Best Acoustic Guitar Strings? Real World Comparison Between Already Worn in Guitar Strings
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ค. 2020
- Hey everyone, I've noticed that every string comparison video on youtube only compares strings that are brand new and have not been worn in. I wanted to make a video comparing strings after they have been already been gigged with, so you can see which set of strings stands the test of time. I will be comparing Elixir Nanoweb guitar strings against D'addario XT guitar strings so you can see for yourself which one sounds better so you know which guitar strings to buy. Both of these audio clips are recorded exactly the same and the audio has no plugins, just straight into logic for the most accurate representation.
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I feel like Elixir strings have this sparkling high end that makes you feel like “wow”, but at the same time this sparkling high end makes it so it lacks roundness and body. To my ears D’Addario ones sound more organic if it makes sense, and have a less “plastic” sound them
That’s a good point. Two different characters for sure
I hear what your talking about, and I agree.
Although I love the sounds of the Elixirs, I value the more well rounded sound of the D'Addarios.
I played Elixir for years. They definitely are dull and tinty compared to many other strings. The coating mutes the strings true characteristics. They actually sound better when the coating starts to come off after 6 plus gigs.
I’m in love with the elixir strings, I just bought them, so exited to try them out.
After attempting to tune my guitar, my string snapped. It hurts like hell in my forearm after the whiplash. As a result, I assumed TH-cam was just sitting docks; however, its algorithm recommended this video to me, and I must say it is so eye-opening to see how well you play the guitar that it reflects that the string is truly worth purchasing.
I would be cool to see you do this exact same comparison but with Elixir “Phosphor” Bronze nanowebs. That would be a “fair” comparison. Great sound clips and video
Great comparison video mate.
Good job. I usually just change every 3 months. But I’m goin to purchase my first elixirs on the strength of your interview
The elixirs shine thru everything you provided. I am a. Elixir user this style and gage. Thanks
Hi Dave. I just bought a new Martin D 45 and my first strings I put on the guitar the first day were the Elixir Nanoweb 80/20s. The D45 comes stock with titanium strings, and they really just don't sound that great to be honest. As soon as I got the Nanowebs on there the guitar started to sing like it was from heaven. After a bit I thought I might play around with the guitar a bit and thought I might give those D'Addario's a try. But after watching your video this morning, I'm sticking with what I already knew...... thanks man have a great day.
All modern strings are good, compared to when I started playing in 1959. But (as a non-professional) I find Elixirs a marvel. Played maybe 1-1/2 daily, they stay sounding good and simply NEVER go bad. I change strings for the heck of it, not because a change is needed.
replace the .012 and .016 (lights) every 2 or 3 weeks with musicians friends bulk rouge strings and they ring forever just about. 3.00 for a 10 pack. The steel strings die like normal strings....for .35 cents each you can keep the set sounding fresh
definitely the Elixers sound brighter. Recording brings out the lows and that's just a few hours of added mixing I have to do in order to fit the acoustic guitar into is frequency niche. A brighter string brings out the articulation.
Thanks for everything you did! appreciated ☺️
No problem thanks for watching!
I choose Elixirs mainly for superior tone. Sometimes it's a question of what tone woods sound best with Elixir PB's or 80/20's. Now that would make a good review.
Correct. I play a Martin now and prefer the Martin strings over elixir currently
Wow I’ll never play anything other than Elixir again. I’ve used the D’addario for years and your tone was very comparable to mine. When I heard the Elixirs I was shocked. Wasn’t expecting them to be as sparkly
Elixir's are the way to go! They keep that new sound for a very long time too
the best strings : th-cam.com/video/oWTb9Ze4dZg/w-d-xo.html
Elixirs are the only strings that improve lower - quality guitars. Also, it isn't just because the strings are new.🤣👍
Thanks dave for this video
Nice info, which one is better strings brand or name for better resonant sound????? Warm sound
Elixir strings are my personal favorite because the strings are hella clean sounding and they bright especially playing corridos makes it sound so good
I always use the Elixir Polywebs.Nanowebs sound too bright for me. But on my dark sounding guitars I will use D Daddario XTs because they sound more active. But I purchased a Taylor 114e and will be restringing that with the Polywebs.
what's the last song you played? I like it.
great video too. Thankyou
I’m using the phosphor bronze Elixirs on my Teton. Also picked up some Martin & Co Phosphor Bronze. I have a feeling the Elixirs are superior but won’t know till I give it a try.
I prefer Elixer polyweb, because I hate that scratchy string noise.
I think when using a pick/plectrum, or playing with long nails, they sound a little bit too bright, but as I play with flesh / no nails, and fingerpick, they sound perfect.
I think both strings sound great but I slightly have gone away from the elixirs on my Martin guitars because they seem too bright and tinny. I like these D’Addarios.
I like the Nano's better for fingerpicking because they retain that bright sound despite using no pick.
Very Good review
thanks!
Do elixirs keep their sparkle? I've used numerous Daddarios that lose it on my mahogany... Martin's models sound great and keep a small bit of sparkle, but lost a lot of it. Does the coating on the Elixirs help the sparkle stay longer?
Very helpful
Elixirs for me. I've tried about every brand and always come back to elixirs.
I feel like the Elixirs make the guitar sound kind of tinny, noticed that too when I bought some for my guitar a few years back.
I was excited to try the XTs, but hated them. Also hated the XS. But I love the D’Addario Nickel Bronze strings.
I feel like the elixir strings are by far better sounding. I mean just based on what I’m hearing in this video. They are so much more clear and bright and just makes more sense. I’m definitely going to buy those. Thank you.
Hey man are you still making videos? Also I like the DAddario slightly better. I’ve been using elixirs for a while but on my Martins I switched to the DAddario and just sound more full, warm, and bass and not as tinny.
Very informative! Where did you get your mic though?
Guitar center! It is a Blue Spark mic
Elixir are definitely brighter.
Thanks for the demo!
What do u prefer? Elixir 80/20 nanoweb or Elixir phosphor bronze nanoweb 😀
Can I put D'Addario XL ECG23 (Flat Wound) Chromes Stings (10-48) on an acoustic guitar? Would it still sound like an acoustic, but a little warmer?
put them but try pure nickels too
D'addario have a clean sound but the second one Elixir's
Sound is more beautiful ..
The second one is good enough for any type of sound that u want .. I will choose the second one ...!☺️
Tone is tone and wood is wood...
also no one mentioned the sustain that the elixirs naturally possess. Although it does fade away quicker than most ..
But, I'll gladly change them when necessary..
Yours truly,
Tone Wood..
on my experience elixir has that more clarity and is more tone consistent than the XT... both are great to have though
3:47 something like Olivia , what a great song by Mr. John Mayer ✨
Elixirs win by a mile!!!! Wasn't expecting that.
Elixirs are WAY too sparkly metallic right out of the gate for strumming. They almost overwhelm any woodiness the guitar exhibits.
Can I get some opinions on using elixirs for the high four strings and d’addario’s for the low two? Or would that totally mess up the tone? Has anyone tried it/can someone making a video trying it? I thought it sounded great when I tried it but I suck at guitar so it’s be cool to hear someone good do it.
no problems there. problems could arise if you used different brands/types of the lower 4 strings because after a chunk of time you'd likely have some strings that sound better than others instead having all of them (sort of) degrade together.
yeah, seems like elixir is the best, but, in durability, how the elixir perform? how much time i can use it without buying another strings pack?
I think I agree with the choice to stick with the Elixirs.
I've gone through a lot of guitar stings in my life as I've been playing since 1974.
I cringe at the current costs for all strings, however the Elixir far outlast any other Acoustic strings I've tried.
D'addario makes great strings, no doubt about that, my personal preference still always gravitates me back to Elixir for my acoustics.
