Elixir String Types: Coatings, Materials and Gauges Explained

Elixir sorts its guitar strings by instrument (acoustic, electric, bass), then by metal, then by coating. The coating is the choice that changes how a set feels: NANOWEB is bright and close to uncoated strings, POLYWEB is warmer and smoother, and OPTIWEB, which only comes on electric sets, is crisp with a natural feel. Add a gauge that suits your hands and your guitar, and you have the whole decision.

This guide walks through each type in the order you would choose them: instrument, metal, coating, then gauge. It ends with what to do when you change gauge, and with the Elixir sets we stock at MusicStreet in Huntingdon and online.

Table of Contents

• How the Elixir range is organised
• The three coatings: NANOWEB, POLYWEB and OPTIWEB
• Elixir acoustic string types
• Elixir electric string types
• Elixir bass string types
• How to choose: a quick decision path
• Our perspective on choosing Elixir strings
• Get your Elixir strings and a proper fit
• FAQ
• Sources

How the Elixir range is organised

Elixir splits its guitar string range into three families: acoustic, electric and bass. Within each family, a set is defined by three things:

1. The core and winding metal, such as 80/20 Bronze, Phosphor Bronze, nickel plated steel or stainless steel.
2. The coating, which Elixir calls a protective technology: NANOWEB, POLYWEB or OPTIWEB.
3. The gauge, from extra light to heavy, which sets the tension and feel.

That is why a product name reads like a short specification, for example “Acoustic Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB Coating, Light”. Once you know what each part means, any set in the range is easy to read.

Elixir has also introduced ATTUNE, a newer acoustic line. Premier Guitar’s announcement describes it as a crisp, clear string with a natural feel, built around a new technology. If you see ATTUNE on a shelf, treat it as an additional acoustic option beside the coatings below.

The three coatings: NANOWEB, POLYWEB and OPTIWEB

According to Elixir, its strings come in distinct protective technologies that offer the same protection and extend tone life, but differ in tone and feel. So the choice between them is about taste, not about one being the “better” string.

The descriptions come from Elixir’s FAQ page and its electric string guide. Elixir also says NANOWEB and POLYWEB both give a smooth feel, reduce finger squeak and extend tone life.

NANOWEB: bright, with a familiar feel

NANOWEB is the coating to try if you are coming from plain, uncoated strings and want the same sparkle and attack. Elixir describes it as sounding and feeling more like traditional strings, with a very thin coating. It suits players who lean on a lively top end: strummed acoustics, single-coil Telecaster and Stratocaster bridge pickups, and anything where you want definition.

POLYWEB: warm and smooth

POLYWEB gives a warmer tone that Elixir likens to a string that has already been played in. If your guitar already leans bright, such as a maple-fretboard electric or a small-bodied acoustic, POLYWEB can round the top end gently. If you play a lot of fingerstyle or slower material, the smoother feel under the fingertips is a pleasant bonus.

OPTIWEB: crisp and natural, for electrics

OPTIWEB is the newest of the three and is available on electric strings only. Elixir’s electric guide describes a crisp tone with the natural feel of uncoated strings. For electric players who want a clear, articulate sound and an uncoated feel, it sits alongside NANOWEB as a bright-leaning choice, while POLYWEB stays the warmer one.

Elixir’s own advice is that, on electric, all three coatings offer the same extended tone life, reduced finger squeak and enhanced playability, and that the pick comes down to personal preference. A sensible approach is to choose the tone you want on your particular guitar and amp, not to chase a ranking.

What the coating does for tone life

Uncoated strings pick up skin oils, sweat and dirt between the windings, which dulls them. Elixir says its coating protects not only the outer surface but also the gaps between the windings, and it states that it is the only brand to coat the entire string. Players, Elixir says, report longer-lasting tone than they get from other strings, coated or not. If you want to understand why strings go dull at all, our piece on why guitar strings get dirty and how to make them last longer covers the habits that help any set.

As for when to change: the Elixir FAQ says a set typically needs replacing when the plain steel high E and B strings show excessive wear. Look at those two first.

