Best Uncoated Guitar Strings of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Uncoated guitar strings are a type of guitar strings that do not have a layer of coating over their surface. These strings are popular among guitarists who prefer a more natural and organic sound from their instrument. Uncoated strings are also known for their increased sustain and brighter tone compared to coated strings. They may require more frequent changing due to their lack of protection against corrosion and sweat. However, for guitarists seeking a raw and authentic sound, uncoated guitar strings are definitely worth considering.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Elixir Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Light Cover #TOP 1
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Light
ftb score rating icon 9.9
D'Addario XT Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings Cover #TOP 2
D'Addario XT Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.8
D'Addario Nickel Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Cover #TOP 3
D'Addario Nickel Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 8 Uncoated Guitar Strings

Elixir Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Light

16052
Light (12-53)
Elixir Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Light Cover
Elixir 16052 Strings Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings w NANOWEB Coating, Light (.012-.053)

The Elixir Acoustic Guitar Strings are crafted with phosphor bronze wrap wire, delivering a rich, full-bodied tone combined with sparkling high-end clarity. You will appreciate the ultra-thin NANOWEB Coating, which provides a traditionally textured, "uncoated" feel, enhancing your playing experience. This patented coating technology protects against corrosion, ensuring your strings maintain their tone longer than any other brand. With a light gauge of .012 to .053, these strings are perfect for players seeking both comfort and exceptional sound quality.

What We Like
Rich, full-bodied tone
Sparkling high-end clarity
Traditionally textured feel
Longer tone life
Light gauge for ease of play
#TOP 2

D'Addario XT Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings

XTE1149
Nickel
1-Pack
D'Addario XT Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings Cover
D'Addario Guitar Strings - XT Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings - XTE1149 - Extended String Life with Natural Tone, Feel - For 6 String Guitars - 11-49 Medium

D'Addario XT Strings offer an impressive combination of durability and sound quality. With their advanced corrosion-resistant coating, these strings extend their lifespan while maintaining the natural tone and feel that many players love. The nickel-plated steel wrap wire ensures a bright and versatile tone, making them suitable for various musical styles. Thanks to Fusion Twist technology, you can expect these strings to stay in tune better, giving you a more reliable playing experience. Plus, the NY Steel core wire enhances break strength, allowing you to bend notes without worry.

What We Like
Corrosion-resistant coating
Bright, versatile tone
Stays in tune longer
High break strength
#TOP 3

D'Addario Nickel Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

NB1152
Custom Light
Custom Light, 11-52
D'Addario Nickel Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Cover
D'Addario Guitar Strings - Acoustic Guitar Strings - Nickel Bronze - For 6 String Guitar - Increased Corrosion Resistance - Full Tonal Spectrum - NB1152 - Custom Light, 11-52

D'Addario Nickel Bronze Strings are expertly crafted with nickel-plated phosphor bronze, providing you with a clear and focused sound that enhances your guitar's natural resonance. The increased corrosion resistance means your strings will last longer without losing their quality, ensuring you spend less time replacing them. Additionally, the high-carbon NY steel core offers exceptional strength and tuning stability, so you can play with confidence. With these strings, you can fully appreciate the unique tonal qualities of your acoustic guitar.

What We Like
Clear, focused sound
Long-lasting corrosion resistance
Exceptional strength and stability
Enhances guitar's tonal qualities
#TOP 4

D'Addario NYXL Electric Guitar Strings for 7 Strings

NYXL1164
Nickel
D'Addario NYXL Electric Guitar Strings for 7 Strings Cover
D'Addario Guitar Strings - NYXL Electric Guitar Strings - NYXL1164 - Unrivaled Strength, Tuning Stability, Enhanced Mid-Range - For 7 String Guitars - Nickel, 11-64 Medium 7-String

The D'Addario NYXL Strings offer exceptional performance for electric guitarists. With their premium uncoated design, these strings provide unrivalled strength and tuning stability, ensuring your guitar stays in tune longer. The unique nickel-plated steel wrap wire enhances the mid-range frequencies, helping you achieve a more pronounced sound that cuts through the mix. Thanks to Fusion Twist technology, you can bend the strings two whole steps higher without worrying about breaking them, making your playing experience more enjoyable and reliable.

