Of coats... (strings content)

We're still on the topic of strings. The inevitable turn of issue, from that of string cleaning, is that of string resistance. Since we know & accept the fact that strings are expendables, are there any string types out there which are quasi-immortal? Perhaps the ones that would help us budget for string expenditure in the long run (because our pockets are not bottomless)?

We then enter the realm of coated strings, these are basically strings given a layered treatment to help prolong their good life. There are 2 types to note: 1) Colour coating 2) Chemical coating

I was first introduced to the colour coated set by my good friend brother Zachary Elias, the strings in question was the Black Diamond set (1). I avoided buying them despite knowing they were there at the shops on the assumption that they were not metal but they indeed are & the black coating is what rubber insulation does to electrical wires. I was visually impressed by his guitar back in his Stomping Ground days; his black strings seemed to disappear from a distance (together with a dark rosewood fretboard, that's what you get). So to the uninitiated, it's like the guy played a stringless guitar but what's that sound coming out at the end of the signal chain? Awesome! But having played them in person, the coating seems to flake off very easily over at the picking end, especially so when I use nothing else but thick, hard picks. Then came the second generation of colour coated wonder, most identified by the DR (2) brand (among others). In addition to a more durable coat, the manufacturer offered colours so that was like having psychedelia in your instrument. But those were still rather wimpy in terms of durability until the current NEONs (3) came along. This is what I'd recommend to those who are in need of string adventure as far as colour coating is concerned. In addition to the outright inclusion of colours, these treated pigmentation glows under UV light.

There is a camp of detractors in the midst of all this excitement who question the relevance of colour in string life preservation. This is compounded by the fact that we get peeved easily by the flaking coat & some players feel that the extra layer makes strings thicker than they should be, so why bother? Is there any less aesthetically inclined formula that really prolongs string life? Along came Elixir (5) who proved just that (there might be others out there but none was more mentioned compared to Elixir). Players who excrete excessive body fluid through their fingertips worship Elixir because they are corrosion tolerant without the layered shenanigans. The only down side to it was that Elixir strings were costly (a pack could easily buy you at least 3 packs of regular D'Addarios) but things are more affordable today, rest assured. There is also an emergence of coated string formula offered by various manufacturers, GHS (4) is one of them. I have virtually tried everything that came my way & they indeed proved to last longer than the typical, non-treated sets. My personal favourites are those offered by D'Addario & Cleartone but these days I'm not obliged to favour coated strings, I go with tone- I embrace strings which are honest to goodness; nothing too gimmick propelled, costly without proving true worth or too cumbersome to purchase. More importantly, they should sound inviting once they are in use.

As far as string coating is concerned, it affects the players in terms of feel & tone. Because we are humans with a different degree of sensitivity, some of us would feel this effect more than others. More importantly, do not impose unto others your philosophy of coated strings; it's one of the reasons why bands break up :-)