michaeljohnr Posted September 1, 2014 Posted September 1, 2014 It's a rainy Sunday so I thought I would throw a set of Martin Retro Monel strings on my J45 today. Wish me luck. (Will a Gibson explode if you use Martin strings?)
duluthdan Posted September 1, 2014 Posted September 1, 2014 It's a rainy Sunday so I thought I would throw a set of Martin Retro Monel strings on my J45 today. Wish me luck. (Will a Gibson explode if you use Martin strings?) I use Martin strings now almost all the time if I can't find Mangans. Let us know your thoughts on those strings on your 45. Lights? (12s) I'm assuming these are close relatives to the Tony Rice Monels?
MorrisrownSal Posted September 1, 2014 Posted September 1, 2014 I seem to be in the extreme minority... I put them on my SJTV and didn't like them. They did get better after a few weeks. I did love them however on my 000-18. Go figure...
E-minor7 Posted September 1, 2014 Posted September 1, 2014 I for one look forward to hear the result. My pal, who I'll see tomorrow for a walk or a jam depending on the weather, will be more than interested in this. Explode ?. . . Perhaps !
kelly campbell Posted September 2, 2014 Posted September 2, 2014 I bought a new D-28 a few months back and it came with Martin Lifespan strings. Medium gauge 13 -56. Which to my girly hands are like piano wires. The strings are almost ready to me changed and when they are, I am going to take it in and get the nut filed for Light Gauge 12 - 54. I went even lighter on the D-15M to Custom Light 11 - 52. Might have to try a set of the Monels. How did you like the d-15m? I have a 000 15M..love it
onewilyfool Posted September 2, 2014 Posted September 2, 2014 Let us know how long they last!!! And how you like them!! Thanks...
michaeljohnr Posted September 2, 2014 Author Posted September 2, 2014 OK.... 1. If you are used to phosphor bronze these will look a little strange. All silver versus the brass color of the others. 2. They are definitely a string with what I would consider a reduced tension. They bend easier and feel more loose. EDIT: I just checked the tension and there is about 1.5 pound difference between the Retro strings and the Martin Lifespans I had on there before. The Retros just feel like there is less tension for some reason. 3. New they sound good on the J45. Not overly bright and zingy. They have a nice woody tone. Of course they have been on the guitar less than 24 hours so I'll give them a week of play to wear in and see what they sound like. The initial impressions are positive though. Let's revisit in a week.
DRC Posted September 2, 2014 Posted September 2, 2014 I bought a new D-28 a few months back and it came with Martin Lifespan strings. Medium gauge 13 -56. Which to my girly hands are like piano wires. The strings are almost ready to me changed and when they are, I am going to take it in and get the nut filed for Light Gauge 12 - 54. I went even lighter on the D-15M to Custom Light 11 - 52. Might have to try a set of the Monels. Just curious, why would you want the nut filed? Going from mediums to lights should be absolutely no problem regarding the slots. I used Martin M540 lights on my D-41 and didn't have to change anything with the setup except a slight truss rod adjustment. BTW, lights sounded excellent on the D-41. Lights should sound just fine on the D-28, and the monels will usually bring out the natural woody tone of a guitar. Let us know if you try the monels and what you think. DC
Rambler Posted September 2, 2014 Posted September 2, 2014 Not overly bright and zingy. ... woody tone That squares with my experience (although that is limited to a adi/hog J35 and a spruce cherry smartwood OM. No help for you rose and maple owners). If round and woody floats your boat, good deal. If you want the extra sizzle tha PBs bring to the party, monels may not get it for you.
Rambler Posted September 2, 2014 Posted September 2, 2014 Lights should sound just fine on the D-28 Well, a lot of folks use them to satsifaction. I'd be thinking, tho, you might not be getting all of what the git has to offer-- it takes some tension to get that top moving. Case in point: a couple years back, a local shop had in a D18v (the V-series is the 1st tier of CFM's high end). Strung with 12/s, it was pleasant and airy; strung with 13s, it packed a wallop. I would say the mediums are essential if you are bluegrassing. MMV on other apps. Back to main discussion.
DRC Posted September 2, 2014 Posted September 2, 2014 Well, a lot of folks use them to satsifaction. I'd be thinking, tho, you might not be getting all of what the git has to offer-- it takes some tension to get that top moving. Case in point: a couple years back, a local shop had in a D18v (the V-series is the 1st tier of CFM's high end). Strung with 12/s, it was pleasant and airy; strung with 13s, it packed a wallop. I would say the mediums are essential if you are bluegrassing. MMV on other apps. Back to main discussion. I was tying to be positive and supportive since she mentioned mediums are like playing piano strings to her, and just bought the D-28. No, lights may not bring out quite all the D-28 has to offer, but playing comfort is important and from my experience with a D-41, lights weren't all that different from mediums in terms of tone and volume. But then I'm not a buegrasser and something tells me FZ Fan isn't either. It'll be interesting to see how she likes lights on that guitar, and naturally depends upon the type/style of music she plays. DC
Rambler Posted September 2, 2014 Posted September 2, 2014 I was tying to be positive and supportive since she mentioned mediums are like playing piano strings to her, and just bought the D-28. That's a point well taken. There's what sounds best and what works. To the OP--give 'em a try and see how they work for you...
BluesKing777 Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 (Will a Gibson explode if you use Martin strings?) Ha! [tongue] I have the opposite - Gibson MB 12s on my Martins.....eek sacrilege, I love them so much those MBs. (plus I bought a large box of them cheapo from Elderly and....) BluesKing777.
onewilyfool Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 Well, a lot of folks use them to satsifaction. I'd be thinking, tho, you might not be getting all of what the git has to offer-- it takes some tension to get that top moving. Case in point: a couple years back, a local shop had in a D18v (the V-series is the 1st tier of CFM's high end). Strung with 12/s, it was pleasant and airy; strung with 13s, it packed a wallop. I would say the mediums are essential if you are bluegrassing. MMV on other apps. Back to main discussion. I'm with you here…..13's are a must on D=18's
BluesKing777 Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 I'm with you here…..13's are a must on D=18's Only when they are new on my d28! Gets too hard to play later. BluesKing777.
kenneth Cooke Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 It's a rainy Sunday so I thought I would throw a set of Martin Retro Monel strings on my J45 today. Wish me luck. (Will a Gibson explode if you use Martin strings?) Try Newtone Heritage strings they are magnificent. Hand wound onto round blanks. Far superior to Martin strings
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