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Michael Watts

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Proudly endorsing Elixir Strings!

I am very happy to announce that I am now an endorsing artist for Elixir Strings!

My first encounter with these superlative strings was in 1998 when I met the wonderful Mr Terry Lees who was restringing his exotic-looking Lowden with exotic-looking strings... My curiosity was piqued and I paid attention. 

Until this damascene moment I had been going through a couple of sets of strings a week due, in no small part, to my daily 8-hour practice ritual at music college (I've calmed down since then...) and the discovery of strings that would last significantly longer and retain their beautiful tone was pretty miraculous in those dark days. 

(Me having just been introduced to Elixir strings by Terry Lees in 1998)

At that point the only iteration available was the polyweb 80/20 bronze which proved contentious amongst the acoustic community (what doesn't?) due to their texture on the fingertip, the way the coating got furry when you used a pick, the price, and the fact they weren't phosphor bronze. 

I loved them. 

The advent of a phosphor bronze variant and nano web technology however was another evolutionary spike that I personally have never looked back from. Elixir strings sound beautiful and offer a tonal consistency throughout their lifespan that I have not found with any other brand. They have given me a musical and inspiring sound in countless recording sessions and concerts around the world. I use them on electric guitar too!

Now, I have in the past been offered endorsement deals by numerous companies but I have declined despite the intoxicating promise of potential exposure. I refuse to compromise my sound under any circumstances and Elixir strings have delivered that sound for twenty years. I am very grateful to them for that and I look forward to seeing what fun we can have together in the years to come. 

For those of you wondering, I use 12-53 nano webs on my Kostal acoustic guitars and always will. 

Stay Tuned,

MDW 

 

03/22/2018

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4 comments

  • Tim P

    Tim P Kalamazoo

    Jul 9 2018 2:52 AM
    I just started using the acoustic guitar strings plain steel and wound nanoweb for my Greek Bouzouki instrument and have to say they are by far the best sounding strings I’ve ever used. I’ve used at least a dozen of different strings and these by far surpass any of them. The only thing is my instrument is made for loop end strings so I have to use a cutter to remove the steel ball. Absolutely love my Elixir’s!!

    I just started using the acoustic guitar strings plain steel and wound nanoweb for my Greek Bouzouki instrument and have to say they are by far the best sounding strings I’ve ever used. I’ve used at least a dozen of different strings and these by far surpass any of them. The only thing is my instrument is made for loop end strings so I have to use a cutter to remove the steel ball. Absolutely love my Elixir’s!!

  • Michael Watts

    Michael Watts

    Jul 10 2018 8:55 AM
    Hi Tim, I have to agree bout the tone of Elixirs, they changed my life, no exaggeration. I know Elixir do mandolin strings with loop ends but they're probably not long enough for the bouzouki. I'll suggest they take a look at the idea of a set of bouzouki strings. All the best MDW

    Hi Tim,

    I have to agree bout the tone of Elixirs, they changed my life, no exaggeration. I know Elixir do mandolin strings with loop ends but they're probably not long enough for the bouzouki. I'll suggest they take a look at the idea of a set of bouzouki strings.

    All the best

    MDW

  • Chris

    Chris Tassie

    May 14 2019 2:47 PM
    hi Michael, I've picked up in conversation here and there, that there is a - uh .... notion out there, that using soul-full (bassy) elixir string helps to rectify guitars which might lean to the trebly side, by enhancing the mids & lower frequencies. I've been using Elixirs on my guitars for about 12 years, but so far didn't really have to assess strings for that quality. I'm curious if that sort of consideration was part of selecting your favourite strings? Did you play your Kostal's with other strings to compare .... or was all that sorted out way back when ...?

    hi Michael,
    I've picked up in conversation here and there, that there is a - uh .... notion out there, that using soul-full (bassy) elixir string helps to rectify guitars which might lean to the trebly side, by enhancing the mids & lower frequencies. I've been using Elixirs on my guitars for about 12 years, but so far didn't really have to assess strings for that quality. I'm curious if that sort of consideration was part of selecting your favourite strings? Did you play your Kostal's with other strings to compare .... or was all that sorted out way back when ...?

  • Michael Watts

    Michael Watts

    May 16 2019 9:48 AM
    Hi Chris, My considerations for string choice are based on tonal quality, consistency and feel. I have done taste tests with other strings and they just don't cut it like the Elixirs do.

    Hi Chris,

    My considerations for string choice are based on tonal quality, consistency and feel. I have done taste tests with other strings and they just don't cut it like the Elixirs do.

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