been playing less than a year and he suggested this as a way for me to be able to play longer on my acoustic guitar, since my fingers get sore after an hour or so with the Light strings.  After my lesson on Tuesday I stopped to chat with one of the clerks at the guitar store.  I asked if I could exchange my Elixir Lights for a set of extra light but Elixir doesn't make them.  D'Addario does though and they're the phosphor bronze coated ones around $20 bucks just like the Elixir.  They are easier to play but my guitar has definitely lost it's "tone" and sound and the strings buzz a bit.  Think I may go back to sore fingers and Light strings.  Or else buy an electric guitar.

Hello HeatherAB,

The loss of tone after putting lighter coated strings on may be a characteristic of the strings. The buzzing however is different and I think can be corrected.

There will be less tension with the lighter strings causing the neck to arch back slightly which will leave the strings closer to the frets and hence cause the buzzing. This can be adjusted, although it is not the job for an amateur, so another chat with the guy at your music store will no doubt reveal a competent technician for the job.

Roger