Retro Monels on an Emerald X7?

[Long Road Home]

I've spent some time searching and finally decided to ask directly.

I'm a strummer. I recently bought an Emerald X7 (current version) and want to tame the brightness a bit.

I realize that the "try different strings... they're a cheap way to experiment" answer is valid. Before doing that, I'd like to hear from people who use either Retro Monel lights (12-54) or LJ's Choice medium/light hybrid on their (most recent version) X7.

I went through a similar process with my old Rainsong CH-OM and ended up settling on Retro lights and then LJ's Choice, which worked even better on that guitar.

[bsman]

My X7 is several generations back (2010 center-hole model) but in general I find I prefer .13s to .12s on it. The strings feel a bit less spaghetti-like and add a bit of authority. I've used phosphor bronze on mine but also some of the nickel-alloy strings (e.g. monels) and it's pretty much a tossup to me.

[raysachs]

Back when I had an X7, I used Monels on it quite a bit. Sometimes some DR Rares or Sunbeams, but quite often Monels. I liked them on that guitar. I think I tried lights, mediums, and maybe the Tony Rice set, but mostly used lights.

-Ray

[David Eastwood]

Try D’Addario Nickel Bronze in your gauge of choice.

Easily my favourite strings for my X20 - they seem to have a particular affinity for Emeralds.

[Earl49]

I don't use Monels but maybe I've tried a set along the way. One of my favorite string sets is GHS White Bronze, which is a nickel alloy. For me they sound like three day old strings at first (my preference) but stay that way for 2-3 months. They were my go-to for long life before coated strings came along.

The only string that simply did not work for me tonally was John Pearse Pure Nickel on my Blackbird Lucky 13. Couldn't get those back off fast enough and I hate to waste strings. They sound fine on my wood guitars though.

Our X7 wears D'Addario EJ16 light gauge.

[Long Road Home]

Thanks for your replies.

Originally Posted by bsman

My X7 is several generations back (2010 center-hole model) but in general I find I prefer .13s to .12s on it. The strings feel a bit less spaghetti-like and add a bit of authority. I've used phosphor bronze on mine but also some of the nickel-alloy strings (e.g. monels) and it's pretty much a tossup to me.

It appears that the X7 design has changed so much in the past years that it may be an apples to oranges (or at least a tangerines to oranges) comparison.

Originally Posted by raysachs

Back when I had an X7, I used Monels on it quite a bit. Sometimes some DR Rares or Sunbeams, but quite often Monels. I liked them on that guitar. I think I tried lights, mediums, and maybe the Tony Rice set, but mostly used lights.

Ray... I seem to recall that you had both the v2 and v3 versions of the X7. Also wondering about your playing style (do you strum some?).

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

Try D’Addario Nickel Bronze in your gauge of choice.

Easily my favourite strings for my X20 - they seem to have a particular affinity for Emeralds.

David... I watched your videos - nice fingerstyle playing! Do you also strum (and how do the NB strings respond)?

Originally Posted by Earl49

I don't use Monels but maybe I've tried a set along the way. One of my favorite string sets is GHS White Bronze, which is a nickel alloy. For me they sound like three day old strings at first (my preference) but stay that way for 2-3 months. They were my go-to for long life before coated strings came along.

The only string that simply did not work for me tonally was John Pearse Pure Nickel on my Blackbird Lucky 13. Couldn't get those back off fast enough and I hate to waste strings. They sound fine on my wood guitars though.

Our X7 wears D'Addario EJ16 light gauge.

Earl... I've been curious about the GHS White Bronze for some time. Sounds like it may be time to try some out. Have you tried them on your X7?

[raysachs]

Originally Posted by Long Road Home

Ray... I seem to recall that you had both the v2 and v3 versions of the X7. Also wondering about your playing style (do you strum some?).

Yeah, I strum a lot, pick with a pick a fair amount. I used to fingerpick a lot too and did when I had my first version 3 (it was my only acoustic for about a year). I didn't like it for fingerpicking - I generally rest the heel of my hand on the bridge (palm muting and other reasons) and the bridge placement on the X7 is so far back toward the heel of the guitar that I couldn't find a comfortable position with that guitar. Which led to selling it. I got another after I'd largely stopped fingerpicking and liked it, but then fell totally for a McPherson Sable and ultimately sold my second version 3 X7 also.

-Ray

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by Long Road Home

Earl... I've been curious about the GHS White Bronze for some time. Sounds like it may be time to try some out. Have you tried them on your X7?

I don't recall that we have. The X7 is my wife's guitar and she does not play much these days, so string changes on the X7 are rare. She also plays almost exclusively in Open G tuning. I have been using White Bronze for 30+ years on all of my other guitars with satisfactory results. As I said, they sound like three day old strings when brand new, but I dislike the shrill "zing" of brand new strings on that first day. YMMV and probably will. To me, the tonal sweet spot happens between 2-14 days after some settling but before significant play wear happens. White Bronze fits my mental image of sonic profile really well and last a LONG time for me. I discovered them years ago when using a removeable magnetic sound hole pickup. Nickel is magnetically active like iron.

