Best strings I have ever had on My Martin Mahogany D-15

I use these on my resonator. I added a gold foil pickup to it. Phosphor Bronze does not pick up well with a magnetic pickup. These strings work great. And they get a cool, old school sound.

I have tried Martin's Retro monel strings, and thought they overly tight - a bit too much tension for my taste. The Mangan round core monel set I ordered (12-53) have a slinkier feel that I find more comfortable. They're plenty loud and resonant, and they maintain their "sweet spot" in tonality at least as long as the coated strings I've tried. Highly recommended!

I am a long time (20+ years) John Pearse user. Prior to that I have tried MANY+ different brands of strings. I REALLY LIKE John Pearse (JP) strings on my acoustics. I buy string sets in bulk to lower the cost. My JP inventory was running low, and I needed to get some more strings. I had been reading about Curt Mangan strings and was really curious. I called them up to get a better gauge on what they were all about, and ended up speaking with Curt for some time about strings. Whodda thunk a conversation about guitar strings would matter to anyone. But IT WAS GREAT! Short story long, I like phosphor bronze on my acoustics. In the course of the conversation, based on my sonic preferences, Curt suggested I consider the Monel round core. Due to their VERY GENEROUS return policy, I bought a dozen sets of Monels for my acoustics (12-53) and a dozen sets for my electrics (10-46). Saved 20% buying bulk and another 20% for being a first time buyer. So ... fairly big outlay, but lots of strings. I put the 12-53 on a couple of Goodalls (12-fret and dred) and the 10-46 on a couple electrics (335, Les Paul special). On electrics, I have LONG USED (decades -- I'm old-ish) Ernie Ball custom nickel. After all these years of playing, new strings will never be an epiphany for me. But strings are VERY personal. I notice the difference in strings -- sound, feel. You like what you like, or aren't really paying attention. Subtleties are important. After DECADES of finding and playing strings I like, I can tell the difference. I like strings, electric or acoustic, that are not overly bright. My sweet spot seems to be about 2-3 days after I put on a new set of strings. Once they settle in, I change them after the wound G develops obvious divots from fret wear. By then they are sounding kinda dull. I find the Curt Mangan strings IMMEDIATELY hit my sweet spot (i.e. brightness has softened) when I install them. They also seems to emphasize the fundamental tone, rather than overtones. For me, that is a good thing. I did some recordings with them and the guitar cut through the mix very well. They are also very well volume balanced across the strings E-to-E. After about 3 weeks, they sound the same as when I installed them. In the end, crazy as it may seem to the unintiated, a wire is pretty important. I likely have move on from the John Pearse and Ernie Balls I have used for so many years. A weird byproduct of this is, after all these years, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Check out Curt's video on stringing up a guitar using round wounds. Took me a couple tries, but I like it, and now have better way to wind my strings.

Love these strings! Put a set on my 1969 Martin 00-18 and they sounded fantastic from the get go. Prior to that I had a set of Martin Retro lights on it and I far prefer the CM roundcore Monels - better volume, nice balance tonally, the Martin Retros sound thin in comparison. Will definitely be buying more sets of these strings!