I really like these strings. Strong fundamental, less string noise, nice dry, kinda sound. They go a little dead then stay that way for a while. Much better than the coated strings I was using. They really have more vintage kinda sound. More woody less zing. I can't see myself going back now.
I stopped by the Martin booth while at IBMA a few weeks back and played a 1940 D-18. I asked the rep what kind of strings were on that D-18 and he tossed me a pack of these Luxe strings. Haven’t tried them yet but I’ll be switching out the D’Addario’ XS strings on my new Boucher Studio Goose soon. We’ll see how it goes!
I have been using the Martin 92-8 and Retros, but I might try these. I also buy Nano web and the guitar I bought from y'all has xs and it is outstanding
I replaced Monel strings with these Kovars on my 000-15m and I couldn't be happier. They give me a bit more highs than the Monel strings did. I play about an hour a day and they still sound great after two months. Are the strings used here the original SP Core or the brand-new Flex Core? I'm hesitant to try the new ones because I love the SP's.
I always play Medium strings. That guitar has never had lights on it and we're using it as a neutral. Tuning was a bit out, but they are fresh new strings
I have used these strings on several models and to be clear, I like them quite a bit for their fundamental character but I find them better suited on all mahogany like a D-15M, 000-15M etc… when I put them in my D-18, it’s not that they sounded bad, but it just lost some of the “punchiness” (?) and didn’t bring out the best of the guitar vs a PB string.
I own a wonderful 1940 D-18 also. I have found nothing that sounds better or last anywhere close to the medium guage Elixer POLYWEB not the Nanoweb. I’ll try these and we shall see.
I've had them on my d-18 for at least 3 weeks now and they still sound pretty good. The "metallic" sound was gone after a couple of hours which I was happy about because I didn't like it at all. These are definitely worth trying. They last long and give you a new sound. Not better or worth than phosphore bronze I would say, just different. I agree with the fact that they cut through better and are very articulate yet still warm. They accentuate the high end b and e strings without being too agressive.
@@leszyeuxdewam thanks just got a bone saddle installed on my Martin and the kovar strings installed it definitely has the metallic sound kinda sounds like a 12 string, glad to hear it goes away over time! 😊
@@johnstone3957 I still have the same set of strings on my d18, still sound great. So longevitywise : at the very least 5 weeks 😉. Just have to be a little patient at the begining for that metallic sound to go away.
I put these on my newish D18. Didnt like them. They sounded plain. Almost all fundamental. Thats how i described it. No depth. Then I put them on my D10 ... they sound better on it for some reason. They will stay on it until dead. I probably wont buy again. I like Retros better than these.
On day I will try them. But! All flat pickers and not a finger picker in sight. So, post a video of finger pickers using natural nails so I can get a better understanding of how they will sound. And... please use a modern instrument. Using a Golden Era guitar is no fair.
From the start the guitar was out of tune. It's very difficult to be objective about a guitar's tone when it's not in tune. In fairness it seemed to improve with subsequent players, but tuning is essential. 😧
The term Pre-war is used because of the actual change to Martins designs and production processes to support the war effort during World War II. There were major changes due to material supply constraints as well as labor availability. The war effort changed the production in many industries, and the term is used by car collectors, architects, fire-arms, and watches. Try searching "What is a pre-war vehicle?" Historians also reference a "Post-war era" to describe political policies, baby-boomers, and major changes in society.
@@jeremychapman7243 Thanks for your thoughtful response Jeremy. Here is the thing though. Your customers of guitars may very well want to be forgetting about wars with the exception of specified national days of memory. Wars are a very disappointing feature of our history and continue today. As a retailer of guitars, it's really unnecessary to make the reference even in context of challenges faced by builders during difficult circumstances. Referencing the year of production aids any savvy consumer interested in defined eras of production in applying context.
@MelodyMaker I think you're being overly sensitive to a broad term used in modern language to describe a time period of historic reality in context with historic events and/or socio economic change. It's neither provocative or disrespectful, it's a factual term. I would wager only an incredibly small minority of customers would pick up on such a thing as a barrier to purchase and infact would antagonise customers like myself at the absurdity of the pedantic nature of this "complaint". Cheers 🍻
@@cjgsicknote I guess for those who have loved ones who have returned from war with limbs lost looking to purchase a guitar, they may not consider the notion "pedantic". You sir may not have been directly affected by war. Others have. That is, others who may be considering some leisure pursuit like guitar. Just because an industry or an assemblage of industries seek a short cut for referencing a time period with the purpose of instilling imagery to justify value / price...doesn't make it right.
I really like these strings. Strong fundamental, less string noise, nice dry, kinda sound. They go a little dead then stay that way for a while. Much better than the coated strings I was using. They really have more vintage kinda sound. More woody less zing. I can't see myself going back now.
Nice hearing their ideas that it reflects a cedar top, or maple back and sides. I'd love to hear you try these strings on different guitars!
I stopped by the Martin booth while at IBMA a few weeks back and played a 1940 D-18. I asked the rep what kind of strings were on that D-18 and he tossed me a pack of these Luxe strings. Haven’t tried them yet but I’ll be switching out the D’Addario’ XS strings on my new Boucher Studio Goose soon. We’ll see how it goes!
I put a set on a super D love the sound. Trying different thickness picks really changes the tone incredibly.
