Elixirs Strings --are Condom strings

[MIKE 450]

I often wonder what strings Sea Sick Steve likes--I was in Carrickfergus Castle a couple of years ago with some Canadain friends and found myself standing next to Sea Sick Steve.Being a string nut case I was tempted to ask him "hey steve do you use elixirs" then I thought mybe steve's still using the same old strings he found on that guitar of he's--so I just left the guy alone.

My guess is Sea Sick Steve is currently using barb wire with the spikey bits removed. I must say I still kick myself for not asking S.S.S about string choice, it would have been great fun talking to a guy who appears to have interest in gear whatsoever about coated strings.

I have spoke to quite a few well known artist's over the years, but I draw the line when it come's to people having lunch or walking around castle's--when they appear to be minding there own business--I mind mine.

[MIKE 450]

Just got back from my holidays touring Ireland ----my own back yard!

Was wondering--while I was away has any NEW string come onto the market----I'd love to hear about a small string company just starting out-----"I hate it" when one big company buys up all the little companys----------SO who's making guitar strings down in their garden shed EH!

[Ross A]

Hope the tour went well, and welcome back!

Enough with the strings. All strings apart from Newtones are made by one big company, and they are just put into different packs at the end of the robot controlled conveyor belt. Some are coated, some are not. Newtones on the other hand are lovingly made by hand in a treehouse in England, each string taking 8 hours to indivdually craft from a single piece of bronze dug from the peak district.

Not really! Newtone strings are ace though.

[singlereed]

I'll second the vote for Newtone. I put a set of the Heritage 'even tension' strings on my S32 several months back and they are still playing great. I have very mixed feelings about coated strings although the EXP D'addarios definitely have a better life - I just feel nothing beats the feel of proper bronzewound strings and the Newtones are excellent. If you didn't see my earlier mail, I am afraid the Rotosound Nexus coated strings are absolutely awful - I wanted to like them as they come from a fine British business but I took them off after a couple of days as they are truly terrible.

[MIKE 450]

Thanks guys--my next strings will be Newtone--They don't sell them in Belfast so I'll order them online---"can't wait to hear them"!

It's sad to think we are all victim's of extreme marketing--I can't stand seeing pictures of Eric Clapton on string packet's ---and reading guitar mags you often see a list of musician's who use a certain brand of string.

And that said I must admit to being a little chessed off when I bought a certain guitar mag for my son "who plays electric guitar"--this American mag was simply FULL of adds. I worked out that 93% of the mag was adds.

Thank God for the BBC

[MIKE 450]

Great stuff John-will do--"nice to hear from you"

[MIKE 450]

Did anyone get new strings for Chrismas--Don't forget to report the ups and downs of string preformance -----now that the new year has begun--let's make sure were properly strung------and lets make sure we don't get stung--- by expensive coated strings that dull --don't forget I told you so---you don't want to hear "YOUR BALANCE IS LOW"!

[MIKE 450]

While jamming with a couple of friends a while back,they both noticed how easy it was to play my 201CE. They asked me what strings I used------------------I told them they where Martins BUT what was more important was the fact that my guitar had been set up to my spec by a professional.

String choice is up to yourself--- if you like them play them, but first of all make sure your guitar is set up ----putting new strings on a battered guitar is a waste of money.

Most new guitars will be set up as standard--but it might not suit your style-----NOW LISTEN CAREFULLY-------Don't muck about with your beloved guitar---get a professional to set it up---"get your money out"!

[MIKE 450]

Some folk say that only Newtone strings are carefully hand made in a garden shed---but what about --John Pearse strings-- a friend of mine swears by them.

He claims that Pearse strings are made from their own alloy "recipes" with a slower and more accurate winding method. Has anybody tried them---are we missing out ----is he telling PORKIES!

[bluespicker]

thanks for your thread. it grew very long.... and the song: the strings must be changing... Seems ever true. and really funny..
I have an Avalon A200 guitar (bought it used in perfect condition) since a few days and a new set of d'Addarios 12..
But my fingertips are wound. I will quickly change to Nanocoated strings, to heal my hands while playing...

And a word about setup... it's the most important thing for easy playing but takes a lot of time if you do it by your own.

have a good time

[MIKE 450]

Some of the best guitarist's in the world will tell you to harden those finger tips--no pain no gain!

[jay]

hi , i have to agree with mot being a fan of elixer strings. After a few years of using martin strings (Medium guage) on my 310 Taylor, i was talked into tryin out these elixer strings. They were to transform my guitar, and they did, i would say the general sound of my guitar is a fairly bright dry sounding dread. with gr8 string defonition, unfortunatly the elixers totally killed it. I could not live with them at all and i removed them in less than 24 hours and went back to the martins.
I,m not gonna say that they are bad etc. as us guitar players are fickle, and the acoustic guitar is something that is a personal thing, i know some gr8 players who use eilxers and they do sound gr8.
so to round up try them you may like them or hate them, just find out for yourself.

btw when my L32 12 comes il ltry a set and see what happens
ta jay

[MIKE 450]

Very interesting Jay,you mention gr8 that's fantastic.I believe gr 4 is the highest grade in Ireland,I'm not 100% on that,maybe some of the guys can let us know.

Anyway back to the strings,"YES" Martin and other non coated strings have that old steel twang which I love,true organic strings.

It's argued, coated strings are obviously better for someone who gigs in small bars/clubs a lot, and plays an electric acoustic. Audiences don't usually get into fine tone, but I'm not so sure.

I think everyone who plays acoustic has a duty, to try lots of different strings on their guitar, in a quest to find Tone Heaven.

I'm a grade 25 player lol

[jay]

sorry about the text gr8 (great)
like my guitar playin, i,m full of bad habits.
lol