Martin Titanium Strings Update

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by vindibona1

I don't know if I'd take a chance of $40 to trim them first for a slot head....but there is a way. There are very similar to DR Sunbeams which have a round core. If you're going to pre-trim the string (not recommended) what you have to do before trimming is to CRIMP the string just below the cut line.

I was aware of that 'crimping' method working but have never tried it myself so I took the safest path and put the strings on a paddle head guitar.

It's almost uncanny how well they stay in tune - I've only made very minor adjustments since day 2.

Good volume and nice sustain - can't hear either dropping off at 3 months.

I really like them.

[AHill]

Are the titaniums only available in light gauge? I would like to stick with mediums on my D-28, but perhaps other two might be candidates for titaniums.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by AHill

Are the titaniums only available in light gauge? I would like to stick with mediums on my D-28, but perhaps other two might be candidates for titaniums.

They are only available in one set of gauges but the A,D,and G are heavier than the standard light gauge. At least my Beta set is. You will might have to tweak your relief as these strings are lower in tension. Unfortunately, I threw my original packaging away.
The gauges on mine were hand written on the string sleeves by somebody at Martin.

[shekie]

I just received a set of the Martin Titanium Core's in the mail today, for those wondering about the string gauges, according to the packaging:

Titanium Core's: .012, .016, .027, .034, .044, .055

MSP-7100's are: .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .054

MSP-7200's are: .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056

Looking forward to stringing them up and seeing if they are worth the price, sound-wise and longevity-wise.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by shekie

I just received a set of the Martin Titanium Core's in the mail today, for those wondering about the string gauges, according to the packaging:

Titanium Core's: .012, .016, .027, .034, .044, .055

MSP-7100's are: .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .054

MSP-7200's are: .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056

Looking forward to stringing them up and seeing if they are worth the price, sound-wise and longevity-wise.

Thanks, I knew the A, D, G were heavierthan some standard mediums. I forgot about the E.
They don't play heavier I can assure you but they sound it.
Let us know what you think.

[cspencer]

I am going to hit "buy" on this. I have been waiting so long for this and the gauge suits. I am familair with the round core feel but am curious how it sounds like. Thomastik spectrums? La Bella? DR Sunbeams? Pearse? Newtone Masterclass? Curt Mangan round core? Any clues?

[Brucebubs]

I'm really liking them but now we've established their gauge I'd like to compare them against these D'Addario Nickel Bronze.
Martin Titanium are; - .012 - .016 - .027 - .034 - .044 - .055
D'Addario NB1256 are; .012 - .016 - .025 - .035 - .045 - .056

[YamahaGuy]

I bought a set. Can't wait to try them out. Now I have to decide which guitar gets them...

Just checked on Amazon - forty bucks! We're getting into violin string price territory now. Hey Rok - it will have to be a stupendously awesome review for me to spring for those.

[dekutree64]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

If you go on Sweetwater's web site all they say is "Light Gauge" set, no numbers.
As I recall from my original packaging the A, D, and G were heavier than the standard gauge of most light gauge sets. With the way they feel, you would not know that. They definitely made my Pono easier to play.
You might P.M. Brucebubs. I think he still has the original packaging.

As far as "old set" availability goes,
At the rate they are lasting for me you'll be waiting a while

I asked Martin customer service about the actual tension, and they said 160.2lbs. So these higher titanium gauges are chosen to give the same tension as typical light (12 gauge) steel cores. That's pretty cool if they feel more flexible than light steels, since they should theoretically give the same acoustic power. I think I will add a set to my next string order

[Rev Roy]

Based on the good stuff said by you guys who have already tried them, I cracked and ordered a set from Sweetwater over the weekend. Should be here by the end of the week. Plan on trying them on my D-18. Will keep you posted...

[penname]

The Titanium strings arrived the day before I left for the Swannanoa Gathering so I installed them on the CEO-7. As a reference point, I normally use Retro's (Custom Light or Light) on this guitar. The strings settled in quicker than any other string I've used and I really like the sound. Another poster described it as "Retros on steroids" and I completely agree.

At first they felt a bit strange on my fingers but that disappeared after a few hours of playing. They stay in tune better than any string I've tried before. The tension on the Titanium lights feel about the same as the Retro Custom Lights so I've extremely pleased with playability.

I usually play 25-30 hours a month on the CEO-7 which is also how long the Retros usually last me. My body chemistry is tough on strings. Thanks to the Gathering I put in 30 playing hours in over 10 days. The weather was cooler than the last two years so I didn't get the weather related sweat test I was expecting. But I took a performance class so stage fright induced flop sweat was a good substitute. I also took a class that required drop D tuning so I had to adjust tuning on the 6th string several times a day. I'll see if that eventually becomes a factor in the life of the string.

I'm at the stage where I would have to normally change strings and the Titaniums are still going strong. The question is how long the Titanium strings will last me. I pay between $6-7 for the Retro's versus $40 for the Titaniums. I like the sound of the Titaniums better, but not $7 vs $40 better. It will all depend on just how many hours I can get out of them before having to change. And I am also hoping that they will eventually be available at a discount off MSRP.

[AHill]

I have a set in hand. I'll use them on my Martin D-28 Marquis, but I'm replacing the tuners at the same time with Waverly's so it probably won't be on a weekday. the tuner replacement should be pretty straightforward. No drilling or plugging holes required. Just removing and replacing the bushings.

[jpd]

Originally Posted by A-Mac

Just checked on Amazon - forty bucks! We're getting into violin string price territory now. Hey Rok - it will have to be a stupendously awesome review for me to spring for those.

+1...........Retros cover just fine....unless these Titaniums drop down *Big Time*

[shekie]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Based on the good stuff said by you guys who have already tried them, I cracked and ordered a set from Sweetwater over the weekend. Should be here by the end of the week. Plan on trying them on my D-18. Will keep you posted...

I put a set on my 2016 D-18 (easy choice, it's the only guitar I own). I've only had them on for roughly 2 weeks, but I'm really enjoying them thus far. They feel easy on my fingers to play and are really bringing out an earthy, woody sound from my D-18. They seem to have a very nice balance of highs, mids & bass with none of the metallic sound of PB's. They are plenty loud but not brash or harsh, they sound a lot better to me than the MSP-7200's that came with the guitar new, or the MSP-4150's I put on afterward.

So far and I'm still experimenting, I like the sound I get using either a Blue Chip TPR-40 or a Charmed Life NF-90. I would be very happy to get 6 months use out of them, but even if I get only 4 months use, for $120/year to me they are well worth the cost.