Newtone Strings

Subject: Newtone Strings
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:05 PM

I fitted a set of Newtone strings today, that I bought from Mark Challinor, when he set up my D28 so beautifully. I usually use medium, but these are light medium, and they are beautiful strings. Time will tell as to how well they last, but so far I'm very impressed, and prefer then to the D'Addarios that I normally use.
Giok

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:10 PM

Elixir, recommended by The Ramblers, they can be taken up Kinder!

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:13 PM

I splashed out on Elixirs once and didn't like them one bit, too slippy for a start!
G. Blurb

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:25 PM

Shhh! DON'T TELL EVERYBODY!!!! Actually we (The Toms) officially endorse Newtones, because, as Mark says (it was he who introduced us to them many years ago), they really are in a league of their own. (I could explain why but I'd bore you all).

However, Malcolm Newton does already have difficulty keeping up with demand, and I'm currently out of stock yet again :-(

So please ignore this thread - ELIXIRS ARE MUCH MUCH M U C H    BETTER!! (ugh, need to go wash my hands now!)

Trouble is, once you've tried Newtones everything else is just plain horrible (yes I've tried them ALL natch) - so though Newtones last a good month if cleaned regularly (depending on atmospheric conditions etc.), I often find myself playing with stings way past their best - because they are still streets ahead of everything else.

In fact I shall be doing so tomorrow at the Vernon Arms, Derby.

And yes Mark is a Genius too as any fule kno

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Kaleea
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:39 PM

Who carries them in the States?

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: BB
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:52 PM

My Tom uses them as well, and since trying them has never wanted any others.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 04:25 PM

Brian Rodgers the guitar fettler and fingerstyle whizz from Medway uses them. The ever-fussy Jeff Cole also uses them. Both have acid finger and find the Newtones last well - about 4 times the life of D'Addarios. I think they sound nice for them.,

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 04:55 PM

12th Fret in Toronto swears by these strings. I was in Mandolin Bros. last week, but they don't carry them. I wanted to try them on my Irish Tenor banjo, and my Larrivee. Those that use them swear by them.

I used to put Elixers on my 12 string and 6 string. Now a days I use D'Addario coated. They keep their tone a long time, and have a nice bright sound to them.

I am anxious to try the Newtones, but think I will have to order them by mail. Anyone know of a distributor in the South Jersey, or NJ/NYC area?

Mick

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 05:11 PM

See? It's starting! They're rubbish - really! Might as well use rubber bands! Newtone suck!!!

Actually, if demand goes up enough Malcolm will have to set on another helper, which must be a good thing for us all - I hope!

Mick, I tried googling Newtone a while back, and found three or four US web-based distributors. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a supplier in your zone - or ever use those D'Adredful strings again! LOL.

We use Newtones on guitars, mandolins, octave mandolin, tenor banjo, mandocello, and scullion dulcimer - and they're fantastic on all. Softer to the fret, warmer, brighter, louder, longer-lasting and real pretty on the eye!

Tom

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 05:20 PM

Tom, I agree they're lovely, but don't over egg the pudding mate.
Giok

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: terrier
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 07:27 PM

I've not come across Newtone strings but I have found LION Country Gold. The 12's (light medium) have brought new life to my old Ibanez Dred. I've tried D'deadio and they are useless on my instrument. Although I'm hooked on Lion strings at the moment, I'll certainly have a go at Newtone. Any suppliers in North Wales ????? UK

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 07:40 PM

Newtone are local to me. they are Ralph McTell's preferred strings also. their charm eludes me, but I guess you can't all be wrong.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 08:21 PM

For those that don't know, these are handmade strings. They are not mass produced. The core is round wire instead of the six sided core that most strings use. This allows a lighter gauge with the same response and because there are no gaps under the windings, as there are when the core is not round, they have a great sound that lasts. They will custom make strings for any instrument with any desired string end. They are pricey, but due to their performance, many of the top players are using them.

Once upon a time, all strings had round cores, but because of the inability to have good quality control on the winding, they switched to the six sided cores.

Mick

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: JedMarum
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 09:03 PM

Newtone Strings!

agreed. Best by far!

