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Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston
Daniel Mari revisited
A few weeks ago I decided to re-try some Daniel Mari flamenco strings (#300--magenta colored pack) and ordered a set. After going through the last set of LaBella 820 basses with 427 trebles I put on the Mari strings. As it was about 10 years ago these strings continue to be one of the best out there. The trebles are superb and the G string is not as tubby as most other brands. The basses add a lot of wolf and growl. The tension is in the medium to medium low range.
With Daniel Mari closing in on his 8th or 9th decade on this earth I sure hope there is someone in the wings to carry on the legacy.
I really wish I could use my Mari strings sets but last time I played them they needed a touch more tension. However I had a different guitars back then. They are brilliant and tune up extremely fast. Best nylon G string in the business easily. A 650+ scale guitar or a guitar with stiff pulsation is IMO a must here. Even the 300 set as you mention is supposedly a medium tension set but is really still light.
Maybe I should give them another go as well and see if the tension still bothers me.
We have had previous conversations regarding Mari strings. I am just about convinced that the entire Mari line are re-packaged LaBellas. I believe the flamenco sets are simply the Labella 2001 variety. Mari flamencos are offered in a few different tensions and are just way too similar to the 2001's. Recently tried a set of 2001 medium and they look, feel and sound just like the Mari's. I cannot get any info on tensions etc on the Mari's, but just my gut feeling. I still use Mari's and like then on certain guitars. So, this is not a knock on the strings, just my instinct. The Mari mediums, lights and extra lights compare to me in tension and tonal qualities with the the LaBella med.hard, medium and light 2001 classical sets. Just my 2 cents.
I might agree on the basses but the trebles don't seem the same. Like I said above the G string is unique IMO and I play 2001 mediums currently.
quote:
ORIGINAL: ngiorgio
Keith,
We have had previous conversations regarding Mari strings. I am just about convinced that the entire Mari line are re-packaged LaBellas. I believe the flamenco sets are simply the Labella 2001 variety. Mari flamencos are offered in a few different tensions and are just way too similar to the 2001's. Recently tried a set of 2001 medium and they look, feel and sound just like the Mari's. I cannot get any info on tensions etc on the Mari's, but just my gut feeling. I still use Mari's and like then on certain guitars. So, this is not a knock on the strings, just my instinct. The Mari mediums, lights and extra lights compare to me in tension and tonal qualities with the the LaBella med.hard, medium and light 2001 classical sets. Just my 2 cents.
Yes. I thought that also for a while but try a med. hard 20001 labella G string. See what you think.
It's a pretty well established fact that there are not too many manufacturers of strings in the US. Most of the large manufacturers are making private label strings being sold under many different brand names. There are Ramirez strings and Conde strings ... I doubt that string winding machines are in those shops.
In the case of Daniel Mari, he is a member of the LaBella family. Years ago I got in touch with Mari regarding string tensions and diameter and he said he couldn't supply me with that info. Still can't get any of that info from one of his primary on line sellers. Again I still like the strings on some guitars.
I do know that Luthier strings are (were) made in the basement of Luthier Music in NYC. Saw that stuff with my own eyes. BTW Luthier Music is currently moving to a still undisclosed location.
Nick, I can see Daniel in the basement somewhere in NY melting gobs of raw nylon and then running it through a spaghetti and angel hair making machine.
Sure would be nice to figure out the story behind Daniel and the rest of the Mari clan. The G string is the variable that seems to throw a monkey wrench into our theories--yours being re-labeled 2001 and mine being re-labeled 427.
Due to this discussion, I just took off the LaBella 2001 med. Hard G string and replaced it with a Mari G from the Mari "Normal" tension flamenco set To me they feel and sound the same. Now that I have stretched out the Mari I will go back to the LaBella for a double check. I don't know what the story is behind the original Mari family and the LaBella brand. As I remember, the LaBella packaging used to have "E.& O. Mari" on each string package. May have been "manufactured" by E.& O. Mari, don't exactly remember.
Due to this discussion, I just took off the LaBella 2001 med. Hard G string and replaced it with a Mari G from the Mari "Normal" tension flamenco set To me they feel and sound the same. Now that I have stretched out the Mari I will go back to the LaBella for a double check. ...
And, did you? What did you find?
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RE: Daniel Mari revisited (in reply to rojarosguitar)
I couldn't feel or hear any difference. That doesn't really mean very much, as it is just my opinion on one particular guitar. Not a very scientific test in any way.
For what it's worth the 2001 med ten classical set is my current string of choice Prior to that its was either luthier 20 or the magenta Mari pack Haven't spotted any similarities Particularly the bass strings ( tension on D hugely noticeable - the thing I didn't like about the Mari set ) The Mari G is thicker - slightly but noticeable Sound is much different to my ear The 2001 have a more balanced and throaty mid range - Both great sets but different IMO - really enjoying the 2001 classical set
All this talk of the Mari 300 flamenco set (magenta) means I probably need to break mine out and throw it on a guitar. I always used the 200PH hard tension set (navy blue) and never got around to trying the 300 set.
Then to muddy the waters even more I can give my .02 on the 300 vs. 200PH vs. 2001 mediums :)
Yes I use them for flamenco. I don't really find any difference between "flamenco" and "classical" marketed strings. Just seems to be all fluff minus maybe negra trebles.
I specifically bought those over the 300's since the seller advised after I spoke that the 300's might be too low of a tension since at the time I was using a 650 scale. The 200's are really medium like an EJ45 in terms of tension even though labeled as hard. I haven't played them in a while since Labellas have been my go to but need to throw them back on a guitar.
quote:
ORIGINAL: ngiorgio
Never tried the 200PH. What do you like about them and do you use them on a flamenco?
Just received info from one of Mari's on line sellers. Daniel Mari is still making his line of strings at a factory in Astoria, NY. He has string winding equipment etc. at that facility.
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