Hi folks, it's been a while, but it doesn't mean the amount of doubts has ever diminished. Simple question. I know the PV 09 was made to handle medium gauge. However, provided the last setup was done with a light gauge, what would happen if I changed to medium, without doing anything else? Would I have to do any other adjustments, like dealing with the truss rod? Thanks for the highly valuable input, Bruno. :donut :donut :donut2 :coffee
It should work just fine - depending. Mine doesn't change when I go from lights to mediums and vv, but YMMV. Perhaps the nut slots will need to be opened a bit especially on the D and G strings to correct if the strings bind at the nut, maybe a tiny tweak of the truss rod.
Chris has got it.You'll need to open up the nut slots and you will need to adjust the neck.A plus with medium strings in most case's you can lower the action.
Hey Chris, just to be sure, the tweak on the truss rod means a tad clockwise, since a stiffer gauge would preclude less odds of buzzing, right? Thanks for the info, Bruno.
Quote from: bbb on June 28, 2011, 11:45:21 PM
Hey Chris, just to be sure, the tweak on the truss rod means a tad clockwise, since a stiffer gauge would preclude less odds of buzzing, right? Thanks for the info, Bruno.
Yes you will want to flatten the relief a bit. All my guitars are set up for mediums. But I have used lights sometimes on the P and 00 with no problem. I could lower the saddle ,but it's close enough for me.
And thanks Rob. I am now a PROFESSIONAL since I can set the relief. :roll I will set up anyone's high end guitar prepaid in CASH :wink:
Quote from: bbb on June 28, 2011, 11:45:21 PM
Hey Chris, just to be sure, the tweak on the truss rod means a tad clockwise, since a stiffer gauge would preclude less odds of buzzing, right? Thanks for the info, Bruno.
JUST LEAVE IT ALONE FOR A FEW WEEKS. I mean it. Don't do a damn thing. Other than tune it to adjust the new strings into there stable setting.
LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE ALONE, then report back and tell us how nice it sounds. :guitar
Always good to know when enough is enough. Hey Dependan, I'll do.Thanks, Bruno. :donut :donut2 :donut2 :coffee
Quote from: dependan on June 29, 2011, 02:04:22 AM
JUST LEAVE IT ALONE FOR A FEW WEEKS. I mean it. Don't do a damn thing. Other than tune it to adjust the new strings into there stable setting.
LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE ALONE, then report back and tell us how nice it sounds. :guitar
If you are sure you want mediums take 'er in and have it intonated with the type of material you want to use (Bone, FWI, WAHI, etc and let the tech set the neck tension. If you are not sure what you want to do slap a set of mediums on her for a while but don't do the home style nut fit (Using a medium string as a saw or file). Just leave it "alone".
But set ups are cheap enough that you could use WAHI : http://www.guitarsaddles.com/products.asp and have it done properly with matching nut & saddle cut and intonated correctly for less than a couple bills. I firmly believe the nut should be of the same material as the saddle and intonated each string on both ends. But that's me, if you want a DIY project there are lots of myths and short cuts to shoot through.
OK...my question is....if you change from lights to mediums, and lower the action, will it be as easy to play the mediums as it was the lights?
I just don't seem to have the same finger strength as I used to have, and I am worried that the mediums will take more finger strength than the lights. OTOH, I would love some added volume from the couch potato........
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/travette/DSC_0067-1.jpg)
My plan is to switch to mediums, and have a WAHI nut/saddle installed. Opinions?
Quote from: Walkerman on June 29, 2011, 11:37:35 PM
OK...my question is....if you change from lights to mediums, and lower the action, will it be as easy to play the mediums as it was the lights?
I just don't seem to have the same finger strength as I used to have, and I am worried that the mediums will take more finger strength than the lights. OTOH, I would love some added volume from the couch potato........
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/travette/DSC_0067-1.jpg)
My plan is to switch to mediums, and have a WAHI nut/saddle installed. Opinions?
