Monel with Koa

[jomaynor]

Has anyone with a koa guitar tried Retro/monel strings on it? If so, what are your impressions of the sound?

[Wade Hampton]

Jo, I have a 12 fret Triple O with koa back and sides and a Sitka spruce top. I've tried John Pearse phosphor bronze, 80/20 bronze and Pure Nickel sets on it, as well as Martin Monels and D'Addario nickel-bronze strings on it.

I like the sound of the Pure Nickels and the nickel-bronze a lot on that guitar a lot. So those sorts of nickel alloys are definitely worth trying on koa instruments.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[jomaynor]

Thanks, Wade - I wasn't sure if it would be a bit too recessed sounding on koa, or if it still maintains sufficient clarity while giving the tonal roundness and non-zinginess that I like about monel (or nickel bronze after a few days).