I love trying new strings. It's the cheapest funnest experiment you can do to your instrument! For around a buck per string you can totally change its feel and sound. It's so much fun trying different strings. I personally love the retro's.
Only play the Tony Rice strings on my Dreads. It just has that Martin sound to the fullest degree, they are the most comfortable to play and they have a long life. Great video.
I was at my local music shop for their annual acoustical guitar festival. Martin brought their 00-17 Authentic 1931 mahogany guitar. It sounded great. I asked the Martin rep what strings were on it and he said 'Retro Monel'. Not having the $5K to buy that one, and since I already had a 2 year old Martin 000-15 that needed new strings, I bought a pack of the Retros and restrung as soon as I got home. No, the 000-15 didn't sound exactly like the Authentic 1931, but to my ears I got probably 90-95% of the way there for less than 10 bucks.
Anyone who says one string is better than the other is not thinking about things in the right way. Like your guitar itself, strings are tools that are used to produce the sound that you want. It is not only subjective, but it is also highly dependent on the interaction between the strings and the instrument. A given set of strings might be ideal for one person and one instrument to achieve a particular combination of sound and feel that is desired. A different guitar in the hands of the same person might require a different set of strings and/or a different gauge to achieve the (subjectively) best results. Even the same guitar in the same hands might require a different set of strings if used for a different style of playing or intended sound. And of course, if you change the person behind the instrument, it is even more wide open to different answers. Speaking for myself, and regarding my Ibanez AC340CE-OPN, I tried several different strings before I found one that I really liked, and that was the Martin Retro (monel) strings. The mahogany body is great for warmth, but it lacks brightness on the treble. Using the Retro strings really opened up the treble to a degree that surprised me. I am still going to experiment from time to time, but the Retro is for now my go-to string on that guitar.
No wrong answers with strings - whatever one likes. I use different strings on different models. Retro light on a 1969 D-18, 92/8 light treated authentic a 2015 D-15M and 2018 Custom GP-18e KOA and authentic light treated 80/20s on a 1973 D-35.
I have a 12 fret D18 and the Retro strings on it are incredible! The sound is uncolored and rings like a bell. Part of it is probably the Adirondack top and the Sinker Mahogany back and sides, but… I was hesitant in trying them, but played them in this D18 I JUST BOUGHT from Mark at Reno’s Guitars in Fischers, Indiana, and I’m so on board with these!!! I replaced the medium’s with lights and they were, as all strings are, a bit bright at first, for about 6 hours of playing. But then, holy moly! They settled in and man they sound great! Full, rich and a bit warm. Much fuller than the typical Phospher Bronze string. More like an 80/20 with warmth added. I should add that I am mostly a finger picker, not a flat picker.
@@williamdearth7189 Kind of lighter than a normal medium set, which has 13 17 26 35 45 56 - whereas the Tony Rice strings have 13 16 26 34 44 56. If you are used to medium strings, like I am, three strings feel too flappy. But luckily you can buy a normal medium set, too.
I recently bought an HD-28V. Since I spent so much money and the guitar is so freaking amazing I figured it was finally time to do a thorough string research project. I got basically every string available, coated, non-coated, bronze, silken steel, phosphor bronze, nickel, many different brands, the works. 10s and 11s. After several weeks, the Martin Phosphor Bronze MA530 10s were by far the warmest, best sounding, most balanced, best string gauge combinations and longest lasting string, and one of the most affordable.
@@kommi1974 Your right. One bad thing about the commenters is you don't know if its someone with perfect hearing or and old person thats lost the highs, or a Rocker thats nearly deaf.
I use the retros 12 gague on my Yamaha fg180 50th anniversary. Give them a week to settle in and they sound amazing. I couldn't imagine better sounding strings.
I found out through experimenting that the monels sound the best on my all mahogany Ibanez, waaay better than the Elixir PBs. The PBs are absolutely magical on my spruce-and-rosewood Taylor though. I probably could have saved some money if I had seen this video first! But I suppose it's always nice to have your biases confirmed lol. Thanks for the great video!
