Coated vs. Uncoated Guitar Strings: Which is Better?
When it comes to choosing guitar strings, tone and feel are everything. One of the factors that can influence both of these variables is sometimes overlooked: coating. For both the casual campfire superstar or a touring pro, understanding the difference between coated and uncoated guitar strings can help you find the right match for your sound and playing preference.
What Are Uncoated Guitar Strings?
Uncoated strings are your traditional guitar strings - pure metal, no barrier. They’re raw, natural, and preferred by many purists for their bright tone and natural feel.
Depending on the factors listed above the rate at which that brightness degrades can vary between individuals, so knowing your own experience with uncoated strings is helpful in deciding the path forward.
What Are Coated Guitar Strings?
Coated strings have a thin polymer layer that wraps around the string - either over the entire string or just the windings. This coating protects the metal from:
- Moisture
- Sweat
- Oils from your fingers
- Dirt and grime buildup
So, With What Coated Strings Offer, Why Choose Uncoated?
We're glad you asked. We used to tell our customers that coated strings will not be quite as bright as a fresh set of uncoated strings, but with advancements in coating technologies, new coated strings really don't require the same sacrifice in brightness they once did.
As wonderful as coated strings are, they aren't available in the same array of materials or scale lengths uncoated strings offer. For some applications or there simply are no coated options available.
Ok, So Tone Matters, But What About Feel?
Some players claim they can’t stand the slightly “slick” feel of coated strings, while others swear by the smoother playability and lower maintenance. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and how often you play.
Final Thoughts
Coated or uncoated, what also matters most is how it feels under your fingers and sounds through your amp or acoustic body. Think of coated strings as the high-mileage option and uncoated as the performance pick. Need something a little more concise? We've included a tabled summary below to help you make the right choice.
Still want more help choosing the right strings? Come by the shop or contact us we’re always happy to talk tone. If you want to make a quick online purchase you can check out some of our selection of coated and uncoated strings online here (opens in a pop-up window). More options are available in store or by special order.
What Are Others Using?
Our shop technicians are finding that the most popular request in recent years are D'Addario's XS series of coated strings.
Summary of Key Differences
Variant | Coated | Uncoated |
Tone | New generation offers bright, crisp sound and immediate response | Bright, crisp, immediate response |
Lifespan | Varies – 3 to 5x longer than uncoated | Shorter, especially with heavy playing |
Feel | Smoother, sometimes slick | Textured |
Price | More expensive up front | More Affordable up front |
Changes | Less frequent changes | More frequent changes |
Best Fit If | · Play frequently · Want less frequent changes · Have acidic sweat or play in humid environments · Prefer smoother feel · Want less variation in tone over time | · Prefer maximum brightness · Prefer traditional string feel · Ok with changing strings more frequently · Prefer lower up front price - Your string application isn't available in a coated option |
Lastly, if you're still unsure of which string type may suit you, don't be afraid to try both. 😃
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