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Martin Guitars Retro Monel Medium String Set 13-56 Retro Monel Medium String Set 13-56
2 models to choose from:
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Description
Martin Retro strings are the real deal. With Martin Retro strings, you get one tough set that offers true, consistent tone and sounds like nothing else on the market. Martin's solid nickel/copper alloy blend provides a reduced pick attack that allows the guitar's tonewoods to be heard, not overshadowed. Martin's proprietary Monel wrap wire is naturally corrosion resistant, so you can play them for a long time with nothing to get in the way of your music. Discover your guitar's true voice.
Retro strings offer enhanced longevity with warm natural tone, and they sound great plugged in.
Retro strings offer enhanced longevity with warm natural tone, and they sound great plugged in.
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4.2/ 5 3 Reviews
5 StarsNice sound, but not a lot of volume
0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Richmond Hill, Ontario
I put these on my Martin 00015m. They really brought that vintage woodiness out of the guitar, and they are really soft on the fingers. The unfortunate trade off was the loss of volume. I’m a long time dread player and bought the OOO because a shoulder injury was causing to much discomfort to play a big body all the time. The OOO size is perfect because it still projects really well, but not with these strings. To me, the robust bass of these guitars is gone. I put the Lifespan strings these guitars ship with back on and the sweet sound was back, big and beautiful. I have Monels on my Seagull Maritime dread and the sound pretty good, but again that big dread sound is diminished. If you play mostly plugged in than of course you can turn up, but if you just like to pick up and play unplugged, you may find your favourite guitar less inspiring. There’s a good reason Martin carefully chooses which strings to ship with their instruments, and we should probably listen to them.
Posted by Will on Jul 23, 2026
Not for me or my guitar
0 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
After trying a dozen strings, I had settled on Martin Phosphor Bronze for my Seagull Spruce-top. Decided to try these Retros to see what they'd do.
Nope. At firest there was a weird overtone that eventually settled down, but it amplifies pick and nail noise, and jarringly. They've gotten better over time, but still don't sound right.
They last very well - probably would make a year with my dry climate and dry fingers - but I'll be replacing them long before that.
Posted by Colin on Jan 13, 2026
Very pleasantly surprised!
6 of 7 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Winnipeg (Pembina), Manitoba
Began using these on my sapele wood parlor guitar. Warm yet bright and strong projection. The kicker here is how amazingly long they last. They actually improve in quality over time. I'm a closet fingerstyle picker and find with regular use I do not need to change them out for a year. If you own a smaller bodied mahogany or sapele guitar, this is the way.
Posted by Des on Nov 19, 2023
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Retro Monel Medium String Set 13-56 | 704088 |