Great video guys. Keep doing the night time thing! And, Quinton, I don't think you're "rambling" at all. That's the kind of stuff guitar guys want to hear. Ok I'm sure I'll catch flack for this but on my D28(which sounds so amazing ), I really LOVE the inexpensive D'Addario Nickel/Bronze. The 13's give it a little more volume, sustain and low end and the 12's allow for a tad more articulation/note separation and are easier on my fingers-a little better for fingerstyle. Also, I always keep Elixir 80/20 PB with me because I still think, considering price, longevity, playability, they continue to be best all around.
I got talked into trying something new after using Elixer for years. Martin lifespan SP 2.0. They lasted 2 weeks and are now dull and thuddy. Can’t wait to get the elixers back on
But seriously, folks: I've been experimenting with strings by brand, by type. Pearse, Martin, D'Addario, Ernie Ball, 80/20, phosphor bronze, aluminum blah blah and after all the experimentation, I like the Martin Authentic 12s Phosphor Bronze on my Gibson Hummingbird, Art & Lutherie "Roadhouse" Parlor, Simon & Patrick rosewood dreadnaught ('89) and even my wife's Martin 00 all-mahogany. Sounds great, feels great, good durability and the price is right.
I just strung my Martin Model America 1 (adi top/sycamore back/sides) with the Retro (Tony Rice). Totally different tone (to me). I got the guitar with Phosphor-Bronze, then tried 80/20's. Both sounded really good, but also very bright. The Retro sound more mellow and woody. It seems like they allow for the wood to vibrate differently, resulting in more sustain and even more lushness (is that a word?) Anyway, I really like them; but, I think I'm going to keep experimenting. I'd like to try some Nickel-Bronze and maybe even Aluminum-Bronze. I've only been playing medium gauge because of the adi top (it's old growth, with narrow, very straight grain and LOTS of medullary rays/silking). My instinct tells me the higher tension will help open the top up quicker. BTW: Like Quentin, it does seem like the Retros are a little easier to play (again, IMO)
I agree, but it was really hard to tell at frist with such intense low end boom in the recording due to mic placement? I couldn't tell until the very end where they cleaned it up.
I keep monels on my Country Western and 80/20's on my D-35. I think monels sound kind of washed-out on a rosewood guitar but they sound amazing on the Gibson so I'm in agreement with the general word that monels work best on a mahogany-backed guitar. A huge advantage with monels is that they feel and play like 80/20's, smooth with low tension; that makes them perfect replacements for the phosphor's most guys run on mahogany guitars, which are quite stiff by comparison. My Gibson feels vastly more playable with monels on it.
The Monel's sound ever so slightly lighter, sweeter. Each guitar responds differently to different strings/gauges, as Quinton says you just gotta dig deep and check em all out. My preference are those which sound great the longest. I don't buy the "old is good" string sound at all. They sound flat, go stiff, break and don't keep in tune or intonation. Might as well use a cheap, cardboard guitar. I keep coming back to Elixir PB or 80/20's, both equally as good once you play through the new-string brightness. Pity about the price, and beware of Chinese fakes so get em from a reliable store.
Okay so martin uses the term monel on the retros but they use the term nickel on the titanium core strings. Winding on the strings look the same but are they ooooo
How would these sound on an artchtop hollowbody acoustic or acoustic/electric?? Anyone have experience? Do the pickups pickup the strings due to the nickel?
Monel strings are on every guitar I own. They will be until Martin decides to make a better string. My complaint is that they cut Tony Rice out of the deal. They found out they had a winner and Tony gets swept aside. Typical corporate thinking.
liked this debate and can relate to the opinions on different strings woods etc, think easier and decent tone clean tone actually proper picking and even picks are important enjoyed
I recently strung my D35 with the Retro strings. Not impressed. I had the Lifespan 2.0 on the guitar and the difference in sound from the D35 is noticeably more twangy with the nickel strings. I’ll play them out but I’m sure that I’ll put the Phosphor Bronze back in a few months. Good video!
Should ask a luthier about how string gauge affects tension and therefore affects action. Lighter strings usually lower action, which is another reason players like them.
Like the man says, try stuff. I put some Monel strings on a Faith Jupiter that I used to have and got two results: it sounded somehow like a more expensive guitar, more even across the range of notes perhaps, and I didn't like the new sound as much as the old PBs. No reason. Just didn't. They are different enough that they might transform another box for the better. These days I often use nickel bronze. No doubt that will change. Got to try stuff.
IMHO !!! it looked like you were wanting to strum hrder on the monel strings, possibly they are quieter, possibly they require less tension, possibly they are easier to fret ... just a thought
The bluegrass gauge of the monel retros is not the same as mediums. The top and bottom e strings are the same, but some of the others are lighter. That’s probably why it feels easier to play. I just switched to the monel retros today after using coated phosphorus bronze mediums. It is certainly easier to play, but the string feel old since they are not costed. But the sound difference to me is that the monels bring out the sound of your guitars wood more, while the PB strings affect the tone a bit more: louder and more mid range and bass. Not sure which I prefer but I’m going to stick with the retros for now. It sounds more natural.
I just put phosphor bronze .012 on mine. I had.010 elixirs on it I think. I'm more of I heavier guare string guy because I do a ton of lower tunings and 1 in particular needs a thicker gauge or else my second string is flopping around and buzzing.
Very nice video, thank you very much indeed. *sorry for my English grammar. I loves Beatles, Kinks & Blur. I have my humble inexpensive 2005 South Korea made Epiphone EJ-160E tobacco burst (non-ladder bracing). I use Aluminium Bronze from Ernie Ball when I play a lot of Kinks tracks. I use Retro Monel when I play Beatles songs. And I only use 80/20 (brass) from Martin when I want to strumming some Blur numbers
First of all, s you said, no two guitars sound like, particularly acoustics, even if they are the same kind of guitar, with identical strings, and the same player. Lighter string gauge is better for me. Better feel, less stress on the guitar, and less lower mids. For dreadnaughts particularly, lighter strings attenuate the boominess a little, always a good thing, IMO. I understand that guitars are designed to withstand UP TO a certain amount of string tension. Accordingly, lower string tension from lighter strings do not reduce tone or harm the guitar. If anyone knows otherwise, please comment.
From the video. The shimmer is gone in the monel. Offering a singing tone with ought over tones. I just got a set of each for my d28 authentic. Having no truss rod. It really brings a whole new level of resonance to strings thats unique. On my j45 ive always used elixirs. On the authentic strings really do something different. Hopefully the nickel will bring out the rosewood even more. But since they are like an electric strings cousin. Alot of electrics use mahogany. N i see why he is saying they might work better on a mahogany box. For instance. I was never a fan of ernie ball strings. On the authentic. The earthwoods give a nice bell like tone n a deep woodiness but dont sustain with 11 ‘s The authentic. You need to find the right gauge to string tension n the guitar will sustain exceptionally well. 11’s in martin authentics. Perfect sustain. Loud. Earthwood 11’s n my authentic didnt have enough neck relief.
Thank you for pointing out that different woods like different strings. I have over 20 acoustics and I use maybe 8 different strings on them. I love the Martin authentic strings but on some of my guitars I just don't like the sound of them. On my Taylor all Koa guitar nothing sounds better on it than the Elixirs as it came with. But I hated them on my Martin Spruce top with Koa back ans sides. D,'Angelico with Sapele back and sides and the one with Rosewood back and sides sound great with Authentics. Personal preference on sound too. I like a mellow sounding guitar but I also don't wand them to ask sound the same either. So bottom line, try different strings to get the sound and feel that you like. I have s Zager guitar that I changed strings 8 times before I got the sound that I wanted. Thanks for the video gentlemen, I always enjoy the comparisons and the reviews.
Monels feel a little stiffer and rougher. It helps to go a gauge down. Or try roundcore Monels. Monels are very guitar specific and even when it's a good match i sometimes love them and sometimes they sound too scooped w a metallic zing that bugs me. I never have that experience w PBs..
