Hi Neil
What got you into making strings?
I basically fell into it, straight out of college. I decided to look for work rather than go on to Uni. I was aiming to become a sound engineer, and all the Uni courses I could find at the time were half recording and half performing. Not being the most natural talented guitarist/bass player I decided getting a job to buy some equipment would be the better option. When I mentioned it to one of the tutors, he said he knew of a job that was available. Turns out it was at Newtone and I started the week after college finished. It suited me great, I have always enjoyed making things as much as being involved in music so it's like the best of both worlds.
How long have you been making strings for?
That was back in 2000, and have been here ever since. Malcolm retired in 2015 and I took over the business.
Where are you based?
We are on the edge of the Peak District in Derbyshire in a small village called Tansley, not far from Matlock.
Are Newtone strings available internationally?
We sell strings Worldwide direct from our website, with a small number of shops dotted around the globe which we supply.
I saw on your social media watching Architects at Download Festival playing Newtone Strings. Please can you tell us which Newtone Strings they use and how the partnership came about?
As with all the artists and bands we supply, they find us. Once they need something special to achieve their tonal aspirations they end up finding us. We are a bespoke string maker, so custom sets are not just a selection of ready made gauges picked off a shelf they are made to order. This allows us to customise nearly every aspect of the strings. Core type, size, overall gauge, wrap material and style of wrapping. Each has its own benefits to the strings voice, to help achieve the artist's desired sound.
What’s available at Newtone Strings? (6,7,8 strings etc)
In a nutshell, everything. If it is a handheld instrument that has steel strings, we can make it.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Since Download I have rediscovered Metallica, but it very much depends on the day and the mood I'm in. I have quite a wide taste in music.
Favourite band?
Clutch
Favourite Album?
That's a difficult one, it was tough to pick just one band!
What are your hobbies in your spare time?
I play bass in a rock/punk covers band, but other than that I like watching films and a bit of gaming. Or I can be found hanging around at the farm where my partner keeps her horses.
Commentaires