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View Poll Results: Which one is your favorite "nickel" string?
John Pearse Pure Nickel 10 18.52%
DR Zebra 0 0%
D'Addario Nickel Bronze 15 27.78%
Curt Mangan Monel 7 12.96%
other brand (write in on the thread) 10 18.52%
I don't like nickel strings 12 22.22%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 03-02-2020, 02:13 PM
Guitarplayer_PR Guitarplayer_PR is offline
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Default It's all about the Nickels

I've been a fan of nickel strings (plated, alloy or pure) for quite some time. Right now, I'm using John Pearse Pure Nickel strings on all my guitars, but I've used Martin Retros and D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings in the past and may used them in the future if the opportunity is given. There are other brands that I haven't used, but could use in the future. Which one is your favorite?
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:24 PM
oliverkollar oliverkollar is offline
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Tried all the above, and the Mangan's are my favorite.

I'm using Mangan monels on 2 of my guitars. One round core and one hex.
They have volume comparable to PB and have a pretty quick "break in" period.

The round core monels will tame down a bright guitar significantly.
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:26 PM
FrankHudson FrankHudson is offline
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Odd that Martin Retro Monel aren't on this poll choice list. Did I miss something?

I use the Retros on a couple of acoustic guitars. I suppose some day I should try some of the others, but so far I haven't. I doubt I'll ever like another string better on my Martin 00-15.

On electrics, I used Fender pure nickel string on several different Telecasters more many years. I still have some, and still have them on at least one Tele and the their nickel "Jimi Hendirx set" is on one Strat too I think.
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:44 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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All of the above!
The John Pearse Pure Nickels are excellent on my maple H&D MJ - I just happen to be trying out the Curt Mangan round-core Monels on this guitar at the moment, they're good but I think the JP's were clearer.

Martin Retro's on my mahogany Martin JDP II.

D'Addario Nickel Bronze were mighty good on my maple 12-string jumbo Guild F-412.

Haven't tried DR Zebra's.
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:49 PM
Guitarplayer_PR Guitarplayer_PR is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankHudson View Post
Odd that Martin Retro Monel aren't on this poll choice list. Did I miss something?

I use the Retros on a couple of acoustic guitars. I suppose some day I should try some of the others, but so far I haven't. I doubt I'll ever like another string better on my Martin 00-15.

On electrics, I used Fender pure nickel string on several different Telecasters more many years. I still have some, and still have them on at least one Tele and the their nickel "Jimi Hendirx set" is on one Strat too I think.
My mistake. Although I mentioned it, so you could write it in.
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:50 PM
steelvibe steelvibe is offline
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Retros all day.
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:51 PM
penname penname is offline
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Martin Retro and Newtone Monel’s depending on the guitar.
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Old 03-02-2020, 02:54 PM
Jaden Jaden is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelvibe View Post
Retros all day.
Same - should be specified in the poll (didn’t vote)
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Old 03-02-2020, 03:47 PM
Nick84 Nick84 is offline
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Retros 100%
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Old 03-02-2020, 04:00 PM
Birchtop Birchtop is offline
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I use them exclusively for my electrics

Ernie Ball Super Slinky (pink)
Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky (orange)
Ernie Ball Reg Slinky (green)
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Old 03-02-2020, 04:09 PM
jaymarsch jaymarsch is offline
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I've used the Pearse, the D'Addario and the Martin's and the Pearse sound best on my guitars. I use PBs more often but when I use nickel strings, these are the ones that I am most familiar. I may try the Newtones as some point as I like their other strings a lot.

Best,
Jayne
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Old 03-02-2020, 06:01 PM
zoopeda zoopeda is offline
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Poll is worthless without Martin retros... those things rock. D’Addi are good too. Eager to try the JPs.
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Old 03-02-2020, 06:38 PM
Guitarplayer_PR Guitarplayer_PR is offline
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For all of the Martin Retro fans, feel free to vote. Sensing that I was going to leave something out, I put an alternative on the poll, so anyone can write in their choice.

As a personal privilege, my favorite, so far, is the John Pearse set, according to the guitars I own. The Retros are great, but they need some time to "mature." The Nickel Bronze mature faster and were the ones I've used most of the time, but they feel stiffer than the Retros. Enter the JPs, which, for me and my guitars (look at my sig), combine the best of both the Retros and the NBs.

The next one I'd love to test is the Curt Mangan set.
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Old 03-02-2020, 06:41 PM
bufflehead bufflehead is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steelvibe View Post
Retros all day.
And here's another vote for Retros. Funny that these were not included in the poll, because they are quite popular among forum members.
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Old 03-02-2020, 06:50 PM
Guitarplayer_PR Guitarplayer_PR is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bufflehead View Post
And here's another vote for Retros. Funny that these were not included in the poll, because they are quite popular among forum members.

I already mentioned that fact. At least the Retro fans have responded
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alloy, nickel, nickel bronze, plated, strings

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