In my string box the three main go-to's (in order of priority are):
- Elixir Nanoweb PB
- GHS White Bronze
- D'Addario EJ16 or EJ17 PB

Most often the choice comes down to a particular guitar if I remember its preference, or just the luck of the draw that day. I usually order White Bronze on line at Just Strings or Strings and Beyond, as my local stores don't seem to stock them. Expensive coated strings are to be avoided on guitars that will get tuned up and down routinely. I play in six different Hawaiian slack-key tunings, as well as standard. Repeated changes of tuning kills the tone of a wound string literally overnight, or sooner. So my X20 and Rainsong WS-1000 both wear White Bronze more often than not, and I'm quite happy with them.

[Long Road Home]

Originally Posted by raysachs

Yeah, I strum a lot, pick with a pick a fair amount. I used to fingerpick a lot too and did when I had my first version 3 (it was my only acoustic for about a year). I didn't like it for fingerpicking - I generally rest the heel of my hand on the bridge (palm muting and other reasons) and the bridge placement on the X7 is so far back toward the heel of the guitar that I couldn't find a comfortable position with that guitar. Which led to selling it. I got another after I'd largely stopped fingerpicking and liked it, but then fell totally for a McPherson Sable and ultimately sold my second version 3 X7 also.

-Ray

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Long Road Home]

Originally Posted by Earl49

I don't recall that we have. The X7 is my wife's guitar and she does not play much these days, so string changes on the X7 are rare. She also plays almost exclusively in Open G tuning. I have been using White Bronze for 30+ years on all of my other guitars with satisfactory results. As I said, they sound like three day old strings when brand new, but I dislike the shrill "zing" of brand new strings on that first day. YMMV and probably will. To me, the tonal sweet spot happens between 2-14 days after some settling but before significant play wear happens. White Bronze fits my mental image of sonic profile really well and last a LONG time for me. I discovered them years ago when using a removeable magnetic sound hole pickup. Nickel is magnetically active like iron.

In my string box the three main go-to's (in order of priority are):
- Elixir Nanoweb PB
- GHS White Bronze
- D'Addario EJ16 or EJ17 PB

Most often the choice comes down to a particular guitar if I remember its preference, or just the luck of the draw that day. I usually order White Bronze on line at Just Strings or Strings and Beyond, as my local stores don't seem to stock them. Expensive coated strings are to be avoided on guitars that will get tuned up and down routinely. I play in six different Hawaiian slack-key tunings, as well as standard. Repeated changes of tuning kills the tone of a wound string literally overnight, or sooner. So my X20 and Rainsong WS-1000 both wear White Bronze more often than not, and I'm quite happy with them.

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll add them to my list of strings to try.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Long Road Home

David... I watched your videos - nice fingerstyle playing! Do you also strum (and how do the NB strings respond)?

Thanks! I really should do some more - and update some of the older ones with my new X20.

NBs work really well for my style - but I hardly ever strum, with or without a pick, so I can’t really help with your question.

[AnotherGuy]

Monels have brightened the sound (rather than toning down the highs), on 0-sized parlors where I've used them. I'm also curious if others like them on an x7 (haven't tried them myself yet).

Elixir Nanoweb PBs are a good all-around recommendation to try. If you can stomach the price... to my ear, the Santa Cruz Low Tensions sound particularly great strumming on the x7 compared to the D'Addario strings it came with.

Strings and tone are very subjective, hopefully the suggestions in this thread give you good options to try. Good luck!

[Long Road Home]

Originally Posted by AnotherGuy

Monels have brightened the sound (rather than toning down the highs), on 0-sized parlors where I've used them. I'm also curious if others like them on an x7 (haven't tried them myself yet).

Elixir Nanoweb PBs are a good all-around recommendation to try. If you can stomach the price... to my ear, the Santa Cruz Low Tensions sound particularly great strumming on the x7 compared to the D'Addario strings it came with.

Strings and tone are very subjective, hopefully the suggestions in this thread give you good options to try. Good luck!

Thanks. I have a set of Straight Up Strings mediums in my stash, which some people think are similar to Santa Cruz Low Tensions. I'll give them a try at some point.

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by Long Road Home

Thanks. I have a set of Straight Up Strings mediums in my stash, which some people think are similar to Santa Cruz Low Tensions. I'll give them a try at some point.

Yep- Roger Siminoff is the founder of Straight Up Strings and consulted for Santa Cruz on their Parabolic line. They are pretty much the same, with an edge to SCGC for longevity. I actually slightly prefer the tone of the SUS and have a set of lights on my Taylor now. They are great strings!

[Long Road Home]

OP reporting back.

I changed to Retro Monel lights a few days ago and played for several hours to let them settle in.

I got pretty much exactly what I was hoping for with the Retro Monels - a reduction in brightness similar to what I remember getting with them on my Rainsong CH-OM. Much happier now.