Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 29

Thread: String comparison forthcoming...

  1. #1

    Default String comparison forthcoming...

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.40.19 AM.png 
Views:	152 
Size:	1.15 MB 
ID:	189360
    L to R: D'Addario Nickel Bronze, La Bella Silver, Martin Monel, GHS Pure Nickel, D'Addario Monel

    Got a bunch of new strings in the mail yesterday! I'm excited to try these out over the next few months, and I'll make a longer comparison post later if people are interested.

    Of these, I've tried the GHS Pure Nickel and D'Addario Monel on my last instrument, which was an F-hole. (Monel was by far my favorite.)

    Now that I'm playing an oval hole, though, we'll see how these sound. I'm curious what other oval hole players like to use...
    Eastman MD504
    Curt Mangan Monel, Light
    Dunlop Ultex Sharp, 1.14 mm

    IG: @standing.wav

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to standing.wav For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    I have been using NBs on practically all my fretted instruments, mandolins and guitars. I don't use them on my Lyon & Healy or any of my bowlbacks. I loved the Monels but find the NB a wee bit warmer. No PB for me any more.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  4. The following members say thank you to Jim Garber for this post:


  5. #3

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I have been using NBs on practically all my fretted instruments, mandolins and guitars. I don't use them on my Lyon & Healy or any of my bowlbacks. I loved the Monels but find the NB a wee bit warmer. No PB for me any more.
    Ah, good to know. I'll probably try the NBs next. What do you use on your Lyon & Healy?
    Eastman MD504
    Curt Mangan Monel, Light
    Dunlop Ultex Sharp, 1.14 mm

    IG: @standing.wav

  6. #4

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    I have a '23 AJr with the GHS Pure Nickel on them right now - really been digging that combo. For my Collings oval my 2 favorites are GHS silk and steel and monels. Next up is Thomastiks.
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

  7. The following members say thank you to ColdBeerGoCubs for this post:


  8. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by standing.wav View Post
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.40.19 AM.png 
Views:	152 
Size:	1.15 MB 
ID:	189360
    L to R: D'Addario Nickel Bronze, La Bella Silver, Martin Monel, GHS Pure Nickel, D'Addario Monel

    Got a bunch of new strings in the mail yesterday! I'm excited to try these out over the next few months, and I'll make a longer comparison post later if people are interested.

    Of these, I've tried the GHS Pure Nickel and D'Addario Monel on my last instrument, which was an F-hole. (Monel was by far my favorite.)

    Now that I'm playing an oval hole, though, we'll see how these sound. I'm curious what other oval hole players like to use...
    Tried the D’Addario and Martin Monels on my Girouard ovals and didn’t like the sound . I love the sound of the Curt Mangan Monels however ! On my F Ellis mandolins I still prefer GHS A 270’s

  9. The following members say thank you to yankees1 for this post:


  10. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by standing.wav View Post
    Ah, good to know. I'll probably try the NBs next. What do you use on your Lyon & Healy?
    Thomastiks on the L&H— never liked them on any other mandolin. Dogal Calace Round sounds on bowlbacks mostly.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  11. The following members say thank you to Jim Garber for this post:


  12. #7

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by yankees1 View Post
    Tried the D’Addario and Martin Monels on my Girouard ovals and didn’t like the sound . I love the sound of the Curt Mangan Monels however ! On my F Ellis mandolins I still prefer GHS A 270’s
    Interesting, I hadn't come across Curt Mangan strings yet. (I mostly shop Strings by Mail.) What were the differences with the three different monels?
    Eastman MD504
    Curt Mangan Monel, Light
    Dunlop Ultex Sharp, 1.14 mm

    IG: @standing.wav

  13. #8

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by ColdBeerGoCubs View Post
    I have a '23 AJr with the GHS Pure Nickel on them right now - really been digging that combo. For my Collings oval my 2 favorites are GHS silk and steel and monels. Next up is Thomastiks.
    I liked the sound of the Pure Nickels when I tried them on my last instrument. My only issues were (a) the 41-gauge G strings were too big to fret comfortably, and (b) the A and E strings tarnished really quickly. I'm trying the same gauge again on my Eastman, and I'll see if that instrument's larger frets make a difference. Depending on how that goes, I might give them another shot on the med-light gauge.

    I haven't worked up the courage to shell out for Thomastiks yet!

    How are the silk and steels?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Thanks for all the responses, everyone! Has anyone tried Optima strings? I tried searching on here but didn't find much, and they're a tad pricy to just go out on a limb...
    Eastman MD504
    Curt Mangan Monel, Light
    Dunlop Ultex Sharp, 1.14 mm

    IG: @standing.wav

  14. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by standing.wav View Post
    Interesting, I hadn't come across Curt Mangan strings yet. (I mostly shop Strings by Mail.) What were the differences with the three different monels?
    I did not like the sound of the Martin to my ears, the D’Addario sounded good initially but didn’t last long ! The CM Monels sounded great from the beginning and last a LONG time of playing !

