I am a tried in true dyed in the wool elixir fan. I play phosphor bronze custom light gauge on all my instruments. I did have to get used to how slick they were but I have tried so many other strings and none sound as good to my ear. One of the local music stores in Colorado had me demo the D'Addario extended play strings for them. I tried both the medium and the light gauge strings. They just didn't have the ring the elixirs do and I actually wound up putting my used elixirs back on... What are your thoughts on guitar strings? Brand Preferences? Gauge preferences?

I tried but didn't care for Elixir bass strings. They didn't seem to last any longer or sound nay better than standard strings for me. Seems the guitarists I know use D'Addario for electric snd Martin bronze for acoustic.

Yeah my buddy that plays the Roscoe bass tried elixir bass strings and he said they were just too messy. With the coating flaking off after a while. I don't much like elixir electric strings but for acoustic the D'Addarios don't last half as long for me. I do like Martin SP strings but they don't ring like the elixirs do and certainly don't last as long for me. The extended play Martin strings are just a big waste of money. The $6 Marquis strings are better than the $20 extended play.

Elixir strings in my opinion have been thinner and less rich sounding all across the board (guitar, bass) than regular strings. While they did last longer for me, it was almost embarrassing to play on stage with guys who were actually getting a full tone out of their basses. High end was smoothed off, and there was virtually no presence.

In retrospect, it wasn't until I actually tried elixirs that I really appreciated how much strings make a difference in the sound.

There was an article I did a while back on Rotosound Nexus strings, and those are coated. I'd recommend them over the Elixirs for sure if you REALLY want a coated string, but not over anything that's natural. They still have the same problems Elixir did.

Ernie Ball came out with coated strings, too, but I have no interest in trying them. I prefer flatwounds on my basses now, although I used to be a dedicated Rotosound boinger.

Shackman, does Rotosound offer acoustic guitar strings as well?

Rotosound probably has a set of them, but I don't know if they are coated. You are right though. I don't mind coated strings on acoustic guitars nearly as much.

Rotosound does: http://www.rotosound.com/nexus_acoustic.html

D'Addario also has the EXP series for acoustic.