For guitarists who demand exceptional sound and longevity, Elixir Guitar Strings offer a revolutionary solution. Favored by acclaimed musicians like John Paul Jones, Dave Mason, Melissa Etheridge, and Chris Thile, Elixir strings are celebrated for their unique coating technology that significantly extends string life. This innovative fluoropolymer coating acts as a barrier against skin oils, sweat, and dirt, the common culprits behind corrosion and dullness in traditional guitar strings. The result is a consistently brilliant and vibrant tone that lasts, meaning fewer string changes and more time dedicated to your music.
Elixir: The Gold Standard in Guitar Strings
Since their introduction in 1997, Elixir has redefined the expectations for guitar string performance and durability. Designed to sound and feel exceptional, Elixir strings cater to every playing style, from gentle strumming to aggressive picking. Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass guitar, Elixir offers a diverse range to match your instrument and sonic preferences. For acoustic guitars, choose from 80/20 bronze, phosphor bronze, and plain steel options, available in gauges ranging from extra-light for delicate fingerpicking to heavy for powerful strumming. Electric guitarists can explore nickel-plated and plain steel Elixir strings for various tones and styles. Beyond standard guitars, Elixir also provides specialized strings for 12-string, baritone guitars, mandolins, and banjos, ensuring every instrument can benefit from Elixir’s extended life and consistent tone.
Elixir distinguishes itself with three distinct coating technologies: the original POLYWEB®, the popular NANOWEB®, and the electric-focused OPTIWEB®. Choosing the right Elixir string can enhance your playing experience, and resources like Strings and Beyond’s guide can provide further assistance in selecting the ideal strings for your needs.
Decoding Elixir String Coatings: NANOWEB, POLYWEB, and OPTIWEB
Understanding the nuances between Elixir’s coating types is key to selecting the best strings for your playing style and tonal preferences. Each coating offers a unique blend of tone and feel.
NANOWEB Coating: Bright Tone and Uncoated Feel
Elixir NANOWEB strings are characterized by their incredibly thin coating. This design results in a bright and articulate tone that closely resembles the sound of uncoated strings. The ultra-thin coating is virtually imperceptible to the touch, providing a slick and fast playing surface. Players who prefer the familiar feel of traditional strings but desire the longevity benefits of a coated string will find NANOWEB strings to be an excellent choice. Despite the thinness, the NANOWEB coating provides significant protection against tone-killing contaminants, ensuring long-lasting brilliance.
POLYWEB Coating: Warm Tone and Smooth Feel
The original Elixir POLYWEB coating is thicker and smoother than NANOWEB, delivering a warmer and richer tone. Many players describe the sound of POLYWEB coated strings as being similar to “broken-in” strings, offering a balanced and mellow character right out of the pack. The smooth texture of POLYWEB strings minimizes finger squeak, making them particularly appealing for recording and performance situations where unwanted noise needs to be minimized. While offering a slightly warmer tone than NANOWEB, POLYWEB strings are renowned for providing the longest tonal lifespan within the Elixir range.
OPTIWEB Coating: Crisp Tone and Natural Grip for Electric Guitar
Specifically engineered for electric guitarists, OPTIWEB coated strings feature the thinnest coating in the Elixir family. This ultra-thin coating is designed to provide a crisp and focused tone that is particularly well-suited for lead guitar playing and styles that demand precision and clarity. OPTIWEB strings are engineered to have the natural feel of uncoated strings but with a touch more grip, allowing for enhanced control and articulation. It’s important to note that OPTIWEB coating technology is currently exclusive to Elixir electric guitar strings.
All three Elixir coating types – NANOWEB, POLYWEB, and OPTIWEB – offer a significantly longer tonal life compared to uncoated strings. For players prioritizing maximum string life, POLYWEB strings typically last the longest, followed by NANOWEB, and then OPTIWEB.
Why Choose Strings and Beyond for Your Elixir Strings?
Strings and Beyond is your premier online destination for purchasing Elixir strings. We offer an extensive inventory of Elixir strings, including a wide variety of gauges, lengths, and individual strings to meet your specific needs. Take advantage of bulk purchasing options and save even more – we offer convenient eight-packs on many popular Elixir string sets, ensuring you’re stocked up for extended periods of exceptional tone. Enjoy free shipping within the U.S. on qualifying orders of $35 or more. Don’t forget to watch for discount codes and exclusive manufacturer promotions to maximize your savings.
Whether you need Elixir POLYWEB bass strings, guitar picks, or a new instrument, Strings and Beyond is committed to providing exceptional customer service, high-quality products, and rapid shipping.
Elixir Strings: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Often Should Elixir Guitar Strings Be Changed?
While Elixir strings are known for their longevity, they will eventually need replacing. As a general guideline, Elixir NANOWEB strings typically maintain optimal tone for 40-60 hours of playing time, or roughly four to six weeks for the average player. POLYWEB strings, with their thicker coating, can last even longer, often providing consistent tone for around 100 hours of play, or two to three months. However, these are just estimates, and it’s essential to be aware of the signs indicating it’s time for a string change. These signs include a dull or lifeless sound, a change in string feel, discoloration, and frequent tuning issues.
Where Are Elixir Guitar Strings Manufactured?
All Elixir guitar strings are proudly made in the United States. Elixir Strings is a division of W. L. Gore & Associates, a materials science company renowned for innovations like GORE-TEX fabric. Elixir’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Elkton, Maryland, at a site where Gore operates a factory. To ensure you are purchasing genuine Elixir strings and avoiding counterfeits, always buy from authorized dealers like Strings and Beyond.
Which Elixir Strings Are Best for Acoustic Guitar?
The “best” Elixir acoustic strings depend on your desired tone. For a warmer and richer acoustic sound, Elixir phosphor bronze strings are an excellent choice, particularly in medium or heavy gauges. If you prefer a brighter and more brilliant tone, opt for 80/20 bronze strings in lighter gauges. Within the acoustic range, POLYWEB Elixir acoustic guitar strings will deliver a warmer overall tone and the longest lifespan, while NANOWEB strings offer a brighter sound and a feel that is closer to traditional, uncoated strings.
What Are the Key Advantages of Elixir Guitar Strings?
Elixir strings for both acoustic and electric guitars have earned a reputation as some of the longest-lasting strings available. Their patented fluoropolymer coating provides exceptional resistance to corrosion and buildup, saving musicians both time and money by reducing the frequency of string changes. Beyond longevity, Elixir strings are prized for maintaining a more consistent and reliable tone over their lifespan compared to uncoated strings, ensuring your guitar always sounds its best.
Which Guitarists Use Elixir Strings?
Elixir has become one of the fastest-growing and most respected string brands in the music industry, trusted by a diverse range of musicians across genres. Elixir’s official artist roster includes acclaimed players like Chris “Hatty” Hargreaves, Melissa Etheridge, Santi Torres, Kaki King, and legendary bassist John Paul Jones. Even respected guitar technicians like Ryan Huddleston, known for his work with top artists, endorse and rely on Elixir strings, further solidifying their reputation for quality and performance.
