Trying a set of Martin Retro Monels...

[Mycroft]

On a 1957 00-18. So far I am less than underwhelmed.

[AgentKooper]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

On a 1957 00-18. So far I am less than underwhelmed.

How long have you had them on? They're my favorite strings on my 2015 00-18. They took me a couple days to get used to the first time I tried them. Now I love them. I go back to PBs once in a while just for a change, but I always look forward to putting Retros back on.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by AgentKooper

How long have you had them on? They're my favorite strings on my 2015 00-18. They took me a couple days to get used to the first time I tried them. Now I love them. I go back to PBs once in a while just for a change, but I always look forward to putting Retros back on.

Couple of hours.

[Looburst]

I hated them. Had a set on for weeks and they just got more and more dull and lifeless. My string of choice are the D'Addario NB.

Originally Posted by Mycroft

On a 1957 00-18. So far I am less than underwhelmed.

So you're whelmed?

[Looburst]

If he's whelmed, I'm just lmed.

[OjaiAndrew]

I find that retros sound fantastic on some of my guitars such as my 2017 D-18 and not so great on others like my OM-28 Marquis. I’ve heard it said that they sound best on mohagany guitars. For me it’s retros on some guitars and DR Sunbeams on others.

But, if they don’t work for you try something else. Strings are cheap.

[Borderdon]

Does "less than underwhelmed" mean you like 'em ?

[kayakman]

They are ok, I have a set of 12`s on my Martin OM28V, and a set of D Addario NB`s on my Campellone archtop like the D Addario`s a lot.

[SunnyDee]

I really like them on the 00-15 mahogany, mostly fingerpicking. The way I think of it, they sound like a guitar instead of strings. But I typically prefer duller strings like silk and steel, etc. I don't like tinny, brassy, bright sounds, so they are to my tastes.

[mr. beaumont]

I think it depends on what you do...

if you play a lot of chords, you're going to miss the sparkle, the overtones, and such.

If you play a lot of single notes, you might really like 'em. I think they're great--on certain guitars.

[Scottj121]

Like them on 000-15 . Didn't like them on my om 21.
Scott

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I think it depends on what you do...

if you play a lot of chords, you're going to miss the sparkle, the overtones, and such.

If you play a lot of single notes, you might really like 'em. I think they're great--on certain guitars.

I play a lot of chords and I like them on my E6 OM because they give it a throatier more powerful sound to me. They do reduce the sparkle and overtones.
That was a benefit on this particular guitar.
No doubt every guitar and every ear is different.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

I play a lot of chords and I like them on my E6 OM because they give it a throatier more powerful sound to me. They do reduce the sparkle and overtones.
That was a benefit on this particular guitar.
No doubt every guitar and every ear is different.

Yeah, I should be clearer, for certain chord applications, I think they're outstanding...chunking out swing rhythm or bluegrass would sound great I think. Probably plenty of other options too...

If you're a strummer who goes for a little more shimmer and sparkle, yeah, that's what you'll miss.

I see this as only a good thing. Total rationale for having multiple guitars

[L20A]

I like the strings but I have noticed that the bass E string does go dead rather quickly.
The rest of the strings last a long time.

I have thought about buying some extra E strings.