daithi
MM Forum Member
Currently re-visiting the country blues I learned between '63 and '69
Posts: 5
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Post by daithi on Jul 28, 2018 12:35:39 GMT
I ordered a couple of sets of 15-56 earlier this week... I'm really a D'Addario nickel bronze fan... not really for the wound part but for the NY cores... so it was a step to order the Newtone/MM/monel wound strings... Neil says I should have them before 14 August... if I get chance to try them before I'm back in Ireland, I'll post an opinion here...
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Post by bod on Jul 30, 2018 15:50:12 GMT
So, I heard back from Neil at Newtone this morning and seems that the initial sales on the monel sets are going well enough that 16-59s in monel are likely to become available within a matter of months. Good to know.
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Post by snakehips on Jul 31, 2018 16:20:24 GMT
Hi there !
Where do you order / pre-order the Monel strings ?
I have some sets of Martin Retro (Monel) strings and am quite liking them. They are definitely different to PB - and at first I wasn't sure at all, but having played them a bit, they do feel naturally "right" on a National.
I am keen to try the MM/Newtone Monels though.
Many thanks in advance !
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jul 31, 2018 16:25:11 GMT
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 31, 2018 17:26:09 GMT
I thought they were only doing guitar strings, not viola strings Thanks for sharing the news, PD. Shine On Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Jul 31, 2018 17:37:24 GMT
...de rien!
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Post by alexandre on Jul 31, 2018 21:53:00 GMT
Hello there, I've just ordered three sets of each gauge & should receive them at my coming back from holidays... Good news, I'll have a little more free time to test them as it should. Pretty excited for this new opportunity that I was waiting for since I was positively impressed with the Martin monel strings on my resonator guitars...
All my thankfull thoughts to PD, Newtone strings, MM forum & members involved in this initiative... ... now it's real !
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Post by Stevie on Aug 7, 2018 11:08:00 GMT
My MM Newtone Monel strings have arrived. I'll fit them today if I get a chance, but I did plan to move the location of the DPA mic and another small thing too (although that would mean "going in"...) We'll see.
e&oe...
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Post by Stevie on Aug 8, 2018 16:15:56 GMT
Well I did "go inside"... but that's another story.
New Monel strings are now on and... they do sound rather good. Fair play though- the old 'uns were dead in the water so a new set of strings will only ever deliver an improvement in sound / tone / feel. I guess I'm a victim of my own construct in changing strings so very intermittently?
Don't shoot me, I'm only the banjo player, but I'm going to suggest that the only way I (at least) would be able to make an objective comparison to my MM Nickel 15 thou' set of choice these last ten years, would be first to sacrifice my one remaining set and make a brief recording. Then off with them and on with the Monels and likewise make a similar brief recording. I write this because whilst I would not cavil with the keen ears of those better immersed in tin can lore than myself, I still have my secret doubt that anyone can really tell without some form of double blind check, especially when swapping old for new.
Does that sound obsessive? You may feel that instinctively, but I would rather the folks at Newtone had lasting proof if they are going to commit to this, and 'fess up time- I don't feel qualified to commit myself.
Over to the tone hounds then!
e&oe...
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Post by slide496 on Aug 8, 2018 17:08:00 GMT
Hi Stevie,
Maybe wait a couple of week or so to let them settle in, perhaps make a recording of what you have now and another in a week or so for comparison - they are supposed to be sensitive to the body materials, wood or metal so maybe you want to note that?
Best, Harriet
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Post by creolian on Aug 8, 2018 17:24:01 GMT
Well I did "go inside"... but that's another story. New Monel strings are now on and... they do sound rather good. Fair play though- the old 'uns were dead in the water so a new set of strings will only ever deliver an improvement in sound / tone / feel. I guess I'm a victim of my own construct in changing strings so very intermittently? Don't shoot me, I'm only the banjo player, but I'm going to suggest that the only way I (at least) would be able to make an objective comparison to my MM Nickel 15 thou' set of choice these last ten years, would be first to sacrifice my one remaining set and make a brief recording. Then off with them and on with the Monels and likewise make a similar brief recording. I write this because whilst I would not cavil with the keen ears of those better immersed in tin can lore than myself, I still have my secret doubt that anyone can really tell without some form of double blind check, especially when swapping old for new. Does that sound obsessive? You may feel that instinctively, but I would rather the folks at Newtone had lasting proof if they are going to commit to this, and 'fess up time- I don't feel qualified to commit myself. Over to the tone hounds then! e&oe...Hi Stevie, all, No string connoisseur myself, it would all be subjective for me if they don't have any obvious faults. On my acoustics I've been using the DR sunbeams you recommended and have been happy. One thing I've noticed with them is that the finger scrape noise is pretty bad at first and then diminishes. I prefer less than brand new strings on the metal body anyhowze... The woody gets a change every month or so. How are the monels in that regard ? All best, Jeff
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Post by Stevie on Aug 8, 2018 17:36:53 GMT
Hi Jeff,
Did I recommend DR? I probably mentioned that they have round cores on some of their range but I've never tried them. (I did buy a set of DR Blues, but as usual- I haven't got(ten) around to fitting them.)
I didn't notice any string swipe noise on the Newtone Monels, but to be fair- I've only been using a Diamond Bottlenecks Murano blue slide thus far.
Edit: just had a noodle and yes, there is some string noise but no worse than any other new set.
e&oe...
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Post by jono1uk on Aug 8, 2018 18:11:05 GMT
Well Monel's are on ..and sound good .but the strings were fairly old..forgot how much i hate changing strings on slotted headstock especially when the old ones are still on as i changed one by one . went for 13-56 as ita easier to barre/ fret.
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 8, 2018 18:19:40 GMT
Jono, I promise that when I am clear of the current busy spell I will make some string changing videos.
When I am touring I change the strings almost every day, and usually on the hotel room bed. It takes me less than ten minutes to change a set of strings on a slotted headstock resonator guitar.
I think what people will notice about the monel strings is that they stay fresh, like new strings, for a long time. For me, that makes no difference because I change strings so often.
I hope people like them.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by Stevie on Aug 8, 2018 18:32:40 GMT
I viewed Lenny's video on YouTube. I now know that first off with strings one and six, you go one turn outside and then cross over winding towards the middle of the headstock. Strings two, three, four and five are the opposite- one turn inside and then cross over winding towards the edges of the headstock. I learned something today, but like Jono I still struggle anyway, so I would still welcome an MM tutorial.
Good point Harriet and I shall do what you suggest, but as MM has indirectly hinted- Monel is very resistant to corrosion so really the comparison would be one of clean strings to grimy.
My interest is primarily structural integrity because I know from direct experience that Monel is quite hard, and that implies brittleness. I note that even with the new Monel strings, my MMB did not sound like Lenny's old Nat with the Pearce strings!
e&oe...
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