Not sure if anyone else has this next issue I'm going to mention, but I've found that most of my guitars actually have a brand preference of string as to getting the best tone (to my ears anyway). Currently I am using 4 different brands of strings for 7 different electric guitars. What brand sounds good on my Les Paul just doesn't cut it on my Telecaster. And what sounds great for the Telecaster just doesn't cut it for my Stratocaster! In a perfect world I'd use one brand for all of them and be done with it, but alas no, life is more complicated than that.
Great review, thank you.
Its good to listen to an old timer. Thanks for your experience.
@@chaipod Thank You for taking the time to reply.
I believe more than any other group musicians (while not perfect) communicate and understand each other best.
Personally I think the emotions we experience when playing are a shared experience that binds us.
Oh how the world would be a different place if everyone could make music.
@@hkguitar1984 Music is the very first language, it teaches men to talk. The bird sings, men follows...
@@chaipod Amen
the best strings : th-cam.com/video/oWTb9Ze4dZg/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for doing this! I will stick with the Elixir
Of course! And me too
@@davemaiorino9017 I think Taylor is probably use Elixir Phosphor strings, but some Good Guitars also use Daddario Phosphor strings, mine is like Taylor, but I use Daddario Ej16 3d phosphor strings.
Somethin ab thise elixir strings man, idk how to explain it but when they are brand new they sound like a soothing deep voice
I use the same Elixir's as well as the Martin Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze 10-47 Extra Lights on my 000-15M to brighten up the more mellow middy-sounds of the all Mahogany guitar. The D'addario's I've tried seemed a little muddy (on my guitar, at least). I got a 3 pack of the D'ad's a couple Christmas's back so I tried to like them... no joy
what type of elixir do u use here?
I agree with you the Elixir strings have a much better ring and sustain the D'Adarieo strings much more mellow. Thanks for your video great information .
allow me to ask, I plan to buy new strinng now, does the D'addario XT worth it to give it a shot? I been using Elixer for last 5 months and have very very LOVE it. Just cerious of the new D'addario XT strinng so I wondering
If it aint broke dont fix it
I tend to agree with Dave on the elixirs and if they work don’t switch but I am too curious to my amateur ears how the XT or XS sound. I hate to waste 20 bucks in strings and then another 20 if I go back but I M very curious. I have heard other professionalists swear by the D’Addarios so who knows. Did you try them and like them as much as elixir? I think we’re pulling hairs at this point but please let me know. Thanks!
Yes, you have wise ears.👍
Elixir stay fresh longer and feel buttery smooth. I bought xt's thinking they are same thing as elixers but from daddario. Not at all they just regular strings without coating that coasts 2x. Even though they advertise one...
My xt's died in like week. My elixers still sounds like new and e and b strings didn't darken and still shiny. And it's been a month of playing
oh that's nice! i bought yesterday 2 sets PB elixir, Good God thats was the best about elixir, e & b don't rust! bout what about b & e of xt?
@@lloyddichoson4171 they are black now
@@lurs21 elixir nailed it! Yes! Thank you brother!
What guitar pic do you use?
Elixirs are my favorite. I have extra sweaty hands that rust traditional strings really quickly (within 2 weeks sometimes if I play a lot) and the elixirs stay like new for months. Great deal for the price.
Hey, what is the name of the 3rd song you are playing? I like exliar but for that one song I like the others
Something like olivia by john mayer! Acoustic version
@@davemaiorino9017 thank you for replying. Great playing
This is pretty much why I will never go back to using any other brand of strings except Elixir.
What was the last song?
Hi Dave, I feel that Daddario Xt sounds more deader, Elixir is more Brighter and Crisper, I have a (Taylor Custom 224ce-K-DLX), I use Martin Treated 2.0 Phosphor Bronze Light and Elixirs.
Do you think it’s true that Daddario XT sounds dead right out of the package?
