In the past I did put electric guitar strings on my Gibson SJ 1956. The guitar never sounded any better. I am glad they now make monel strings for acoustics too!
I also recently put an .011 Monel set (yes, the lighter strings are brighter, more articulate and feel better) on my D-45. Big improvement. Love the complex mids, long sustain, and the gentler attack. Sometimes "Old School' is the best school.
Yes, it's a beautiful guitar. I'm not sure if they make them any more, but you can try on this link: www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_clp_15e_koa_exotic.htm?offid=1&affid=729 👍
Love the sound of these on my all hog parlor. Funny thing you mentioning that they don't have a lot of string screech. In my experience these are the screechiest strings I've ever used, and that point alone has me doubting them after my current stock dries up.
Yes, I noticed after I did the review that they are, in fact, quite screechy, and I've gone over to the Martin Silk And Steel Strings on this parlor now
Hi Phil, I really like Martin Silk and Steel Strings on my Koa on Mahogany parlour guitar it might be worth giving them a try. I did a review of them here: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html
Thanks AL. Very informative. I've just picked up a Sigma 00015mc e mahogany guitar. Looking for the right strings for finger picking on it. I'll give these monels a try. A small note. Noticed some dampness on your shirt. I'm older and have some hoarseness in my vocals and embarrassing drool while singing or even talking in last few years. It hasn't eliminated it completely but someone told me to chew a couple of cloves everyday to help calm throat irritation. I also add a few to my green tea daily. Amazingly it has almost cleared up the excess drooling and cleared my vocals. Doesn't happen right away but after a couple of weeks you'll see less irritation and needing to clear your throat.
These strings may not bring the very best out of every single guitar, but they bring the best out of "most" every guitar. I prefer the Martin Retros on most everything and for where I don't use it, I use Martin Authentic Phosphor Bronze.
Just got done putting these exact strings on my takamine and I LOVE THEM! Much nicer feel and tone than the medium earthwoods that were on there previously.
Thanks for your feedback Robert I appreciate it. Yes they are definately long lasting. I've had them on a month now and they're still like new in fact they sound better as they get older 👍
I tried those on a 67 Gibson B 15 small bodied acoustic. They sound pretty good on yours... but i was not happy with the performance of them on my Gibson. Happy playing
I quite liked them at first but I found them a little bit to bright for what I was looking for and changed to the Martin Silk and Steel strings which I really like on this guitar
Hi Alan, nice playing Sir! Are you able to adjust the neck on your guitar? That will help/cure the string buzz. You probably got 12 guage strings on it as stock so the neck will be set up for those heavier strings. I just got a Harley Benton CLA-15M today and its fab, all solid wood so Im itching to put these martin retro strings on it. The stock strings are so naff I was seriously underwhelmed by the guitar on first play, but I can just tell watching your video that these strings will make her sing! I cant wait!
Hi Odellin, yes I have a double action truss rod but I'm not getting fret buzz anyway. I was referring to the wound strings screaching when you slide up or down. The screaching gets less as the strings bed in over a week or two and yes the Martin Retro Strings really bring out the natural tones of Koa and Mahogany guitars 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Ah ok! Did you find that you needed to make any neck adjustments or nut/saddle? Thats my only concern dropping down a guage from 12 to 11 strings - the potential fret buzz from a lowered action, but 12 guage strings always really hurt my fingers. I only ask as our guitars will be very similar I think. Ive literally only just stumbled on these retro strings, so im really intrigued how they will sound on a solid body - my first!
I’m playing these on my Epiphone hummingbird and I like them a lot, very comfortable to play , I could see some people not liking them if they want the more “jangle” sound. But definitely have a warm mellow nice vintage tone … I still think that the D’Addario silk and steel are superior tho … just my opinion. If these are too mellow for someone but they love the feel , try the silk and steel
Hi Wade, True. The guitar in the video is Koa top on Mahogany back and sides, so it's pretty close to an all Mahogany guitar. Martin actually recommends the Monel Retro strings for all darker wood guitars, and I believe they factory fit them on some their Mahogany models.
I've been using D'Addario 80/20 on my Guild M-20 (so-called Nick Drake guitar) and I've just changed to the Martin Retro 11 set. I'm really impressed, I love the sound and feel, just great for finger-style playing with a nice balance and with a little more attack if using a thumb pick. I'll be interested to hear what they sound like when they go dead (or reach maturity as I like to think of it). Sometimes a wonderful, mellow tone can emerge with dead strings which I find very usable. I reckon I'll be sticking with these Martins for a while, I'll probably string up my parlour guitar (a Gretsch Jim Dandy, recommended guitar!) with a set and see how it goes.
Thanks for your feedback Bob I appreciate it. Yes the Martin Retro Monel Strings are lovely strings for fingerstyle. Let me know how you get on with them on your Gretsch Jim Dandy parlour 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking also worth trying are D'Addario Flat Top strings. They are ground down roundwound strings, so while they retain most of the brightness of standard phosphor bronze strings they are also great for slide if you are that way inclined, as well as reducing finger squeak and being very comfortable under the fingers.
I put these strings on my 1940 Gibson J35. They are by far the best strings I have ever put on that particular guitar
Hi Ron. I have to say I was a little bit unsure about them at first but they seem to get better as they bed in and really like them now. 👍
In the past I did put electric guitar strings on my Gibson SJ 1956. The guitar never sounded any better. I am glad they now make monel strings for acoustics too!
Do you like the Martin Retro Monel Strings on your Gibson?
@@AlanRoyHocking yes I do
Good to know Ron thanks 👍
I also recently put an .011 Monel set (yes, the lighter strings are brighter, more articulate and feel better) on my D-45. Big improvement. Love the complex mids, long sustain, and the gentler attack. Sometimes "Old School' is the best school.
Absolutely! 👍
Another fan of 11s ! You don't need bridge cables to get a good sound out of a guitar.
I have 11s on all three of my Martins.
@jeffhildreth9244 👍
👍
I love your guitar. Now i want one.
Yes, it's a beautiful guitar. I'm not sure if they make them any more, but you can try on this link: www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_clp_15e_koa_exotic.htm?offid=1&affid=729 👍
Love the sound of these on my all hog parlor. Funny thing you mentioning that they don't have a lot of string screech. In my experience these are the screechiest strings I've ever used, and that point alone has me doubting them after my current stock dries up.
Yes, I noticed after I did the review that they are, in fact, quite screechy, and I've gone over to the Martin Silk And Steel Strings on this parlor now
Alan - what would you recommend to brighten up a GC Taylor all Mahogany? The Monels do screech a bit - but it might be worth it!
Hi Phil, I really like Martin Silk and Steel Strings on my Koa on Mahogany parlour guitar it might be worth giving them a try. I did a review of them here: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html
@@AlanRoyHocking Thanks, Alan!
@philchristensen2787 You're welcome. Let me know how you get on with them 👍
Thanks AL. Very informative. I've just picked up a Sigma 00015mc e mahogany guitar. Looking for the right strings for finger picking on it. I'll give these monels a try. A small note. Noticed some dampness on your shirt. I'm older and have some hoarseness in my vocals and embarrassing drool while singing or even talking in last few years. It hasn't eliminated it completely but someone told me to chew a couple of cloves everyday to help calm throat irritation. I also add a few to my green tea daily. Amazingly it has almost cleared up the excess drooling and cleared my vocals. Doesn't happen right away but after a couple of weeks you'll see less irritation and needing to clear your throat.
Thanks Terry I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the tip as well but the damp spots are sweat from the heat wave 😊
These strings may not bring the very best out of every single guitar, but they bring the best out of "most" every guitar. I prefer the Martin Retros on most everything and for where I don't use it, I use Martin Authentic Phosphor Bronze.
Absolutely Russell, thank you for your input I appreciate it 👍
Just got done putting these exact strings on my takamine and I LOVE THEM! Much nicer feel and tone than the medium earthwoods that were on there previously.
Yes lovely strings Smooth Cream 👍
I have been using the Retro strings on my Martin acoustic-electric for some time. I love the sound, and I find they are long-lasting.
Thanks for your feedback Robert I appreciate it. Yes they are definately long lasting. I've had them on a month now and they're still like new in fact they sound better as they get older 👍
I tried those on a 67 Gibson B 15 small bodied acoustic. They sound pretty good on yours... but i was not happy with the performance of them on my Gibson.
