The polygut sound is a little warmer. But not muddy like the nylguts and their various incarnations.
And, for what it’s worth, I have polyguts on my SK-28, too
Martin S1 Owners: strings
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The polygut sound is a little warmer. But not muddy like the nylguts and their various incarnations.
And, for what it’s worth, I have polyguts on my SK-28, too
JJFN
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Just swapped out the Worth Browns for Martin M600 on by recently purchased S1. Too early to tell, I'll wait for the Martin's to settle, but so far I prefer the Worth Browns, but like I said its too early to tell. Stay safe everyone.
Graham Greenbag
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A bump to an old thread, I hope that nobody minds.
I’m wondering what the recent thoughts are with regard to S1 strings and in particular strings that are darker / mellower / and less jangly than say the rightly popular Martin M600’s.
So possibly that means moving away from clear fluorocarbon and maybe away from fluorocarbon altogether to say M605/Aquila and nylon?
What are people’s experiences and observations please.
I’m wondering what the recent thoughts are with regard to S1 strings and in particular strings that are darker / mellower / and less jangly than say the rightly popular Martin M600’s.
So possibly that means moving away from clear fluorocarbon and maybe away from fluorocarbon altogether to say M605/Aquila and nylon?
What are people’s experiences and observations please.
Mercury59
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I bought a new S0 this year and they came with the M605's (Graphite Gray Polygut) which I find less bright than the M600's. They say on their site that all Nazareth made ukes are now shipped with the M605's. They weren't bad, but I swapped out to 600's. I'll try the 605's again at some point.
Graham Greenbag
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I‘ve used M600’s on a lot of Ukes, they’re a solid choice but these days I prefer Aquila Super Nylgut - the M600’s have loads of treble and I’m looking for something mellower. Some folk want a Soprano to be bright, jangly and cut through the sound around them and IMHO the M600’s are ideal for that, however I’m looking for ‘melodic’ with less treble and a ‘rounder’ sound.
Martin like the Aquila range and hence they’re ‘new’, improved even, M605’s - which IIRC they now fit as standard - are an Aquila string. The ‘new’ M605’s don‘t seem unpopular.
At one time Martin used to use clear Nylon strings, IIRC those particular sets were not liked much on here and the clear fluorocarbon strings that replaced them were welcomed.
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EDW
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For anyone who is a fan of Nylgut, it is also worth checking out the D'Addario Nyltech strings, which are also an Aquila product.
I have often seen people speak poorly of nylon strings, so I was always reluctant to consider them. I recently strung one of my instruments with a set of D'Addario nylon strings and have been very impressed.
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I have three Martin sopranos (vintage), and they're all strung with Fremont Blackline medium tension strings. Not too bright, not too warm, IMO.
Graham Greenbag
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Thanks. That’s just the type of information that I’m looking. Of course there will be some differences between the modern (S-1) and older Martins but experiences between the two will doubtless have a great deal of overlap.
IIRC and for what little it’s worth I’ve found, on other Sopranos, that Blackline mediums are less ‘bright’ than M600’s - more mid range focussed.
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Yeah, I also think a significant part has to do with the instrument itself -- I have the Fremonts on a Kamaka White Label that's as bright/plinky as anything I've played -- but on my Koa Black Bear they're really rounded off -- the Martins are somewhere in the middle. I personally like the way they feel on my fretting hand, and the tension seems just right for the way I play... maybe they're magical, and bring out the best characteristic of whichever instrument they're on (wouldn't THAT be a great advertising claim for Fremont?)...Thanks. That’s just the type of information that I’m looking. Of course there will be some differences between the modern (S-1) and older Martins but experiences between the two will doubtless have a great deal of overlap.
IIRC and for what little it’s worth I’ve found, on other Sopranos, that Blackline mediums are less ‘bright’ than M600’s - more mid range focussed.
Tomthebaptist
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My Martin 0SM Tenor Mahogany came strung with Martin Premiums. At first I wasn't sure that I liked them, but just like you, I left them on and once the strings settled in I loved the sound, I the spot on intonation, and feel. Then, after couple of months I changed the Premiums out and put on Martin‘s tenor FCs. They didn’t do it for me. I left those on for a week and then went back to the Premiums.
tom
Plonky-tonk
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Fremonts certainly seem magical in my book! I first had them on my Kiwaya, and it was instant love. Now I have Fremonts all over the place; high G clear on my Kiwaya and Ohana concerts and low G black on my Martin tenor.
EarthSea
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Can someone recommend the most suitable Low G string to use with Martin Premium strings? I'm not a fan of wound strings and have tried the Aquila Red Low G which I'm really happy with, except they tend to break often. The nut groove is cut correctly. I have contacted Martin for thier recommendation but not had a reply.
Plonky-tonk
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I think my T1K sounds better with different strings, too. (Fremont Blackline, which are dark brown fluorocarbon)
Earthsea, you might like the unwound low G options from Fremont.
Bill Sheehan
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Although my Martin is an S-0 rather than an S-1, I've had really nice results with the D'Addario Nylgut soprano set (#EJ88S).
I would describe M600's (which I've also used and liked a lot) as more "modern" sounding (perhaps a bit more bright and sassy?), while the D'Addarios are more "vintage" sounding (not quite as bright, but very appealing to my ear).
I've also used Fremont Blackline hard tensions several times, and they were excellent too, but seem a little thin (physically, not sonically) for my taste, whereas the D'Addarios have a nice substantial feel.
I would describe M600's (which I've also used and liked a lot) as more "modern" sounding (perhaps a bit more bright and sassy?), while the D'Addarios are more "vintage" sounding (not quite as bright, but very appealing to my ear).
I've also used Fremont Blackline hard tensions several times, and they were excellent too, but seem a little thin (physically, not sonically) for my taste, whereas the D'Addarios have a nice substantial feel.
Smallchewbacca
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I wanted to add for anyone who might come across this discussion later. I own the newer Martin S1K. I’ve had the M600 strings on it since I purchased it. The intonation was always a little off and the overall sound was a little hollow, or nasal-ish. I switched to the matin M605s this week and they made such a huge difference! The intonation issues were more or less gone. The sound is sweet and much more resonant. And I have to say I love the tactile feel of them and the tension is medium-high witch really works for me.
moonlessbag
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Iʻve had Christopher Davis Shannon’s Tinman Magic Ukulele Strings on my S1 for a while now. They also sound great. Similar to M600s in feel and tone but somehow with a bit of extra pizzaz and jangle.