  15. The following members say thank you to yankees1 for this post:


  16. #10
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    735

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...



    I've tried three of those on my F5S and Kimble A. Interested to hear your impressions.
    "Keep your hat on, we may end up miles from here..." - Kurt Vonnegut

  17. #11

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    I’m a big fan of silk and steel on the ovals. Really like them.
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

  18. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ColdBeerGoCubs For This Useful Post:


  19. #12

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    I am looking for string suggestions for my Collings MTO! I am using it mainly for Celtic and Classical! I play throughout the fretboard if that helps, so I need strings which are responsive at different finger positions.
    Last edited by Barry Canada; Oct-26-2020 at 7:02pm.

  20. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Canada View Post
    I am looking for string suggestions for my Collings MTO! I am using it mainly for Celtic and Classical! I play throughout the fretboard if that helps, so I need strings which are responsive at different finger positions.
    I would consider Curt Mangan Monels !

  21. The following members say thank you to yankees1 for this post:


  22. #14

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Canada View Post
    I am looking for string suggestions for my Collings MTO! I am using it mainly for Celtic and Classical! I play throughout the fretboard if that helps, so I need strings which are responsive at different finger positions.
    Monels and Silk and Steel are favorites on my MTO.
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

  23. The following members say thank you to ColdBeerGoCubs for this post:


  24. #15
    Registered User Aaron Bohnen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    87

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    I'd agree with the recommendation for the Curt Mangan Monels. I found very little competition between the Martin Monels (a bit blah) and the CM Monels (really nice).

    Feel, tone, volume, overall dynamism and articulation seemed much better on a Flatiron F with the CMs than the Martins. I bought a couple more sets of the CM right away, but no more of the Martin ones.

    The mail order strings places have them. They can be had from CM directly too, and a member here has on occasion put up a discount code in the Classifieds. Might be worth looking into to see if it's still working.

    Enjoy!
    Gavin Baird F4 & F5, Weber Octar, Gibson K-1, Guild D50, Martin D35, Yairi DY-84, etc...

  25. The following members say thank you to Aaron Bohnen for this post:


  26. #16
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Its all quite subjective .. Nickel and Monel both contain nickel. and other elements..
    Bronze alloying agents vary..

    But winter is long and now we will shelter in place a lot, so its something to do..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  27. The following members say thank you to mandroid for this post:


  28. #17

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    I'm a big fan of Curt Mangan strings as well, but I've settled into a phosphor bronze set that I prefer. Tried the monel, great strings but not my flavor. Ended up with 3 extra sets of CM monel mediums. If one of y'all want'em, I can do $30 shipped in the US (extra for int'l shipping).

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20201027_170633-01.jpeg 
Views:	131 
Size:	1.45 MB 
ID:	189438

  29. #18
    Registered User sblock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Redwood City, CA
    Posts
    2,335

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by bradeasley View Post
    I'm a big fan of Curt Mangan strings as well, but I've settled into a phosphor bronze set that I prefer. Tried the monel, great strings but not my flavor. Ended up with 3 extra sets of CM monel mediums. If one of y'all want'em, I can do $30 shipped in the US (extra for int'l shipping).

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20201027_170633-01.jpeg 
Views:	131 
Size:	1.45 MB 
ID:	189438
    Per MC rules. you should probably move this post to the Classifieds, in the Mandolin Accessories section. Thanks!

  30. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to sblock For This Useful Post:


  31. #19

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by sblock View Post
    Per MC rules. you should probably move this post to the Classifieds, in the Mandolin Accessories section. Thanks!
    Thanks, sblock. Just hadn't thought about doing anything with them until seeing a thread were some folks mentioned liking them. Disregard for sale comment, all.

  32. The following members say thank you to bradeasley for this post:


  33. #20

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    When I first started, I had the default D'addario strings that come on most beginner instruments, then tried one gauge higher of the same line. After that my 3rd set of strings were the Nickel Bronze and I loved loved loved them and swore by them for the next year and a half.

    I just got a new (to me) instrument last month. It's very different and much better (it's what most MCFers call a "beginner" but it's loads better than my starter instrument). It's an oval hole/mahogany. I'm looking to change strings - I read low-action can sound better with heavier strings so I was on the fence between ordering the heavier set of NB or trying something new. I considered the Thomastik. Then I picked up my phone at 4 am when it was too early to get up and too late to take a z-quill and idk what happened but I went with something totally unrelated and in the light of day I can't recall what my logic was. So... tomorrow I'll be trying these:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	strings.png 
Views:	149 
Size:	156.8 KB 
ID:	189510

  34. #21

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by Heady View Post
    When I first started, I had the default D'addario strings that come on most beginner instruments, then tried one gauge higher of the same line. After that my 3rd set of strings were the Nickel Bronze and I loved loved loved them and swore by them for the next year and a half.

