String Theory

[onemanband]

Hi,
I am considering a change of string choice and your advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated.
My string of choice for both my Avalon 12 and 6 strings has been D'Addarrio EXP (coated 80/20 bronze), that supposedly outlast uncoated strings. However, when re-stringing I always notice that the wound strings, (particularly the third and fourth) are slightly worn and indented underneath, where they contact the frets.

It now seems to me that, if you gig regularly or your guitar gets played frequently, there is no point in coated strings as the strings are subject to this fret wear and need changing anyway regardless of all else, where as, if your guitar is hung on the wall and not played very often, coated strings are the better option because they won't be subject to this fret wear and won't oxidise or tarnish as quickly; so, here's the question.........

Are coated strings worth the extra premium when, although they may last longer from a tarnishing and oxidation angle, they need changing anyway, after a "normal" lifespan, because of this fret wear?

Although I have never got involved in the "coated/uncoated" debate and having not used uncoated strings for a long, long time, I must say that since re-stringing with a set of plain Martin 80/20 bronze, I think I very much prefer prefer the sound of the uncoated option; the guitar seems more "alive" and bright.

Any thoughts and/or string recommendations??

[boombox]

Interesting question re wear. I will check the underside of my strings when I restring my L32 in the next few days.

On my Avalon, I have been using the D'Addario coated 12s, love the sound and see no reason to try anything different. I started off using regular uncoated D'addario 11s and 12s on my OM, which sounded great. I then bought some John Pearse 12s, on the recommendation of guys on the Collings forum and while it did give me a substantially different sound to my Avalon as a result (both are sitka/EIR), I've never really fallen in love with them, so I have some regular D'Addario 11s back on there now. I am tempted though to try some coated D'Addario 12s on it as I like the sound so much on my Avalon. In terms of string life, this next set of coated will be only the Avalon's third set of strings since she was born. Conversely my OM is on its 4th set this year since last December, which was also the time when my Avalon left the bench. Financially, that's £28 for the OM (JP's are expensive) and, allowing for if I'd had to put new strings on when I bought it, £30 for the Avalon.

I guess what it comes down to is what your ears like, rather than whether strings are coated or not. If you like the sound of your regular Martins, stick with them. Unless you are very heavy handed, you'll live with any price differences for coated too.

[the greypicker]

Great posting, OMB !

It really got me thinking and looking on line. I found this which really made things clear for me, especially the fact that "coated" can mean many different things:

http://www.professorstring.com/archives/coated_guitar_strings.php

This guy does a comparison on John Pearse and D'Addario on a very tasty Gibson AJ.

http://coatedguitarstrings.net/tag/coated

I have been a fan of Newtones for years. He claims that round core strings don't clog with dirt as much as the angular strings do and therefore sound better longer. There might be something in that.

Finally, I have been hearing great things about GHS phosphor bronze and have just tried some on my Bouzouki. They are way, way better than the D'Addarios I had on it before and I might well be trying a guitar set soon. Watch this space!

Long may you strum! (as I used to say in a former existence!)

John

[onemanband]

Thanks for the replies guys, interesting comments I have taken onboard.
String gauge was never an issue as I have always used 10-47's on my 12string and 12-54's on my 6string and I'm still happy at that.

I have decided though, that after listening to both my twelve and six stringers re-strung with regular Martin uncoated, I shall be going down that route for sure, both instruments seem to ring, fresh & bright; and as was the point of the post, I probably won't notice any shorter string life, as the coated variety needed changing quite regularly due to fret wear anyway.

I shall now go and book that round the world cruise for myself and my wife, paid for by all the money I'm going to save by using regular rather than coated guitar strings!!!

Brian.