Coated vs. Uncoated Guitar Strings: Which is Best for You?

Coated vs. Uncoated Guitar Strings: Which is Best for You?

To coat or not to coat — that is the question when it comes to guitar strings. Each option has its loyalists, some of whom are very vocal. Some guitarists swear by coated strings and won’t dream of getting uncoated strings. Others joke that coated strings last so long because they make a guitar sound so bad you don’t want to play it.

The reality is there’s no clear-cut answer on which is better, and like other guitar parts and accessories, many factors affect the decision. We even know guitarists who switch between them. They might use coated acoustic guitar strings but uncoated electric guitar strings. Or if they have multiple electric guitars, they’ll put coated strings on one and uncoated on another to serve different needs.

Although we’ve touched on coated guitar strings vs. uncoated strings in other articles, the topic is so important for guitarists that we decided to look at it in-depth. Let’s examine the differences between uncoated and coated strings and when each may be the right choice for your axe.

What Are Uncoated Guitar Strings?

Until coated strings came along, uncoated strings were known as “guitar strings.” They consist of the string core and sometimes a winding material without any sort of coating or other treatment. Some people also call them natural strings.

Over the decades, manufacturers have developed countless uncoated strings for acoustic and electric guitars. Some of the most popular string brands are Ernie Ball, John Pearse, D’Addario, Rotosound and Thomastik-Infeld. Many guitar makers also offer uncoated strings, including Martin & Co. and Fender. You can shop for different gauges and materials to find the perfect set to play everything from folk music to thrash metal.

Uncoated Guitar String Pros and Cons

There are many reasons to use uncoated strings on a guitar:

• They cost less upfront than coated strings because they are cheaper to produce.
• You get a brighter, more complex overall tone with more recognizable individual notes and harmonics, adding character to your music.
• The strings have more grip, making it easier to bend them or add vibrato.
• Uncoated strings have more sustain (i.e. resonance) to let notes and chords ring.
• Because they’ve been around a lot longer, you have more options when it comes to string design and construction.
• You can clean them more thoroughly.

Still, it’s important to acknowledge the potential limitations. Remember these drawbacks to uncoated guitar strings:

• They don’t last anywhere near as long as coated strings because they are more susceptible to corrosion. Proper care will reduce but not eliminate this gap.
• Even if they don’t rust or corrode, the tone of uncoated strings “dulls out” a lot faster.
• They don’t stay in tune as well, requiring more adjustments before and during sessions.
• The strings are more likely to squeak or make other unwanted noises.
• They don’t stand up well to humidity. We’ve heard stories of uncoated strings breaking while sitting on a stand or in a case because humidity caused them to rust.
• Natural strings are harder on the fingers and your guitar frets so each wears out sooner.

What Are Coated Guitar Strings?

Although they have only been widespread for about a quarter-century, coated strings have become a mainstay among guitarists. These strings have a protective coating applied after the winding is complete. The coating adds corrosion and wear resistance by preventing moisture, oil and other debris from coming in direct contact with the string. This buffer, though it eventually wears away, can greatly increase string life.

Coated strings were first developed in the 1970s but were rare until 1997 when W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. introduced the Elixir brand, which remains the leader in the category. Many other manufacturers now offer coated strings, including DR Strings, Black Diamond and Stringjoy. Uncoated string stalwarts like D’Addario, GHS and Ernie Ball have also jumped on the coated train.

Coated Guitar String Pros and Cons

Devotees have found plenty of reasons to play coated guitar strings:

• Depending on the design, coated strings typically last two to five times longer than coated strings. This usually balances out the difference in upfront costs and often saves guitarists money in the long run.
• They maintain a more consistent tone than uncoated strings and stay in tune a lot better.
• A coated string is less likely to break.
• The coating is softer on your fingers, letting you play longer and fingerpick more without strain.
• Coated strings produce less squeaking, buzzing and other string noise.
• They’re easier on frets and fretboards so your guitar doesn’t require as much maintenance.

A coating isn’t an automatic ticket to guitar paradise, though. Consider the following before packing your bags with these strings:

• The coating tends to create a warmer and less dynamic sound. This is fine for certain music styles but may put a damper on rock and country solos.
• Notes don’t resonate as much, making it harder to hold longer notes and chords.
• The strings have more of a slick, slippery feel, which annoys some players and can make bending harder. The feel does vary among string types, so you might find a set that suits your fingers.
• Adding a coating increases the string tension, so coated light-gauge strings will sound and feel more like uncoated medium-gauge strings. Failing to account for this can cause playability issues and even affect the intonation and neck shape.
• Because they are newer and less common, there aren’t as many options as with uncoated strings, so it could be harder to find the ideal string.
• Occasionally, the coating will flake off rather than wearing off evenly, which makes a mess and can slightly alter the sound.
• Grime can sometimes get stuck in the coating, making the strings harder to clean.