    I just got a new (to me) instrument last month. It's very different and much better (it's what most MCFers call a "beginner" but it's loads better than my starter instrument). It's an oval hole/mahogany. I'm looking to change strings - I read low-action can sound better with heavier strings so I was on the fence between ordering the heavier set of NB or trying something new. I considered the Thomastik. Then I picked up my phone at 4 am when it was too early to get up and too late to take a z-quill and idk what happened but I went with something totally unrelated and in the light of day I can't recall what my logic was. So... tomorrow I'll be trying these:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	strings.png 
Views:	149 
Size:	156.8 KB 
ID:	189510
    Oval hole/mahogany? My guess is Eastman MD404. In any case, I am curious to hear how mahogany sounds on a mandolin; I'm so used to the typical spruce/maple combo.

    I've only played medium-gauge strings, and with my new oval, I feel like medium might in some cases be too loud (the default PBs are pretty harsh-sounding IMO). Depending on how all these medium strings work out, I may even try med-light. What drew you to heavy strings?
    Eastman MD504
    Curt Mangan Monel, Light
    Dunlop Ultex Sharp, 1.14 mm

    IG: @standing.wav

  35. #22
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    If we are going to participate and share information in a thread about strings, I don’t understand the reasoning of keeping the make and model of a mandolin a mystery. Just tell us what it is and we can get a better sense if these are strings we might want to try.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  36. The following members say thank you to Jim Garber for this post:


  37. #23

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    I wasn't being cryptic on purpose, I just have imposter syndrome and try not to overshare. It is indeed a 404.

    I tried heavy strings because there's an intermittent buzz on the G and read that you can either raise the action or try heavier strings, and I'm still scared when I change the strings, so years away from futzing with the bridge.

    As suspected by others, I do not love these strings They aren't really getting a fair shot because I found them a little stiffer (not a surprise since that's what I chose) and harder to change so I didn't really get 2 of them satisfyingly snug to the peg at first and it's hard to fix.

    Feel free to laugh at me for this part but... what made me try this particular set was I looked at the strings I loved on my old mandolin (the Nickel Bronze in medium on the $60 Rogue that Santa put in my stocking a few years ago before I was ready to commit), and I looked at the strings this instrument came with (EJ74 I think), and this set was half-way between them on D'addario's "bright-mellow" spectrum. Not very scientific - I just wanted to try to cut the difference for comparison.

    They do not sound too harsh, but actually just kind of dead. I have a set of the "custom medium" Nickel Bronze left over from my old instrument before I discovered I preferred the regular medium. I think I'm just going to change them again tomorrow to the custom-medium. I really like the nickel bronze a lot.


  38. #24

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by Heady View Post
    I wasn't being cryptic on purpose, I just have imposter syndrome and try not to overshare. It is indeed a 404.

    I tried heavy strings because there's an intermittent buzz on the G and read that you can either raise the action or try heavier strings, and I'm still scared when I change the strings, so years away from futzing with the bridge.

    As suspected by others, I do not love these strings They aren't really getting a fair shot because I found them a little stiffer (not a surprise since that's what I chose) and harder to change so I didn't really get 2 of them satisfyingly snug to the peg at first and it's hard to fix.

    Feel free to laugh at me for this part but... what made me try this particular set was I looked at the strings I loved on my old mandolin (the Nickel Bronze in medium on the $60 Rogue that Santa put in my stocking a few years ago before I was ready to commit), and I looked at the strings this instrument came with (EJ74 I think), and this set was half-way between them on D'addario's "bright-mellow" spectrum. Not very scientific - I just wanted to try to cut the difference for comparison.

    They do not sound too harsh, but actually just kind of dead. I have a set of the "custom medium" Nickel Bronze left over from my old instrument before I discovered I preferred the regular medium. I think I'm just going to change them again tomorrow to the custom-medium. I really like the nickel bronze a lot.

    That's OK, I'm also too scared to change strings or the action height myself! I have a great luthier a couple miles away from me, so I just take my mandolin to him whenever I want anything done, including re-strings. Maybe someday I'll bother learning how to do it myself...

    Speaking of, I'll probably have my mandolin restrung with the La Bella silvers this weekend, so I will let you all know my impressions.
    Eastman MD504
    Curt Mangan Monel, Light
    Dunlop Ultex Sharp, 1.14 mm

    IG: @standing.wav

  39. #25
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Upstate New York
    Posts
    24,807
    Blog Entries
    56

    Default Re: String comparison forthcoming...

    Quote Originally Posted by standing.wav View Post
    That's OK, I'm also too scared to change strings or the action height myself! I have a great luthier a couple miles away from me, so I just take my mandolin to him whenever I want anything done, including re-strings. Maybe someday I'll bother learning how to do it myself...
    When I change strings I do it one at a time, replacing before removing the next. Preserves the set up.

    I do not do my own set ups. That is a bridge too far.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •