Coated strings...Why the dislike?

[guitararmy]

I've been very impressed with how good the Nanowebs sound. I would expect a coated string to sound dead like the DR coated ones, but I've been pleasantly surprised by the Nanowebs.

I got 10 years out of the factory set on my Taylor GS (though it doesn't get played that much).

[Penrith Pete]

I used to think I really liked Elixirs! I had a Furch (actually Stanford) D1P - a lovely cedar-topped dread. They sounded great on that guitar to my ear and nothing else quite cut it.

But, I have tried them on everything else I have owned since and preferred D'addario or, more recently, John Pearse.

I also tried some really cheap, uncoated strings from ebay. I can't remember the name but they came as 3 sets for about £9. I much preferred those too and although they sdon't last as long as Elixirs, 3 sets are still cheaper than one of Elixirs so works fine for me!

[davenumber2]

As for Lifespans, they are ok but I find the high b and e strings dull and muted. You can hear the coating.

[Johnny K]

Originally Posted by jdto

The feel. Elixirs feel slippery and D’add EXPs feel rubbery. I haven’t tried Lifespan yet.

I prefer the Elixirs over the other two. On my Seagulls they have better tone than the lifespans. They squeak less too. I have not restrung my Martin yet.

[121]

I've tried various coated strings because of no string squeak claims, but there is still too much string squeak for me.
I use flat wound 80/20 bronze.

[Bikewer]

My GS Mini was delivered with Elixirs, and I thought they sounded fine when I played it in the store.
I’d always used D’Addario phosphor bronze on my steel-strings.

I tried the Elixir PB jobs and they sound fine to me... And they last a long time.

I have never experienced any flaking or peeling.

If there is any substantive difference in sound... I can’t hear it. But then, at 71 years old, with partial hearing loss in one ear and tinnitus to boot... I don’t have “golden ears” anyway.

[musicman1951]

I don't pay any attention to coated or not coated, I just end up with the sound I like. Currently that's Martin Retro's on the 000 and SUS on the Lowden. Both seem to last for quite a while, so that's not a concern either.

[Goodallboy]

I hate to pull the “common sense card”, so often a lightening rod of those ignoring it, but does coating a guitar string sound like a great way to improve tone? Not to me, it naturally dulls and impedes the vibration in exchange for the claims of being longer lasting, which can be matched simply by wiping your strings after use. So then we get to a part of their appeal which is a perception of lasting longer and the convenience of not cleaning the strings, which in turn ends up with a dull, dirty string that sounds mediocre for a really long time. In other words, like any set of strings if not cared for.

I don’t sacrifice any of the tone of my instrument for convenience, ever. Just one mans opinion, so don’t be influenced in any way.

[jaymarsch]

I have not liked the tone of most of the coated strings I have tried and with several, I also do not like the feel. For me, it is not the slippery feel I mind as much but I find that some have kind of a sticky feel. I do not have skin chemistry issues so coated strings are not a must for me.

Best,
Jayne

[DenverSteve]

Filet Mignon. Why the dislike? Everyone’s taste is different. Use what you prefer.

[Goat Mick]

Personally I like the coated strings. Especially D'Addario EXP's and I can get about 6 months out of a set playing around my house, but coated or not I can only get two gigs out of a set of strings before I break one. So on my gigging guitars I use uncoated strings and the ones that don't leave the house too much get coated.

[bluesfreek]

I don't mind the D'Addario coated strings. My problem with Elixirs isn't with the coating. My dislike for them stems from the very first time I tried a set (@ $20 a pop!) the D and G strings broke with less than two hours use on them.

Never again.

[Filum]

Originally Posted by bluesfreek

I don't mind the D'Addario coated strings. My problem with Elixirs isn't with the coating. My dislike for them stems from the very first time I tried a set (@ $20 a pop!) the D and G strings broke with less than two hours use on them.

Never again.

I can't stand Elixir, too slippery for fingerstyle. And yes, their G string is notoriously famous for snapping/breaking.

Similar to D'addario, you can contact Elixir to get a replacement set. Their CS is up there on the same level with D'addario.

[Oldguy64]

For me, it’s a tone issue and a price issue.
I like the way D’addario strings sound.
I like that for me, generally I finger pick, they last about three months.
I get about the same out of Elixirs before Ive been annoyed enough for long enough with the tone that I have to pull them off.
I’ve also been playing a variety of Ernie Ball strings for the last year or so.
And I really like the tone and feel of them.

[stringjunky]

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

I hate to pull the “common sense card”, so often a lightening rod of those ignoring it, but does coating a guitar string sound like a great way to improve tone? Not to me, it naturally dulls and impedes the vibration in exchange for the claims of being longer lasting, which can be matched simply by wiping your strings after use. So then we get to a part of their appeal which is a perception of lasting longer and the convenience of not cleaning the strings, which in turn ends up with a dull, dirty string that sounds mediocre for a really long time. In other words, like any set of strings if not cared for.

I don’t sacrifice any of the tone of my instrument for convenience, ever. Just one mans opinion, so don’t be influenced in any way.

If a string type sounds good on a particular guitar, it is good.