Different Guitar Strings / Wrap Wires

From this article you know already that there are different guitar string types which are also called wrap wires.

Round Wound Guitar Strings have a very bright sound, but have a high guitar string noise.
Half Wound Guitar Strings are in the middle of all guitar strings with a slightly warmer sound than round wound strings. Because of that they have a less guitar string noise but still have some of the features which Round Wound Guitar Strings have.
Flat Wound Guitar Strings offer the most warm sound experience. They have a clear vintage sound feeling. The flat ribbon wire provides the smoothest polished surface, practically eliminating string noise. Flat Wound Guitar Strings are perfect for musicians who wanna play a blues or jazz sound, but they can also be used for modern rock.

Coated vs. Non-Coated Strings

The main benefit of coated guitar strings is the lifetime of the strings. After some months a non-coated guitar string build a level of dirt and grime. This disadvantage is the advantage of coated strings because they protect the string from getting this dirt lying on the string. Some manufactures say that a coated string lives five times longer than a non-coated guitar string. The coating helps the string resist tone deadening corrosion as a result from sweat and playing in a variety of conditions. Good manufactures use a coating process in which the feeling of a classical string gets not lost. The guitar strings keeps then the ribbed texture and its smooth feeling. Some coated guitar strings feel like nylon strings others feel a bit slippery, but despite of that feeling they sound exactly like non-coated strings. Most guitar players say that they don’t feel a difference after some guitar sessions.

The most difference between a coated vs. non-coated guitar string is the price which is often three times higher then from uncoated strings. But if you compare the longer lifetime of the string it will profitable for most of your guitar string orders. If you want to maintain your strings you should wash and dry your hands before you start playing the guitar.

Different guitar string manufactures like Elixir or D’addario offering great coated strings which are nearly identical to non-coated strings.Read more about the best coated guitar strings at our TOP 5 Guitar Strings Review here.

Phosphor Bronze vs 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Strings

The Wrap Wire of a Guitar String is one of the most important part of the acoustic. As you see in the picture the wrap wire is made around the core of the guitar string. Every guitar / guitar string has got a slightly different wrap wire but in the end here are the two main differences between phospor bronze and 80/20 bronze:

A Phospor Bronze Guitar String offers a bright, rich and warm tone. The wrap wire is made of 92% Cooper and 8% Zinc. Most of the guitar players like this kind of guitar string because it is more consistent and has a slightly warmer tone than 80/20.

A 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar String offer a more bright tone. The wrap wire consists of 80% Cooper and 20% Zinc. Players who prefer this kind of guitar string doing that mostly because of a deep brass tone which represents a more warmer sound.

Hex Core vs Round Core Strings

As you see in the picture the core (under the wrap wire) of a guitar string can be formed like a hex (Hex Core) or rounded (Round Core). Normally guitar strings were made with round cores, but due to manufacturing benefits most of todays guitar strings are made in a hex form.

Round cores feel more flexible and have a more balanced acoustic. On the other hand a hex core guitar string are a bit stiffer and more bright.