Steve, I have this same problem and I tried DR strings. They won't be for everyone, but on my 00 they are perfect for me. I also did drop down to lights from mediums on the recent P-09 I had. I couldn't tell much loss in sound quality myself.
If you go up to mediums it will be harder to play. But the DR strings are "hand wound" so they are supposed to have a better sound at a lower tension. I believe they do. But you need to find that out for yourself. I also wound up the excess of string length on my F-IV to be sure and not cause intonation trouble thru slippage of the winds.
I think they went to a hex core recently though and that problem will be sidelined.
For most going heavier scare's the cr*p out of them getting over that is the first hurttle.Being able to set the action lower with mediums in most case's the thing to really get use too is the slightly added mass of the strings under the fingers.Once you get use to that the overall feel from lights at a higher action to mediums with lower action you really don't notice much of a difference.
Quote from: unclrob on June 30, 2011, 10:58:52 AM
For most going heavier scare's the cr*p out of them getting over that is the first hurttle.Being able to set the action lower with mediums in most case's the thing to really get use too is the slightly added mass of the strings under the fingers.Once you get use to that the overall feel from lights at a higher action to mediums with lower action you really don't notice much of a difference.
I agree wholeheartedly. BTW, DR Sunbeams are "ROUND CORE" and hand wound too. I talked to the rep & they are one of the best sellers out there (probably 'cause most "round cores" are imported and the Sunbeam is made in Jersey at about 1/2 the price of the competitors. No plans to drop them). I love my DV09 with WAHI nut & saddle, not too likely to wear them out , maybe one of my grandsons (the oldest is 2). The tone is to my ear better blended and cleaner over the FWI I had on 'er before. Bob may have not noted a difference on the guitar he compared them on, but on my Larrivee it did make a difference and a nice one at that.
Quote from: Michael T on June 30, 2011, 11:30:21 AM
I agree wholeheartedly. BTW, DR Sunbeams are "ROUND CORE" and hand wound too. I talked to the rep & they are one of the best sellers out there (probably 'cause most "round cores" are imported and the Sunbeam is made in Jersey at about 1/2 the price of the competitors. No plans to drop them. I love my DV09 with WAHI nut & saddle, not too likely to wear them out , maybe one of my grandsons (the oldest is 2). The tone is to my ear better blended and cleaner over the FWI I had on 'er before. Bob may have not noted a difference on the guitar he compared them on, but on my Larrivee it did make a difference and a nice one at that.
Good to hear they aren't dropping the round core. I had seen a post on the forum that the hex core was available. I am confused now. But for sure the round cores are nice. I actually use the DR Rares. I'll try the Sunbeams as well.
I was doing fine with mediums on my 00 until about 6 months ago and all my medium string guitars became harder for me to fret correctly in some barre chords. I know this is due to having to work full time with my hands again and all kinds of troubles that had all but vanished have come back big time. It even hurts to type with my left hand index finger.
So for me lites is all I can handle for "a clean sound" to my playing. I am barely playing at all in these busy times for my little business an am just thankful for the DR Rares that turned my F-IV into the easiest playing guitar I own.
I traded away the two short scale guitars I had acquired to help with this issue.(P-09 and Taylor GC-4)
The F-IV is filling that need quite well. :thumbsup
Quote from: Walkerman on June 29, 2011, 11:37:35 PM
OK...my question is....if you change from lights to mediums, and lower the action, will it be as easy to play the mediums as it was the lights?
I just don't seem to have the same finger strength as I used to have, and I am worried that the mediums will take more finger strength than the lights. OTOH, I would love some added volume from the couch potato........
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/travette/DSC_0067-1.jpg)
My plan is to switch to mediums, and have a WAHI nut/saddle installed. Opinions?
I just have to say that this little guitar is one of the finest looking Larrivees I have ever seen. It's one of the finest looking guitars period. Well done to Larrivee and Steve , as usual you are the envy of us all. What an amazing collection you have. ( and I know you have more than I know about)