Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Topic started by: Hank T. Tone on January 09, 2012, 06:44:26 PM
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Anyone here have experience using Newtone Masterclass strings on a Taylor guitar? I'm thinking about trying them out on my 615ce and 714ce and was wondering how they might sound. Thank you in advance for your post.
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tried them and liked them alot. they brought bell like quality and more roundness to the trebles than other strings i've used. the rest of the strings were a nice balance overall. i did not use a pick as i play fingers primarily-not sure how they would do for that. seemed to be full sounding for DADGAD tuning.
they didn't exactly last as long as i would have cared for, maybe just that particular package.
the cost is on the high side.
be careful as they are round core-so do not cut before you wind.
i have to order them so i haven't replaced them as of yet.
its been a while and i have forgot my total feelings about them. i wasn't disappointed, wasn't super elated either. my thoughts were they are a nice high quality string-availability is limited to me though.
d
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I buy them 10 packs at a time which is probably a good indication of how much I like them!
They don't last as long as Elixir as they're not coated, but are about 1/2 the price, and aren't so slippery.
They're wound on round cores so you have to tune the wound strings to tension before trimming excess.
I've heard that some people have trouble if they change between tunings a lot. I tune between standard, drop D and open G quite a bit and have had no trouble.
When you first put them on they sound a bit stiff, but once played in (an hour or so) they come to life and don't have that zingy tone I associate with Elixir.
I use them exclusively on my Taylor GSRC and play with a pick 95% of the time. I changed from Mediums 013"-056" to Bluegrass 012"-056" because I started playing more blues and the skinny tops make bends a bit easier.
For me they're great strings and I haven't felt a reason to try another brand since I started using them... about 20 sets ago.
Bong
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Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to trying them out.
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Put a set recently on my BTO and I really like the tone that they bring to it. I have finally found a string that I like with good sound and ease of play. You won't be dissappointed. I did get the Phosphor Bronze ones. Just like Daryl said, be sure to tune them before you cut them, because they are round core.
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I loved them when I first put them on my 812.
They really added a rich 'warmth' in the tone the guitar desperately lacked.
The guitar is long gone, but I'm still a fan of the Newtones. Nice strings!
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My Newtones arrived in the mail and I put a set of medium lights on my 615ce. I'm very impressed--the strings have a very rich warm sound, which really balances out that maple tone wood.
The bass strings are particularly full. The only problem is that the low E rattles a little, but it's not bad. Wonder if I should place a piece of cardboard or something between the string and the nut?
I'm pleased with my purchase. Now, to see how long they last!
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Wonder if I should place a piece of cardboard or something between the string and the nut?
Good Heavens NO! That would be a real tone killer.
You may need to make a slight truss rod adjustment. The Newtones tune to pitch at lower tension than most hex core strings so you may need to adjust for a little more relief. This would be a loosening of the truss rod, less than a quarter turn should do it.
Bong
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I've been using Newtone MCs for the past two years on my 714. Round cores tend to sound warmer than hex cores and you wouldn't necessarily think to put them on an already warm 714, but they work beautifully.
I originally bought a few sets to try on my adi topped Lowden. They're a string many people like on Lowdens. I wasn't thrilled with them so with the extra set, I threw them on the Taylor and couldn't believe my ears.
BTW, I ended up with Pyramids (another round core) on the Lowden and they also sound very nice on the Taylor. Might want to give those a try.