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 09:49 PM

Actually, Mick, I ordered 3 sets of Newtone strings (through Long & McQuade) for my Glen Reid acoutic bass guitar. Custom done for length & gauge, and they cost the same as I'm used to spending for my usual D'Addarios. Damn good deal in the case of bass strings.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:27 AM

I think that the Twelfth Fret used to be the North American distributor for these, but I think that they are being sold by some U.S. Stores now. I tried several brands and guages when I first got my banjo a few years ago. I found the Newtones to be the best for the sound that I wanted. I also found them to the longest lasting by quite a bit. I know that my sister likes their guitar strings too.

Newtone Strings

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:02 AM

I have just put a set of Newtones on my old Fylde Orsino -sounds fine, the jury's out on how long they last. It's odd how different strings work for different guitars tho. My Martin DX is great with Martin SP and not much else (normally I wouldn't use Martins - never had a guitar,til the DX that I liked them with). My Seagull 12 string is great with Elixirs (this may be due to their long life as I hate changing strings on a 12 string guitar)but my Fylde doesn't go with Elixirs (usually good with DR).normally I don't get on with d'adarios, except that their coated ones work well with the Fylde. Aint life confusing.
choice is a fine thing, I think!!
chris

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Scrump
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:12 AM

Agh! Just got 10 sets of Elixirs. Now they tell me!

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: redsnapper
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:46 AM

I used to use Elixirs but use Newtones on all my instruments now except my jazz guitar which sounds better with medium Rohrbachers. The Newtones sound good and last very well. I buy them 20 sets a time direct from Malcolm.

RS

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:00 AM

There are three types of Elixirs. Polyweb is the one that has a thick coat and feels like you are playing a waxed jacket. Nanoweb has a very thin coating and feels fine, sounds pretty good and still sounds pretty good months later although I always put on new ones for a gig. After a while the coating starts to flake off particularly in the areas where the string gets hard use. There is also a Phosphor Bronze set which has the Nanoweb coating and has a sweeter sound than the ordinary Nanowebs. I use the plain Nanowebs on my guitar which responds well with them giving a very balanced sound across the range and Phosphor Bronze on my Fylde Octavious bouzouki which helps because the instrument is lacking a bit in the lower registers. The guy who built my guitar (Nick Benjamin) says that Elixir don't manufacture strings but buy them from D'Addario and coat them. I've heard nothing but praise for Newtone but for me I'll continue to use Elixir because they are readily available. It is also possible to buy custom sets or packs of four strings. I'll be off to a music shop later on to order four 35s, four 26s and four 13s - they will be on my doormat tomorrow morning. I keep all my gauges in separate packs rather than as sets of strings so that if I break one I can get the string I need without fumbling through lots of packets. I stick a label on the outside of each pack and a pen to mark how many are left.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Shiplap Structure3
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:12 AM

I suppose I'll have to look again at Newtones I bought a couple of sets and tried one set out on a Lowden and they just robbed the tone I couldnt believe what happened. When time came round for the annual string change of my "shed guitar" a aged jap laminated guitar with adjustable brass bridge, I thought I'd use up the spare pack of Newtones It sounded great.
Theres certainly no one perfect string. I wonder why people are so against Elixirs they certainly dont have the brassy zing of brand new uncoated strings But who likes that brassy zing? Surely the real sound of a string is the one that develops after the strings have stretched and settled down. I agree with Guest Chris about using Elixirs on a Seagull 12, I find the medium gauge strings kept 2 frets low sound great.
I'm currently using Thomastick Plectrum Bronze strings on the Lowden they arent the loudest of strings but they have really sweet tone that I love for fingerpicking

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:16 AM

Hi Peter - well you probably COULD put rubber bands on that guitar and it would STILL sound wonderful. It's a real gem!

Interesting what Nick says about Elixirs - and maybe I've been judging the thick coats against what people say about the nanowebs. It would explain a lot. Still Newtones for me though - but I may try the Phosphor Nanos next time I'm caught short (i.e. now)!

Hope you're keeping well

Tom

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:31 AM

Wasn't overjoyed with Elixir polywebs but preferred the change to nanowebs. However, changed over 18 months ago to Newtones (12's) and am unlikely to change again. It must be the Derbyshire air you know! Kindest regards, HPB of hWb in East Yorkshire.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 07:30 AM

My Paul Shippey mandolin came with Newtone strings on it, the best strings I've ever used, but I can buy D'Addario J74s for £3.45 a set so no competition there.

eric

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 08:02 AM

Hi Tom

Yep I'm fine. In fact still on cloud nine after a weekend in Lewes at a fiddle and bouzouki workshop led by Nancy Kerr and James Fagan. It was like being on your hols!

I took the Benjamin with me too and Nick had a bash on it after the evening concert, he really laid into it! It's nice to hear it played by other people because the sound is different when it is on your lap. He claims he can remember the sound of every guitar as it is made and always keen to try them later to hear how the sound has developed.

There is a guy who makes instruments with a sound port, a small oval shaped hole on the the top of the upper bout, the idea is that you get to hear what people out front hear. His name is David White. I've tried one of his guitars with a port and it sounded really sparkling although looking through the sound port is a bit strange and seeing its innards! I've also tried one of his guitar-bouzoukis and the sound is strong, balanced and really quite heady!

Back to strings, I've just come back from the music shop and managed to get all the Elixir strings I needed as singles - that's a new development. It wasn't cheap but now I have five sets again.

Finally, I got to see progess on my new bouzouki being made by Richard Osborne of Lewes. It is a large bodied tear drop (I want something that still looks like a bouzouki but with the fuller sound of a guitar) with a pin brdge (rather than floating with a tail-piece) so that I can fit easily obtained guitar strings. I'll probably put on Elixir Phosphor Bronze as unison pairs going from 42, 32, 16 to 12 as GDAD. It's made from Palo Escrito (Mexican Rosewood) and with an Adirondack top. Looks luvverly.

Hows tricks with you? Get a Mudcat account so we can chat without pissing off everyone else!

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 10:18 AM

Big Mick - Newtones aren't expensive, cheaper here (UK) than D'Addoribbles, Martins etc., and one-third the price of Elixirs.
I guess they may be expensive in the US because you're so far away from where they're made.

Newtones are unquestionably THE BEST- the dog's bolleaux, but Malcolm needs to get his production problems sorted soon, otherwise he might find people turning away. IMHO! :-)

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 10:32 AM

How does he do that, SJ? What makes them the best is that they are handmade. I am not sure how he could mass produce. I guess he could hire more folks to help, eh?

Interesting to hear the comments on D'Addarrio's. I am pretty picky about my strings, and these seem to perform well for me. I am not loony about them or anything, but I am satisfied with their performance.

Mick

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Justa Picker
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 11:32 AM

I am anxious to try the Newtones, but think I will have to order them by mail. Anyone know of a distributor in the South Jersey, or NJ/NYC area?"

Mick,
Contact Maury or Lorie at Maury's Music.
Maury stocks Newtones and he and his wife are good people as well.
He's not that far from Jersey (Coaldale PA) and could easily mail you some.
(Your best bet is to phone there, as he can be a bit slow on the uptake as far as email responding.)

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 11:57 AM

Justa, where the hell you been???? It is great to hear from you, my friend. I will give Maury a call. I should have known you would know where the quality stuff is. I looked at his website and the price is not what I had been lead to believe. As was noted above, they are no more expensive than D'Add's. I sure appreciate the heads up. He is only about an hour and a half away. Sounds like a road trip to me.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:08 PM

Bob Stokes, The Dublin Busker, took me to Newtone for the first time, and I bought a few sets. He was very excited at the time, but by the time he recorded his album he was saying that the Newtones wouldn't stand up to the heavy gigging schedule - not like the Martins did.

