YOU GUESSED IT…ELIXIR STRINGS ARE MY FAVORITE STRINGS
ELIXIR GUITAR STRINGS…THE BRAND I PUT ON ALL OF MY GUITARS
There are so many different brands of guitar strings on the market that it will make your head spin. Over the years I have been asked numerous times about which guitar strings I prefer and use, or would even recommend. There’s one brand that hooked me right from the first time I put them on one of my guitars. Since that first set, it’s the only brand of strings that I buy. Elixir.
You see, I had never really ever been a string snob. Guitar strings were just something I changed – and it seemed like it was all of the time. It didn’t really seem to matter too much if I wiped them down right after a set or waited until the end of the night before putting my guitar back in the case at the end of the gig. After about three weeks of playing they just didn’t sound the same anymore…in fact, they just didn’t sound very good at all any more. I really never had a preference of brand either. Guitar strings were just guitar strings as far as I was concerned and .010’s were what I used.
1996 was the year that that all changed for me. That was the year I bought my Japan Strat which had a set of .009’s on it when I bought it. First off, I thought, wow, these things bend like crazy – it felt more like the guitar was strung with rubber bands.
If you have ever seen Robert Cray play, you may have noticed that it looks like his Strat might be 3/4 size because he’s such a big guy. I’m not a huge, tall guy like Robert Cray, but when I played my new Strat with .009’s on it, I felt like Robert Cray on steroids. I couldn’t believe the ease at which I was able to bend notes.
Shortly thereafter, I received a package of guitar strings in the mail from the W.L. Gore Company. The only thing I knew about the name Gore, other than that being the last name of a bass player I knew from a band I used to go watch, was that they were the company that made a water repellent fabric called Gore-Tex.
The letter that accompanied the strings mentioned that the Gore Company had sent out these new Elixir
Hey Jack, I just bought an American Special strat and use Elixir.009 nanoweb strings, and I have to agree that they are quite magical! I’ve never used a set of strings before that–like you said–feel like I’m playing with rubber bands. Great recommend, thanks!!
Great Jeff! I have some that I have had on a couple guitars for 2 years that still sound great! Best, Jack
What is your Japan strat? I have a squire affinity strat. I bought it because I could afford it, and it plays very well! Would you recommend using 0.9 elixirs on it?
Hey Jeff, it’s a ’96 regular standard sunburst Strat. Back in the ’80’s I almost got a Squire one as they were quite affordable. My Strat came from the factory strung with .009’s. It was my first introduction to .009’s as I had always used .010’s up to that point. .009’s are a great gauge to have on your guitar and I have noticed that at this age they are sure a lot easier to bend for me. I have them on all of my guitars except my acoustic which has .010’s. Thanks!