Newtone Heavies?

[Deleted]

Greetings Michael, I finally joined after a coupla years lurking, but the very recent purchase of a Takamine db810 promted the crossover. I bought 2 sets of Newtone strings, both heavies 16-59 ( 1 nickel,1 PB) and I have some questions. I DO NOT play slide and I play in std, dropped D and open D tunings only. I see most people use the 13-56, is there any problem using the heavies in the above tunings esp std tuning. I play with a low action and don't bend and like the feel and sound of heavies (like trying to strangle a big python, hard work but exciting.) The strings haven't arrived yet from UK to Oz so thought 'd better ask. thanks in advance cheers fergs
www.elderly.com/vintage/items/images/50U/50U-2137_body-front.jpg Mine doesn't have the pu

[Michael Messer]

Hello Fergs,

Welcome to our forum.

I am sure the MM National Newtone Strings will be fine on your guitar, but before I can say anything I would like more information about the guitar please?

I have not heard of a Takamine DB810, and I cannot find any information about it on the Internet. I have searched Elderly, Takamine.com, and a few other sites and cannot find anything.

I can see from the photo that it is sort of copied from a Del Vecchio guitar, but without knowing more about the instrument I can't say whether it will or won't take those strings.


(This is the photo you linked me to in your first post)

An original Del Vecchio would not take the heavy gauges because they were built to be strung with nylon (Spanish) strings. While I can see the steel strings and the magnetic pickup in the photo, I would still like to know more before giving you any advice, or my opinion about stringing it.

Thanks,

Shine On
Michael.

[Deleted]

Greetings Michael, firstly thanks for the prompt reply. The Tak although bears a passing resemblance to the Vecchio's, mainly due to the cloth sound hole mesh, it is designed to take normal strings. There were only about 200 made in 1970 and I know of three people who own one including myself. Biscuit bridge of course. I wonder if National sent them a rude letter and thats why they stopped making them, one thing I know is the workmanship is typical of Japanese guitars of that era ie. fantastic What tonal balance will I get with the heavy string, I assume bigger bottom end.
will the heavier guage result in louder clear tone? Also I'm interested in fitting a magnetic pu, does this limit my strings to nickel wound or is there a pickup that compensates for PB strings chers fergs
www.takamineforum.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=283

[Michael Messer]

Hi Fergs,

The early period of Japanese resonator guitars is still a bit of a mystery. Who made what, and supplied parts....etc...

Your guitar is the same as a Shaftesbury resonator guitar from that time. I had not seen them branded as 'Takamine' until now, but it is the same.

I am sure the heavy gauge strings will be fine, but I have to say that Malcolm Newton and I designed 'Michael Messer National Guitar Strings by Newtone' to work on National, National-style, Dobro, and Dobro-style guitars. A set of our 15/56 would be totally fine on any guitar, but the 16/59s are pretty heavy and although they tune to pitch at less tension than regular brands of strings, they are still heavy. I do not want to make this sound too official, but you are fitting these strings 'at your own risk'.

These guitars were not constructed properly. They are a mixture of design ideas and as far as I know, there is no National-style neck stick through the body, or Dobro-style neck wedge, which means the guitar is not as strong as a properly designed one. Having said that, it has survived for 40 years, so it may be very strong, but I am just warning you to be careful.

Is that you playing in the YouTube clip? It sounds good.





Let me know how you get on. I hope all that makes some sense?

Best wishes,

Shine On
Michael.

[Michael Messer]

....In addition to my last post.....there is a good recent thread on here about Shaftesbury resonator guitars, worth having a look

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Greetings Michael' sorry i haven't replied earlier but I was waylaid by yultides, they came from every direction. I didn't stand a chance. I foud this pic showing the guts of the in this case a rebadged Tak ( a Maya) www.sophtamps.ca/images/maya/IMG_3535.JPG
Is that a neck stick running the length? As far as I've read the neck stick sets the brake angle of the neck by using the little wedges and although it would add strength, I can't see it being stronger than a wood neck dovetailed to a wood body. Am I missing something here , does the stick have other functions
p.s. that is definately not me in the clip, I have different pants altogether!

[Michael Messer]

Hi Fergs,

Here is your photo embedded so we can see it....



From looking at your photo, I cannot tell if that is a neck stick, or just an extra piece of wood to help strengthen the body, which if that is the case, is essentially a regular acoustic guitar body with a big hole in the top.

I would be careful with heavy strings, but without better photos I cannot say anymore.

Shine On
Michael

[johnwinlen]

Hello from Germany!
Last week I've bought this Shaftesbury Resonator Guitar and Im looking for the year, when it was built. It looks the same as the Resonator from Takamine in this Forum. Do you know anything about my resonator from Shaftesbury? What are the differences, except the names?

I'd asked at the Shaftesbury guitar company, which year of manufacture it could be and got this answer ->
Glad you like the guitar. There is limited information on these models, so you've actually got yourself quite a rare instrument.
I'll look into it for you and email back with any information I can find

I hope you have some informations for me.

Kind regards
Helmut Sauerborn
D-56075 Koblenz
the only town on Rhine AND Mosel
:-)

I'm sorry, but I can't upload an attachment / picture of my Shaftesbury resonator Guitar.

[Deleted]

Sept 24, 2015 17:25:50 GMT johnwinlen said:

I'm sorry, but I can't upload an attachment / picture of my Shaftesbury resonator Guitar.

Upload the file to tinypic  tinypic.com/ - you don't need an account -- and then paste the link they give using the Insert Image tool  in the toolbar. The link you gave is to your own computer.

[Deleted]

Hi johnwinlen,

Can't help with your enquiry, just thought I'd mention Koblenz - had my first alcoholic drink there and raced at the athletics track against a Rheinland team at 3000 metres. Lovely place.

Tschüß

Toom

[johnwinlen]

Thank You for Your help:

here is the picture-adress: