Strings.

Derick, in this time of year, I wait till a rainy day to change strings (not my favorite thing under any circumstances!) because there is too much to do outside and I'd rather be outside anyway! I've used GHS and Elixir (and D'addario,) all good strings, some just sound better on some instruments.

Stud Muffin,

Not to sure about the 15% off, but got free international delivery, and the price of the strings are a lot lower than over here.
Can't place to larger order, or I get hit with VAT tax, import and customs charges.

Are you being serious here?  Does your Seagull get string buzz in the winter?

If so, why?   Just curious. 

So, I've been doing a little experiment the last couple of years.  Been using D'Addario EXPs and Elixers and trying to keep track of the diffs after using exclusively Elixers for so many years before that.

I really do like the sound of both firstly.  I've noticed one fascinating thing in the "looks" department though.  The EXPs tend to stay looking better for their lifespan, but they still go dead in about 1/3 to 1/2 the time as Elixers.

The Elixers tend to start "looking" shabby/beat up/used much sooner, but they retain their clear and alive sound for much longer.  I knew this before, but just keeping track a little more closely I noticed the dramatic difference in the looks lately.

It's a good thing I don't mind my strings looking shabby cuz it's all about the sound at the end of the day for me.  But I can totally understand how that might be something others can't deal with.

The only reason I'm writing this is because I only became aware yesterday that for some reason, I like when my strings look shabby but sound great.  LOL  Weird eh?    Must be similar to when people like their guitars looking all old and beat up or something.  But still, I was kind of surprised to discover this about myself. 

So, my Alvarez AG70cear, the strings it came with (D'Addario EXPs) have gone dead pretty fast.  Probably cuz I'm been playing it a LOT.  lol.   I have sets of both strings in stock.  Which ones to put on?  EXPs again, or Elixers.   Hmmmmm......decisions, decisions.

That's exactly what made me notice this so much.  Looking at my AG70cear, the EXPs look fine.  They don't look brand new or anything, but they definitely don't look old and tarnished either.  But they're pretty much dead.  (For me that is, I've met people who might play these and think they're fine who play their strings until they're beyond dead in my book!  LOL. )

On the other hand, the Elixers look pretty darn worn and beat up, (mainly around the first 4 frets and over the sound hole) but, they still sound fantastic.

If one were to go by looks alone, they'd pick up the EXP guitar and be sorely disappointed and miss out on the fantastic sound of the one that looks old and worn.

Another thing occurred to me.  Price wise, it's a wash between the two as well.  Which is kinda cool.  I still buy my strings from my guitar shop; I guess I just like to support my local businesses.  Not much into ordering stuff online still unless it's stuff that's just a pain-in-the-you-know-what to find. 

Anyways, the Elixers cost about 1/3 more than the EXPs, sometimes only around 25% more, but the Elixers last at least 1/3 longer, sometimes 50% longer.  So, the difference when you factor price in is kind of negligible in my book.  I mean, ya, there is a difference, but it's quite small.

Seagull or Godin at least on my 2004 grand were made by D'Addario the Epiphone 2012 EL-00 were also D'Addario. I never bought elixers yet tried a few guitars with them and didn't like the coated feel just can't play the way I do. The Fender came with Fender coated yet not anything I could see or feel. I just buy D'addario 12's since there are no strings I have ever had that didn't tarnish rather quick , I have some sort of acid that makes silver and many metals tarnish and even pit even tuning keys become dull. I wipe things down and it still happens. I just keep using strings until one breaks unless I have a spare or they sound to dead. As long as I wipe them down at least they don't rust and wear away frets which is my main concern.