They’e measurably lower tension, texture a little rougher but they are absolutely more slinky. Should not feel stiff next to a same-gauge 80/20 or PB. Quite the opposite
The Retros are softer. Period. The HD-18 is a war weapon and it wants brash, big strings. The Retros are really amazing on guitars that are about TONE, more than volume -- especially all mahogany guitars (with hog tops, as well). They are about tone, balance and long life. They simply fit the mahogany sound more than rosewood, IMHO.
I've never even heard of any hd-18. These are 28s. D18, d18ge, d18 authentic I've heard of and played. They make am hd18? I also disagree that d18s want brash strings. Hogs love monels. Rosewoods do not. So i agree there
Yap, yap, yap. It's night, not lunch. Different strings sound different with different guitars. You're right, not wrong, to think about strings. Five and a half minutes of blather before we even start the process of comparison. Jeez, come on already. I turned it off before the yapping stopped.
Yeah they do talk too much. I agree. And then they try and agree when they're about to disagree. Constantly interrupting each other. Just be who you are speak up and get to the point
I bust those new Martin strings like it's nobody's business. Not made to last, they sound great, but not made to last. I STILL have my D'Addario EXPs I put on my Martin Dread as a replacement and they are still lasting me.
i dont know what you did wrong mine lasted for4 or 5 months with several tuning changes standard to flat to standard to flat again for a while to d standard for a while to open g open d and back and forth and so on. after all that month 5 was when they broke.
Martin is flat out stupid using their strings when they ship out a new guitar....within a week or so the guitar sounds like crap...even the big money ones.....the guitars with elixirs or XS just ring on and get bought. The guitar flat out sounds better. That's matters to the buyers.
Lifespan Phosphor Bronze: Picking 9:02 Chords 9:18
Retro Monel: Picking 9:10 Chords 9:29
Thank you!!
I love trying new strings. It's the cheapest funnest experiment you can do to your instrument! For around a buck per string you can totally change its feel and sound.
It's so much fun trying different strings. I personally love the retro's.
Comparison starts at 5:40, string set vs string set at 9:03. Not a lot playing in the video until the end.
I put the Retros on my 2012 Taylor that has a Sitka spruce top and Cocobola back and sides, and I love the tone they produce with that guitar.
I love this channel,,,,Great Job Guys.!!
Only play the Tony Rice strings on my Dreads. It just has that Martin sound to the fullest degree, they are the most comfortable to play and they have a long life. Great video.
I was at my local music shop for their annual acoustical guitar festival. Martin brought their 00-17 Authentic 1931 mahogany guitar. It sounded great. I asked the Martin rep what strings were on it and he said 'Retro Monel'. Not having the $5K to buy that one, and since I already had a 2 year old Martin 000-15 that needed new strings, I bought a pack of the Retros and restrung as soon as I got home. No, the 000-15 didn't sound exactly like the Authentic 1931, but to my ears I got probably 90-95% of the way there for less than 10 bucks.
No.
@@zaphodbeeblebrox9109 Yes.
@@stackedhippiechick maybe
@@zaphodbeeblebrox9109 no what? That je got 95% there?
Gotta say. I enjoy these string series. More string comparisons to come.
Love, love, love the retros on my 000-18! And I actually enjoy changing strings! Weirdo, I know.
I have a 000-18 too, what gauge are you using?
@@bobbymehta1006 you should use 12s or below. Using mediums like 13 on a 000 is too much tension.
Monels medium light on my 00-15m. Monel Tony Rice on my D-28. Love it! And they stay good for a long, long time
Anyone who says one string is better than the other is not thinking about things in the right way. Like your guitar itself, strings are tools that are used to produce the sound that you want. It is not only subjective, but it is also highly dependent on the interaction between the strings and the instrument. A given set of strings might be ideal for one person and one instrument to achieve a particular combination of sound and feel that is desired. A different guitar in the hands of the same person might require a different set of strings and/or a different gauge to achieve the (subjectively) best results. Even the same guitar in the same hands might require a different set of strings if used for a different style of playing or intended sound. And of course, if you change the person behind the instrument, it is even more wide open to different answers.
