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Elixir guitar strings feature POLYWEB Coating, a unique high technology polymer that provides increased protection of wound strings from sweat, acids, oils, and other grime while still providing a great sound. The result of cleaner strings is a longer life. Of course, the coating wears off eventually, but sound quality is consistent during wear.
The POLYWEB coating gives the strings a slick, almost wet feel and is only on the wound strings. The plain strings are not coated. This process drives the cost of a set up somewhat.
Since Elixir started the craze, many other manufacturer's are offering coated strings with their own twist. Here is a guide to some of the manufacturing differences. You'll have to judge the sound for yourself!
| Elixir PolyWeb and NanoWeb |
The first on the block. Wound strings are coated
after winding, plain are not coated. The PolyWeb series is the
original and are supposed to sound like broken-in strings. The
NanoWeb is a thinner coating and are designed to sound more like a
traditional string. |
D'Addario EXP |
These use a coated wrap wire, meaning the string is coated
before winding. The plain strings have a bronze bronze plating
applied which increases their lives. |
| DR Strings EXTRA |
The EXTRA series is coated before winding as well.
However, DR also coated the plain strings with the same polymer coating.
It's virtually invisible but they do feel a little slicker than an
ordinary plain string. |
| Martin SP |
The SP's come in either 80/20 or Phosphor Bronze.
The core wires, wrap wires and the plain strings are plated with a
beautiful bronze-colored finish. |
| Martin SP Plus |
In addition to all the SP features, the SP Plus series also has the polymer coating applied to the wrap wire before winding. |
| Black Diamond |
Believe it or not, these strings are actually BLACK,
coated with a slick polymer. Other than the cool color, the
advantage is that the wear of the coating is much easier to see. |
| GHS Golden Bronze |
Manufacturing is similar to the Martin SP's, just with
GHS's sound, gauging, and quality. |
| Fender Dura-Tone |
Maybe the best value in coated strings. The coating
is baked on to these phosphor bronze strings. |
Gibson Hydrophobic |
Leave it to Gibson to produce the most expensive coated
string. These puppies are made by filling all the gaps between the
wrap wire and the core wire with a polymer, without applying the coating
to the outside of the wrap that your fingers touch. Coated, but feels
like a normal string and still keeps all the oil, acid, grit, & grime out
of your windings. |
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