I've been pleased with the Elixir strings I've used recently, and I believe they changed the coating (possibly made it thinner, I don't know for sure) not too long ago. El McMeen sent me some of these, as he likes the new coating better than the one they first used. These do seem brighter than the first ones I'd tried, but I have to say I still don't sound like El McMeen and I suspect the strings aren't to blame for this.