Martin Titanium Strings Update

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by shekie

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.

Helpful review. Thanks! Looking forward to throwing some on my D-18 this weekend. If I like them I'll trying them on my 2017 D-28 when it finally arrives...hopefully next month.

[Brucebubs]

I think they might be quite versatile and sound good on many different guitars.

I've had them on a 'string fussy' rosewood jumbo now for several months - a guitar that didn't like Monels at all and, after 18 months of experimenting, seemed best with D'Addario NB 11-52's !

The Titaniums are neither of those 2 things ... yet they're still playing and sounding really good.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by shekie

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.

.

That's how I would characterize the tone of the Titaniums as well.
As I said, maybe not everyones cup of tea especially if you like that PB zingy thing.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

That's how I would characterize the tone of the Titaniums as well.
As I said, maybe not everyones cup of tea especially if you like that PB zingy thing.

I know how hard it is to describe sound in words, but if we take an 80-20 set as the benchmark for 'bright' and 'zingy', with PB less providing less of that and flatwounds coming at the 'dull' end, where on the bright-dull continuum would these Martin strings be? I'm always willing to experiment, but £40 represents a considerable injection of disposable income for me, so I would need to be as sure as I could be of their tonal quality before parting with it. My preference is for Elixir 80-20 lights on rosewood/Englemann.

[ChrisE]

What I've heard from all of you regarding these strings is very intriguing. I play almost all my gigs outdoors in the salt air and so far Elixirs have been great. At $40 a set these strings kind of ruin the standard forum string thread reply of "Strings are cheap--try them and if you don't like them no big deal!"

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

I know how hard it is to describe sound in words, but if we take an 80-20 set as the benchmark for 'bright' and 'zingy', with PB less providing less of that and flatwounds coming at the 'dull' end, where on the bright-dull continuum would these Martin strings be? I'm always willing to experiment, but £40 represents a considerable injection of disposable income for me, so I would need to be as sure as I could be of their tonal quality before parting with it. My preference is for Elixir 80-20 lights on rosewood/Englemann.

Here's a sound clip on my Pono Sitka/ Mahogany Dread.
A lot of he warmth and bottom is missing because I recorded this directly into an Ipad.
Best I can do.
Lot's of sustain in that PONO!

https://soundcloud.com/jamie-doerfler/20170805-144645a

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Here's a sound clip on my Pono Sitka/ Mahogany Dread.
A lot of he warmth and bottom is missing because I recorded this directly into an Ipad.
Best I can do.
Lot's of sustain in that PONO!

https://soundcloud.com/jamie-doerfler/20170805-144645a

Thanks Jamie, most useful. Can I ask what gauge/material of pick you were using so I can get a rough idea of how they might sound with what I use?

[Blueser100]

Still have mine on my Martin CEO7 after several months. Going strong, no loss in tone.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Thanks Jamie, most useful. Can I ask what gauge/material of pick you were using so I can get a rough idea of how they might sound with what I use?

Sure thing Andrew.
I was using a Dunlop 1.14 mm Gator Grip which I hand-beveled to gain a little more bite and some speed. Likely woud micrometer out at around 1.0mm, maybe a shade under. I would suspect anything made of Delrex would sound similar.
I have used Dunlop Prime Tone 1.0's as well. Sounds about the same.

[Quickstep192]

I just got a set of these, now I can't decide which guitar to try them on?

Dred or OM?

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I just got a set of these, now I can't decide which guitar to try them on?

Dred or OM?

What are the tonewoods for the guitars?

[tomiv9]

Well stringsandbeyond has a 10% discount code, and free shipping, so i ordered a set. Will report back once i put them on.

[rpatkin]

OK, you all have talked me into trying out these wonder strings. Here are a few initial impressions. First, background and platform for these thoughts. I am a retired player who came back to guitar about four years ago. I play, pretty much exclusively, standards from the American Songbook in a hybrid finger-and-chord-melody style, not much strumming, no singing (for the good of mankind). The guitar is a Taylor 322 12 fret, mahogany with blackwood back and sides. The strings that just came off for this were Newtone Master Class Nickel 12-54 (which are round core strings). These strings were just about on the money for this guitar, nice round tone, even across the strings with a nice, soft feel.

Now, on to the Martin Titaniums. First, stringing them onto the guitar (slot head, Waverly tuners), the crimp in the bass “E” wouldn’t fit through the hole in the post so had to be “re-crimped” to flatten that a bit. Tuned up well, needing only one stretching cycle to hit and stay on pitch. (Taylor stringing method, without pre-cutting, BTW). Went to play through a few exercises and songs, and was surprised that they already sounded played-in. Not much “ring” to them at all (which I like), good volume and nice balance between the wound and plain strings. My own peccadillo is that notes plucked by my finger tips (short nails and flesh) sound like they belong, sonically, with the notes struck by the pick (Round Primetone or BC rounded triangle), and so far, these meet that standard. Feel is not as soft as the Newtones, but not stiff, either.

If anything, the strings might sound a bit “muffled” if you are used to bronze in its various permutations. No idea as to longevity, of course, but hope that the reports on long life are true, to help allay the initial capitol output.

Now, back to Gershwin.

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by rpatkin

Now, back to Gershwin.

"Summertime and the livin' is".....expensive!

[gfspencer]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I just got a set of these, now I can't decide which guitar to try them on?

Dred or OM?

I'm going to use them on two of my Dreads. I already have a free set on my custom D-28. I just ordered a set for my D-18SS.