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Topic: Newtone Aloha Strings - What am I missing? |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 31 May 2004 4:31 pm |
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| After reading a number of posts here and elsewhere singing the praises of Newtone Aloha strings I finally strung up my Bear Creek a few weeks back. They're touted as being able to tune to pitch at lower tension than other brands - quite true. I initially found them very loud but also very strident. I chalked this up to being a fresh set but they have yet to settle into a more mellow mode in either open D or C6th. what do other folks think of these strings? |
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Ron Bednar
From:
Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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Posted 31 May 2004 6:07 pm
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I really like them on my Superior Weis and Oahu acoustic. They are very mellow for me on both those guitars, I do notice a differance in switching strings, which I did recently on the Superior. I placed a custom order awhile back for 6 sets of regular Alohas and 6 sets of resonator strings of 18 to 70's. The Newtone guys made a mistake and did the reso strings as Alohas, they have a smaller dia core. The mistake sets sound great on the reso, very melodic with lots of rich overtones. But I did give a set to Pete Grant and he didn't like them at all. He said the bottom string kept drifting off about 12 cents no matter what he did.
I don't know, could be because they are handmade the quality is a bit variable and you got a not so good set. I'd email them and let them know and see if they send you another. I like them and I tune to open D.
What do you mean by 'strident' Andy?[This message was edited by Ron Bednar on 31 May 2004 at 07:11 PM.] [This message was edited by Ron Bednar on 31 May 2004 at 07:12 PM.] |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 1 Jun 2004 5:23 am
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| Well ... kind of harsh, kind of clangy and loud; not pretty. |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Jun 2004 6:38 am
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Hmmmmmmmm, that's weird.
I've used them on Superior, Celtic Cross and Lazy River Weissenborns, and I would never call them that. I also use their 'Masterclass' strings on my regular acoustic, and if anything I would describe the Newtone strings in general as 'bright', maybe a little 'twangy', and definitely 'lively',- but never 'harsh'....
I haven't bought any strings from them for more than half a year now, I'm about to order a new truckload of strings these days, and I certainly don't hope their quality control has become sloppy. I know they've been pretty hard pressed to keep up with orders and has probably hired some extra help.
First time I called it was Newton's wife who answered the phone and I could hear him shut down some machines to come and take my order, so I got the impression it was very much a small family business at that time.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 01 June 2004 at 07:38 AM.] |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 1 Jun 2004 4:45 pm
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| Twangy! That's the word. Maybe I just need to give them more time to settle in. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 1 Jun 2004 4:49 pm
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| oops - double post. [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 02 June 2004 at 03:13 AM.] |
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George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 1 Jun 2004 6:48 pm
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| Maybe Duane Eddy used them. He was the "Twangy man"!!! |
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Ron Bednar
From:
Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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Posted 1 Jun 2004 7:12 pm
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| Well, to tell you the truth, I like Newtones as I've said, but I have been hearing negative reports lately. I told Jorge at Berkeley Music, the Superior Weiss guys, about them and suggested they try them and carry them. I spoke with him today and he said they are not going to carry them. He said of the sets they tried they consistantly broke strings trying to tune them. They don't tune their guitars high at all. Maybe it's the old too much success and can't keep up so QC suffers story, if so it's too bad. |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Jun 2004 12:45 am
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| Quote: |
| they consistantly broke strings trying to tune them. |
Now that's REALLY weird!
Disturbing reports indeed, I've never broken any of my Newtones (and I dig in quite heavy sometimes), this has really made me wonder what's going on over at Malcolm's.....
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2004 3:30 am
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| I've used up all of the "Alohas" and all but one set of the heavier "Nationals" that I got last summer ... and was just about to order another batch. It's disappointing news, because the quality and tone of the sets I've used has been very good. |
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Dwight Mark
From:
Denver, Colorado, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2004 8:08 am
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| Where's the best place in the states to order these strings? |
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2004 8:31 am
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Dwight --
Guitar Gallery seems to have the best selection ... I've not dealt with them, though.
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Ron Bednar
From:
Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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Chuck Fisher
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Jun 2004 1:34 pm
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I never use any trendy strings because you get things set ( eq, levels, bridge, nut slots etc) and then they are no longer available. This can be a new company or a trendy new ground round silicon enmeshed cryo coagulated platinum-plated Ernie Ball, same holds true.
I recently got some deangelico stainless half-rounds 052-012 and they were discontinued before i ever put em on a guitar!
my 2 cents worth
sez OCC |
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Jackie Anderson
From:
Scarborough, ME
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 10:37 am
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| Has anyone had more recent experience with Newtone Alohas (or Nationals) that would either confirm or contradict the QC stories? How about sources? Neither of the sites listed appear to offer Alohas. |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 11:00 am
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One guy in Australia wrote me a while ago and had trouble with the bass strings sounding dull. I asked if he had cut the strings before tuning them up to tension, and yup, he had.
He put on a new set and installed them in the proper manner (they can unravel if you cut them before they're tuned up), and everything was fine.
I've used the Alohas exclusively for aboutt two years, plus the MasterClass strings for my regular acoustic, and never had any problem with them.
Only reason I can find for the other problems people has had must be if they've been stored for a long time in the stores, but I can't see how that should harm them (?).
I always order mine direct from Newtone, so I get them fresh from the machines.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 28 June 2005 at 12:02 PM.] |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 1:32 pm
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I have these strings on my Superior Weissenborn and I really like them. I have two pickups on my Superior with a stereo cord that goes to a Marshall acoustic amp wnere I can balance the pickups in two channels. I am very pleased with the sound I get. 
Erv |
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Jon den Boer
From:
Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Posted 28 Jun 2005 4:35 pm
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I am currently using the Master class strings on my Celtic Cross Baritone Weissenborn, and I love them so far... they seem to last longer than what I used before. The guages are quite heavy, .18 to .80
Jon |
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