These strings are worthless if you play lead. I tried over five packs of these with the same results. First of all they are not as resounding as regular strings, because of their coating I assume. But worst of all they are the weakest strings I have ever used. Within two hours of playing time the D or G always breaks and whichever goes first the other is soon to follow. I have even tried playing very light, changing picks and constantly keeping in my mind that they are very sensitive and not only does it ruin the playing experience but it makes no difference because they are going to break anyway. They may be better for a back up player who plays softly but for a strummer who is leading they are worthless. One good thing is that the wound E and A strings last forever and stay bright for months. I leave them on my guitar and just use Martins for the rest of the strings and change the Martin's when they get dull. so if you just buy the E and A wound strings I give them a 5 star rating otherwise they are terrible.

I was happy to read ALL of the other 'breakage' reviews so that I knew my guitar was NOT defective. Simply put, these are great sounding and great feeling strings. I REALLY like them. Here is the problem: the D and G ALWAYS break during my gig. Like another review I read, I too have about nine new packs of Elixirs with just one or two strings missing. IF you are a quiet player and NOT a hard strummer you probably won't break a string and I encourage you to try these strings. Elixir could persuade me to come back by annoucing publicly they fixed the defect and will replace/sell individual strings. Until then I will have to go with another brand that will either last until I replace the entire set or that sells individual strings.

I play five days a week on the beach in South Florida. Before I found elixir, I had to change strings every four days or the salt air had turned them to dead sounding, rust covered, finger ripping wires. Elixir strings last at least twice as long as any other string out there.

These strings will keep a pretty bright tone IF they last a long time... Quite a few players I know have the same problem with them, though. The first three strings seem to break quite often, and it doesn't seem to be due to strumming habit. I've recently switched to a different string band because they break so often and I like the tone of noncoated strings better. Be prepared to buy singles if you do lots of gigs with these things. Overall, they have a pretty good sound. I'd recommend them.

I tried out a Taylor guitar that sounded so good, I asked the shop owner what strings were on this from the factory. He told me Elixirs were the only strings recommended by Taylor. I left with a set of extra light strings, and the dream of buying that new great sounding Taylor. My 1983 American made Washburn Monterey Artist now sounds, and plays much better than the $3500 Taylor. And mine is paid for!! What a deal. Try them, you won't be disappointed.