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Post by Richard on Sept 21, 2004 19:44:38 GMT
Michael, just to give your newer range of Blues Master strings a bit of plug - I was looking for something that just a shade lighter than your established 15-56 resonator range to fit on my latest wooden box and well, there they were, ideal.
It was only by chance that I came across their very existence so maybe they need a bit aof a marketing splurge?
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 21, 2004 23:57:26 GMT
Hi Richard, good to have you aboard! I am glad you are pleased with the new set of strings. I think there may be some confusion as I don't do a Blues Master set, but Newtone Strings do market a set with that name. The strings that I am involved with are MM National Strings, MM Electric Slide Classics, Aloha strings for Weissenborn guitars & Newtone resophonic strings. All other Newtone products are nothing to do with me! But I am glad you like them. Newtone strings are the best. They are handmade in Derbyshire by Malcolm Newton and there is no doubt in my mind that his workmanship, skill & understanding of how & why strings work, makes the best strings available. I have used Newtone Strings on all of my guitars since 1992. I have recently been experimenting with D'addario Dobro strings for high bass tuning GBDGBD. They have a great feel to them for classic country Dobro playing, but they don't last as long, one or two gigs and they're dead. Newtones go on like Duracell batteries!
Keep in touch Richard, I am sorry you had a problem with the server, I have had that once or twice, I'll see what I can do to stop that happening. Shine On, Michael.
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Post by Richard on Sept 23, 2004 19:20:41 GMT
Whoops, sorry about that
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Post by Pete Woodman on Sept 28, 2004 20:57:22 GMT
Michael, Was it the phosphor-bronze EJ42s you tried (as recommended by Rob Ickes)? I usually find they last pretty well for me, it's the semi-flatwound ones that seem to go dead really quickly. Mind you, I remember Rob said he changes his strings for every gig, but he also pointed out that he can afford to because he has a deal with D'Addario!
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 29, 2004 11:15:35 GMT
Hi Pete,
Good to hear from you. Yes the D’Addario strings I have been trying are the EJ42s, designed for open tuned high bass G (GBDGBD) on a resophonic guitar…..they mean a Dobro but everyone seems to have stopped using that word since Gibson bought the name and since so many new makers have appeared on the scene. As a point of interest – since Gibson bought Dobro everyone has stopped using the word “Dobro” as a generic term because they say that Gibson will prosecute people for using their brand name & logo. Can anyone actually tell us of a case where the Gibson company have actually taken action against someone using that name…Dobro Dobro Dobro? I have a feeling that it is a very clever rumour being spread with no real back up. Dobro is a generic word….so is National.
The D’Addario EJ42 strings do not last as long on my Dobro (square-neck/high bass tuning) as Newtone Michael Messer National Strings! I am not just saying that because my name is on the packet. Every once in a while I have to look at these things from an objective point of view and try out other brands, otherwise I would lose all sense of what is good and bad in guitar strings.
I agree with Rob Ickes that the EJ42s are a great set of strings, but really do only last one gig. Whereas with the Newtone strings I can get two or three gigs out of a set. I also think that the Newtones hold their tone and stay brighter for longer. It is an interesting subject and one that every player will have something different to say. Most of the Dobro players that I have been around (which includes Rob Ickes and other top name players) change their strings for every show, but National players tend to let them stay on for longer. A bright new string sounds wonderful on a Dobro, but not great on a National.
I have been involved with Newtone Strings now for nearly fourteen years and have used them on every guitar that I have played in that time. This includes well over 200 vintage Nationals, my own Fine Resophonics, many National Reso-Phonics, numerous Dobros and electric & acoustic guitars. I really do believe they are the best strings available. They may not be to everyone’s personal taste, but the quality and the sound is fantastic. After all, they are hand made and utilize the finest quality materials.
I actually do have a few sets of the D’Addario EFT13 semi-flats for Dobro players, which I have been meaning to test for a while. I don’t like the idea of them, but I will give ‘em a try. I am not particularly into new fangled ideas that just try to re-invent the wheel for commercial reasons.
Keep in touch Pete. Shine On, Michael.
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Post by Pete Woodman on Sept 29, 2004 13:13:54 GMT
I think you're right about dobro (with a small D) being a generic term for a spider bridge instrument, but everyone is a bit nervous about Gibson theses days. Especially so after the way they sued PRS recently and won, in one of the most ridiculous court decisions I've seen for a while. I tend to avoid using the word to describe my own output, just to be on the safe side.
I'll have to try the Newtones next time I change strings. I do agree they are a fine product. I already use Newtones for regular acoustic, lap steel, mandolin, electric and acoustic biscuit bridge resonators and reso bass, but I've never tried them on the dobro. The only drawback to Newtones is that Malcolm is a victim of his own success and they're sometimes difficult to get hold of unless you order them months in advance.
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Post by Richard on Sept 29, 2004 17:29:08 GMT
I have found the MM\Newtones brand strings to be readily available and the it's actual Newtones which are much harder to get..
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Post by Alan on Sept 29, 2004 18:08:03 GMT
I always use this company now www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Cant say I have any complaints, they are fast and no postage (as such). Newtones only up the road in Heanor, but I've never been bothered to look in.
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