Retro Monels vs Al. Bronze on mahogany

[Brucebubs]

Martin Retro Monels versus Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings on a mahogany guitar.

Pretty much settled on the Monels on my Martin JDP II - Italian Alpine Spruce/Mahogany.

After reading positive comments about Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze on mahogany here on the AGF I decided to give them a try.

Removed the AB's yesterday after a couple of months and went back to Monels.

Both are good but I feel like the Monels highlight the wonderful raised mids of a mahogany guitar whereas the AB's covered them over a little.

The Monels seem warmer too - this guitar loves them.



p.s. My only steel-string slot-head - took me about 3 times longer to change strings compared to solid headstock ... but hey that's just me trying to be as neat as possible!

[Stringmaster]

I liked the Retro monels on my all hog Martin, but think I prefer the Thomastik Plectrums that are on there now. More overtones, resonance, and perhaps more warmth.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Stringmaster

I liked the Retro monels on my all hog Martin, but think I prefer the Thomastik Plectrums that are on there now. More overtones, resonance, and perhaps more warmth.

Those Thomastik Plectrums are a beautifully made string, superb for bringing warmth to a bright guitar but I think they'd be overkill on this guitar.

[bufflehead]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

The Monels seem warmer too - this guitar loves them.

Good to know. A helpful review, Brucebubs.

[sakar12]

For me, monels are dry and AB is shimmery.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by sakar12

For me, monels are dry and AB is shimmery.

Yes, that's a good description too thanks.

[Treenewt]

I like all three, but my ears prefer D’addario Nickel Bronze by a large margin over the other two. It’s like PB’s and monel had a baby, and it’s the best of both.

[penname]

I really like the Martin Retro Monel strings and used them on everything non-Rosewood for years. But in the last few months I have moved to Newtone Monels and love them. They survive my acidic body chemistry even longer than the Retro’s and have that round core playability. The only string I like better are the Martin Titanium’s but the cost is prohibitive to use on multiple guitars.

[Pine Cone]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

I like all three, but my ears prefer D’addario Nickel Bronze by a large margin over the other two. It’s like PB’s and monel had a baby, and it’s the best of both.

+1

In my experience D'addario Nickel Bronze sounds better on my guitars, but both the Monels and Alu Bronze sound better than any other strings except the Nickel Bronze.

Nice to have such great guitar string choices available. I just wish these strings were available for my banjos as well.

[jpd]

Monels are amazing on my 0-15....so are Martin Flexcore 11/47. My ears don't care for Aluminum Bronze.

[Willie_D]

I just put Martin Retros on the Epi 'bird, and I really like them. After about two or three days they lost excess brightness and started to emphasize a more meaty, bassy tone. I like 'em!

[bufflehead]

As a result of this thread, I switched to Retros on my Custom D, which is Sitka top with mahogany back and sides. First impressions are great, but it's a totally different effect than when I switched the 000-15m to Retros. The new strings are certainly louder than I expected. Can't wait to hear how they sound after breaking in a week.

After all these years, it's strange to look at that guitar and see different colored strings on the fretboard.

[banjopickingman]

Originally Posted by Pine Cone

+1

In my experience D'addario Nickel Bronze sounds better on my guitars, but both the Monels and Alu Bronze sound better than any other strings except the Nickel Bronze.

Nice to have such great guitar string choices available. I just wish these strings were available for my banjos as well.

Martin has a monel set for banjo:

https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/mar...njo-monel.html

I'd like to see a monel set with a wound 3rd string, but that's probably a topic for another forum.