Decided to try Martin Retros on my 000-15SM again

[Osage]

Originally Posted by DesertTwang

The Martin Monel "Tony Rice" strings are a mystery to me. I've tried them on several guitars, ranging from my 000-15sm to a spruce-topped dreadnaught and an Epiphone archtop, and on neither of those did they impress me.

The reason I'm puzzled is because if these strings are indeed what Tony Rice plays or played, why does he sound as great as he does? Based on my experiences with these strings, I wouldn't collect his records as I do.

He sounds as great as he does because he's Tony Rice. He's one of the best players alive! He'd sound great playing a tennis racket. It's easy to overlook how much tone is in a persons fingers.

[WildBill82]

Originally Posted by raysachs

"Tony Rice is an iconic Bluegrass player who during the 1960's loyally strummed his 1935 Clarence White D-28 armed with Martin Monel strings. His favorite aspect of the strings were how they did not change the timber of the guitar. In the 1970's, the Martin Monel strings were no longer available but Tony still sought out the sound of the Martin Monels."

I guess it's just a matter of taste...

Your point is well-taken. If it is an appeal to authority, I'd also remind you that there's only so many 1935 D-28's and only one Tony Rice.

I'll try them on my D-35 and see what happens.

[Jaden]

On the two new 000-15m I mentioned earlier, the stock phosphor bronze lights sounded particularly good, otherwise I’m not usually enthusiastic about pb. I wouldn’t force fit monels to a new all hog Martin - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t - depends on the particular instrument and personal preference. As for broad generalizations for monels across model lines - I don’t buy it.

[madhat]

Originally Posted by Jaden

On the two new 000-15m I mentioned earlier, the stock phosphor bronze lights sounded particularly good, otherwise I’m not usually enthusiastic about pb. I wouldn’t force fit monels to a new all hog Martin - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t - depends on the particular instrument and personal preference. As for broad generalizations for monels across model lines - I don’t buy it.

Assuming the PBs that came stock were the new Martin Authentic Acoustic- I dig em for sure.

madhat.

[BoneDigger]

I have monels on my D15m, DSS15m, and my 00015m. It sounds great on a mahogany guitar! But, I don't like them on any other guitars I own, including my D18GE.

I can certainly say that my D15m is a great sounding guitar and it has had a number of years to open up. New ones I have played in stores are a bit stiffer overall.

[Hack Guitarist]

I don't want to take over this thread but I've seen some of you commenting about how long it takes your 00015SM to open up. I've had one for about three months now. I'm curious to know if anyone has tried one of those ToneRite things on your 00015SM. I have considered it but I'm still apprehensive. I really like some of your string suggestions. I'm going to try some of those.

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by Hack Guitarist

I don't want to take over this thread but I've seen some of you commenting about how long it takes your 00015SM to open up. I've had one for about three months now. I'm curious to know if anyone has tried one of those ToneRite things on your 00015SM. I have considered it but I'm still apprehensive. I really like some of your string suggestions. I'm going to try some of those.

Well I have a ToneRite so if somebody could lend me a 00015SM I could try it out for you. I promise I will return the guitar. Sure, that's the ticket.

[raysachs]

Originally Posted by WildBill82

Your point is well-taken. If it is an appeal to authority, I'd also remind you that there's only so many 1935 D-28's and only one Tony Rice.

I'll try them on my D-35 and see what happens.

I’m not suggesting Tony Rice is RIGHT or that those who prefer Monels on mahogany and not on rosewood are wrong. Just that, as I said, it’s a matter of taste. What sounds best to player A for his or her playing might not sound good at all to player B. I’ve used Monels on both mahogany and carbon fiber and liked them a lot on both (although liked Sunbeams even more on the carbon fiber guitar). Haven’t owned a rosewood B&S guitar in a while so haven’t tried that combination... While I don’t think Tony Rice’s experience is necessarily relevant to anyone else, I think it just suggests trying any strings with any guitar is probably worth a shot - any one of us MIGHT like em! Or, obviously, not...

-Ray

[kiva238]

My experience with Retros has proven that they are very guitar specific, not type or model specific.

When they work, they really work. When they don't, you'll know it very quickly.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by madhat

Great strings the Retros.

I have gone back to PB on my 00 Martins and to Nickel Bronze on my 00 Gibsons.
Preference for now

madhat.

Yes, I prefer D’Addario Nickel Bronze to monels and other “pure” nickel strings.

[beatcomber]

Well, I've come full-circle.

I kept getting a wild hair to try the Retros again on my 000-15SM, so I bought a pack a few days ago.

I decided going in to adjust my attitude and forget about how different they are from PB, and focus on what the monels bring to the party.

I'm kinda digging them this time around! It took me a little while to get used to their more pliant feel, and I'm using that to my benefit; it's fun to slap the open low E with my thumb and let it boom.

[hairpuller]

Nice post! Glad to hear you are beginning to appreciate the great strings.
I still have not found a better fit on my 000-18.

scott

[Fresh1985]

Cant really get into them either. Tried them on my 00-28vs and they sounded horrible. Sounded better on my spruce/hog OM but still not great. I'll stick to 80/20's and PB.

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by Fresh1985

I'll stick to 80/20's and PB.

Speaking of 80/20s...

Conventional wisdom says that 80/20s are brighter than PB. I bought a set for the first time a month ago and at first tried them on my 000-15SM, and then moved them over to my Farida OT-25. On both guitars, they sounded mellower and less brassy than PB, and were also more pliant.

Overall, I found (Martin) 80/20s to be relatively close in tone/feel to Retros, which is not what I expected at all.

[Lakewood_Lad]

I use Martin Eric Clapton strings on my D15M and I love the sound. They're the only strings I've used on it so I've nothing to compare them with but they really are sweet like cherry pie. I love the sound of that guitar.