I love these strings, esp on my 000-18 - they sit b/w the Monel and phosphor bronze.
I have been using the Martin 92-8 and Retros, but I might try these. I also buy Nano web and the guitar I bought from y'all has xs and it is outstanding
If you ain’t first, you’re last. Sounds nice. Great picking too!
Thnaks!
guitar sounds great JOHN
I replaced Monel strings with these Kovars on my 000-15m and I couldn't be happier. They give me a bit more highs than the Monel strings did. I play about an hour a day and they still sound great after two months. Are the strings used here the original SP Core or the brand-new Flex Core? I'm hesitant to try the new ones because I love the SP's.
These ones are the originals, we haven't tested the Flex Core yet but will certainly try them!
My experience as well is that these are well suited for all hog guitars.
What kind of mics are you using?
We use Ear Trumpet Labs Microphones for instrument demos - www.eartrumpetlabs.com/
QUESTION: why did you choose medium v. light gauge? Either gauge sounds better when it/they are in tune. :0/ Is that too brutal?
I always play Medium strings. That guitar has never had lights on it and we're using it as a neutral. Tuning was a bit out, but they are fresh new strings
I have used these strings on several models and to be clear, I like them quite a bit for their fundamental character but I find them better suited on all mahogany like a D-15M, 000-15M etc… when I put them in my D-18, it’s not that they sounded bad, but it just lost some of the “punchiness” (?) and didn’t bring out the best of the guitar vs a PB string.
I own a wonderful 1940 D-18 also. I have found nothing that sounds better or last anywhere close to the medium guage Elixer POLYWEB not the Nanoweb. I’ll try these and we shall see.
Apparently, there are several types of these strings. Which one did you play on that guitar? I know they are mediums. Are they the flexible core ones?
Should've clarified, these are the SP Core ones!
What a great sounding guitar. Would sound better if it was in tune with
Guiter model...?
This is a 1940 Martin D-18
I'll stick with my Nickel Bronze. Those are just too jangly sounding for my ear but its all relative.
Strings are ok. Please use a tuner
👍👍
Get back to us on how long they last please?
I've had them on my d-18 for at least 3 weeks now and they still sound pretty good. The "metallic" sound was gone after a couple of hours which I was happy about because I didn't like it at all.
These are definitely worth trying. They last long and give you a new sound. Not better or worth than phosphore bronze I would say, just different.
I agree with the fact that they cut through better and are very articulate yet still warm. They accentuate the high end b and e strings without being too agressive.
@@leszyeuxdewam Thanks
@@leszyeuxdewam thanks just got a bone saddle installed on my Martin and the kovar strings installed it definitely has the metallic sound kinda sounds like a 12 string, glad to hear it goes away over time! 😊
@@johnstone3957 I still have the same set of strings on my d18, still sound great. So longevitywise : at the very least 5 weeks 😉. Just have to be a little patient at the begining for that metallic sound to go away.
I really wish you’d try them on a decent guitar. 😂
They do not sound like that they have as much power,volume, bass and deep resonance as XS, GHS or the Martin MA550T treated strings..
I put these on my newish D18. Didnt like them. They sounded plain. Almost all fundamental. Thats how i described it. No depth.
Then I put them on my D10 ... they sound better on it for some reason. They will stay on it until dead. I probably wont buy again. I like Retros better than these.
On day I will try them. But! All flat pickers and not a finger picker in sight. So, post a video of finger pickers using natural nails so I can get a better understanding of how they will sound. And... please use a modern instrument. Using a Golden Era guitar is no fair.
From the start the guitar was out of tune. It's very difficult to be objective about a guitar's tone when it's not in tune. In fairness it seemed to improve with subsequent players, but tuning is essential. 😧
Relax
I respectfully suggest that referencing wars in the context of a guitar's age is not the best way to characterize a guitar.
that's a good point. I agree.
The term Pre-war is used because of the actual change to Martins designs and production processes to support the war effort during World War II. There were major changes due to material supply constraints as well as labor availability. The war effort changed the production in many industries, and the term is used by car collectors, architects, fire-arms, and watches. Try searching "What is a pre-war vehicle?" Historians also reference a "Post-war era" to describe political policies, baby-boomers, and major changes in society.
@@jeremychapman7243 Thanks for your thoughtful response Jeremy. Here is the thing though. Your customers of guitars may very well want to be forgetting about wars with the exception of specified national days of memory. Wars are a very disappointing feature of our history and continue today. As a retailer of guitars, it's really unnecessary to make the reference even in context of challenges faced by builders during difficult circumstances. Referencing the year of production aids any savvy consumer interested in defined eras of production in applying context.
@MelodyMaker I think you're being overly sensitive to a broad term used in modern language to describe a time period of historic reality in context with historic events and/or socio economic change. It's neither provocative or disrespectful, it's a factual term. I would wager only an incredibly small minority of customers would pick up on such a thing as a barrier to purchase and infact would antagonise customers like myself at the absurdity of the pedantic nature of this "complaint". Cheers 🍻
@@cjgsicknote I guess for those who have loved ones who have returned from war with limbs lost looking to purchase a guitar, they may not consider the notion "pedantic". You sir may not have been directly affected by war. Others have. That is, others who may be considering some leisure pursuit like guitar. Just because an industry or an assemblage of industries seek a short cut for referencing a time period with the purpose of instilling imagery to justify value / price...doesn't make it right.