They are crisp right out of the box but quickly become dull
@@davemaiorino9017 Ok cool, but I feel that StringJoy sounds dead right out of the box, have you used StringJoy before?
I feel like pretty hate StringJoys.
@@michaelgao8621 Never tried them
what the difference between 12/53 and 12/56 ?? 🥹🥹
When it comes to elixars i had to quit useeing them because of string failures mainly the g string and i am not the only one my pastor had the same failure same string multiple times just like me i now use pb 80 20 clear tone which sound great and last with no string failures and i play 5 hours a day easy go through a set of frets every 18 months on my Taylor no strings last over a month for me and there dead as a mater of fact i dont like the way brand new strings sound i like them in about a week then they begin to deteriorate and I prefer to change them at 2 weeks but sometimes I'll go as much as a month and hate them by then
What are you playing in 3:49
I need to I get some new strings I think I am going to buy the Elixirs
I like the elixirs best
No doubt D'addario is warm but it is not justifying the price.
But I would go with Elixir because it's bright, crunchy in the tone and worth at that price.
I have a fender squier sa-105 dreadnought guitar. It's original strings broke. Which strings should I go for?? budget strings
Go for D'Addario EZ910 it costs ₹350
Elixir!
What do you recommend? 12/53, 11/52, 12/56
80/20 bronze or phosphor bronze for Yamaha FS800? I'm a noob beginner, and don't know their differences 🤣
Its all about preference phosphor bronze is warmer and the 82/20 bronze is brighter in general. We can go in the technicalities of each string materials and how they effect the sound. But in the end it all comes down to what do your preference. The warm with a bit bass heavy sound or the bright with a bit twang in the strumming. i would suggest try every possible strings you can buy. That how most of the guitarists got to know their favourite string brands and types. The only advice i would give you is thinner strings are easier on your left hand than the thicker ones. And the thinner ones are brighter than the thicker ones. So a light gauge phosphor bronze would be brighter than a heavy gauge 80/20 bronze. I hope this helps.
@@debasishiamwastaken Thank you :)
I bought a size 10 extra light, will go to custom light or light once I got use to it
Can i use Elixir on Yamaha f310? It sounds bright
Yup!
What was that last song you played, do a tutorial!
Sounded like "Can't you see" by The Marshall Tucker Band to me, with a pinch of his own improvisation on it 🤔
Elixir now and forever!🤠🤠🤠
100%
Even Elixir is too hard... to heavy for to play... the tone is amazing
Very obvious that Elixir sounds much better.. Thank you!
Now maybe me preferring Elxirs Nanos has something to do with aging
On about 6 decades or so in, ya start lose the highs...
So I can really appreciate the Elixir's brighter, "present" sound.
Don't get me wrong, D'Addario XT/XS are nice too,
but to my ears they sound like the treble side of artist's instrument is a step further away from the mic.
how long before you change your strings?
Both sets of strings had about 3-4 hours on them in this video. With elixirs I change them every month or so because they last so long
@@davemaiorino9017 Why do you change them every month when they last so long?
@@adamegbaria2308 Because I do music full time and put about 25+ hours a week on a set of strings
@@davemaiorino9017 Oh Ok, keep doing you man.
How long would you recommend before changing to a new set of strings, Let's say If I have a frish set of elixir strings that is. Also, which do you prefer 11-52 or 12-53 of you ever tried them before?
Thanks
@@adamegbaria2308 Honestly its a feel thing. If the strings sound dull and are crusty then its probably a good time to change them. How long the strings last will depend on how much you play. So if you pick up the guitar a few times a week and play for a half hour each time, then you could expect the strings to last a good three months but remember its a feel thing and how they sound. And I use 12-53
Sick something like olivia
Daddario xt sound muddy and dull??
Is it just me or is there someone else feeling that thicker strings like 12's or even 13's are "easyer" to play???!!! When I got 10s or 11s on i struggled with playing, also with Fingerstyle playing! I feel that the heavier strings give me a more clear feeling for the strings and i can play better, and hit the strings always correctly and direct!
