Tony,

I feel the same eway about the Old Nationals that I used in the 60-80's on my Autoharps. The new ones pale in comparison and are so limp any real pickinin' pressure and they come loose on your thumb. The old ones were a cream color whilke the new ones atre white. The old ones had a soft eadge to them while the new ones are crisp edges, almost sharp.

My guess is the old material was volatile in some way and the new ones safe and non flameable, doen't hurt ozone or dolphins and save trees.

Don