Electric Guitar Coated Strings - What is you're preference

andrewjbryson · 2015-07-21T09:43:02+00:00

So Ive really been digging the Elixir Nanoweb 10's lately. But Im a little curious as to what other brands of Coated strings there are and how they compare. Anybody have any comments on the following brands D'addario EXP Ernie Ball Titanium / Cobalt ClearTone RotoSound Fender Coated?

6Pack

Elixir POLYwebs for me. They have a thicker coating than the Nanowebs and definitely last longer. Put my current set on about a year ago and they still sound like new.

Only thing is I can't get hold of them here so you have to import them. They go for something like R350 at ImportItAll which is expensive for strings but obviously cheaper in the long run.

Scott Grove swears by them (if that means anything ?)

peterleroux

On bass, I've tried Elixirs and the D'addario coated (EXP?) strings. The Elixirs sounded great, the D'addarios sounded like strings wrapped in plastic.

pugdoyle

Try the Elixir Polyweb. The coating is much thicker. I have a set of 10's on a Tele that I put on in 2011. And still sounds great.

singemonkey

I've always considered myself heavy on strings. They blacken pretty fast in my sweaty hands. But if these stories are anything to go by, then leaving them out of their cases near the coast is madness. I don't have these rust problems even with conventional nickel strings even after many months - because I only have one guitar out at a time, and I cycle them every ten days or so on average. So they spend most of their time in their cases/bags.

AlanRatcliffe

No coated guitar strings on electric for me. While the Elicir nanowebs feel and sound the best, I don't like the fact that they are basically insulated, cutting the player out of the ground/ screening circuit and increasing the hum a bit.

I have a set of Cleartones I'm going to try next string change. They are plated with a metallic anti-rust coating, so still ground you, but last longer. Whether they sound/feel right and really last, I can't say until I try them...

guyfeld

Alan Ratcliffe wrote No coated guitar strings on electric for me. While the Elicir nanowebs feel and sound the best, I don't like the fact that they are basically insulated, cutting the player out of the ground/ screening circuit and increasing the hum a bit.

I have a set of Cleartones I'm going to try next string change. They are plated with a metallic anti-rust coating, so still ground you, but last longer. Whether they sound/feel right and really last, I can't say until I try them...

I agree with you Alan.. regarding feel..I'm not sure if it's all in my head but every coated string I've tried seems to have more tension and veils the sound very slightly..

Lowkey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote No coated guitar strings on electric for me. While the Elicir nanowebs feel and sound the best, I don't like the fact that they are basically insulated, cutting the player out of the ground/ screening circuit and increasing the hum a bit.

I have a set of Cleartones I'm going to try next string change. They are plated with a metallic anti-rust coating, so still ground you, but last longer. Whether they sound/feel right and really last, I can't say until I try them...

Sounds odd, do you play guitar barefoot as most shoes sneakers/boots have a non-conductive sole ? This is an honest question not trying to be funny or sarcastic and the string don't carry any current the pickup generate current with vibration of the string through the magnetic field.

Hasie

Lowkey wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote No coated guitar strings on electric for me. While the Elicir nanowebs feel and sound the best, I don't like the fact that they are basically insulated, cutting the player out of the ground/ screening circuit and increasing the hum a bit.

I have a set of Cleartones I'm going to try next string change. They are plated with a metallic anti-rust coating, so still ground you, but last longer. Whether they sound/feel right and really last, I can't say until I try them...
Sounds odd, do you play guitar barefoot as most shoes sneakers/boots have a non-conductive sole ? This is an honest question not trying to be funny or sarcastic and the string don't carry any current the pickup generate current with vibration of the string through the magnetic field.

Mine did that, even with rubber soled shoes - touch the strings and the hum disappears. Turned out my amp wasn't earthed - the US to 3-point plug convertor I had, did not have the earth wire connected.

ezietsman

You are part of the ground even if the earth is connected. All my amps hum if I don't touch the strings or a metal part on the guitar. This applies to the ones I built and the shop-bought ones that has 3 prong leads.

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