Confused about coated string

[joselorellano]

I have elixir nickel coated strings on one of my basses:

Recently bought elixir stainless steel coated strings from an online vendor but, does this look like a coated string?

 

[1stnamebassist]

It could very well be. Elixers lightened up on the coating after the first couple years I believe. Not sure why but may have had something to do with the coating flaking off.

 

[mmbongo]

I'd be more concerned about contracting scabies or something from that nasty fretboard!

 

[joselorellano]

I'd be more concerned about contracting scabies or something from that nasty fretboard!

Yeah... I spend more time playing than cleaning...

 

[joselorellano]

I contacted the people at Elixir and they told me it wouldn't be the first time somebody got counterfeits of their strings. Even the package looks legit...

 

[JustForSport]

The second photo looks like round rod wound around a bundle of cable with gaps between the wrap wires.

First photo looks like a plastic tube slightly heat-shrinked over the wraps- I think that's how they're made.

 

[mmbongo]

I contacted the people at Elixir and they told me it wouldn't be the first time somebody got counterfeits of their strings. Even the package looks legit...

Where did you buy them?

 

[joselorellano]

Where did you buy them?

From an online vendor at Aliexpress...

 

[mmbongo]

From an online vendor at Aliexpress...

Yeah anyone selling $35 strings for $12 is probably a red flag.

Always order from www.bassstringsonline.com

 

[joselorellano]

Yeah anyone selling $35 strings for $12 is probably a red flag.

Always order from www.bassstringsonline.com

Yep. I buy from Jason almost every time. It's just that I saw that deal and I figured "even if they are not elixirs 12 bucks for a package of 5 strings is not bad"... I got a few basses that need some fresh strings, even if they are not the best ones.

 

[Billybladez66]

The real question is for the price...how are the strings?...is it a value worth repeating??? You may have stumbled on a bargain for as long as it lasts...

 

[petrus61]

From an online vendor at Aliexpress...

Widely known for peddling counterfeit everything, unfortunately.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

From an online vendor at Aliexpress...

I don't even think they sell any non-counterfeit brand names. Even then, their house brand names are ripped off. You definitely bought counterfeit strings. I'm sure if you look closely at the packaging there will be discrepancies.

 

[joselorellano]

The real question is for the price...how are the strings?...is it a value worth repeating??? You may have stumbled on a bargain for as long as it lasts...

I'll be installing the strings on a bass that I use for practicing at home this weekend. If I can get at least one or two months out of them then I'll say the deal wasn't that bad. Cheap strings to me mean at least 17 to 18 bucks a package of 5.

 

[joselorellano]

 

[petrus61]

Different SKU from MF sets, which is kind of odd. I deal with lots and lots of SKU's, but only within NY. Do printed SKU #'s vary state to state? If so, why?

Elixir NANOWEB Long Scale Medium-Light 5-String Bass Strings (45-130)

Edit: Looks like the gauges are different too...am I missing something?

 

[JustForSport]

OP, when those strings are used up, and you remove them, could you take the B and/or E apart to see how they are constructed?

 

[JustForSport]

Different SKU from MF sets, which is kind of odd. I deal with lots and lots of SKU's, but only within NY. Do printed SKU #'s vary state to state? If so, why?

Elixir NANOWEB Long Scale Medium-Light 5-String Bass Strings (45-130)

Edit: Looks like the gauges are different too...am I missing something?

Same gauges, box (looks like) as S/S 5- string Mediums on BSO site.

Diff SKU for diff gauge set, or S/S vs Nickel?\

But the string photo doesn't look anything like the graphic on the box.

 

[joselorellano]

OP, when those strings are used up, and you remove them, could you take the B and/or E apart to see how they are constructed?

Will do...no problem. I'm curious myself...

 

[BAG]

I'm a bit skeptical about that packaging. For those gauge strings I thought that Elixir labelled them as Light as per this shot however I could be wrong. The fact that you paid so little for them makes me think they are rip-offs.