Martin Monel Retros for a SCGC Low Tension strings fanatic

[Orfeas]

After playing so long with SCGC Low Tension strings, which by far are my favs, I run out and tried a set of Martin Monel Retros lights that a friend send to me this summer. After 2 days of use, I am pretty surprised. What a lovely tone.

Who else compared or using them?

[ChrisE]

I've been using Retro LJ's on my D-18 for a few months. They sound and feel great.

[rokdog49]

They definitely have a vibe all their own and one that works great for some folks on certain guitars.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by Orfeas

After playing so long with SCGC Low Tension strings, which by far are my favs, I run out and tried a set of Martin Monel Retros lights that a friend send to me this summer. After 2 days of use, I am pretty surprised. What a lovely tone.

Who else compared or using them?

I like the Retro Monels on my Gibson J-45, and used them briefly on the Martin OM-15 and Collings OM1 Walnut guitars I once owned. Thought they were a good match for those guitars. Don't care for them on my current crop of Santa Cruzes though.

[ChrisE]

I have to add that the Retros seem like they have less tension than other strings of the same gauge. My finger muscles are less sore after switching to Retros.

[Looburst]

I have tried the Monels or Retros, as they call them now. However, I would encourage you to try the D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings as well. The Retros left me wanting the balanced tone of my NB strings back, in the end.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

I have to add that the Retros seem like they have less tension than other strings of the same gauge. My finger muscles are less sore after switching to Retros.

The lights are 163.3 lbs., I believe. That's fairly low.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by Orfeas

After playing so long with SCGC Low Tension strings, which by far are my favs, I run out and tried a set of Martin Monel Retros lights that a friend send to me this summer. After 2 days of use, I am pretty surprised. What a lovely tone.

Who else compared or using them?

I use them 99% of the time

[rmgjsps]

Have Retros (12s) on my little RK 12-fret. Seem to be the right strings for this 000 retro-style guitar. I keep it in Open D; the trebles are very bright, the basses are very resonant and sustain forever, especially the D-tuned #6. Going to try them on the BR-142 12-fretter at the next string change.

[L20A]

I like The Retro Tony Rice strings on my Martin D-35.
Tried them on my Guild D-55 and didn't like them as much on that guitar.

I also play a resonator guitar and the Retro strings sound great on it.

[Brucebubs]

Love them on mahogany, not so much on anything else.

[ishtar]

I got a new guitar (Martin 00X1LE) in January and put Monels on immediately because I had put Monels my other acoustic guitar (OM-18) 6 months ago, and haven't felt a need to change strings. I play daily, and sometimes I play not nice (!) and those are great sounding and resilient strings, whoa, IMHO. I have a set of custom lights here that I plan to put on my partscaster for Memorial Day, if I remember to do it... Love 'em!

[atticus1019]

Originally Posted by L20A

I like The Retro Tony Rice strings on my Martin D-35.
Tried them on my Guild D-55 and didn't like them as much on that guitar.

I also play a resonator guitar and the Retro strings sound great on it.

They stay on my d35. I also don’t mind them on my Larrivee p09. I’m pretty much all in on the Tony Rice 13s. I think I have 8 or 9 packs left out of the huge order I placed after doing a shootout with a bunch of other strings.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Love them on mahogany, not so much on anything else.

Yep...loved them on my J-45. But then I discovered Santa Cruz Mid Tension strings. Sound fantastic on the J-45 AND D-41.

[VJP5]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Love them on mahogany, not so much on anything else.

This has been my experience, as well. However, I'm going to try them on my Rainsong on the next string change. Still looking for the "right" strings for that one.