Nickel Bronze and Monel are fairly similar with a couple of caveats. Nickel Bronze is a nickel plated phosphor bronze string so you get some of the added liveliness of a phosphor bronze string, though it's more focused sounding because of the nickel plating. Nickel bronze is also made with our NY Steel wire which offers better tuning stability and break resistance. Monel, I think you'll find, is a bid warmer sounding than Nickel Bronze. Again, my advice is to always try the strings on the same instrument and listen to the differences because there are a lot of variables that affect tone.
I haven't been with the company long enough to know if there is any historical context to your question when the strings were being designed and released but I can tell you that since flat wound strings typically function at a higher tension given the same scale length and pitch, it likely has to do with keeping the strings balanced.
We offer a lot (I mean a lot) of singles, but from a manufacturing and inventory management perspective, it's not always practical to offer every single string.
We haven't talked about a silk core mandolin string, but I've noted the idea!
I use NBs on my acoustic mando. Will they also work on my electric with a magnetic pickup.
Thanks,
Tim Wilson
Could you ever consider bringing out a coated version of the Monels? Or indeed a set using the same gauges as the EXP74CMs; 11.5, 16, 26w, 40w?
i am just messing and would like to restring my mandolin with mandolele tuning. GCEA
read somewhere that gauge needed was G = .038 W C .028W E .020w. .013
any suggestions about what type of strings to use, also are single strings available in these gauges? thank you.. other chime ins welcome if you have tried this.. i know why would I?
Does D'Addario manufacture the strings for the maker of Elixir brand strings? Inquiring minds want to know. R/
I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...
I just received a set of NB1252BTs . That was really weird because I ordered a set of NB1152s, but they shipped me NB1252BTs. This is significant because I always would switch out my high "E" .11 for a .12! Making the tension balance a bit better on the strum-through.
I am tickled and excited that you have release a NB balanced tension set with said modification already done. It's perfect, now offer that gauge lineup in all the rest of your Acoustic Guitar strings.
(Response)(Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Leyda View Post)
Allowing for subjectivity, how would you compare Nickel Bronze to Monel?
Nickel Bronze and Monel are fairly similar with a couple of caveats. Nickel Bronze is a nickel plated phosphor bronze string so you get some of the added liveliness of a phosphor bronze string, though it's more focused sounding because of the nickel plating. Nickel bronze is also made with our NY Steel wire which offers better tuning stability and break resistance. Monel, I think you'll find, is a bid warmer sounding than Nickel Bronze. Again, my advice is to always try the strings on the same instrument and listen to the differences because there are a lot of variables that affect tone.
I'm not convinced you actually know the qualities of Monel strings although you speak as though you do. Caveat emptor.
I really hope I misread/misunderstood your comment. Do you find fault with his description of Monel strings? If so, how?
And, if so, why on earth would you take a shot at a company representative willing to come on a public forum and take suggestions??
If I misread your intentions I apologize.
Chris Cravens
Girouard A5
Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
Passernig Mandola
Leo Posch D-18
Ok, here's a request for the D'Addario website:
I have taken to using custom sets for some of my mandos (meaning they are all singles ordered individually).
I would love it if I could save these in my user id on the D'Addario site and then order my 'sets'
easily in the future.
Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.
Concur with what others have said. We have an obligation--and it's the right thing to do-- to treat visitors to the site looking to assist us with courtesy. That's my opinion as the site owner and if anyone doesn't agree with that they are welcome to move on elsewhere.
Mandolin Cafe - Since 1995
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I'm not sure what you're implying but if you have a specific question that you'd like me to answer about Monel, shoot it my way. I don't know, or claim to know everything about everything, but I guarantee I can find the answers to even the most technical questions among myself and the team of engineers that I work with to develop these products.
Not mandolin, I know, but 2 course string sets. lol!
Dedicated J74 string user here. Question: Would you folks entertain offering an electric flat wound 12 string guitar set? There are few choices out there. Thanks!
Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band
How is it that I can import D'Addario mandolin strings [ my favorite ] cheaper from the USA than I can buy them here in Great Brittain ?
Thanks, Dave H
Eastman 615 mandola
2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
2012 Weber Bitteroot F5
Eastman MD 915V
Gibson F9
2016 Capek ' Bob ' standard scale tenor banjo
Ibanez Artist 5 string
2001 Paul Shippey oval hole
i'd just like to reinforce earlier suggestion on a revisit of Mandocello gauges.... C and G strings are really too beefy for some of the cello's being produced these days, as well as player preference on older vintage as well. Even some of the top dog Cello players like Mike Marshall only go with 70 C strings (which, btw, you supply him, but will not supply the public)
John D
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