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Thread: Monel strings

  1. #26
    Resident Hack
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    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Mitch Stein View Post
    For those who have compared Monels to nickel-plated steel, what did you think?
    I really enjoyed my one (so far) excursion into monel and am about to try nps.
    So, this experiment was a bust. Mapes NPS.

    I've tried Mapes Phosphor Bronze and compare them favorably to other brands. Their nickel-plated steel are just not appreciated by my instrument.

    D'Addario Monels were smoother and warmer than their PB to me. The Mapes NPS were brighter and harsher, on my Kelley, than PB. Played them a day, took 'em to band practice and hated them so much I couldn't wait to get them off. Mapes has excellent prices, so it was worth it to cross that off my list.

    Tossed some Mangan monels on and I was immediately happy again.
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  2. #27
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Exclamation Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Mitch Stein View Post
    For those who have compared Monels to nickel-plated steel, what did you think?
    I really enjoyed my one (so far) excursion into monel and am about to try nps.
    Monel is non (or very weakly) magnetic so a magnetic pickup would only 'see' the core wire. much like bronze..
    but is more corrosion resistant ..

    Nickel-ferrous alloys are better if playing electric .
    essentially electric guitar strings with a loop end..


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  3. #28
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Monel strings

    Just ordered a few sets of the CM Monel strings, looking forward to trying them.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  4. #29

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I almost chimed in before but didn't want to be the first to say I don't care for them. I'll echo Eric's thoughts above on the irritating edge of them. What really sealed the deal was when I put PB strings back on, my wife said how much better it sounded and not to use the Monels again because it sounded really bad to her. She's not a musician, but that's one reason I take her opinion to heart because it's an unbiased average listener's perspective.

    That said, I have D'Addario Nickel Bronze on my dreadnaught right now and I think it sounds great. I'd be willing to try those on mando at some point, but guitars and mandos are different beasts.

  5. #30
    Distressed Model John Ritchhart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Monel strings

    I use them both and like them both because they last so much longer than plain 74's with my sweat chemistry. I had an unusual thing happen when I changed the last set of monels though. Both E strings broke as I was tuning them up to pitch. And they broke at a weird spot, like at the fourth or fifth fret. Anyone else have this happen? I always keep some single E's and A's around for broken string issues so I don't have to bust up a set, so not a big problem but still a bit strange. I have no issues with D'Addario in general, I love 'em. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this.
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  6. #31
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by John Ritchhart View Post
    I use them both and like them both because they last so much longer than plain 74's with my sweat chemistry. I had an unusual thing happen when I changed the last set of monels though. Both E strings broke as I was tuning them up to pitch. And they broke at a weird spot, like at the fourth or fifth fret. Anyone else have this happen? I always keep some single E's and A's around for broken string issues so I don't have to bust up a set, so not a big problem but still a bit strange. I have no issues with D'Addario in general, I love 'em. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this.
    I had some guitar strings break and I wrote to D’Addario. They were appreciative and asked me to send the broken string to the R&D dept. they do care about quality. I believe though that unwound strings should the the same whether they come from Monel, NB or LB strings. At least I think that is true.
    Jim

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  7. #32
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Monel strings

    Put a set of Curt Mangan med. Monel strings on my Girouard F-5 yesterday. All I can say is WOW! These really work with this mandolin.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  8. #33
    Registered User Lucas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I had some guitar strings break and I wrote to D’Addario. They were appreciative and asked me to send the broken string to the R&D dept. they do care about quality. I believe though that unwound strings should the the same whether they come from Monel, NB or LB strings. At least I think that is true.
    Before I retired, I was a Quality professional. About 5 years ago I visited the D'addario factory in Farmingdale, NY. The purpose of my visit was to write an article about D'addario that was to be published in the American Society for Quality journal to find out about the quality control practices. I was blown way by their management's advanced understanding of quality principles. They live, eat, and sleep quality. They do care about quality.

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