Speaking for myself, and regarding my Ibanez AC340CE-OPN, I tried several different strings before I found one that I really liked, and that was the Martin Retro (monel) strings. The mahogany body is great for warmth, but it lacks brightness on the treble. Using the Retro strings really opened up the treble to a degree that surprised me. I am still going to experiment from time to time, but the Retro is for now my go-to string on that guitar.
No wrong answers with strings - whatever one likes. I use different strings on different models. Retro light on a 1969 D-18, 92/8 light treated authentic a 2015 D-15M and 2018 Custom GP-18e KOA and authentic light treated 80/20s on a 1973 D-35.
I 100% agree with his statement about how these strings sound on mahogany. I put some on my J45 and I absolutely love it.
I heard a big difference! Love the sound of the Monel's!
I have a 12 fret D18 and the Retro strings on it are incredible! The sound is uncolored and rings like a bell. Part of it is probably the Adirondack top and the Sinker Mahogany back and sides, but…
I was hesitant in trying them, but played them in this D18 I JUST BOUGHT from Mark at Reno’s Guitars in Fischers, Indiana, and I’m so on board with these!!!
I replaced the medium’s with lights and they were, as all strings are, a bit bright at first, for about 6 hours of playing. But then, holy moly! They settled in and man they sound great!
Full, rich and a bit warm. Much fuller than the typical Phospher Bronze string. More like an 80/20 with warmth added.
I should add that I am mostly a finger picker, not a flat picker.
the Tony rice strings are medium/light gauge strings, so you cannot compare them to the medium authentic
Actually they are not medium lights, they are .013-.056.
@@williamdearth7189 Kind of lighter than a normal medium set, which has
13 17 26 35 45 56 - whereas the Tony Rice strings have 13 16 26 34 44 56. If you are used to medium strings, like I am, three strings feel too flappy. But luckily you can buy a normal medium set, too.
Comparison starts around 5:45 if you’re not here for prattle
Martin Retros are the only strings I will ever use. They're awesome.
Love the Monels. Got em on a 00018, 00015sm and a sweet Guild M20. Feel good and sound right.
What gauge are you using on the 000-18?
@@bobbymehta1006 12-54. Have done some trades and have used the same gauge on a Gibson J45 and L00. Sound good on all.
I recently bought an HD-28V. Since I spent so much money and the guitar is so freaking amazing I figured it was finally time to do a thorough string research project. I got basically every string available, coated, non-coated, bronze, silken steel, phosphor bronze, nickel, many different brands, the works. 10s and 11s. After several weeks, the Martin Phosphor Bronze MA530 10s were by far the warmest, best sounding, most balanced, best string gauge combinations and longest lasting string, and one of the most affordable.
For YOU and YOUR ear. Personally, I am NOT a fan of those, but everyone is different.
@@kommi1974 Your right. One bad thing about the commenters is you don't know if its someone with perfect hearing or and old person thats lost the highs, or a Rocker thats nearly deaf.
I use the retros 12 gague on my Yamaha fg180 50th anniversary. Give them a week to settle in and they sound amazing. I couldn't imagine better sounding strings.
I found out through experimenting that the monels sound the best on my all mahogany Ibanez, waaay better than the Elixir PBs. The PBs are absolutely magical on my spruce-and-rosewood Taylor though. I probably could have saved some money if I had seen this video first! But I suppose it's always nice to have your biases confirmed lol. Thanks for the great video!
Great video guys. Keep doing the night time thing! And, Quinton, I don't think you're "rambling" at all. That's the kind of stuff guitar guys want to hear. Ok I'm sure I'll catch flack for this but on my D28(which sounds so amazing ), I really LOVE the inexpensive D'Addario Nickel/Bronze. The 13's give it a little more volume, sustain and low end and the 12's allow for a tad more articulation/note separation and are easier on my fingers-a little better for fingerstyle. Also, I always keep Elixir 80/20 PB with me because I still think, considering price, longevity, playability, they continue to be best all around.
I like Martin's 11s too. Been using them for years
I got talked into trying something new after using Elixer for years. Martin lifespan SP 2.0. They lasted 2 weeks and are now dull and thuddy. Can’t wait to get the elixers back on
I’m amazed at how many people dislike changing strings. It really ain’t that big of a deal.
If you have endless guitars, just thinking about them all is probably half the problem...
screw the strings: I'm loving that Martin guitar. Wow!
But seriously, folks: I've been experimenting with strings by brand, by type. Pearse, Martin, D'Addario, Ernie Ball, 80/20, phosphor bronze, aluminum blah blah and after all the experimentation, I like the Martin Authentic 12s Phosphor Bronze on my Gibson Hummingbird, Art & Lutherie "Roadhouse" Parlor, Simon & Patrick rosewood dreadnaught ('89) and even my wife's Martin 00 all-mahogany. Sounds great, feels great, good durability and the price is right.
I just strung my Martin Model America 1 (adi top/sycamore back/sides) with the Retro (Tony Rice). Totally different tone (to me). I got the guitar with Phosphor-Bronze, then tried 80/20's. Both sounded really good, but also very bright. The Retro sound more mellow and woody. It seems like they allow for the wood to vibrate differently, resulting in more sustain and even more lushness (is that a word?) Anyway, I really like them; but, I think I'm going to keep experimenting. I'd like to try some Nickel-Bronze and maybe even Aluminum-Bronze. I've only been playing medium gauge because of the adi top (it's old growth, with narrow, very straight grain and LOTS of medullary rays/silking). My instinct tells me the higher tension will help open the top up quicker.
BTW: Like Quentin, it does seem like the Retros are a little easier to play (again, IMO)
Monel strings rock, Tony says welcome back ole friend! :)
The Monels seem to have more pronounced mid-range and softer low range.
I agree, but it was really hard to tell at frist with such intense low end boom in the recording due to mic placement? I couldn't tell until the very end where they cleaned it up.
this is true
I keep monels on my Country Western and 80/20's on my D-35. I think monels sound kind of washed-out on a rosewood guitar but they sound amazing on the Gibson so I'm in agreement with the general word that monels work best on a mahogany-backed guitar. A huge advantage with monels is that they feel and play like 80/20's, smooth with low tension; that makes them perfect replacements for the phosphor's most guys run on mahogany guitars, which are quite stiff by comparison. My Gibson feels vastly more playable with monels on it.
Interesting to read, I was planning on putting some Monels on my j-45 as I love them on my Martin DJr10.
Quintin What flat pick are you using here and thickness?
The Monel's sound ever so slightly lighter, sweeter. Each guitar responds differently to different strings/gauges, as Quinton says you just gotta dig deep and check em all out.
My preference are those which sound great the longest. I don't buy the "old is good" string sound at all. They sound flat, go stiff, break and don't keep in tune or intonation. Might as well use a cheap, cardboard guitar.
I keep coming back to Elixir PB or 80/20's, both equally as good once you play through the new-string brightness. Pity about the price, and beware of Chinese fakes so get em from a reliable store.
Yeah because he strummed lighter!!! Hahaha
Okay so martin uses the term monel on the retros but they use the term nickel on the titanium core strings. Winding on the strings look the same but are they ooooo
How would these sound on an artchtop hollowbody acoustic or acoustic/electric?? Anyone have experience? Do the pickups pickup the strings due to the nickel?
Without a doubt, the lifespan's sound more lush and full.
Authentic strings sounds best to me and that's what i use
That's what i think
Monel strings are on every guitar I own. They will be until Martin decides to make a better string. My complaint is that they cut Tony Rice out of the deal. They found out they had a winner and Tony gets swept aside. Typical corporate thinking.
Could you elaborate or provide link to that info. Thanks
They did make a better string there called Lifespans
Agreed about monels. Love on hogs
Just put a set of the Monel on my S&P Folk Mahogany a couple weeks ago....lovin' them!
The monels are more mellow. The phosphor bronze ones have more of a bite to me 🤷🏻♂️
You should’ve done it with a D-18 or a J-45. I love them Monel on my Gibsons.