If you buy a couple of dozen d'adarrios at a time - the price on the net comes down to about £3. I think if you are going to pay the extra for Newtones you must feel quite strongly about them. And maybe they are for the kind of singer who isn't staggering round from one gig to the next - presumably doing a better class of gig.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:25 PM

Played 14 gigs on consecutive nights in sweaty summer heat - ditto with back to back festivals, and the newtones survived brilliantly. Like any string you MUST clean them before you put the instrument away - Dunlop liquid is the only stuff that actually works properly by the way (forget fastfret), and the newtones score because they have a round core, so you only need to clean off the dirt from between the outside of the coils. ALL other strings have a hexagonal core, meaning you have six slim slots the length of the string that soon get choked with sweat and grime and stop the string vibrating properly. Anyone who feels newtones don't last is probably not bothering to clean them. Mind you - any other string will be much worse for dirt, but the brash metals used in most other strings (newtone have a unique metallergy too) give a harsh sound which is probably disguising the deterioration due to dirt for some ears.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:28 PM

oh - and while plastic-coated strings don't get dirt inside, the plastic affects the vibration, and over time it gets frayed and damps the vibration even more.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:34 PM

dunlop liquid, I am not familiar with. you are probably right about not bothering to clean them. 14 gigs without changing strings is most impressive. tell us about the liquid and your cleaning regimen - do you loosen the strings? one of the advantages of changing strings more often of course is that you get to clean the frets.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Grab
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 01:43 PM

I'm currently experimenting with a set of Elixirs on the Lowden. Polywebs - didn't like Nanowebs at all. They sound OK, but see how it goes.

Before that, I've been using Newtones for a few years on it. I think Newtone wound strings are *the* best thing I've heard. My Hathway octave mando came with Newtones too, and sounds great.

One thing I don't like with Newtones is the unwound strings - I just don't find they have the same depth to them. Maybe it's just the way I play them. :-/ But I prefer the unwound strings from the Martin Fingerpicker sets - they've got more "zing" to them. Sadly I don't know where you'd get singles of those from.

(Incidentally, the Martin Fingerpicker ones are so resonant that they turn a Lowden's sound into an over-resonant mush. Which I think says something about the sound of new Martins if they need strings like that, but YMMV. ;-)

Graham.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:14 AM

Dunlop make a string cleaner that comes in a bottle with a pad in the neck. (Music Room sell it).

This is a good start because it doesn't ever dry out (fast fret is useless because it often dries out in the shop before you even buy it) but wiping on the strings only does half the job because it only cleans the outside of the string - another reason for forgetting fastfret.

Dunlop also make an instrument body cleaner (not much point really) that comes in a handy little spray bottle.

I empty out the body liquid and replace it with the string liquid. This I can now spray lightly onto the strings.

I then use the cloth from a fastfret set to rub each string individually, making sure to get round behind the string, and slide my nail up and down to make sure I get between the coils.

Then I fold the cloth and it slide behind the strings on the fretboard, and spray that - just a light puff. Then I clean the frets with a side to side motion, like drying your back. This also cleans the back of the strings - which is, after all, where the 'stalegtites' accumulate).

Had an email about all this from Newtone today - Malcolm advises flicking the string off the neck too, to help dislodge dirt. I shall try that next time.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:28 AM

So for us amateur mostly play at home types can you experts recommend any particular make of string.
And does it make that much difference when you are playing through PA and sometimes adding effects?

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:30 AM

I like to keep string cleaner (if and when I use it which largely I don't) off the fingerboard. You do not want the wood of the fingerboard too dried out by exciting solvents. So I put a carrier bag between the strings and the neck. One string cleaner I used would take the colour off the carrier bags, so I was glad to have saved the figerboard from that!

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:40 AM

No problem getting dunlop on the wood - it contains, I think, lemon oil, which is good for it. Dunlop's the only cleaner i know of which has a balanced, safe formula that works on strings, frets and fretboard.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 09:08 AM

"...since trying them has never wanted any others."

Now that's the same kind of ambiguity as the old cartoon with a bedraggled tramp, writing an endorsdement for a patent soap - "I used your soap two years ago; since then I have used no other".

Normally I've used either D'Addario or Martin, but I think I'll try these for achange - and a has been pointed out, they don't cost any more in England.

I see there's a range of Newtone Strings.   For acoustic guitar they have "Master Class" and the more expensive "Heritage" sets. Anybody tried both who can say if it's worth the duifference?

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 12:44 PM

See this quote from Stefan Sobell's web site about the use of lemon oil and new laquers.

With respect to amateurs and what strings to use, Elixir make sense. They may be expensive but will last a long time. Martin Simpson uses D'Addario and changes them at the interval or for every song when recording, but I'm not sure he has to open his wallet. Richard Thompson uses Elixir.