Happy playing
I quite liked them at first but I found them a little bit to bright for what I was looking for and changed to the Martin Silk and Steel strings which I really like on this guitar
Hi Alan, nice playing Sir! Are you able to adjust the neck on your guitar? That will help/cure the string buzz. You probably got 12 guage strings on it as stock so the neck will be set up for those heavier strings. I just got a Harley Benton CLA-15M today and its fab, all solid wood so Im itching to put these martin retro strings on it. The stock strings are so naff I was seriously underwhelmed by the guitar on first play, but I can just tell watching your video that these strings will make her sing! I cant wait!
Hi Odellin, yes I have a double action truss rod but I'm not getting fret buzz anyway. I was referring to the wound strings screaching when you slide up or down.
The screaching gets less as the strings bed in over a week or two and yes the Martin Retro Strings really bring out the natural tones of Koa and Mahogany guitars 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Ah ok! Did you find that you needed to make any neck adjustments or nut/saddle? Thats my only concern dropping down a guage from 12 to 11 strings - the potential fret buzz from a lowered action, but 12 guage strings always really hurt my fingers. I only ask as our guitars will be very similar I think.
Ive literally only just stumbled on these retro strings, so im really intrigued how they will sound on a solid body - my first!
@@obscurazone No mine didn't need any adjustment 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Fab! Thanks for the help :)
@@obscurazone You're welcome anytime! 😊
My, that is such a fine looking guitar-that wood grain!
Yep she's a beauty! 😍
I’m playing these on my Epiphone hummingbird and I like them a lot, very comfortable to play , I could see some people not liking them if they want the more “jangle” sound. But definitely have a warm mellow nice vintage tone … I still think that the D’Addario silk and steel are superior tho … just my opinion. If these are too mellow for someone but they love the feel , try the silk and steel
Thanks for your input Brad I appreciate it 👍 I actually prefer the Martin Silk and Steel strings to the D'Addario Silk and Steel strings
@@AlanRoyHocking I’ll have to try the Marin version ! I bet you’re right !
@bradulberg1982 You'll love them! 👍
What guitar are you using in this lovely video?
Hi Micha, it's my Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15E Exotic Koa Parlor Guitar. I did a full review of it here: ua-cam.com/video/VDieaD4_kNE/v-deo.html
I read somewhere that these retro strings are great sounding strings especially when used on an all mahogany guitar. True or false?? Ty for the video
Hi Wade, True. The guitar in the video is Koa top on Mahogany back and sides, so it's pretty close to an all Mahogany guitar. Martin actually recommends the Monel Retro strings for all darker wood guitars, and I believe they factory fit them on some their Mahogany models.
They work great on Cedar topped guitars also ! Incredible actually!
@tedcook8749 Thanks for the feedback Ted I appreciate it 👍
I've been using D'Addario 80/20 on my Guild M-20 (so-called Nick Drake guitar) and I've just changed to the Martin Retro 11 set. I'm really impressed, I love the sound and feel, just great for finger-style playing with a nice balance and with a little more attack if using a thumb pick. I'll be interested to hear what they sound like when they go dead (or reach maturity as I like to think of it). Sometimes a wonderful, mellow tone can emerge with dead strings which I find very usable. I reckon I'll be sticking with these Martins for a while, I'll probably string up my parlour guitar (a Gretsch Jim Dandy, recommended guitar!) with a set and see how it goes.
Thanks for your feedback Bob I appreciate it. Yes the Martin Retro Monel Strings are lovely strings for fingerstyle. Let me know how you get on with them on your Gretsch Jim Dandy parlour 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking they are just great on the Gretsch!
Yeah I thought they would be 😊 Thanks for letting me know Bob I appreciate it 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking also worth trying are D'Addario Flat Top strings. They are ground down roundwound strings, so while they retain most of the brightness of standard phosphor bronze strings they are also great for slide if you are that way inclined, as well as reducing finger squeak and being very comfortable under the fingers.
Thanks Bob I'll put them on my list 👍
I’m a fan of these strings too. I have them on my Yamaha fgx3 dreadnought and they sound great.
Thanks for the feedback Mark they're really growing on me and seem to get better the more you play them 👍
Awesome.what gauge are the strings
Custom Light 11 to 52