Strings...Coated versus Non Coated

[TexMexMike]

I have always used non-coated strings on my acoustics. I could never get used to the feel of coated strings such as Elixer Nano Webs. Also, I tend to feel that Non Coated strings sound better.

Agree...Disagree? What are your thoughts.

[Old Mojo]

I put a set of Martin SP's on the Epi and really like 'em. I don't know if this is what you mean by coated? The solids are "bronzed steel". Very nice feel and tone.

[Bytor1975]

I used to use Martin 80/20's, then I did the Dean Markely Blue Steels for awhile. But once I went to the Elixir nanowebs I have never looked back. The coating has never seemed to bother me, I don't even realize it is on there.

[WireNWood]

To me the Elixirs feel real nice... all slick 'n stuff. I think they sound great, too. I don't use them on all my axes, just a couple.

I did a 2-year string study. Every night after the gig I kept data on what guitar I used & what the strings did. I was lookin' for value... life/$. I'll post it here for you guys to read some time.

[Bytor1975]

Please post it WnW... that should be interesting. Was the study on electric strings, acoustic, or both?

[Old Tele man]

...no offense intended to the ladies, but I equate "coated" strings to "condums" and showering with a "raincoat."

...I've tried just about every TYPE of string made (plain, round-wound, ground-wound, flat-wound, coated (Elixirs), and "rolled" and burnished") over the 46+ years I've been playing...and the "best" compromise (ie: do-it-all) strings (IMHO) are ground-wounds...

...ground-wound strings have about 90% of the tone & timbre of the round-wounds with 90% of the smoothness of flat-wounds.

...my general recommendations (electric):

* play "all kinds" of music? -- use ground-wounds
* play mostly jazz? -- use flat-wounds
* play mostly CW or rock? -- use round-wounds
* play mostly RHYTHM -- try the "rolled" or "burnished" strings.
* play mostly LEAD -- do NOT try the "coated" strings

...my general recommendations (acoustic):

* play RHYTHM acoustic guitar? -- try D'Addario EFT15 (semi-flat, phosphor-bronze: copper-penny color)...
* play LEAD guitar acoustic? -- try Lay's S.I.T. GL1048 "Silencers" (rolled, golden-bronze: white-gold color)...

...just my 2¢...

[TexMexMike]

To me the Elixirs feel real nice... all slick 'n stuff. I think they sound great, too. I don't use them on all my axes, just a couple.

I did a 2-year string study. Every night after the gig I kept data on what guitar I used & what the strings did. I was lookin' for value... life/$. I'll post it here for you guys to read some time.


Would be a great resource Wire!

[romdos]

I have used Elixers and like them alot. They are currently in use on 4 of my guitars, ones I do not use all that much... They do last a very long time, and they are great on the guitars I'm not using regularly, and don't want to change strings on that often... I used DR's for years, and like them, however recently I've tried a couple others and find I like them as well... I've now got D'Adderio's on both Strats due to a recomendation from my luthier, and I do like them... I am about to try a set of John Pearse on my Tak, again a recommendation from a guy I met in a music store a week or two ago, and when I bought them, the guy in my laocl music shop just gushed over them... they will go on today or tomorrow, so I'll report back in a few days...

[lightnin']

I've just strung a guitar up with the Daddario "long life" coated strings because I couldn't get a "custom light" set in regular.
I must confess that I really like them. It'll be interesting to see how much longer they last but I'm quite impressed.
Daddario make an issue of how the coating is applied to the wrap wire before they're wound, which I don't think is the case with all coated strings.

[nothin but the blues]

Personally I can't stand Elixers etc. They just don't feel right, nor sound right too me. A lot of folks swear by them though, and they certainly last longer than non-coated.

The only string I use is Martin SP Phospher Bronze Lights, and Mediums (for slide guitar). On occastion I will also use Martin SP 3100 Bronze Lights, but prefer the Phospher Bronze.

[TexMexMike]

I have been using Daddario EJ 16's. I like them a lot. Picked up a set of Martin SP PB Lights. .012-.054. I hope I like them as much as you do Erik! :thumbsup:

[aaronl]

on this alvarez rf8 i just got, it has elixirs on it stock, and i like em ok, funnything is they seem to do better if ur fingers are just a touch damp and then they seem to me at least to be pretty dagon slick

i bought it at a local mom and pop place so and they are set on daddrios so they threw in a free set, i am going to use these elixirs as long as i can before they flake up or what not then i will change them i figured i may as well see how many miles i can get out of them.

i agree with nbtb they tend to sound a little "plasticy" to me but they arent so awful bad...

[nothin but the blues]

I have been using Daddario EJ 16's. I like them a lot. Picked up a set of Martin SP PB Lights. .012-.054. I hope I like them as much as you do Erik! :thumbsup:
Whats your verdict? :coolgleam

[TexMexMike]

I like the Martin SP lights. A bit brighter than the EJ16's. It took me awhile to get used to them. They needed a few hours to settle in. Once settled...I really like their tone. I have SP's on both my 00-15 and my J-45 now. :thumbsup:

[Justpickin]

Put a set of elixirs on my LP before practice last night....used the guitar for some of those heavier tunes....the strings come off today....hated them...they are too slick for me especially when the fingers start to perspire...running up and down the fretboard I felt like I was sliding through an icy intersection with my car in the winter when trying to stop at a fret. I also noticed, maybe some of you have, .... when you are really hammering some power chords lets say, look down at the strings by your pick hand and the damn things seems to be vibrating whacky...more of a jumping up and down...hard to explain. All in all, maybe I'm an old tradionalist, but give me my uncoated strings...I know what to expect

On a positive note, they set up real quick tuning wise. And they sound fine, just not my cup of tea............. :guitar:

[Bytor1975]

I have still yet to use them on any of my electric's but I just love them on my acoustics. It will be awhile for I try them out on electric as I have too much stock right now of un-coated strings!

[Justpickin]

update on these elixers.....I never took them off...I ranted and raged about how slick they seemed, but then when practicing at home (no hand sweat) they are sweet, I like them. One thing I've noticed is that when you get used to these, and then pick up a guitar with regular strings, they(regular) seem harsh on your hands...these elixers are real smooth, which is probably why I got a problem when gigging with the hand perspiration when doing fast chord changes up and down the neck. But I threw a set on the strat, and I got to say they are lasting a long time with no loss in tone or acoustics. I'm starting to like these things I think....I hate when technology does that to me.... :bow:

[OLDWANNABEE]

...no offense intended to the ladies, but I equate "coated" strings to "condums" and showering with a "raincoat."

...I've tried just about every TYPE of string made (plain, round-wound, ground-wound, flat-wound, coated (Elixirs), and "rolled" and burnished") over the 46+ years I've been playing...and the "best" compromise (ie: do-it-all) strings (IMHO) are ground-wounds...

...ground-wound strings have about 90% of the tone & timbre of the round-wounds with 90% of the smoothness of flat-wounds.

...my general recommendations (electric):

* play "all kinds" of music? -- use ground-wounds
* play mostly jazz? -- use flat-wounds
* play mostly CW or rock? -- use round-wounds
* play mostly RHYTHM -- try the "rolled" or "burnished" strings.
* play mostly LEAD -- do NOT try the "coated" strings

...my general recommendations (acoustic):

* play RHYTHM acoustic guitar? -- try D'Addario EFT15 (semi-flat, phosphor-bronze: copper-penny color)...
* play LEAD guitar acoustic? -- try Lay's S.I.T. GL1048 "Silencers" (rolled, golden-bronze: white-gold color)...

...just my 2¢...
Hey Old Tele whats your reason for not using the coated strings for playing mostly lead?