Coated Guitar Strings

Coated guitar strings are one of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of strings. The enhanced durability and extended lifespan are clutch for those guitarists among us whose playing technique or body chemistry tends to destroy strings in a short time.

Even if string longevity isn’t an issue for you, coated strings offer the benefit of increased string life. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of coated guitar strings. And, we’ll feature 10 great coated string choices to consider for your next string change.

Coated vs Uncoated Guitar Strings

Guitar strings, particularly the wound strings, are susceptible to the buildup of grime from your hands. This grime is composed of dirt, sweat, and skin oils, which eventually leads to corrosion. Think of the wound strings as having little valleys between winding. Eventually, the buildup will be enough to cause corrosion, which leads to decreased tone and feel. First invented by Elixir, coated strings come with high tech coatings that keep strings sounding better, for longer. Today, string manufacturers use various proprietary coating formulas, but the goal is the same: Sound like traditional strings, but with an extended lifespan.

Benefits of Coated Strings

Coated guitar strings have a variety of benefits over traditional strings.

1. Extended Lifespan

The protective coating helps to inhibit the buildup grime on the strings. String manufacturers have various formulations of proprietary high tech coatings.

2. Consistent Performance

Coated strings slow down the string aging process, and as a result, strings stay in their “prime” longer. This means that their tone is more consistent, for a longer time.

3. Reduced Finger Noise

Coated strings can help minimize finger squeaks and string noise. Because there is an actual physical coating, coated strings often feel slightly more slippery than uncoated strings.

5 Great Options for Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings

STRING	DETAILS	SHOP
Elixir Nanoweb	Elixir’s Ultra-thin NANOWEB Coating provides a more traditional, “uncoated” feel.	Check Price
D’Addario XT Phosphor Bronze	XT Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings feature an advanced corrosion resistance coating, extending string life, while preserving the natural tone and feel of uncoated strings.	Check Price
Ernie Ball Everlast Phosphor Bronze	Everlast treatment is 500 times lighter than other coatings, and is applied to both the inner hex core and outer wrap wire to provide ultimate protection without compromising tone or feel.	Check Price
Martin Guitar Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0	Engineered using a new, patented technology only available from Martin, these strings are designed for long life, great playability, and superior reliability.	Check Price
Fender Dura-Tone Coated Strings	Fender’s special coating resists grime and corrosion, resulting in a string that lasts up to five times longer, with a natural feel and clear, full tone.	Check Price

5 Great Options for Coated Electric Guitar Strings

STRING	DETAILS	SHOP
Elixir Nanoweb	Nickel-plated steel wrap wire with Elixir’s Nanoweb coating. Bright, vibrant presence, and the dynamic punch and angelic overtones that Elixir is known for.	Check Price
D’Addario XT Nickel Coated Strings	XT Nickel electric strings feature an advanced corrosion resistance coating, and the Nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a bright and versatile tone.	Check Price
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Coated Titanium Electric Strings	Ernie Ball Coated Slinky’s are treated with a micro-thin layer of enamel that prevents decay and corrosion up to five times more than uncoated sets. Each plain string features a rust-resistant plating along with a patented reinforcement winding of titanium wire.	Check Price
DR Strings Black Beauties	K3 Coated applied to the wrap wire is extra hard to maintain string brightness, while extending life. Distinctive black color proclaims a modern, aggressive look.	Check Price
DR Strings Red Devils	This string uses a red colored version of DR’s K3 coating. The vibrant red color compliments their aggressive sound.	Check Price

Conclusion

Coated strings can change the game for you when deciding when it’s time to change your strings. Today’s coated strings have a lot of upside, with little or no downside.

While some players maintain that coatings can affect tone, string manufacturers have worked hard to minimize this. Most players find that the sound of today’s coated strings rival the best uncoated strings. We encourage you to experiment with different coated strings to find the brand that best fits your playing style and tonal preferences.