TC Electronic effects will no longer be processing the D and G strings on guitars when running the guitar sound through TC Electronic products. This means that while the E A D and high E strings will still be effected with the quality guitarists expect from TC Electronic, the D and G string will only produce a dry sound when run through TC effect processors.

TC Electronic announces this quantum leap forward in effects processing after extensive research in how to optimise effects for guitarists, and in an effort to maximize creativity. A logical continuation of the groundbreaking PolyTune pedal, TC Electronic has now truly capitalised and maximised the effect of 'per-string' processing.

Tore Mogensen, Product Manager for Guitar at TC Electronic comments: "We are at the forefront of effects when it comes to quality and innovation. But in these times, that is simply not enough. Everything gets cut down to a bare minimum and we are huge believers in making effects that reflect the current times.

"So, we analysed over 40,000 guitar solos in all musical genres and concluded we could easily leave out the D and G string, as these strings are used 20 percent less than any other string.I mean, name one riff played on the G-string that's not Smoke On The Water? Exactly. It's time to move on and we believe we are trailblazing a new era for guitarists. Metal guys only use the first three strings anyway, and every lead guitarist relies heavily on the blues box on the D and G string and working the high E.

"While this may have led to some classic licks and solos over the years, we want to encourage guitarists to use the other strings as well - just think how guitarists will be forced to think creatively when chugging a low E chord when they do not have the D-string at their disposal!

"Also, by cutting out the D and G string, we free up almost 25 percent more processing power, allowing for richer effects and better tracking. It also allows us to store our effects in an even smaller housing, saving precious pedal board space!"

These changes will be effective on products bought after 1 April and guitarists can update products bought before that date through a free software update at http://www.tcelectronic.com/effect-economy .