Elixir acoustic string types

Elixir’s acoustic guide describes its acoustic strings as roundwound, for comfort and a natural sparkle. The decision is the metal, then the coating.

80/20 Bronze or Phosphor Bronze

• 80/20 Bronze has a bright, lively voice. It suits guitars that can take extra snap, or players who want a clear, chimey strum.
• Phosphor Bronze brings warmth along with its sparkle. It is the usual pick when you want a rounder, fuller sound from a dreadnought or jumbo.

Each metal is offered with NANOWEB or POLYWEB, so you can combine them. Bright metal with bright coating gives the most sparkle; warm metal with warm coating gives the roundest, mellowest result. Mixing (for example, 80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB) is a good way to calm a guitar that sounds a little harsh without losing the life.

Choosing an acoustic gauge

Elixir says heavy acoustic strings have a warm, articulate tone, while lighter ones sound bright with a softer attack. It advises matching gauge to your playing style and your guitar model, and warns never to fit heavy strings to a delicate vintage instrument, because the extra tension could damage the neck or bridge.

Two gauges we stock in the coated NANOWEB range show the spread:

• Elixir 10-47 NANOWEB coated acoustic strings, a lighter set that is easier on the fingers and gives a brighter, softer attack.
• Elixir 13-56 NANOWEB coated acoustic strings, a heavier set for players who want more body and are happy with a firmer fretting hand.

If you are choosing for a new acoustic, our acoustic guitar collection is the place to try a guitar and ask which gauge it was set up for. For more on matching string to guitar, see our guide to the best acoustic guitar strings.

Elixir electric string types

The electric range is built on nickel plated steel roundwound construction, according to Elixir’s electric string guide. That makes the coating and the gauge your two real decisions. All three coatings, NANOWEB, POLYWEB and OPTIWEB, are available on electric sets.

Matching coating to guitar and amp

• Bright guitar, clean amp: POLYWEB can soften the edge if a bright setup tires your ears.
• Dark humbucker guitar, overdrive: NANOWEB or OPTIWEB keeps definition and bite in the picking.
• Playing without much hand grip: all three coatings reduce finger squeak, which helps when you slide along wound strings.

If you want a straightforward electric set to start with, the Elixir 10-46 NANOWEB coated electric strings are a familiar standard gauge with the bright, traditional feel NANOWEB is known for. Our electric guitar range has instruments to match.

Electric gauge in practice

Elixir’s guide says Super Light (.009 to .042) needs less pressure for fretting and bends and is a great option for new players with soft fingers. Heavier sets give more bottom end and maintain tension for drop tunings and slides. A 10-46 sits between the two and is the set many electrics leave a shop with.

If you move from one gauge to another, expect the guitar to feel different straight away. Lighter strings put less strain on the neck, so you may see more relief, and heavier ones the opposite. Our guides on checking relief before lowering string action and the step-by-step electric guitar setup explain what to adjust.

Elixir bass string types

Elixir’s bass guide describes bass strings as roundwound, for a comfortable feel and natural clarity. The metals on offer are nickel plated steel and stainless steel, both with NANOWEB technology. It also mentions an acoustic bass option in 80/20 bronze with NANOWEB.

• Nickel plated steel is the all-round choice for most electric basses.
• Stainless steel is the pick for a brighter, more aggressive top end.
• 80/20 Bronze is the one for an acoustic bass.

Bass gauge and tension

Elixir says heavy bass gauges, around .050 to .105, give a richer bottom end but need more finger strength than lighter sets, typically .040 to .095. Its tension table for electric bass nickel plated steel with NANOWEB lists total tension of 149 lbs for the Super Light four-string set (.040 to .095) and 173 lbs for the Light set (.045 to .100). Its Medium, Long Scale set (.045 to .105) comes in at 182 lbs. These are approximations for a 34 inch (Long) or 36 inch (Extra Long) scale and standard tuning.

So a move from Super Light to Light adds noticeable tension across the set, and the bass will feel stiffer. Elixir adds that changing gauge may mean tweaking the action and intonation. If you play bass and want to think more about where it sits in a band and how setup choices fit around strings, the writing on bass setup and string choices is worth your time. Browse our bass guitars to try different scale lengths in the shop.

