Do Elixir Strings really have more tension than Uncoated Strings?

[NateCordova]

Hello forum users.

I've read online the opinions of some people, in which they consider that Elixir strings have more tension than uncoated strings at a given gauge.

For the sake of comparison, i'm used to D'addario nickel wound strings (non coated).

Do they really have more tension than D'addario (and other uncoated string brands) for a given gauge, or they just feel stiffer?

Does this differ from Polywebs to Nanowebs?

Thank you for your opinions.

[littleredguitars2]

i dont know about more tension, but they sound and feel incredible on my acoustic

[Andrew W]

i dont know about more tension, but they sound and feel incredible on my acoustic

Same. I have Polyweb Elixirs on my acoustic and love 'em. No idea about tension though.

[NateCordova]

I ordered a pack of polywebs some weeks ago for my acoustic guitar (a very bright and thin sounding guitar) i use whenever i go out with my friends, when i get it i can give my opinions :)

But im really talking about electrics here, i'm thinking of ordering elixir polyweb single strings for my Les Paul (mine is a very bright guitar believe it or not) with the exact same gauges i use on it.

I love the tension on my guitar atm, not too tight or too loose, and i'm using D'addario non coated strings.

Just wondering if i would like elixir strings on it...

[FRockStar]

I haven't tried Elixirs, but have used D'Addario's coated strings and a couple of other brands. I didn't notice a difference in tension with the D'Addarios but they did have a slightly different feel to them (a bit 'plasticky?', thought this lessened with use), and a slight loss of 'zinginess', in my opinion.. The loss of zing was not necessarily a bad thing in really bright guitars though.. I mostly stick to regular strings but sometimes get coated sets to put on my brighter guitars if I spot a really good deal.

[NateCordova]

I haven't tried Elixirs, but have used D'Addario's coated strings and a couple of other brands. I didn't notice a difference in tension with the D'Addarios but they did have a slightly different feel to them (a bit 'plasticky?', thought this lessened with use), and a slight loss of 'zinginess', in my opinion.. The loss of zing was not necessarily a bad thing in really bright guitars though.. I mostly stick to regular strings but sometimes get coated sets to put on my brighter guitars if I spot a really good deal.

You are particularly right, the slight loss of "zing" can actually be a good thing for bright sounding guitars or bright sounding pickups, today i had to replace a d'addario E string with a Pyramid string of the same gauge and the pure nickel string sounds more pleasing to the ear, kept the bass tightness but reduced the highs, while still not dulling the guitar's sound.

[38thBeatle]

I can't say that I've noticed any difference with Elixir strings. I forgot to mention that I've had a set on my acoustic for a year. It is gigged a fair bit too and they still sound great. In spite of the two breakages I mentioned in my earlier post, I use them on all my guitars. A bit pricey but overall I think there is a saving as I get more out of them.

[JDC]

I've never noticed a difference either.

[Slartibartfarst42]

There's certainly a little less 'zing' in them but the flipside is longer life and greater consistency of tone so it depends where your priorities lie. Elixir strings always feel that little bit thicker to me, like I've actually moved up half a guage so yes, I've noticed a slight difference.

[JCN1218]

A little while ago, I bought a BC Rich 7 string and completely overhauled it. New pickups, new electronic, etc. When all was said and done, I decided to put Elixers on it based on all the positive reviews I'd read. I used .9s, and I immediately noticed when I started to play it that the strings were extremely stiff and hard to bend. This problem never went away! Not to mention that the high E string snapped after a few tremolo dives. After a while, I switched to Ernie Balls and the problem went away. It's just one negative experience, but I still wouldn't buy them again. One positive thing though, they last an extremely long time, although, in my case that was a bad thing.

[Kiichi]

After trying Elixirs years ago and not liking them gave them another shot now while restringing my Ibby after I fitted a RY neck in it. With all the good talk about them here it seemed to me like I should give them another fair try since I have changed a lot since last time. Before I had the BKP Rotosounds on it.

What I can say is that yes, they do feel stiffer to me. Not just stiffer than the Rotos, but generally for strings. I am one who likes roundcore over hexcore cause I do not like the stiffness the hex provides. However, this is a different stiffness, one that actually does not feel bad. I will deffo get some again, cause they play nice, though not as nice as nickel on roundcore. To be fair though they are really different, so saying one plays better is kinda weird. I enjoy them both for different things.

I do feel they sound a more low mid focused than what I had before too, but the high end tone really seems to stick, so far I am impressed in that regard. Nickel on roundcore seemed to have more high mids and high end, but especially the high end fades as we all know. The price does seem justified for me as you might get a little less tone, but a lot longer tone.
For someone like me who playes multiple guitars these are really useful cause I can keep good tone up without changing strings all the time. And if I need really good tone for special ocassions or my favorite guitar I can always use nickel on roundcore.