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Brian Ball in M-Steel Shirt! |
Ernie Ball's latest M-Steel Strings were just released after being first introduced at Winter NAMM 2013. A rather lengthy roll out, wouldn't ya say... And we're poking little fun at EB for various & obvious reasons...
So, how many licks does it take to get to the center of one? (actual YouTube comment from an earlier 2013 M-Steel video that EB has since removed. The new video is 3 times cooler!)
Remember that Cobalt was the last upgrade-- which applied to the wrap/winding wire having cobalt content for enhanced magnetic attraction. So just the wound strings. Prior to that, the Titanium sets, which if I recall correctly, used titanium wire to reinforce the twist locks at the ball end area. So the strings themselves contained no titanium. Coating showed up somewhere in the timeline too, which only applies to the wound strings (though all coated string companies like to imply that coating magically benefits the entire set).
See, you always have to read carefully, pause and think about what's really goin' on. Okay, I do.
Now EB is finally addressing all 6 core strings (YAY!!!) with M-Steel aka "
At $12.99/set current street, that TRIP factor costs you nearly triple that of plain Slinky's.
Note: A bit of research reveals that maraged steel is much more machinable, which could translate to lower overhead production costs for the string maker once the new process pays for itself-- at which point maybe M-Steels will be price pointed down to $3.50/set. You betcha!!!;))) No wonder maraged steel is used throughout industry.
And speaking of "trippy"... check this comment by a moderator and self professed "ex-scientist" at the EB Forums:
"As an ex-scientist, I LOOOVE to see innovation in the guitar market and I'm thrilled the EB are forging ahead with new materials for strings." DrKev
"Ex-scientist"? So, does this mean he's been banned from Science Club for forging puns?
Perhaps a real, official, currently certified, card carrying SCIENTIST (in good standing) asks, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of one?"
"That was f#*kin' trippy!"
More String Whizz-dum:
Treating New Guitar Strings For Longer Life, Yourself
Remember, no matter what a string is made of or coated with, the windings still accumulate crud, and stretching is non-uniform; determined by your favorite keys, just like fret and fretboard wear.
Bulk Guitar Strings - Best Deals, But Stick With Uncoated!
If you didn’t read this at Stratoblogster.com Guitar Blog, it’s been bootlegged! © 2006 - 2014 JP Holesworth. All rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted, distributed or duplicated without author’s written permission.
Pin It Now!If you didn’t read this at Stratoblogster.com Guitar Blog, it’s been bootlegged! ©2006 - 2014 JP Holesworth. All rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted, distributed or duplicated without author’s written permission.