How to choose: a quick decision path

1. Pick your instrument family. Acoustic, electric or bass. Classical guitars use different strings, so check before fitting a steel-string set.
2. Pick the metal. On acoustic: 80/20 Bronze for brightness, Phosphor Bronze for warmth. On electric and bass: nickel plated steel for the standard choice, stainless steel on bass for extra brightness.
3. Pick the coating. NANOWEB for a traditional, bright feel. POLYWEB for warm and smooth. OPTIWEB for crisp and natural on electric.
4. Pick the gauge. Lighter for comfort and bends, heavier for fullness and drop tunings, always within what your guitar was set up for.
5. Book a setup if you change gauge. A different gauge changes tension, so action and intonation may need a tweak.

Our wider guide to the best guitar strings for UK players goes deeper on gauge, and its sections on electric string types and acoustic warmth and clarity pair well with this one.

Worked examples

• A beginner with a first electric: a Super Light or standard 10-46 set with NANOWEB, so fretting is comfortable and the sound stays familiar.
• A strummer with a bright dreadnought: Phosphor Bronze with POLYWEB for a rounder, warmer sound.
• A fingerstyle player with a small-bodied acoustic: 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB for sparkle, in a lighter gauge.
• A bassist moving to drop tuning: a heavier gauge to keep tension, followed by a check of action and intonation.

Our perspective on choosing Elixir strings

At MusicStreet, we think strings are the cheapest way to change how a guitar plays, and the one most people leave to chance. Every instrument we sell is inspected and set up, so we know what gauge and action it leaves us with. That is why we like to talk through strings with you before you buy.

Our view is simple: pick the coating for the tone you want, then pick the gauge for your hands. Coated Elixir sets such as the NANOWEB electric and acoustic strings on our shelves suit players who want strings that feel familiar and keep their tone for longer between changes.

If you are unsure, come to the shop in Huntingdon, try a few guitars, and we will help you match a set to your playing and your instrument. We can restring and set up in store so the guitar feels right when you walk out.

Music

Get your Elixir strings and a proper fit

We stock Elixir coated sets for electric and acoustic guitar, alongside the rest of our guitar strings range, and we offer an in-store restring service. If you have switched gauge, our team handles setup, servicing and repairs, so action and intonation are checked properly. Start with the MusicStreet home page to see what is in stock, or browse accessories and cases and gig bags to complete your kit.

FAQ

What are the main Elixir string types?

Elixir offers acoustic, electric and bass strings. Each is defined by its metal, such as 80/20 Bronze, Phosphor Bronze, nickel plated steel or stainless steel, plus a coating: NANOWEB, POLYWEB or, on electric only, OPTIWEB. Gauge then sets tension and feel.

Which Elixir coating should I choose?

Choose NANOWEB if you want a bright sound and a feel close to uncoated strings. Choose POLYWEB for a warmer, smoother tone. On electric, OPTIWEB gives a crisp tone with a natural feel. Elixir says the choice is personal preference.

Is OPTIWEB available for acoustic guitar?

No. Elixir states that OPTIWEB is available on electric strings only. Acoustic players choose between NANOWEB and POLYWEB, and Elixir also has the newer ATTUNE acoustic line.

When should I change my Elixir strings?

Elixir says to replace a set when the plain steel high E and B strings show excessive wear. Coated strings keep their tone for a long time, so judge by those two strings, not by the first signs of dullness.

Do I need a setup after changing gauge?

Possibly. Elixir notes that a different bass gauge may need action and intonation adjustments, and the same logic applies to any guitar, because tension changes. If you are unsure, ask a shop to check it.

Sources

• Guitar Strings | Elixir Strings
• Differences Between POLYWEB, NANOWEB and OPTIWEB
• FAQs | Elixir Strings
• How To Choose The Best Electric Guitar Strings | Elixir
• How To Choose The Best Acoustic Guitar Strings | Elixir
• How To Choose The Best Bass Strings | Elixir Strings
• Electric Bass Nickel Plated Steel with NANOWEB Coating | Elixir
• Elixir Unveils Attune Strings | Premier Guitar