Uncoated strings start to lose their brightness as sweat, skin oils and humidity get into the windings. CRT Coated sets are treated to resist that corrosion, so they stay fresher for longer between changes. Nothing else about the string changes: CRT Coated Nickel uses the same nickel-plated steel wrap as Power Wound Nickel, with the same clear highs and solid low end.
CRT Coated is worth it if you:
- Play often
- Have sweaty hands
- Live somewhere humid
- Would rather change strings less often
The trade-off is feel. Some players find uncoated strings feel fractionally more open, which is why we make both versions.
CRT Coated Nickel electric sets:
- .009–.042 (CS942 Extra Light)
- .0095–.044 (CS9544 Rock Light)
- .009–.046 (CS946 Rock N Roll)
- .010–.046 (CS1046 Light), the balanced starting point
- .011–.050 (CS1150 Medium Light)
Acoustic players can get the same protection with CRT Coated Phosphor Bronze.