Acoustic Guitar String Coatings – Strings By Mail
When it comes to the wide world of acoustic guitar strings, there are various methods and styles of coated strings. These coatings can help to protect the strings from oxidation, and from the natural oils from players’ fingers. Coated strings can also help strings to last longer over time, but they tend to produce a darker sound and may initially seem relatively muted compared to uncoated strings.

Treated/Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings – Strings By Mail
Cleartone Coated Guitar Strings
On the Cleartone acoustic guitar strings, they utilize the thinnest coating in the industry. They have a coating of only one micron, but it’s more durable than coatings thousands of times its thickness. It won’t flake off with hard playing, nor will it feel slick or slippery to your touch. Cleartone claims that their extremely durable and long-lasting coating will not cloud your acoustic guitar’s tone. Unlike other brands of coated strings, all six strings (or twelve strings) are coated with their unique coat.
D’Addario EXP Coated Guitar Strings
D’Addario’s EXP coated acoustic guitar strings are coated with a micro-fine layer of EXP Coating that bonds to the acoustic guitar string’s wrap wire, which is then wound around the hex shaped core wire. This EXP coating provides a built in barrier against corrosion and wear that can affect the playability and sound of your acoustic guitar and lasts three to four times longer than traditional guitar strings. D’Addario claims that “Coupled with our Compound Plated plain steels, EXPs are the longest lasting, most natural sounding coated strings you can buy!” This EXP coating is available on their EXP Phosphor Bronze and EXP 80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar string sets.
DR EXTRA-Life Coated Guitar Strings
With DR’s EXTRA-Life coated acoustic strings, available in the “black beauties” and “clear”, they offer acoustic guitar players a coated string that does not sacrifice the tone, volume, or clarity of the strings. The EXTRA-Life coating is super thin advanced .0003″ coating on the plain strings and on the wrap wire.
Elixir Nanoweb and Polyweb Coated Guitar Strings
Elixir’s answer to coated strings is their ultra thin Nanoweb coating that has the bright tone and punch of non-coated strings, and their Polyweb coating which feels comfortably smooth and helps to reduce finger squeak.
Ernie Ball Titanium RPS Coated Guitar Strings
Coated Titanium RPS Technology is the process that Ernie Ball uses on their Slinky Acoustic Phosphor Bronze strings, featuring a proprietary enamel coating on the wound strings, and a rust-resistant plating on the plain strings.
GHS MST Coated Guitar Strings
The method GHS uses to achieve extended performance on their Infinity Bronze acoustic guitar strings begins with high quality core and wrap wires for excellent tone. Then they apply a finely regulated coating method called MST‘ (Metal Surface Treatment). This unique space age process coats the outer wrap wires for extended performance life and enhanced tone.
Martin Lifespan SP Treated Guitar Strings
Martin’s Lifespan SP acoustic guitar strings are treated to preserve the SP tone and feel for the life of the string. This proprietary Cleartone treatment on all six strings protects from dirt and oils, delivering the longest possible life for these SP strings. This treatment is utilized on both their 80/20 Bronze and their Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar string sets.
Do you have a preference when playing coated acoustic guitar strings? Is there a particular string coating technology that holds up stronger or sounds better to you than the others?
Coated strings work well for my students with higher than average perspiration. Making guitar string tone last longer is such a benefit with treated strings and worth the slightly added cost.