Re: Cheaper electric coated strings...
I think that if you are going through a set of strings in a week, a coated string won't help you.
I have experience with the D'Addario EXP and the Elixir Nanos for acoustic guitar. The coated strings are really for guitars that you might not play every day. While they hold their tone longer, as they are less susceptible to dirt and corrosion; they suffer just as much from the ultimate string killer--wear from the frets. Once the string no longer has equal mass along each section of the string, it will no longer play in tune, and should be changed.
You can negate the effects of dirt and corrosion with a string cleaner like the Dunlop 65 String Cleaner (or Luthier's Choice or Ax-Wax), but you can't beat the effects of fret wear. I use the Dunlop 65 String Cleaner after every live playing session (and often at home on the guitars I just "noodle" on); but even then, a set of strings only lasts me about 12-15 of gig time. I can get 20-25 hours on the acoustic strings for home use, but if I 'm gigging my acoustics--12 to 15 hours is really all I can expect. If I'm going to be using one or two acoustics extensively over a week or two weeks time, I'll use just the regular uncoated D'Addario J-17 set, and save the EXP 17s for the guitars I might be playing only once or twice a week. In the later scenario, I've had EXP strings last 3-5 months. They would have tremendous fret wear, yet still produce good tone.
Obviously, locking tuners are a godsend for those who must change strings quickly and often. Stringwinders (or one of the drill attachments) and good set of diagonal cutting pliers are a must for rapid, neat string changes.
For your "strats" I would recommend the Fender Bullet strings. The Bullet ends work very well in guitars with a tremolo block. The Original Pure Nickels will give you a mellow, vintage tone. The nickel-plated steel Super Bullets add a little brightness for a great Rock tone--these are my string of choice for my G&L guitars with Leo's Dual Fulcrum Vibrato. Finally, the Stainless Bullets will have the brightest tone and will last the longest due to their corrosion resistance. But, stainless strings may cause increased fret wear, and they do have a different tone. No matter which string, I'd recommend a strict cleaning regimen for longest life.
Another favorite string of mine is the D'Addario XL. These are available in different formulations, including Stainless and Pure Nickel. Other manufacturers offer similar variety. You may need to try several different brands to ones that are less susceptible to corrosion from your body's particular chemistry. An old friend of mine was an auto mechanic, working in grease, oil, gasoline, brake fluid and other solvents all day. His hands could kill the tone of a set of strings in less than 30 minutes--I finally had to ban him from playing any of my guitars! (Not that it stopped him, LOL!) He found that using stainless on his guitars was helpful, but he still killed them pretty quick.
You can find some good deals on strings, especially if you buy in bulk. I know D'Addario has boxes of 25 string sets--their best value. You can sometimes find other brands of good strings really cheap; another friend of mine bought a dozen sets of Martin-made Darco electric strings for about $2.00 a set, and he loved them.
The Elixers may be nice strings, but if you're going through strings that fast, the coated strings are probably not your most economical choice. Find a good set of non-coated strings, and get that bionic arm cranking on that stringwinder!
Good luck!
Bill
