Review | Living Room Legends Music Instruments

Dean Markley Alchemy

August 17th, 2010 admin No comments

Dean Markley Alchemy

Are Elixir guitar strings really worth the money?

I haven't had the time to change the strings on my acoustic since I bought it. It's been nearly 7 months, so I know that I probably should have done so at least 4 months ago (but I was really busy with school work). I heard a lot of great things about Elixir strings but I'm not sure if they're really worth it. I know that they're coated so that they last longer than normal strings (perfect for me because I don't think I'll have too much time to do frequent string changes). Are there any more pros and cons to the elixirs? I'm thinking of purchasing a pack of Elixir Nanoweb PB lights. What about the Dean Markley Alchemy Goldphos strings? Has anyone had experience with these? I've also heard some good things about them. If you've had experience with these brands and didn't find them to your liking, feel free to recommend other strings. If it helps, my guitar is a Seagull S6 Original acoustic.

Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Elixer strings are reputed to last longer because they're coated to protect them from corrosion. Corrosion is only one of the elements that contributes to a string wearing out. There is also metal fatigue and wear from the frets. Cost-wise, Elixer strings are about a wash. Depending on how much longer you believe they really last, and how much you pay for them. They cost 2-3 times as much as a set of regular strings and people claim they last 3 times longer....which is pretty subjective.

The life cycle of a set of strings is optimum tone for a few weeks after you put them on, then a plateau where the tone sort of levels out at mediocre, then a gradual drop off. With Elixers, you get a longer plateau of mediocrity. I prefer to buy standard strings and change them more often....that way, I get "new string" tone more often. Currently, I use Martin SP strings which cost around $6 a set.

If you really hate changing strings or are just burning with curiosity, pick up a set of Elixers...there's no harm. You won't lose money. The worst that'll happen is that you won't like the tone and will be stuck with a set of strings that won't wear out fast enough.