Coated vs Uncoated Strings

[glpg80]

Is the general consensus that coated strings last longer and sound brighter? I’ve used Ernie ball strings pretty much exclusively in my life. The only time I didn’t was a stint when I used GHS in my gigging years but they wouldn’t last for my sweat content and always snapped.

I’m thinking of trying Ernie ball coated or some other brand coated that once they’re warn in, they don’t lose that zing. String technology has progressed for many styles and as I’ve gotten into designing higher gain amps, I’ve never taken the time to assess strings like I did in the past.

So what coated strings are recommended for metal and do they work or are they a gimmick and snake oil?

 

[DanTravis62]

Coated strings certainly work, but the technology has progressed where I don't think they are really necessary anymore

NYXLs last just as long as elixirs or whatever coated strings ive tried

just my experience

 

[Dave L]

I´m not sure I´ve played any coated strings, or even heard anyone talking about them, for twenty years. Seemed like a big deal at the time, but I never got used to the feel of the Elixirs. Maybe I should look into it, at this point I´m not keeping up with the string changes as I used to - lots more gear than time - so on some guitars they sit a while.

 

[PDC]

Coated strings certainly work, but the technology has progressed where I don't think they are really necessary anymore

NYXLs last just as long as elixirs or whatever coated strings ive tried

just my experience

I will second this. I used just about every brand imaginable back when I was playing out - but that was a long time ago and I agree string tech has advanced considerably since then.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine who plays several nights a week turned me onto NYXL and I have never looked back. I find they hold tune better than any other string I have tried and they feel smooth and sound nice and bright long after I would expect a set of strings to go 'dead.' Not sure what the deal is - NYXL are not a 'coated' string. They claim to be 'high carbon steel' whatever the F that is. But they sure are a step up from anything else I have ever used.

 

[PDC]

at this point I´m not keeping up with the string changes as I used to - lots more gear than time - so on some guitars they sit a while.

This is me to a 'T.' I have lots of cheap slap-together partscasters laying around - and strings stay on until one breaks or until I get the itch to swap pickups. This is where I really swear by the NYXLs. It can be months since stringing up a guitar and putting it back in the case, and after a quick tune-up, the NYXLs feel, play and sound like the day I put them on. Its really impressive.

 

[Findthetone1]

I've been using Curt Mangan coated for my electrics for at least 5 years and I love them. I don't gig so I'm lazy about changing strings. They feel great and last a long time. Acoustics I still use Elixirs.

 

[Solarflares]

What the fuck is “Zing”?

 

[DanTravis62]

I will second this. I used just about every brand imaginable back when I was playing out - but that was a long time ago and I agree string tech has advanced considerably since then.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine who plays several nights a week turned me onto NYXL and I have never looked back. I find they hold tune better than any other string I have tried and they feel smooth and sound nice and bright long after I would expect a set of strings to go 'dead.' Not sure what the deal is - NYXL are not a 'coated' string. They claim to be 'high carbon steel' whatever the F that is. But they sure are a step up from anything else I have ever used.

Yeah I play hours a day, every day, and gig a couple times a week

NYXLs are the best as far as "endurance" while sounding like new strings imo

Before they came out with NYXLs I felt like I was constantly battling against my strings

 

[stephen sawall]

I don't use them but have friends that do.

One of my Strats I did not change strings for seven years. I could not tell the difference. It sounded the same. I do keep my strings clean.

Some people play my guitar and the chemistry of their skin kills the strings. I need to change strings the next day. Even if they only played the guitar a few minutes.

As for the treated strings none of them sounded as good to me. They always sound dead. I removed them after a few weeks every time.

 

[thegame]

What the fuck is “Zing”?

Most of my posts

 

[VonBonfire]

Coated strings sounds like a good way to deaden tone.

LeMMe pUt pLaStiK oN dEm

 

[MxLx]

...
Some people play my guitar and the chemistry of their skin kills the strings. I need to change strings the next day. Even if they only played the guitar a few minutes.
...

I definitely fall into this group, my sweat just wrecks strings. I've been using the D'Addario XTs for a while now, and they work great for me. Same build as the NYXLs, but with a thin coating that's not as smooth and slippery like the others I've tried. I found this description, and it feels accurate to me:

XT Strings

• Construction: Identical high-carbon steel core and winding to NYXL, plus an ultra-thin wire coating.
• Tone: Very similar to NYXL but slightly warmer; the coating is thin enough to avoid the "dull" sound typical of other coated strings.
• Longevity: Significantly longer than NYXL because the coating prevents sweat and oils from corroding the metal.
• Feel: Nearly identical to NYXL, though some players note they are marginally smoother or less "grippy" than uncoated strings.

Edit to add: the XS strings feel a lot more "coated" and smooth, I don't like them as much as the XTs.

 

[ners]

I've used elixirs for so long that I forget what normal strings feel/sound like. Granted I'm not gigging but I go months without changing them even if I'm playing every other day.

 

[CrystalSky]

Back in the day theybsaid Elixirs sounded duller. Don’t know if that’s changed nowadays.

 

[VonBonfire]

Back in the day theybsaid Elixirs sounded duller. Don’t know if that’s changed nowadays.

It's like taking a shower with a raincoat on.

 

[Devin]

I've used Elixir Nanowebs many times over the years - they definitely work as advertised for me (naturally sweaty bastard and insane Lousiana humidity at all times always kept me searching for ways to avoid rust)


Not all coated strings are created equal though for sure. Those DR color coated strings for example are fucking horrible and the coating begins flaking off all over your guitar within minutes (they also feel rough)


As far as non coated strings go, EB Paradigm are by far the longest lasting for me. I kept the same set of Paradigms on my main guitar for over a year before they finally started to deteriorate a bit

 

[technomancer]

Been using Elixir Nanowebs pretty much forever, I'm in that camp that kills normal strings in a week.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I don't even consider other strings besides nyxl

 

[Rackman]

I've used Elixers (the green ones) for a long time and always gotten exceptionally long life. No reason to change.

 

[Jakem]

I love D’addario EXLs for their tone and feel but I rot all the uncoated strings in no time and for this reason I started using Elixirs a looong time ago and haven’t looked back. Any better products available these days?