Iris DF with Curt Mangan Monels

[jdinco]

I have 3 or 4 other guitars that I preferred to play over my Iris DF Smeck , well that changed a couple days ago when I tried the Curt Mangan Monels 12-53 on it. I don't think I have ever had a string change the character of a guitar so much. I didn't expect much so it was a surprise. I had Elixirs on it previously. The Iris is now in 1st place and I'm ordering more of those strings to try on my other guitars. Thought other DF owners may want to know if they are wanting to try something different.

[Nctom]

The same thing happened to me with my two Waterloos...

I think that Curt is on to something.

[Mak2525]

Hey John, as a fellow DF Smeck owner, did you put the hex core or round core monels on? Thanks!

[jdinco]

Originally Posted by Mak2525

Hey John, as a fellow DF Smeck owner, did you put the hex core or round core monels on? Thanks!

I have the hex core, I didn't even notice there was a round core available ! I found free shipping for orders over $30 ordering direct from Magnan, most others are over $35 for free shipping. Please let me know how they work for you...Thanks

[Sdrew22]

Monels are fantastic.I'm trying round cores at the moment. I don't see myself going back to PB anytime soon.

[jdinco]

Originally Posted by Sdrew22

Monels are fantastic.I'm trying round cores at the moment. I don't see myself going back to PB anytime soon.

May I ask what the tone woods are of your guitars? Wondering if I should try them on a rosewood guitar. Martin M36

[R22]

I tried the hex core's on my J45. I found them to be a little hard sounding compared to the Martins. My J45 is very dry though, so I'm sure that it's guitar centric.

[Sdrew22]

Originally Posted by jdinco

May I ask what the tone woods are of your guitars? Wondering if I should try them on a rosewood guitar. Martin M36

Adirondack/ Mahogany

[generalliamsayn]

IMHO Curt Mangan round-core monels are the bees' knees for getting a nice dry woody, rounded tone on spruce/mahogany guitars. I use then on my Collings CJ-A as well as my Gibson L-00s.

Just be aware they can sound a bit harsh (i.e. jangly) for up to a week - but then, after that long break-in, they last a long, long time.

[rollypolly]

Can anyone comment on the difference between Martin Retro monels and the Curt Mangans?

I've noticed on some guitars that Martin monels can take a really long time to lose that fresh string sound and I'm curious if the CMs settle in faster and might be warmer sounding?