Martin Retro (Monel) strings / strings for F30R or D55 or D40

Anyone tried Martin Retro Monel strings on a Guild?

I have...
F30R
D55
D40

Or, have you found a string set you definitely like on a Guild? Do you think whatever works on a Gibson J45 should work well, lol? I have not tried the Retro strings on anything, just got them in. I do need to restring my Guilds.

Here's a recent thread on that subject.

Tried the Martin Tony Rice Monel strings (which are the same as the retro) on several of my Guilds when I bought several sets really cheap at GC.

Did not like them on my DV-6 (Tacoma built rosewood dreadnought).

Liked them on my F130R (MIC rosewood orchestra).

Liked them on the wife's D4 (mahogany dreadnought with laminated back).

I think the sets I bought were "bluegrass gauge".

Yes on my Cv-1
Strings are a fun trial an error and to each of us they sound different on any given Guitar
So you must play the game and find the ones you like best .

I liked them but I’ve not kept them on
Went back to D’Addario, now I’m playing with Elxir nanowebs but I’m now trying out StringJoy . I like the pampering they give me kind of like Sweetwater without the candy bag
Hmmm I need to have them give me candy .

Loved them on my Rosewood Guilds of all sizes and my Hog Guild Orpheum Jumbo. Didn't like them on a smaller bodied Guild hog guitar. I have yet to try them on my Maple F50 Jumbo, Gotta make a note of that so I remember when it is due up for a string change. Only advice I can give is make sure you buy the ones in the Foil sealed packs and not the ones in the unsealed box. The foil sealed packs always sound great and seem to last forever where as the unsealed Box sets don't sound as well (at least to my ears) and tend to wear much faster.

TX

I have a set of Retro in medium gauge on my D-55 right now.
This is the first set of Retro strings that I have tried on the D-55.
They have been on the guitar for about 2 weeks now.
I like them so far.

They feel a bit stiff on my fingers on the D-55.

I also have the same set on my Martin D-35.
They are a better fit on that guitar.
The strings on the Martin also feel better to my fretting hand.
Perhaps the set up on the martin is better suited for these strings.

I will stay with Retro strings on the Martin but will probably go back to Martin Lifespan strings for the Guild.
I really like the Lifespan strings tone and feel on the D-55.

livemusic said:

Or, have you found a string set you definitely like on a Guild?

Click to expand...

Have never tried Martin Retro Monel...but...

Had been a long time fan of Elxir nanowebs, but switched to John Pearse 600L (Light) after reading positive postings on this forum. Used the JP's on both my DV-72 and Larrivée jumbo until I recently tried the John Pearse 710NM (New Medium) on my Guild as recommended by Guardman (this forum). I do more finger picking than strumming and the 710NM's seem to be better suited for this style. Have been happy with the longevity of the JP's.

Just put a set of D'Addario EJ16's on my Larrivée and so far I'm liking them. Will see after time.

It's fun to experiment!