Someone else feeling like me?????
I understand what you are saying! Heavier strings can feel more stable when playing
@@davemaiorino9017 thanks for your reply!! I just struggling more with thinner string's but for the reason I have no friends around me with instruments or guitar i just have to find it out probably for myself on my journey to get better.. i just want to get a more secure kind of feeling while playing so I think it would make maybe since for me with thicker strings.. have a great day btw your vids are great!!
@@Chris_OConnor Thanks Chris! Yeah I run 12's on acoustic and 10's on electric
Heavier strings sound better. It really is just that simple. (Also uncoated strings sound better - but that's another story. I changed strings often, and preferred that to "long lasting strings" which all sounded unnatural to me.). But I digress! The question is how much tension can any guitar neck made in the last 20 or 30 years stand before it starts to pull up? I'd have mediums on all my guitars if they could stand it. It took 50 years for the neck on my old Guild blond jumbo to pull up. It took only a couple years for the necks on my more recent guitars (Guilds & Martins) to start pulling up. I've gone to light strings - which I do not like to do, as they have no feel for a player used to mediums. But these newer lighter weight guitars just can't take much tension. There I said it. They may well open up sooner sound-wise, but they are weaker.
@@bobaldo2339 Thank you! Very good explained and so I understand! I own a shorter scale Folk guitar, and i still think I'm going to go for medium strings probably because I'm scared that the high tension will ruin my guitar probably idk... It's just that I don't feel comfortable with light strings because the low tension and the "swing/vibration" in the strings makes me always mess up (hope I explained that right sorry for my English!)
Is that a John mayor tune
Lol the Elixir sound so much better. Sounds more bright & clear & just warm. Look like I'll save some money & get the elixir. I always had good luck with Ernie Ball Strings. Alway good value for price
Which strings should i use on my fender sa105ce
try out the elixir's
@@davemaiorino9017 If I did use elixir strings, then my guitar's tension would increase or not
@@devenmalde5599 it shouldn't
Wow
Elixirs definitely
What song is being played at 3:50???
Dust in the wind
what guitar is it?
Taylor 214ce
Elixirs still sound clean and bright, but still with good bass tone. The D'Addarios sound dead by comparison...which has been my experience with every "long life" string they've ever put out. They just lose that shimmer much earlier than the Elixirs do. No contest.
I agree 100%
I agree
Agreed
Elixirs👍
Two new strings man I need six
My complaint about Elixirs is the flaking, wiskers, fuzziness of the coating. 1-2 hours playing a day and they'll start flaking or get fuzzy after a few weeks of playing.
True, same experience here, I feel the D'addario coated are a lot more Organic and natural
Listening on Logitech G35 headset elixir sounds more...jingling. Like more metallic and sparkling sound. More cheeky. D'Addario is softer, smoother. (I feel like idiot every time I try to describe sound or scent).
This kind of test doesn’t really allow to hear the difference. It may seem counter intuitive but you would hear clearer difference if you didn’t play actual music but rather played repetitive chords or single strings.
For me the elixir is the best
You didnt tell the numbers on them
Hands down: Elixer
Bro play the first john mayer song i was gonna practice hahaha, what are the oddds, diddario was basically more natural for that song ,the rest elixir got that wow factor
Why are you giving us the bird?? Lol
John Mayer - Something About Oregano
Martin SP 2021 The Best
I think It's Different Co'z The Mic What he Use..
Come on everybody, you’re limiting yourself if you choose to only play a steel string acoustic or electric. If you are learning guitar you should learn the classical method which is more connected to the music theory.
they’re practically all different instruments. i know technically they’re not but they have and a different feel. i say play whatever you want.
Anyway, Taylor and Elixir were born that way😂
Something is off, that was way to drastic of difference
Elixir is clear , I go with lighth
Elixirs sound new and the D'addario strings just sound dead. I was hoping that D'addario came up with something cool...but, nah.