Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 40

Thread: Monel strings

  1. #1

    Default Monel strings

    Hard to find these in my neck of the woods, so finally ordered them to put on my loud and bright Arches kit F. So first impressions, they warmed up the mandolin significantly at the cost of a bit of volume. Do these change much after breaking them in? Certainly something to try if you want to tone down brightness. My J75s were dead, dead , dead, so the monels were immediately lively. Time will tell.

    On the subject of strings, I'm liking the Martin coated strings I put on my D 35. They sound and feel great.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  2. #2
    Registered User bbcee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Spain
    Posts
    499

    Default Re: Monel strings

    @Br1ck, which brand are you using? I've tried Kurt Mangan & Martins on my Silverangel. I find that they don't have as dramatic of a break-in as PB strings, and I get a lot more life out of them. They sound right almost immediately, or as we used to say in the recording studio "they sound like a record".

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

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by bbcee View Post
    @Br1ck, which brand are you using? I've tried Kurt Mangan & Martins on my Silverangel. I find that they don't have as dramatic of a break-in as PB strings, and I get a lot more life out of them. They sound right almost immediately, or as we used to say in the recording studio "they sound like a record".
    Only Monel strings I have found that suits my ears are Curt Mangan strings and I use exclusively on my Girouard ovals . Don't care as much for Monel on my F5 or A5 mandolins.

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


  5. #4

    Default Re: Monel strings

    The Mangan monels have 99% of the volume of J-74's in my opinion. I noticed the Martin monels seem a bit more subdued.
    I use the Mangan's on my '13 Vessel F5, and really love how they sound on that mandolin. On my Duff, not so much.

    YMMV

  6. #5

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I tried several strings on my A mandolin. It is a great mandolin but leans toward the modern sound and I like the traditional dry woody sound. With the Curt Mangan Monel strings I get close to that traditional sound and they are plenty loud. Pretty easy to play and seem to last fairly long. Like any strings just depends on the mandolin and player.

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


  8. #6

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Using Martins now. I'll use them up and try the Curt Mangans. My mandolin did have volume to spare and they do warm it up.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  9. #7

    Default Re: Monel strings

    +1 for Curt Mangan monel strings. They sound fantastic on my Weber Scarlet River...better than the D’Addario phosphorus I had been using. Not sure about the loudness, but the monel add an extra ‘shimmer’ to the tone somehow... different harmonics, maybe?

  10. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Khatarlan For This Useful Post:


  11. #8
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I've got the D'A Monels on my Gilchrist model 5 and they are my favorite so far. I had been using the D'A ExpCM sets and really liked those as well. Previously I had tried the now extinct Gibson Monels and did not care for them. The D'A are much more balanced and I love the feel under the finger.

  12. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,786

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I used to like the Sam Bush’s, except for the lighter A strings. Have Martin monels on my dreadnaught presently and really like them. They’re plenty loud, but darker sounding than PB. I think I’m going to get some mandolin monels with my next string order.
    Chuck

  13. #10
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,044

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Been using them on both my Gibson (Mangan medium) and Kalamazoo (Mangan lights). So far like them on the Gibson better. Maybe it's the deeper body and mahogany back and sides on the Kalamazoo but it may be muting the sound too much. Just very quiet compared to my other mandolins. Or, after about 3 months, they might be due for a change.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  14. #11

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I’m getting used to the tone and really liking it. Adds a resonance to the wound strings that is quite pleasing.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  15. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Toulouse (France)
    Posts
    47

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I am using Martin Retro monnels on my guitar (a luthier one with a very unique bracing) as they suit well to this instrument but have not tried on mandolin yet but I guess it should interesting on my Ibanez Gibson a-5 copy (the Jehro Burns', not the Loar's) as I play it with flatwounds rather that bronze roundwounds.

  16. #13
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    735

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I've got the D'Addario Monels on my F5S and Kimble. They bring out the woodiness in both, and not a significant drop in volume from the 74's that came on both.

    They seem to last forever, without a big drop in tone. Before I got those two, I tried a set on my Weber, and they were not as good as the Straight up set on that one.

    I have a set of the Martin monels on my D28 and they're awesome.
    "Keep your hat on, we may end up miles from here..." - Kurt Vonnegut

  17. #14
    Registered User Aaron Bohnen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    87

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I've tried the Curt Mangan and Martin Monel mandolin strings (not the D'Addarios yet) and felt the Mangans were quite a bit better than the Martins. Seemed like better tone, volume and presence to me. For want of a more precise description the Mangan Monels seemed to be overall higher class strings than the Martin Monels - more presence, better volume and tone, and nicer under the fingers.

    The Mangan strings do cost more but I found the tone and quality difference worth the extra $. There's a 20% discount available on the Mangan site too - one of the forum members has posted a discount code so that helps make them even a bit more attractive.

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

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


  19. #15
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Aaron Bohnen View Post
    I've tried the Curt Mangan and Martin Monel mandolin strings (not the D'Addarios yet) and felt the Mangans were quite a bit better than the Martins. Seemed like better tone, volume and presence to me. For want of a more precise description the Mangan Monels seemed to be overall higher class strings than the Martin Monels - more presence, better volume and tone, and nicer under the fingers.

