Martin Retro Monel Acoustic Strings

Originally Posted by Dadzmad

Anyone have an opinion as to the monel strings working with a P-90 pick up as well as pure nickel strings do. Or in other words do they have significantly more or less magnetic qualities compared to pure nickel strings.

I haven't tried them on my P-90 guitar, but they should work fine. RotoSound makes monel flatwound jazz string for electrics, and I think some very early 1950s strings were made of it before nickel became more popular.

[email4eric]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

I tried Retros on my J-35 and didn't care for them much. The Gibson 80/20s are the only 80/20s I've ever liked, but now I've got Pearse PBs on it and I'm totally sold.

Crap, Willie...now I've got to try those as well!

[Malcolm Kindnes]

I tried a set of Tony Rice Monels on my Collings DS2H and liked them a lot.

[Wallyjf]

Does anyone know the construction of the Martin Retro strings?

I wrote Martin and never heard back. Poor customer support!!!!

My questions:

1) are the high E and B strings solid Monel or is there some steel involved?

2) on the G, D, A and low E strings are there steel cores ? Are the woundings solid Monel?

Any one know?

Thanks
Wally

[Dond]

I have tried the Tony Rice Martins on a few guitars, and definitely prefer them on the dreadnaughts over the smaller bodies.
I put them on a custom OM-41 with Engelmann top and did not like the results.
the OM went back to Martin pb's.
A new D-18 came out bigger than it already was. WOW!!
An older HD-28 also sounded happily enriched by them.

[Tim Porter]

Wallyjf: You could easily find your answers on Martin's website if you just took the time. I would guess Martin prioritizes its responses to queries that don't have such a simple answer. Hint: Look under Strings/String Training.

[Wallyjf]

Tom,

I read your reference on the Martin website and the construction is unclear.

1) The treble strings (B and high E) are made of steel or Monel? This was not specifically mentioned.

2) Also, Martin says the most core wires are made of steel for the wound strings. I assume this is the case for the Retro strings but is unclear.

Can you shed any light on my questions?

Thanks

Wally

Originally Posted by Wallyjf

I wrote Martin and never heard back. Poor customer support!!!!

?

[Tim Porter]

Willyjf: All unwound strings are steel, and the cores for all strings are as well. HTH, Tim

[nedray]

Put Martin Retro Light on my Custom OM-18 and think they're great. Prolly best for finger style, but that's what I do. Think they're also best on mahogany guitars, based on my limited experience, but i'm gonna try them on a Collings OM2HA Varnish that gets a little brassy with PBs on it.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

I just put a pack on my Taylor 414CE. So far, unplugged, I love them. A bit surprised on how flexible they are. Now I'll try with my amp.

[SLG]

I installed a set of Monels on my Rainsong Black Ice OM. It tamed a bit of the high end presence these carbon fiber guitars are known for. I like the improvement in tone over 80/20 and Phosphor bronze strings.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Tim Porter

Willyjf: All unwound strings are steel, and the cores for all strings are as well. HTH, Tim

Just so everyone knows.
The new Martin Titanium B and E strings are stainless steel.
The Monels are great, the Titaniums are even better but they are $40 a pop.
Three months on and still excellent
I was a Beta-tester and they are Monels on 'roids.

[HHP]

Funny thing today. Playing one of my Monel strung Martins and was using a 2.5mm pick that had the tip rounded slightly for use on mandolin. The round tip seemed to add some complexity to the Monel sound I don't usually notice using the same pick with a pointed tip.

May be coincidence or it may be I'm crazy, take it for what its worth.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by rrgguitarman

I put a set on my AJ500m and first impressions...BRIGHT!

They will be bright until you play them for awhile. Then you'll notice its warmth.