Elixir POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic
Extra Light .010-.047
The slick, warm, easy-playing set for hands that are still toughening up
$15 - $30
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The short version
Two decisions here both point the same way: the thickest coating Elixir makes, and the lightest common gauge. POLYWEB is the original formulation - noticeably slicker and faster than NANOWEB, and warmer, because more of the string's high end is damped by the coating. Extra light at .010-.047 puts less tension across the top than any set most people will consider. Together they make the easiest steel-string set to fret that is still worth listening to.
How we rate it
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
- Brightness
- 6.0
- Sustain
- 6.0
- Durability
- 10.0
- Feel
- 9.0
- Tuning stability
- 8.0
- Value
- 7.0
Specifications
| Brand | Elixir |
|---|---|
| Model | POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze AcousticExtra Light .010-.047 |
| Category | Strings |
| What it is | |
| Strings in the set | 6 |
| Materials | |
| Alloy | 80/20 bronze |
| Winding | Roundwound |
| Coating | POLYWEB, the original and thicker Elixir coating |
| Measurements | |
| Gauges | .010, .014, .023, .030, .039, .047 |
| In the box | |
| Sets included | 1 |
9 verified fields, taken from the manufacturer first and the Amazon listing second. Fields the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated.
What it gets right
- The easiest common steel-string set to fret and bend
- POLYWEB's slick surface makes chord changes and slides noticeably faster
- The same very long life as every Elixir set
- Warmth suits a bright guitar or a harsh room
Where it gives ground
- Thin and quiet on a large-bodied dreadnought
- POLYWEB damps the top end more than most players want long-term
- Extra light can rattle against a low action
Who it is for
What owners report
Patterns drawn from published owner reviews. Summarised, never quoted.
What comes up most
- Beginners and players with hand pain single out how easy they are to press
- The slick feel is the specific thing POLYWEB buyers say they came back for
Frequent complaints
- Owners of bigger guitars report them sounding thin
- Some find the coating too muffling on the top end
Recognised strengths
- A genuinely useful set for a specific problem: hands that hurt
Recognised weaknesses
- Most players outgrow both the gauge and the coating
The verdict
The right set for a beginner whose fingertips hurt, or for anyone with hand pain, and the slick feel makes chord changes genuinely easier while you are learning them. Be honest about what you lose. Extra light on a big dreadnought sounds thin and can buzz if the action is low, and POLYWEB's warmth is close to muffled on a guitar that was already dark. As hands toughen up, most players move to a light gauge and never come back.
We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.
Sources
Compared with
- Elixir POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs Belfort Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
- Elixir POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs D'Addario EJ11 80/20 Bronze Acoustic
- Elixir POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
- Elixir POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs D'Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical
- Elixir POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs D'Addario EJ27N Student Nylon Classical
- Elixir POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
Other strings
Belfort · Strings
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Light
Cheap phosphor bronze from a brand with no published specification
D'Addario · Strings
EJ11 80/20 Bronze Acoustic
Light, .012-.053
The bright, brash acoustic string the whole category was built on
D'Addario · Strings
EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Light .012-.053, three sets
The default acoustic string, and the one to buy if you are not sure
D'Addario · Strings
EXL110 XL Nickel Wound Electric
Regular Light .010-.046, three sets
The electric string most guitars leave the factory wearing
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