Martin Coated Strings Versus Treated Strings: the differences

Greetings, fellow guitar fans! Let’s be honest, we – each and every one of us – love our guitars. We want them to play and sound great, because when they do, we play and sound our best. Which brings us to the subject of guitar strings. The right strings are essential to unlocking a guitar’s full potential, both in tone and in ease of playing. Martin has lots of options when selecting a set of strings for our acoustic guitars, from materials to string gauges. 

Two of those options are coated and treated strings, both of which promise long-lasting tone and impressive durability. Coated strings and treated strings often get lumped together, but differ significantly. So what’s the difference between coated strings or treated strings?

Before we get into the practical differences between coated and treated guitar strings, let’s take a look at their shared advantages. 

Compared to traditional guitar strings, they last and keep their tone a long time. How long? That depends on your playing style, playing situation (hobby, gigs, recording, etc.) and body chemistry. For most players, coated and treated strings can last anywhere from two to five times longer than uncoated ones.

They can be budget friendly. Yes, they cost more than uncoated strings initially, but because they last so much longer, coated and treated strings often can save you money.

They reduce the amount of string noise (i.e. squeaks) from the fretting. 

Last but not least, they simplify your life. Almost none of us enjoy changing strings. We may enjoy the results, but we don’t enjoy the task. So doing fewer string changes is great. Plus, it gives us more time to play.

Now the differences between coated strings and treated strings.

The biggest difference is tone. Coated strings have their own distinctive sound. They are not as loud and not as complex as uncoated strings. Nor do they offer the same volume and dynamic range. Last but not least, they typically dampen high notes, especially those played up the neck. 

By contrast, treated strings sound identical to traditional uncoated strings; the same rich harmonics, the same long sustain, the same balance, the same volume and the same dynamic range.

Another difference is how each feels under your fretting hand. Coated strings are – by their nature – slippery. As a result, the possibility of a finger sliding off a string, especially when doing string bends or vibrato, is always there. However, the smooth surfaces of coated strings can be easier on the fingers, an important consideration if you are practicing a lot or playing long sets. 

Treated strings feel like traditional strings, though users may notice a reduction in surface friction due to the treatment.

The coating on coated strings has a propensity – sooner or later – to flake. The coating can only handle the impact of the strings against the frets for so long. Treated strings do not flake, because the treatment is chemically bonded to the strings rather than applied to them. 

The choice between coated strings or treated strings is a personal decision. You have plenty of factors to consider. Your tone preference. Your guitar. Your playing style. Your playing situation (solo, duo, band, personal enjoyment, professional gigs, recording, etc.). The right answer on choosing between coated and treated strings is the answer that is right for you.

C.F. Martin & Co. is the only acoustic guitar manufacturer to also make its own strings. We realized more than 50 years ago the best way to ensure strings with utmost quality and consistency was to design and manufacture them ourselves. 

We have the luxury of testing our strings on some of the world’s finest instruments. In doing so, we assure our innovations in string design and production bring out exceptional tone and nuance in every guitar. Our Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Phosphor Bronze and Bronze strings may be the ultimate in great playing, long lasting acoustic guitar strings, but C.F. Martin’s other fine strings – from Martin Authentic Acoustic SP, Martin Marquis®, Martin Originals and Martin Retro strings, to Martin Flexible Core and Luxe by Martin® Titanium Core and Kovar™ SP Core® strings – assure you will find the perfect set of Martin strings for your guitar.