Coated vs Uncoated Strings

[cobrahead1030]

I’ve got a few guitars that I like Elixirs on. They work wonderfully on my Charvel SoCal, which is also my only guitar set up with 9’s.

 

[JackBootedThug]

I bought a bunch of dr silver stars and normally I love dr strings. Played their coated before which I liked okay. These silver stars…. I don’t dig them at all. They are okay but honestly there are better choices.

 

[jasonP]

I've always felt like when trying a coated string for electric guitar, Elixir or Daddario, there was a cleaner tone to the distortion and have been playing NYXL's as they seem to last a little longer and tune up quicker, however recently I changed back to regular XL strings and found the top end to sound more natural to my ear vs the NYLX's. Fun thing about strings is that you can try a bunch of different brands and types, sizes and really find what you like.

 

[Speeddemon]

I need to try those NYXLs once.
The Elixirs that I do enjoy are the Optiwebs; the ones that feel the most like uncoated strings and sound brighter. I use them on guitars that I don't play that often.
But I hated those old Poliwebs; too dull and after heavy riffing, a black guitar would look like the strings had dandruff.

 

[CrystalSky]

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

Sounds intersting

 

[midnightlaundry]

I think they are dull. Wipe your shit off and quit being a sweathog..

 

[gclef]

Ive been using elixirs now for 20+ years. First nanos, then optis. I go 4 to 6 months a set

before that it was eb and d'addario. I got a week, maybe 2 per set.

my take is that regular strings sound better than elixirs when first installed. They rapidly die from there on.
Elixirs sound 90% as good at the start and stay there longer, and never get as bad/dull as regular strings can.

The optis do not shed, and feel like new regular strings.

 

[311boogieman]

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)

The DR Tite Fit .11s are nickel plated and I use never had any flaking off. And they feel smooth. I'm just wondering if we are talking about the same set of strings. They are not color coated but nickel plated - the ones I'm talking about.

 

[Rackman]

Yeah I've never had any problems with the optiwebs and I get I'm sure 100+ hours per set. I don't really break strings, and the optiwebs don't seem to need to be changed, so I've probably got sets that are a decade old or more.

 

[CrystalSky]

The DR Tite Fit .11s are nickel plated and I use never had any flaking off. And they feel smooth. I'm just wondering if we are talking about the same set of strings. They are not color coated but nickel plated - the ones I'm talking about.

Nickel plated are different. Old elixirs had kind of a polymere condom on them that flaked off.

 

[MusicIsLife]

Even with hand washing and wiping down the guitar, I used to need string changes every 2-3 gigs. I've tried a bunch of coated strings, and they're def not all created equally.

I really like the Elixir Optiwebs. Their early polywebs were like a thick plastic coating over the strings. Nanowebs were way better, and what got me to start using coated strings full time. The Optiwebs are the closest to uncoated strings I've tried. Everything rings out bright and crisp. I'd wager that a 15' cable affects tone more than the coating on these strings. The times I've had traditional strings on one of my guitars, I've never noticed a need to adjust my settings to compensate.

 

[fek]

I have been a Nanoweb user for as long as I can remember. Once I run out, will try the Optiweb's.

 

[Subclavian2]

I use NYXL and if they don’t have them I use Ernie Ball Paradigm.

On acoustics I only use the D’Addario XS, which is coated.

 

[tjnx]

Ive been using Elixirs for a bit now, using optiwebs but tried nanos. I was going through slinkies and other normal strings too quickly. I bought them in bulk and its kind of a wash price wise when you compare number of strings vs how long the elixirs are good for. The benefit is less string changes.

I have noticed though that normal strings in extra light gauges (7s and 8s) have lasted a VERY long time.. kind of a happy trade off. I use extra slinky 8s and rev willie 7s and have been really happy with both

 

[romanianreaper]

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.

Some people have super acidic hands. It's nuts! I can play strings forever and they are fine.

 

[glpg80]

What the fuck is “Zing”?

The sonic equivalent of regular mustard vs spicy mustard on a sandwich. Just that extra greatness that stands apart from bland or mediocre.

And now I’m hungry for a good sandwich at midnight with spicy mustard.

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, the hand chemistry is definitely a thing. It amazes me that some people apparently can sear the chrome off of a OFR too, not just kill strings.

 

[Devin]

It amazes me that some people apparently can sear the chrome off of a OFR too, not just kill strings.

At this point I'm on my third chrome Floyd on my old Hamer :cringe: (original Hamer branded Schaller, then Schaller branded, now OFR)


The black ones fare FAR better for me

 

[Devin]

The DR Tite Fit .11s are nickel plated and I use never had any flaking off.

Because they're not coated lol

Nickel plating is completely different than a polymer coated string

 

[stephen sawall]

Some people have super acidic hands. It's nuts! I can play strings forever and they are fine.

I had a roommate 30 years ago if he played my guitar five minutes the next day the strings needed to be removed. I saw him last year in Arizona. All his guitars and bass the strings look like they are chemically burned