I'd love to try Newtone, but if they are hard to get in quantity and of questionable consistency and only by mail order, I'll accept the compromise and go with Elixir which I can get anywhere. D'Addario strings sound nice, but they don't even last me a week before they start to go.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:41 PM

I only play five string banjo, only one string is wound. You would think that it would be the only one that is different from other manufacturers, but I have not found this to be the case. I find that all of the Newtone strings sound better and last longer than other brands I have tried.

I live near Toronto and stock up whenever I am near the Twelfth Fret. Newtone Banjo strings are about the same price as the other strings they carry and less expensive than the Gibson Earl Scruggs strings, which by the way were the worst sounding on my banjo.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 07:58 PM

Here's a place which does mail order on these and a range of other strigs and stuff - StringsDirect They are in England, but they seem to do international orders pretty reasonably.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Grab
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 04:57 AM

Peter, they do seem to be consistent between sets - I've yet to have a bad set. The only thing is the unwound strings, and I know people who say they've never found that so it could just be me :-/

I'd only play D'Addarios in public if each set came with a free gold-plated Ferrari with Michelle Pfeiffer draped over the bonnet! They're great for trying out instruments because they're utterly character-free, but by the same token that makes them the last thing you want to be using for actual playing.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 07:52 AM

Hey Grab If David Grisman and Ricky Skaggs, two of the worlds best mandolin players use them, and to the best of my knowledge Martin Carthy also uses D'Addario strings, do you know something that they don't ?

Y'ought to tell the rest of us.

eric

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Grab
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 08:44 AM

Probably that they're getting the gold-plated Ferrari, or its cash equivalent... :-)

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 09:54 AM

Simple answer: They've never tried Newtones.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 10:19 AM

Just put the one's I ordered yesterday on my guitar. They seem pretty good - I'm used to having to tune and retune a bit with new strings as they stretch, but with these all I did was tune them up and they stayed. And they feel more comfortable on the fingers.

Good brighht sound, but you always get that with new strings. Now to see how they sound after a few plays.

I think I'm going to go for them in the future.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 03:20 PM

I think you'll like them McGrath - do you find them tohave an "easier" feel? I have noticed that when trying them on the guitars of others.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 03:53 PM

"my "shed guitar" a aged jap laminated guitar with adjustable brass bridge" that's not an Angelica is it, Shiplap Structure3? Because the description would fit mine, which I picked up a few years back and nursed back to health. Lovely guitar - I've never come across another.
................
Yes Richard, they do seem to feel more comfortable. I was comparing guitars with a friend earlier next week, and it struck me that his expensive strings felt a lot easier on the fingers than mine, which was what decided me to try the Newtones when I read this thread. (And they cost less than the last set of Martins I bought in a shop.)

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 04:39 PM

Love it:

"They're great for trying out instruments because they're utterly character-free, but by the same token that makes them the last thing you want to be using for actual playing"

"If David Grisman and Ricky Skaggs, two of the worlds best mandolin players use them, and to the best of my knowledge Martin Carthy also uses D'Addario strings, do you know something that they don't ?"

This is the neat thing - everybody's perception is just slightly different & dependent on many factors. And you can bet that there are designers & developers for every string maufacturer going nuts wishing they could quantify those factors! :-)

Myself, I like D'Addario strings - they've always been the standard I return to after experimenting. Except maybe now for Newtones when I can afford to get an order together.

Subject: RE: Newtone Strings
From: mandotim
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 05:37 PM

Newtone strings are made not far from where I live. Malcolm is a great maker, but customer service can be iffy (he doesn't always return calls, as it's a small operation.) A dealer in the USA is Strings and Beyond . Nice people to do business with, fast and reliable. (I get my strings shipped to the UK from there). I use Newtones on ball-end mandolins (especially the Wailing Resonator) and mandocello. Great strings that last somewhere between normal strings and elixirs.
McGrath of Harlow; re Angelica guitars; I've got one! It's the guitar my wife had as a student in the early 70s. Took me a while to get the action playable, as the neck had a bend in it, but it plays and sounds fine now. Good 'beater' guitar.
Tim