Post by CTGull on May 9, 2017 16:47:51 GMT -5
On 12/15/16 I received an email from the Martin Owners Club, asking if I would be interested in being a string tester. I filled out a brief survey and... heard nothing. In April CaliGull got an email from Martin and a few days later got a set of the Titanium Core strings. I held my breath for a few days, hoping I'd get a set too!! Didn't happen.
A little over a week ago I got a UPS notification that I was going to get a 4 ounce package from CF Martin. It took 3 days before it was actually received by UPS and started on it's way. A couple days later I got an email from Martin saying there was a set on the way for me!! On May 5th I opened the package to find a generic looking package with Martin Titanium Core strings in it.
I waited a few days to see if others on the internet had gotten any. And I found a few that did. They all reported they are very flexible and a little dull sounding, in comparison the Phosphor Bronze strings. That made me hesitate. And wonder what guitar I should put them on.
My new OM-21 is 10 months old (at the dealer) and the Martin Lifespan strings are a little dull, I assume from age. I didn't know if the Martin Titaniums would be and improvement or possibly be worse. I considered putting Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings on it to brighten it up. But what guitar would put the Martin Titaniums on???
Last night I decided to put the expensive Martin strings on my expensive Martin guitar. It only seemed fitting.
So after work today I removed the old strings, took lots of pictures of the guitar inside and out, and install the Titanium strings.
And the result is.... No different from what I've heard from other people. They are more flexible than PB's, almost as flexible as Silk & Steel strings. But... they sound OK strummed... but dull fingerpicked. It seems like I don't get the same output with light touching. But I haven't had the OM-21 long, so I don't know it really well, but my first impression is the strings have reduced the output of the guitar.
Another thing I've noticed, is because they are uncoated there seems to be more friction than I'm used to when fingerpicking. I guess I'm spoiled with Elixir Nanowebs.
So my preliminary review is I like the new crimped ends (vs. balls) on the strings, but I don't like the way they sound or feel. I'd like to know how they think people will justify spending $40 on a set of strings.
It's odd that there doesn't seem to be ANY reviews of these strings. You'd think they would get them out there early and let the media spread the word about them. They aren't even listed on Martins string page!!! www.martinguitar.com/strings/ Even though they're for sale online, maybe they want feedback before a big official release?
The letter with the strings said I will be sent a brief survey to get my feedback. They also included an email address if I had any questions. I think I will be sending them an email with my preliminary review tomorrow, letting them know about my dissatisfaction with these strings.
UPDATE: 3 days and 1 colonoscopy later, I'm reconsidering my initial review. With RobertW's post of how he thinks playing a guitar in a room full of guitars making it sound muddy, and my loss of high frequencies in my hearing, maybe the Titanium strings aren't as bad as I thought. They seemed to play a bit better last night too. Also, I haven't written an email to Martin about these strings, I was a little busy the past 2 days. Yesterday evening I went to Guitar Center and bought a set of Martin SP PB & 80/20 lights to try, which I hopefully will get to this weekend.
A little over a week ago I got a UPS notification that I was going to get a 4 ounce package from CF Martin. It took 3 days before it was actually received by UPS and started on it's way. A couple days later I got an email from Martin saying there was a set on the way for me!! On May 5th I opened the package to find a generic looking package with Martin Titanium Core strings in it.
I waited a few days to see if others on the internet had gotten any. And I found a few that did. They all reported they are very flexible and a little dull sounding, in comparison the Phosphor Bronze strings. That made me hesitate. And wonder what guitar I should put them on.
My new OM-21 is 10 months old (at the dealer) and the Martin Lifespan strings are a little dull, I assume from age. I didn't know if the Martin Titaniums would be and improvement or possibly be worse. I considered putting Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings on it to brighten it up. But what guitar would put the Martin Titaniums on???
Last night I decided to put the expensive Martin strings on my expensive Martin guitar. It only seemed fitting.
So after work today I removed the old strings, took lots of pictures of the guitar inside and out, and install the Titanium strings.
And the result is.... No different from what I've heard from other people. They are more flexible than PB's, almost as flexible as Silk & Steel strings. But... they sound OK strummed... but dull fingerpicked. It seems like I don't get the same output with light touching. But I haven't had the OM-21 long, so I don't know it really well, but my first impression is the strings have reduced the output of the guitar.
Another thing I've noticed, is because they are uncoated there seems to be more friction than I'm used to when fingerpicking. I guess I'm spoiled with Elixir Nanowebs.
So my preliminary review is I like the new crimped ends (vs. balls) on the strings, but I don't like the way they sound or feel. I'd like to know how they think people will justify spending $40 on a set of strings.
It's odd that there doesn't seem to be ANY reviews of these strings. You'd think they would get them out there early and let the media spread the word about them. They aren't even listed on Martins string page!!! www.martinguitar.com/strings/ Even though they're for sale online, maybe they want feedback before a big official release?
The letter with the strings said I will be sent a brief survey to get my feedback. They also included an email address if I had any questions. I think I will be sending them an email with my preliminary review tomorrow, letting them know about my dissatisfaction with these strings.
UPDATE: 3 days and 1 colonoscopy later, I'm reconsidering my initial review. With RobertW's post of how he thinks playing a guitar in a room full of guitars making it sound muddy, and my loss of high frequencies in my hearing, maybe the Titanium strings aren't as bad as I thought. They seemed to play a bit better last night too. Also, I haven't written an email to Martin about these strings, I was a little busy the past 2 days. Yesterday evening I went to Guitar Center and bought a set of Martin SP PB & 80/20 lights to try, which I hopefully will get to this weekend.
