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  #16  
Old 06-30-2017, 06:58 AM
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I've been using retros a lot and I like them on guitars that I will be playing finger style blues. They aren't strings that I choose to play stuff slow melodic that rings out. For that I would go with brighter strings like D'Addario Nickel Bronze or even brighter Elixers PB.
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  #17  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:04 AM
mattwood mattwood is offline
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I loved Monels on mahogany! I felt they really brought out the woodiness and warmth that mahogany offers. I haven't tried them on any other back and sides combo because I want to hear more of the overtones which these strings will subdue.
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  #18  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:09 AM
Hogie_GT Hogie_GT is offline
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the guitar in question. I am glad I bought this amazing guitar!

I can't seem to get a good pic of the quilting due to how shiny it is.








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  #19  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:10 AM
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So, these Monel/ Retro strings, to clarify - are they _not_ just essentially 'electric guitar strings' in acoustic-friendly gauges?

Do you need a quality guitar to get the best out of them?

People often seem to say they sound their best after a day or two, though they're not a bright string. Could someone unpack what this means a bit? If I were to try a set, what might they suit best, a spruce 'n' lam OM or my tiny all mahogany Guild?

Ta.
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  #20  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:20 AM
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Oh my HogieGT,
that is one beautiful guitar!!

Oh yeah!
Thanks for the pictures, but you know..you may have just hi-jacked your own thread!!
We might see more posts about the guitar than on the strings.

Very nice!
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  #21  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:26 AM
rokdog49 rokdog49 is offline
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To the "invisibleman"
I can comment on the "break-in" thing.
Out of the box they aren't what I would call bright as compared to a PB, but they are a little "clangy" if you will. A lot of folks were put off by this without giving them a chance.
What they seem to offer is a flat response that will enhance a fundamental wood tone in a Mahogany-back and sides or all Mahogany guitar.To some folks that sounds flat or mushy. For others like myself, it sounds punchy and raw. I have never experienced the "mushy" thing in the bass that others have described. I use them on a bright guitar I have and they really brought it under control. I also use them on my Addy/ mahogany OO and they really bark!
On a Rosewood guitar, I suspect they would kill the overtones and reverb effect inherently present and personally, I would not want that at all.
I think the line of seperation occurs where folks are used to that zingy sound of PB's and just can't get past the difference.
Hope this helped.
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  #22  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:37 AM
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I have been enjoying the bluegrass set of monels on my Collings D2H. I don't think they sound muddy as some of the other posts describe them. Hopefully my sun tanned face and my glowing white head aren't too distracting.

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  #23  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:47 AM
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Great demo, but where's the mush?
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  #24  
Old 06-30-2017, 07:47 AM
Hogie_GT Hogie_GT is offline
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I have the Retros on my D-35 and I like them on that guitar. They balance it better to my ear.

You say mahogany while I say rosewood.....

They have been on this guitar for a while and are not offensive on it.
Every guitar has it's own personality and the strings can enhance or harm that.

So, I guess I am a strange cookie LOL.
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  #25  
Old 06-30-2017, 08:32 AM
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I really like the Monel. I used them on my last Martin, a D-18v and they were miraculous compared to PB which I've always hated - I'd pick 80/20 any day until the Monel came out. I recently bought a 2008 Larrivee L-05 that was strung with them and my seller said they brought out the 'woodiness' in the mahogany guitar and he was right - just bought another set yesterday for my next restring. Some folks seem to like the bright, 'jangly' sound of PB but I don't care for it at all.....different strokes as they say.
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  #26  
Old 06-30-2017, 08:33 AM
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People that pull these strings off almost immediately are missing out (possibly). They definitely need time to settle in and sound their best.

I've been using them for awhile and really like them, but I am about to try the nickel bronze. Who knows?
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  #27  
Old 06-30-2017, 08:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T Texas View Post
People that pull these strings off almost immediately are missing out (possibly). They definitely need time to settle in and sound their best.

I've been using them for awhile and really like them, but I am about to try the nickel bronze. Who knows?
I like the D'addario Nicke Bronze too.
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  #28  
Old 06-30-2017, 09:26 AM
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Love them. They are the best fit on my RainSong.
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  #29  
Old 06-30-2017, 09:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rokdog49 View Post
I think if you research Monels on the AGF threads you will find that there is significant praise for them on Mahogany guitars which means absolutely zero to you and your ears.
Personally, I didn't experience any of the things you described, I still have them on two of my guitars and they sound great.
All three of my guitars are Sitka/Mahogany and all have Monels.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattwood View Post
I loved Monels on mahogany! I felt they really brought out the woodiness and warmth that mahogany offers.
Yes!

Quote:
Originally Posted by theinvisibleman View Post
People often seem to say they sound their best after a day or two, though they're not a bright string. Could someone unpack what this means a bit?
It's not the strings settling in, it's your ears adjusting to the different tone the monels have. Especially if you've been using PB's.
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  #30  
Old 06-30-2017, 10:12 AM
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I love the contrast the Monels on my Mahogany Gibson offer from the ringing overtones of my rosewood Taylor. I love both sounds, but sometimes I'll get tired of one sound, and the other is just what I need.

The Monels just sound really mellow and broken in. It definitely takes an adjustment period if you're used to PB's.
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