    The Mangan strings do cost more but I found the tone and quality difference worth the extra $. There's a 20% discount available on the Mangan site too - one of the forum members has posted a discount code so that helps make them even a bit more attractive.

    Enjoy!
    The cheapest place I have found to purchase Mangan strings or any strings is givemesomestrings.com Great service also !

  20. #16
    Registered User bbcee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Spain
    Posts
    499

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I also prefer the Mangans over the Martins (which I didn't say in my original post) - great presence & life.

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


  22. #17
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    lower alabama
    Posts
    893

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Are there any long-time users of monel wrapped strings here? I've found that i prefer the sound of monel over phosphor/bronze. It seems slightly warmer, less zingy.

    Monel is very hard though, ranging from slightly softer to harder than most stainless steels, so I'm a little worried about fret wear. Does anyone know which monel alloy is used for string wrapping?

  23. #18
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Marion NC
    Posts
    123

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Aaron Bohnen View Post
    I've tried the Curt Mangan and Martin Monel mandolin strings (not the D'Addarios yet) and felt the Mangans were quite a bit better than the Martins. Seemed like better tone, volume and presence to me. For want of a more precise description the Mangan Monels seemed to be overall higher class strings than the Martin Monels - more presence, better volume and tone, and nicer under the fingers.

    The Mangan strings do cost more but I found the tone and quality difference worth the extra $. There's a 20% discount available on the Mangan site too - one of the forum members has posted a discount code so that helps make them even a bit more attractive.

    Enjoy!
    The discount code for 20% off anything you order at Curt Mangan is "WISEMAN20" (all caps).
    These are the same Guages as the D'a ECP74CMs... I like the 11.5 E and the 16 A's
    Curt Mangan Monel Mandolin Strings
    Gabriel Wiseman
    https://poplme.co/pmywrpAD
    www.jtrband.com
    Curt Mangan Strings

    2021 Duff 2 Point, 1947 Gibson J-50

  24. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Gabriel Wiseman For This Useful Post:


  25. #19

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Used D'A Monels mando strings for a couple years. Switched to Mangan because they come in gauges I like better and sound as good as D'A IMHO.
    Also use round-core Mangan Monels(13-56) on my Eastman AR605 archtop guitar. Love them.

  26. #20
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Of all the different brand monel strings I tried , I prefer Curt Mangan best !

  27. #21
    Registered User Gabriel Wiseman's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Marion NC
    Posts
    123

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by yankees1 View Post
    Of all the different brand monel strings I tried , I prefer Curt Mangan best !
    Me too!
    Gabriel Wiseman
    https://poplme.co/pmywrpAD
    www.jtrband.com
    Curt Mangan Strings

    2021 Duff 2 Point, 1947 Gibson J-50

  28. #22
    Registered User Drew Egerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Statesville, NC
    Posts
    1,184

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Gabriel Wiseman View Post
    The discount code for 20% off anything you order at Curt Mangan is "WISEMAN20" (all caps).
    These are the same Guages as the D'a ECP74CMs... I like the 11.5 E and the 16 A's
    Curt Mangan Monel Mandolin Strings
    These GW monel strings are really great, and not just cause you get a picture of Gabe on the cover.
    I'm on my second set and I am very happy with them. As good for better than D'addarios and in the gauges I love.
    Drew
    2020 Northfield 4th Gen F5
    2022 Northfield NFS-F5E
    2019 Northfield Flat Top Octave
    2021 Gold Tone Mando Cello
    https://www.instagram.com/pilotdrew85

  29. #23
    Registered User Pete Martin's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    3,244

    Default Re: Monel strings

    I also prefer the Mangan strings. Like the heavier gauge offerings. Have them on my Gil, A2 and Godin. Would put them on my Mann if there was a good C string gauge.
    -----------
    Pete Martin
    www.PeteMartin.info
    Jazz and Bluegrass instruction books, videos, articles, transcriptions, improvisation, ergonomics, free recordings, private lessons

    www.WoodAndStringsBand.com
    Jazz trio

    www.AppleValleyWranglers.net
    Western Swing music

  30. #24
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Gabriel Wiseman View Post
    The discount code for 20% off anything you order at Curt Mangan is "WISEMAN20" (all caps).
    These are the same Guages as the D'a ECP74CMs... I like the 11.5 E and the 16 A's
    Curt Mangan Monel Mandolin Strings
    Thanks for the discount code and the recommendation. I liked the D'As but was disappointed they were not offering the mixed medium set in Monel. I'm sure I could have played the mix and match game, but that's just a pain.

  31. #25
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Saint Augustine Beach FL
    Posts
    6,633

    Default Re: Monel strings

    Thread bump...
    Just put on a set of Curt Mangan monel strings on my "Bell" mandolin (round hole) and am very happy with them. A bit warmer than PB and no loss of volume that I can tell.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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
  •