Monel Sanity Check

HHP · #1 08-07-2016, 10:29 AM

Been using Monels on my D-28 for about a year now and have been very happy with the combination. Due for a change today so I thought I'd go back to PB to sanity check my preference for Monels. Since I was fully acclimated to the Monel sound, thought I would have a fresh perspective on the bronze strings.

Full disclosure, I am using these in a context of flat picking instrumental American and Irish fiddle tunes with a little new grass/dawg thrown in. Guitar in question is a standard D-28 played with a 2.5mm flatpick.

Tell the difference right off the bat. Monels are punchy and fundamental, PB's are more lush. Playing leads I got a bit more clarity and focus from the Monels although the PB treble B and E were a bit sweeter sounding. In playing rhythm, the lush sound of the PB and the overtones made a somewhat fuller sound than Monels. The PB's seemed a bit louder but that could be that the Monels had been on for several months. The Monels feel a bit better under the fingers, softer and more pliable.

My conclusion? Pretty much a toss up depending on what you are going to do. If I was mainly doing lead lines, I'd go Monels. If I was doing more rhythm, probably go PB. I do feel I was hearing more guitar and less strings with Monels so I guess as long as you like the guitar, either may work. Monels last much, much longer but that doesn't matter much since I don't mind doing changes and the cost saving is insignificant compared to playing satisfaction.

CaptJack · #2 08-07-2016, 10:42 AM

edited - wrong thread

Brucebubs · #3 08-07-2016, 03:48 PM

HHP - good description and mirrors my experience with Monels too although I tried D'Addario NB's after 12 months of Monels on the same guitar.

To me, the NB's are considerably louder and fit somewhere in-between Monels and PB's tone wise.

TBman · #4 08-07-2016, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

HHP - good description and mirrors my experience with Monels too although I tried D'Addario NB's after 12 months of Monels on the same guitar.

To me, the NB's are considerably louder and fit somewhere in-between Monels and PB's tone wise.

I agree. I play a lot of bluesy stuff and nickels get me where I want to be. I use JPs now because they are better than monels right out of the box, but a week or so in they are probably equal. The NBs are brighter, might be good on a guitar that's normally subdued, but PBs and Elixirs might do that job better. I do like the NBs though. I think it's good to rotate string types at times.

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