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