Elixir Strings

Strings are arguably the most important aspect of the guitar, and no matter the experience level of the guitarist, a quality string is required for a clear and accurate tone. Elixir Strings specializes in coated steel strings in which the patented coating covers the entire string, including between the individual windings, protecting it from tone-killing debris such as oil, dust, and skin.

Elixir's original look didn't do the brand's uniqueness and simply sophisticated approach justice. Instead, it blends right in amongst the loudly marked products in the aisle of a music store. The design expansions pictured here are a breath of fresh air compared to the brands on music store shelves today. Instead of loud illustrations and colors, clean lines and definite colors of black, gold, and white allow for the consumer's eye to be drawn by the visual breaks the brand provides.

Of course, your average Joe doesn't quite get to see the corporate assets such as stationery. But keeping the standards the same allows for consistency in the front end and back ends of the brand's outreach. Stating the obvious, maybe? 

Though letterheads and the like are rather simple, the business cards are memorable in a couple different ways. Not only is the card made of plastic with about the same rigidity as a gift card, a perforation around the primary logo mark allows recipients to punch a functional pick out of the business card. There's not a guitarist in the world who would turn down a free pick after all.

Let's get on to the fun stuff that everyone else sees, and what helps Elixir stand out as a brand to the musical public.

Music stores are prone to displaying their items in big fashion, whether through highlighting and displaying the actual items, or through large posters or signage both in the store's facade and inside the store among the merchandise.

The posters take simple, zoomed photography and simple type and headlines promoting the longevity of the product itself.

Some guitar manufacturers sell their guitars with Elixir Strings by default. Taylor, one of the most popular high end guitar brands (alongside Gibson and Martin), specifically partners with Elixir to not only give their musicians a top-notch instrument, but strings to keep them playing it longer.

Of course, unless it's marked, just looking at guitars in a store renders it impossible to know what strings are equipped as you're testing out instruments.

These tags hang loosely from the headstock of guitars that come stock with a set Elixirs, and even if a customer doesn't purchase that guitar (for whatever reason), they know the strings they felt, and the name will stick with them. If they don't buy them then, they will when they're back for a new set within a few weeks.

A new guitar purchase is always exciting, but you don't always know what you're getting when it comes to strings. I, for one, had to dig to find what strings my guitar came with stock. Besides, the aforementioned tags are for store display.

This half-sheet solves that problem. Within the information in the box with the instrument, this blatantly declares the guitar is equipped with a set of Elixirs, taking out all the guesswork.