• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

coated strings with a pick?

Won't destroy them any more than non coated strings. The color may come off a bit but that won't affect the tone. The coating between the windings is more important to keep grime out and that area is protected from the pick by basic roundwound design.More likely will strings lose their 'newness' with fingers than a pick. I'm speaking more of DR strings but as far as Elixirs go, the coating is more plasticy and 'over time' will tend to 'peel' a bit and leave fragments hanging off.
If you use a pick more, go with DR or if you're more of a finger user, use Elixirs if coated srings are your thing.
 
If you use DR coated strings some of the coating will come off where your fingers and pick hit the strings - but it does not affect them in any other way- they will stay in tune perfectly. They seem to last forever and sound great-I like them also because the string wear seems to reveal where you have been playing on the neck- play the same stuff over and over and it shows over time:bassist: