Comparing Coated strings, D’Addario XS Phosphor bronze vs Elixir PB Nanoweb on The Same Guitar

Here we are doing a comparison of the most popular coated guitar strings on the market, D’Addario XS & Elixir. Additionally, we are embarking on a cultural word explanation, where the southern word “gomb”, is discussed, and appropriate illustrations of its usage are given. While gombs are not the primary subject matter of this video, please consider this very universal word, and the demonstration of its usage, to be an additional benefit of your viewership, and an effort on my part to enhance your vocabulary. The opinions expressed in this video are mine and mine alone, and are based on my experience only. I have great love and admiration for both of these string manufacturers, and believe for the most part, both offer an extraordinarily great product.

#D’addariostrings
#Elixirstrings
#Edmondsguitars

[chriscarr]

Thanks Shawn for a well executed coated strings demo. You are most frequently well spoken and clear in your description’s
The XS to my ears had a more punchy bottom end. The Elixirs a stronger mid’s presence. I like them both just depends on the day of the and my ear wax levels on that particular day .

[markwillie]

I have been using Elixir strings for over 20 years and have loved them. But, as you mentioned, they don't seem to last as long as in the earlier days and I've had an issue with the G string going dead prematurely. This video comparison, with your guitar, the D'Addario XS has a more natural tone. That being said, everything is subjective to the instrument. Based on this review I will be purchasing a set of D'Addario XS. Thanks for the video review!

[ricklachaine]

Great job on the video and your playing. I have been playing guitar since I’m 12 and still playing at 64. I have been using non-coated strings on my acoustics forever and still prefer non-coated for feel and sound. I usually use phosphore bronze but I’ve developed a preference for 80/20 strings. I find the 80/20 strings are a touch less stiff for any given gauge. I’ve been playing D’Addario strings for years. I installed Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 strings 12 to 53 gauge on my Taylor 224ce-K DLX recently and I like the sound after playing them for a while as their brightness kind of tone down a bit. The strings feel nice although I find coated strings somehow feel stiffer. I’m going to try the XS 80/20 strings to see if they feel stiff like the Elixir strings. I am not as much concerned of finger noise when playing, and I don’t mind changing strings often, so I might just stick with non-coated. Thank you for your efforts on the video.

[garydrichard]

Before the coated string craze, I always preferred the sound of DeAddario over all the other brands. Now I’ve got the sound that I liked and they last longer. Win win for me anyway. New subscriber love the content and your playing. Thanks

[thetransformationalbabyboomer]

Great video Shawn! Whats the difference between the 1253 vs 1152? Sound n playabilty? I am a beginner.

[gloryland_bread]

Awesome video to come back on man. Ive been on Elixirs for years, but im gonna try out these Xs strings now. it seems like the elixir sounds a bit muddy, but I think its because of the way they resonate. For country/bluegrass, gotta give it to diaddario on this one. $17.99 a pair is high, but for long lasting not too bad. the time I get out of elixir is why I've even stuck with em to begin with. God bless.

[dharmaofdog]

THANK YOU for playing the Strings on the SAME GUITAR to gain a TRUE Comparison. So many other "Comparatives" use different Guitars and find that a bit useless since the Woods, Guitar Condition, Shape & Style of Guitar, etc. influence how the String sounds! or is it more how the Guitar sounds with the Strings? Anyway, this was great. Appreciated the effort & patience to switch out the Strings :)

[luvbgrass]

Great video Shawn. I have been using Elixir 16102 Med. PBs for years too. I tried one set of these XS D'Addarios. Honestly I was unsure about them. I kinda didn't think maybe they lasted quite as good as the Elixirs. I can say I have noticed the same problem as you with the fraying, mostly on the third, and forth some on the Elixirs. I still use them most all the time. I sometimes go back to the old standard D'Addarios on my cheaper knock around guitars. I'm not a gomb, but I'm a tight wad on my cheaper guitars, 🤣. I think to my ear in your video, that the XS is a little brighter sounding than the Elixirs maybe. I just commented on a post below. A friend got me some Elixir last week. Like 9 bucks a set. The packaging looks correct and the number. I haven't opened them yet. Maybe I've been had by a knock off. 🙄😬EE

[justinpruett]

I am so thankful you used the word gom

[thecanadianflatpicker]

The great thing about a having a spectacular guitar is the strings become less important. Both sound great to me. Great demo

[tomformanek]

Love the crispness of the Daddarios, especially on the low end.

I am not a huge Martin fan with the big muddy bass. I do love my modern Guild D20 and Yamaha LL16D guitars which have tight and focused bass.

I could live with the Elixer tone but it seems to impart more of a string tone than a guitar tone.

That Edmonds guitar is the bees knees. Congratulations.

[Nazareth]

I detect a difference, but they both sound great! Maybe theDiAddario have a bit louder bass, and the Elixir’s have a bit more tone separation and a bit more ring?

[dale]

Oh yea, missed ya, good to hear your ok!

[Flatpicknation]

Lovely video Shawn, i laughed my ass of about basement guy haha!

[jurajunek]

In my experience You are right about Elixir G string. In let say last 10 packs there happen to be at least in 3/4 cases significantly earlier aging of the coating and a few times I even have seen partial discoloration and difference in touch experience along the G string.
I thought, I just had a bad luck and my supplier received faulty batch or something…
Good to know it is not just my paranoia 😂
Hopefully Elixir will notice and take care of the matter. 🤞

[danielhall]

I've never heard the expression "Gomb" before. I do believe I'll add that one to my vocabulary. Around here we call those sorts of folks "Oregon Go-Getters". That's the guy who's sittin at the bar when it gets to be 4:30 or so and he says "Well, I guess I better go getter" so he can go pick up his wife down at her day job and drive her over to her night job. He's a real "go-getter".😃

[anthonykelly]

Class player Shawn to my ear they both sound good, my favourite is ernie ball ALU BRONZE or String Joy .

[billdedrick]

Shawn, You should do a string comparison on your Edmunds 18 between the XS p.b. mediums vs Martin MA550T (treated) medium p.b. I know many would like to see/hear that comparison as they are very popular long lasting strings now.

[jeffbeliew]

The D'addario sound the best to my ears .Awesome sounding guitar. I keep going back and forth between Martin 92/8 flex core and the new Ernie ball Everlast. I really love the Everlasts.

[herringbone]

That Edmonds sounds great, but for me the D'addario all over the Elixir. The Elixir sound too tight and mids don't set forward enough for me in comparison to the XS.