2009 

I have been testing out Newtone Strings 80/20 Bronze Master Class 12-52 gauge. This was a  special order as piano-wound  continuing the theme of  contact core strings, giving me the colourful brassy tones and the all the benefits of these flexible strings, I will continue to try them on my future guitars.  

Recent Addition...0012/20........

Mahogany top, Imbuya back and sides, Iroko neck, Bocote fingerboard and bridge.

The finish on this guitar is the more delicate Tru-oil, giving something of a more natural look, feel and  allowing the very sweet bell-like tones to radiate from the instrument.

This guitar will be the stepping stone to a new range....'Olive Branch'....these models wherever possible will be made using home-grown timbers, Tru-oil finish and a wider neck width (50mm nut) to appeal to classical players moving sideways into steel-string  parlour guitars.

 Contact Core strings........

 I have been having exciting results recently with the use of Rotosound  Super Bronze (contact core) strings.  Although I have a preference for 80/20 bronze, I couldn't ignore the sonic benefits of these piano-wound strings.  I use 52-11 gauges but replace the plain strings for 16 and 12's (my chosen preference) and it is with the bass strings in particular where the difference is heard.  First of all they are louder but more importantly they play more organically up the fret board.  There is an openness to the fretted notes and a distinctly bassier feel to the sound.  When using a capo halfway up the neck there is a clarity and sweetness of sound encouraged by the flexible string ends.  It is hard to think of going back to ordinary strings and only the golden brassy overtones of 80/20 bronze will I think improve upon it should they be available in this format.