Are There Different Types of Guitar String Coatings?

Each string manufacturer has proprietary coating formulas and technologies that offer unique protection, sound and feel. The coating is usually some type of polymer film layer over the wound string, but not always. For example, D’Addario XT strings use a wire coating, while Ernie Ball Coated Slinky Bass strings have an enamel coating.

Some brands even have different levels of coatings. Elixir offers OPTIWEB®, NANOWEB® and POLYWEB® coatings that are successively thicker. The super-thin OPTIWEB coating offers a brighter tone and more natural feel but doesn’t last as long. POLYWEB strings are the opposite extreme, giving you the longest lifespan, warmest tone and slickest feel.

Which Guitar Strings are Best for Coating?

There are many guitar string materials, and some are helped more by a coating than others. Phosphor bronze, 80/20 bronze, nickel and plain steel are the materials that gain the most from a string coating. This is because they naturally are more vulnerable to rust and corrosion. On the other hand, stainless steel and nylon already resist corrosion by design. So if you have plain unwound strings made of these materials, they won’t gain much if anything from being coated.

Should I Use Coated or Uncoated Guitar Strings?

We’re sure at this point, some of you are thinking, “All this info is nice, but cut to the chase already — which strings are best for me?” While there is no universal rule on when to use each, we have some general guidelines to help your decision.

Uncoated strings are best for guitarists who:

• Play often and thus are going to be changing strings a lot anyway.
• Like changing strings before every show for the best possible sound, making durability less important.
• Want a brighter, more distinct tone.
• Need faster action for lead guitar and soloing.
• Play in cool, dry conditions that put less stress on the strings.
• Want more grip so they can do more technical riffs.

Coated strings are best for guitarists who:

• Want to spend more time playing and less time changing strings.
• Don’t play as often and need strings that A) can sit for a while without being destroyed by moisture and dirt in the air, and B) won’t be as hard on uncalloused fingers.
• Prefer a warmer sound and a smoother string feel.
• Play more rhythm guitar.
• Live and/or play in damp, humid environments.
• Sweat a lot when they play, especially if their sweat is highly acidic or salty.

As we mentioned earlier, the type of guitar you play also plays a factor. Coated acoustic guitar strings tend to be more popular, both for the warmer tone and because most are made with bronze or phosphor bronze. Using coated electric guitar strings is less common. Again, though, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Think about what your goals and priorities are, then choose a string set that helps you achieve them.

What About Treated Guitar Strings?

Many guitarists use the terms “coated” and “treated” interchangeably when it comes to strings. We may have been guilty of doing the same in the past. But as it turns out, while the objective of each string design is the same, there is a difference between them. Instead of a post-wind coating, treated strings have chemicals or other treatments applied to the wrapping materials before they are wound. This alters the molecular structure to make them more resilient.

These strings are even newer to the scene than coated strings, having been introduced in the late 2000s. The idea is that they offer the durability of coated strings and the natural tone and feel of uncoated strings. If you decide to go the treated route, two of the most notable treated strings are Martin & Co. Lifespan 2.0 Acoustic Guitar Strings and Ernie Ball Paradigm strings. Cleartone strings are also a type of treated string.

Like with uncoated vs. coated guitar strings, whether to use coated or treated strings comes down to personal preference. For people who want crispness and bendability with added longevity, treated strings are a great choice. Those who like warmth and softness should stick with coated strings.

Can I Get Coated Classical Guitar Strings?

Composite material classical guitar strings and nylon strings with metal windings can be coated. The most notable coated string option is D’Addario XT Coated Composite Classical Guitar Strings. As we’ve written about before, though, composite and wound strings have a much different sound than regular nylon guitar strings, mainly giving added brightness. The extra warmth of a coated string will balance this somewhat, but it’s still something to keep in mind. The added longevity of coated strings may not be worth a sound that isn’t appropriate for what and how you play.

Are There Coated Bass Strings?

Yes! Elixir, DR, D’Addario and Rotosound are among the manufacturers who make coated bass guitar strings. The same pros and cons of coated guitar strings also apply to the bass versions. You might even prefer them on bass since a warmer, darker sound is more desirable than on a six-string guitar, especially when you’re playing jazz music.

What Other Coated Strings Can I Buy?

You’ll find coated mandolin strings, banjo strings, violin strings and even oud strings. If the string is wound in a corrosion-prone material, there’s a decent chance you can a set of coated strings for them out there. However, options are usually pretty limited for these instruments.

Finding the Best Guitar Strings

We can keep going about the many options when it comes to coated and uncoated guitar strings. But in the end, the only way to know for sure what you like is to give them a try. Strings and Beyond has hundreds of acoustic and electric guitar strings in stock with low everyday prices, multipack deals and free U.S. shipping on orders over $35. Call us at (877) 830-0722 if you have any questions about coated or uncoated strings.