Fake Elixirs?

[jansch]

I've just put on a set of Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze 13-56 Acoustic Guitar Strings [16102]. The length of the wound part of the strings is suspiciously short. The wound part of the 5th string barely goes into the tuner hole. Do you think they're fake?

They sound OK, and stay in tune, I guess time will tell - if they don't last long they'll be fakes!

I've got them on my MM Blues resonator (scale length 25"). I bought them on eBay, at around the normal price. There have been complaints from buyers about them, which I didn't notice when I bought them, unfortunately.

[rmp]

There are some fakes out there for these product.

https://youtu.be/Z3EqBFye7wM

[foxo]

You get fake everything these days. I even got a fake Prime Tone plectrum from a seller via Amazon marketplace. I avoid eBay like the plague.

[Stevien]

Always buy from a reputable dealer. I get mine at Elderly. Sometimes finding the cheapest price costs you more!
Steve

[jansch]

I've watched the YT video. I've compared the packaging with a new pack of light gauge, and there are a few small differences - the packet of the med gauge is slightly glossier, the Gore logos on the back are different colours. The med gauge strings seem to be coated though. It's just the length of the strings that's bothering me. I'll check again when I restring my acoustic guitar.

I think I'll stick to Strings Direct in future though.

Thanks for the replies.

Update - changed strings on D-CM. The covered area on the 5th string is much longer than on the "fake", but colour and composition of the strings seems the same. So I am still unsure. Time will tell.

[maxtheaxe]

This very issue is why I quit using Elixirs after having them exclusively for more than 20 years, beginning with the polyweb, then switching to nanos when those came out.

I started getting sets that just didn't sound right...sort of dead and lacking longevity. TBH, I had no idea whether it was an issue with Elixir or it was because of counterfeits, but ultimately, I didn't even care to test it...just moved on.

It's too bad, really...I liked the way they sounded originally and I appreciated the reduced string noise...but they just weren't worth it to me any longer.

[docwatsonfan]

I've gotten burned once buying " Elixirs "..

Perhaps the packaging should have a way to tell if the product has been tampered with?............

[rmp]

Originally Posted by Stevien

Always buy from a reputable dealer. I get mine at Elderly. Sometimes finding the cheapest price costs you more!
Steve

I agree. This would probably be the most sensible solution.

I like Juststrings.com they are close by too (right over the border form Mass/New Hampshire)

Takes about 2 days to get to my mailbox from the time of placing an order.

[CharlieBman]

I've had strings where the QC of the manufacturer was suspect, but in all my years of playing I've never felt a string I bought was fake. But I've always purchased from reputable sources. If I want a better price I try to find a bundled offer.

[donlyn]

Originally Posted by Stevien

Always buy from a reputable dealer. I get mine at Elderly. Sometimes finding the cheapest price costs you more!
Steve

There was a big deal about fake Elixirs some years ago. Elixir changed their packaging. There were a few threads at the time that may help explain the differences.

What Steve wrote is correct. Always buy from reputable dealers. On-line non guitar dealers can be suspect, including some big names.

I have gotten real Elixirs from Elderly, Sweetwater, and, in person, Guitar Center.

For my six string guitars, I favor the PB HD Light gauge, {.013 - .053}, as long as the individual guitar likes it too.

Be well, play well, and buy carefully,

Don

(_o)===###

.