I hope as recommended silk/ steel wow the bass is more pronounced n the sounds beautiful
liked this debate and can relate to the opinions on different strings woods etc, think easier and decent tone clean tone actually proper picking and even picks are important enjoyed
I recently strung my D35 with the Retro strings. Not impressed. I had the Lifespan 2.0 on the guitar and the difference in sound from the D35 is noticeably more twangy with the nickel strings. I’ll play them out but I’m sure that I’ll put the Phosphor Bronze back in a few months. Good video!
Both are great, but yes, Monels are easier to the fingers. That's all on the nickel.
I have a Hog Epiphone and I only use retros. Ethereal, textured, almost a touch of nylon string sound when fingerpicked.
Should ask a luthier about how string gauge affects tension and therefore affects action. Lighter strings usually lower action, which is another reason players like them.
Like the man says, try stuff.
I put some Monel strings on a Faith Jupiter that I used to have and got two results: it sounded somehow like a more expensive guitar, more even across the range of notes perhaps, and I didn't like the new sound as much as the old PBs. No reason. Just didn't. They are different enough that they might transform another box for the better. These days I often use nickel bronze. No doubt that will change. Got to try stuff.
Do Monel vs Aluminum Bronze.
IMHO !!! it looked like you were wanting to strum hrder on the monel strings, possibly they are quieter, possibly they require less tension, possibly they are easier to fret ... just a thought
He said that.
The bluegrass gauge of the monel retros is not the same as mediums. The top and bottom e strings are the same, but some of the others are lighter. That’s probably why it feels easier to play. I just switched to the monel retros today after using coated phosphorus bronze mediums. It is certainly easier to play, but the string feel old since they are not costed. But the sound difference to me is that the monels bring out the sound of your guitars wood more, while the PB strings affect the tone a bit more: louder and more mid range and bass. Not sure which I prefer but I’m going to stick with the retros for now. It sounds more natural.
I just put phosphor bronze .012 on mine. I had.010 elixirs on it I think. I'm more of I heavier guare string guy because I do a ton of lower tunings and 1 in particular needs a thicker gauge or else my second string is flopping around and buzzing.
Very nice video, thank you very much indeed. *sorry for my English grammar. I loves Beatles, Kinks & Blur. I have my humble inexpensive 2005 South Korea made Epiphone EJ-160E tobacco burst (non-ladder bracing). I use Aluminium Bronze from Ernie Ball when I play a lot of Kinks tracks. I use Retro Monel when I play Beatles songs. And I only use 80/20 (brass) from Martin when I want to strumming some Blur numbers
First of all, s you said, no two guitars sound like, particularly acoustics, even if they are the same kind of guitar, with identical strings, and the same player.
Lighter string gauge is better for me. Better feel, less stress on the guitar, and less lower mids. For dreadnaughts particularly, lighter strings attenuate the boominess a little, always a good thing, IMO.
I understand that guitars are designed to withstand UP TO a certain amount of string tension. Accordingly, lower string tension from lighter strings do not reduce tone or harm the guitar.
If anyone knows otherwise, please comment.
Put em on my om28, they sound awesome. That’s rosewood btw.
Nick Drake famously never changed his strings. If that was good enough for him, it’s excuse enough for me.
(Well he did play nylon classical-rather different to steel!)
maxwellfan55 he played steel
I like dead strings because of Nick Drake
Need to try them on the same exact guitar for true comparison.
From the video. The shimmer is gone in the monel. Offering a singing tone with ought over tones. I just got a set of each for my d28 authentic. Having no truss rod. It really brings a whole new level of resonance to strings thats unique. On my j45 ive always used elixirs. On the authentic strings really do something different. Hopefully the nickel will bring out the rosewood even more. But since they are like an electric strings cousin. Alot of electrics use mahogany. N i see why he is saying they might work better on a mahogany box.
