Martin Retro’s - I get it now - Page 2

musicman1951 · #16 01-23-2021, 08:26 AM

I love them on my 000.

laocmo · #17 01-23-2021, 09:39 AM

I have two 2016 Martins, a D-28 and a D-18. Martin Retro Strings, in Tony’s med gauge are “the” strings for both of them. They sound like I remember old used Martin’s sounded in the 1950’s. (Yes, I’m old, but still pickin’) I pair those strings with a 1.4mm Dunlop triangle smooth Primetone pick. Great tone with them, and super easy to flatpick with. I have no idea how a simple two dollar pick could so improve the sound of a $3000 guitar. But these really do.

packmule · #18 01-24-2021, 08:48 AM

My 00-18 loves 'em, wouldn't use anything else on it now!

bufflehead · #19 01-24-2021, 10:10 AM

I'm using them on my Martin Custom D and 000-15m. Love them. The only problem is knowing when to change them because they seem to last forever. Do you wait a year?

raysachs · #20 01-24-2021, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bufflehead

The only problem is knowing when to change them because they seem to last forever. Do you wait a year?

They're all I play on my CEO-7 and were all I played on my 000-15SM when I had one. I liked 'em a lot on my Emerald X7 too, but I liked DR Sunbeams just a bit more on the Emerald, so I tended to use them on that guitar.

Anytime after about 2-3 months, if I'm having a bad day playing and nothing sounds quite right, I change them. It's a distraction from my bad day, it's mildly therapeutic in it's own right, and the new strings will generally scare me out of my bad day. I just write off the next couple hours of playing as the break-in period so I don't worry about how they sound. And by the next day, they sound good, and buoyed by new strings, I usually sound better too.

I only have one acoustic available these days, so changing them every few months, whether they need it or not, is a luxury I can afford. And I play it and them pretty much every day, so I probably kill them a bit faster than people with a collection of guitars. If it was one of a half dozen guitars I played regularly, I doubt I'd change them more than once or twice a year.

-Ray

curbucci · #21 01-24-2021, 11:31 AM

I get retros and I don't want it.

dyna · #22 01-25-2021, 09:58 AM

I'm looking forward to try out the retros on my 0-15,
"Problem" is, I'm so much in love with my current Thomastik Infields Plectrums...

beatcomber · #23 01-25-2021, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bufflehead

I'm using them on my Martin Custom D and 000-15m. Love them. The only problem is knowing when to change them because they seem to last forever. Do you wait a year?

I got six months out of my last set of Retros! It was pretty clear to me when it was time to change them, they just started sounding blah.

I had some leftover sets of Martin PB, so just for the sake of comparison, I put them on my 000-15SM a week or so ago. They sound okay, but I am looking forward to going back to the Retros after they go dull in a few weeks.

Guildman · #24 01-25-2021, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

I won't use anything else on my 000-18 - they make it sound like a Martin should sound.

I can't even remember if I have them on mine, 000-18e but I'm going to make sure they are next string change.

LAGinz · #25 01-25-2021, 12:20 PM

Just love em on my Gibson J15. They’re warm, just sing and have attitude. Can’t even remember the last time I changed strings!

Birdbrain · #26 01-25-2021, 12:43 PM

The other day I noticed that I hadn't changed strings on my Tacoma in 10 months. All I had in the house was an opened set of .011 Martin Retro Monels. Six months ago I tried these on another guitar and took them off immediately, hating the dull, flat sound. With nothing to lose, I put them on the Tacoma and got the opposite result. Overtones started pouring out from it. Playing chords, individual strings merged together into a satisfying whole. Sometimes it buzzes like a hive of bees, all harmonized together. The volume is sufficient, and the strings are so flexible that bends come so easily.

This tonality might not be for everybody, and some of my pleasure may come from the simple act of changing out old, dead strings. They might not work for every guitar, but Monel just moved to the top of my list!

bluetweed · #27 01-25-2021, 12:47 PM

They are the best on my Custom CEO-7 and new to me D-16H (1992)
Funny I switch between lights and custom lights on my CEO-7 and the custom lights (11-52) might even be better!

bufflehead · #28 01-25-2021, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluetweed

They are the best on my Custom CEO-7 and new to me D-16H (1992)
Funny I switch between lights and custom lights on my CEO-7 and the custom lights (11-52) might even be better!

I had the same experience with my Custom D. The custom lights were wonderful. I'm hoping to try them on my 000-15m, but I still have another set of Retro lights to burn through first.

chopinhauer · #29 01-25-2021, 03:45 PM

I have retros on both my Martins 000-18 and 00-28VS. Always custom lights.

I wouldn't put anything else on my 000-18, but am wondering are they the best option for the rosewood sound of my 00-28VS or indeed any/all rosewood Martins? Should I try some PBs on it to compare? I have some Martin PB Lifespans handy.