What We Like
Unrivalled strength and stability
Enhanced mid-range frequency response
Stays in tune longer
Made in the USA
Reward points available
#TOP 5

Elixir 11052 Light Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

11052
80/20 Bronze
Light (12-53)
Elixir 11052 Light Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Cover
Elixir 11052 Strings 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings w NANOWEB Coating, Light (.012-.053)

The Elixir 11052 Strings offer a remarkable acoustic experience with their 80/20 bronze construction, providing a crisp and bright tone that enhances your playing. The ultra-thin NANOWEB Coating gives you a traditional textured feel, making it comfortable to use. This coating also protects against corrosion, ensuring your strings maintain their vibrant sound for longer. With a light gauge of .012-.053, these strings are perfect for players seeking both expressiveness and longevity in their music.

What We Like
Crisp, bright tone
Comfortable uncoated feel
Longer tone life
Light gauge for easy playability
#TOP 6

Elixir 19002 Electric Guitar Strings with OPTIWEB Coating

19077
Blue
Super Light (9-42)
Elixir 19002 Electric Guitar Strings with OPTIWEB Coating Cover
Elixir 19002® Strings Electric Guitar Strings with OPTIWEB® Coating, Super Light (.009-.042), Blue

The Elixir 19002 Guitar Strings are designed for an enhanced playing experience. Constructed with nickel-plated steel wrap wire, these strings provide a crisp tone similar to uncoated options. The innovative OPTIWEB Coating offers a natural feel, making your playing more comfortable. Additionally, this coating protects against corrosion and debris, ensuring longer-lasting tone life compared to other brands. With anti-rust plating on plain steel strings, you can enjoy consistent performance throughout the entire set.

What We Like
Crisp tone like uncoated strings
Natural feel while playing
Resistant to corrosion and debris
Longer tone life
Anti-rust protection
#TOP 7

D'Addario XT Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings

XTAPB1152
Bronze
1-Pack
D'Addario XT Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings Cover
D'Addario Guitar Strings - XT Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings - XTAPB1152 - Extended String Life with Natural Tone, Feel - For 6 String Guitars - 11-52 Custom Light

D'Addario XT Strings offer exceptional quality for acoustic guitar players. With advanced corrosion resistance, these strings not only last longer but also maintain the natural tone and feel you desire. The warm and balanced tone produced by the Phosphor Bronze wrap wire enhances your music, making it suitable for any genre. Additionally, the NY Steel core and Fusion Twist technology provide greater break strength and keep your guitar in tune significantly better than standard acoustic strings, ensuring a reliable performance every time.

What We Like
Extended string life
Warm, balanced tone
Stays in tune longer
Corrosion-resistant coating
Made in the USA
#TOP 8

Elixir 19052 Light Electric Guitar Strings

19052
Blue
Light (10-46)
Elixir 19052 Light Electric Guitar Strings Cover
Elixir 19052 Strings Electric Guitar Strings with OPTIWEB® Coating, Light (.010-.046), Blue

The Elixir Electric Guitar Strings are designed to provide a crisp tone similar to that of uncoated strings, allowing you to enjoy a vibrant sound with every strum. With their OPTIWEB Coating, these strings offer a natural feel while also protecting against corrosion and debris, ensuring a longer tone life. You'll appreciate the Anti-Rust Plating on the plain steel strings, which guarantees durability throughout the entire set. This means you can play confidently, knowing your strings will maintain their quality for longer.

What We Like
Crisp tone like uncoated strings
Natural feel with OPTIWEB Coating
Resistance to corrosion and debris
Long-lasting tone life
Durable Anti-Rust Plating
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our uncoated guitar string research, we found 154 uncoated guitar string products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 451,436 customer reviews through our big data system to write the uncoated guitar strings list. We found that most customers choose uncoated guitar strings with an average price of £9.54.

The uncoated guitar strings are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of uncoated guitar strings, including Elixir, D'Addario.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.