For instance. I was never a fan of ernie ball strings. On the authentic. The earthwoods give a nice bell like tone n a deep woodiness but dont sustain with 11 ‘s
The authentic. You need to find the right gauge to string tension n the guitar will sustain exceptionally well. 11’s in martin authentics. Perfect sustain. Loud. Earthwood 11’s n my authentic didnt have enough neck relief.
Thank you for pointing out that different woods like different strings. I have over 20 acoustics and I use maybe 8 different strings on them. I love the Martin authentic strings but on some of my guitars I just don't like the sound of them. On my Taylor all Koa guitar nothing sounds better on it than the Elixirs as it came with. But I hated them on my Martin Spruce top with Koa back ans sides. D,'Angelico with Sapele back and sides and the one with Rosewood back and sides sound great with Authentics. Personal preference on sound too. I like a mellow sounding guitar but I also don't wand them to ask sound the same either. So bottom line, try different strings to get the sound and feel that you like. I have s Zager guitar that I changed strings 8 times before I got the sound that I wanted. Thanks for the video gentlemen, I always enjoy the comparisons and the reviews.
Monels feel a little stiffer and rougher. It helps to go a gauge down. Or try roundcore Monels. Monels are very guitar specific and even when it's a good match i sometimes love them and sometimes they sound too scooped w a metallic zing that bugs me. I never have that experience w PBs..
They’e measurably lower tension, texture a little rougher but they are absolutely more slinky. Should not feel stiff next to a same-gauge 80/20 or PB. Quite the opposite
Most important point on the retros…..they last forever. The nickel alloy seems to be very anti-corrosive…..
I just bought these in custom light...11s. I don't have SRV fingers is why. 10s too light.
He strums harder on the next strings…. Omg 😂 what silly guy
Monels are a bit more midrange forward, in a good way. 🎧
Don't get wrapped around the axle with strings. Put em on, play em, keep or change...move on.
The Retros are softer. Period. The HD-18 is a war weapon and it wants brash, big strings. The Retros are really amazing on guitars that are about TONE, more than volume -- especially all mahogany guitars (with hog tops, as well). They are about tone, balance and long life. They simply fit the mahogany sound more than rosewood, IMHO.
I've never even heard of any hd-18. These are 28s. D18, d18ge, d18 authentic I've heard of and played. They make am hd18? I also disagree that d18s want brash strings. Hogs love monels. Rosewoods do not. So i agree there
@@el34glo59 Typo. I meant HD-28
I had monels on my blueridge b180 rosewood and it sounded like a trash can.
More punch in low end
A little frustrating to sit through a 10 minute video for maybe 1 minute of actual comparison.
Yap, yap, yap. It's night, not lunch. Different strings sound different with different guitars. You're right, not wrong, to think about strings. Five and a half minutes of blather before we even start the process of comparison. Jeez, come on already. I turned it off before the yapping stopped.
Agree.Play, then talk all you want.
Even worse they can’t stop interrupting and talking over each other. They love to hear themselves.
Yeah they do talk too much. I agree. And then they try and agree when they're about to disagree. Constantly interrupting each other. Just be who you are speak up and get to the point
I bust those new Martin strings like it's nobody's business. Not made to last, they sound great, but not made to last. I STILL have my D'Addario EXPs I put on my Martin Dread as a replacement and they are still lasting me.
i dont know what you did wrong mine lasted for4 or 5 months with several tuning changes standard to flat to standard to flat again for a while to d standard for a while to open g open d and back and forth and so on. after all that month 5 was when they broke.
9 minutes of waffle and 35 seconds of test.
the guy with the hat is constantly interrupting - how annoying...
What a terrible comparison video that I really wanted to be good. Literally 45 seconds of playing and the rest uninformative talking
Strings are not created equal.
people can be so fake, insincere. one guy laughing at the other, politely. depressing
Martin is flat out stupid using their strings when they ship out a new guitar....within a week or so the guitar sounds like crap...even the big money ones.....the guitars with elixirs or XS just ring on and get bought. The guitar flat out sounds better. That's matters to the buyers.
Guitars sound terrible when you talk and don't strum them
You both have NPR voices. 😬 cringe
The Authentics sound more hi-fi to me