Parlor revisited

[guitone]

My left hand problems have gotten worse these days and I think this will continue, so that parlor is probably closer to me, very close. I think I may take a chance on a MT P05, I do use a pick, love mahogany, wonder just what this top will do so I will see. Now I wonder if the break-in, opening up process is similar to sitka? Also, I know that these come in with mediums, some use light, wonder what the consensus on string gauge is?

Thanks

Joel

[Denis]

My left hand problems have gotten worse these days and I think this will continue, so that parlor is probably closer to me, very close. I think I may take a chance on a MT P05, I do use a pick, love mahogany, wonder just what this top will do so I will see. Now I wonder if the break-in, opening up process is similar to sitka? Also, I know that these come in with mediums, some use light, wonder what the consensus on string gauge is?

Thanks

Joel

As the owner of an all mahogany parlor, I can say with all confidence that they are awesome.  Larrivee's talent in making mahogany and mahogany topped guitars is indisputable.  My little satin (now buffed) parlor is nearly 4 years old and it is punchy, dry with more volume and sustain that an all hog guitar should have.  The notes pop and the volume & tone are so even right across all six strings.  Mediums on a parlor...always mediums IMO.  I've never actually had lights on mine.  I'm sure it would sound fine with lights and be even easier to play...if that's possible...than it is now.  I usually fingerpick but I've strummed it and flatpicked on it and as long as you're playing closer to the soundhole, you'll get nice round tones.  I find the sweet spot for the right hand is right above where the two main braces meet, right over the X.  Great sound.

[guitone]

Dennis, thank you. I have now tuned down 1/2 step my two short scale 24.9 Martins, and that is helping. If I keep the mediums on I may just have to do the same on the parlor, worth a try at this point to keep playing comfortably.

Joel

[Denis]

Dennis, thank you. I have now tuned down 1/2 step my two short scale 24.9 Martins, and that is helping. If I keep the mediums on I may just have to do the same on the parlor, worth a try at this point to keep playing comfortably.

Joel

I forgot to mention that also keep my parlor tuned down a semitone to Eb.  I do that on both my Larrivees, even the L-03 that has lights on it.  Easier for singing...

[Parlor Picker]

A couple of relevant points:

Firstly, my Larrivée Sitka/Rosewood Parlor behaves much better with slightly heavier strings - I'm currently using Martin SPs 12 to 54 which seem very good.  Overall I favour Newtone strings, but they reach pitch at lower tension, so can be a bit "flappy" on a short scale length guitar.

Secondly, not a Larri, but my luthier friend, Rick Sellens of Hastings UK, made himself an all-mahogany parlour guitar with smaller proportions than a Larri and it was good from the off.  However, having been played in for 2 or 3 years it is now fantastic.  The tone is beautiful and all people who hear it (especially if they are used to dreads) are astonished at how loud it is.  Rick now virtually expects that kind of reaction when he demos it to visitors to his workshop. 

By the way, I assume you've seen and heard Denis playing his all mahogany Larri on the 'net. Great stuff.

[PortHueneme]

Don't really know what your left hand problems are, but many years ago I started having pain and was losing strength in my hands.
I had always played guitar, but increased my playing time as a therapy. Not only did I discover just how much I love playing I found the condition of my hands improving.
Playing guitar has increased my hand strength and dexterity while being low impact. At the time I was riding my bicycle many hours a day, I believe the road shock and many hours of gripping the bars had caused my hand problems.

I have a few friends with arthritis in the fingers (getting older is a pain). Some of them have gone to small bodied guitars (parlor & "O" size). The short scales make it easier to play with older hands. Neck width has been an issue for some of them, a little wider neck gives you more room for error when fingering notes & chords. My "O" with mediums plays very easy as the short scale really reduces the string tension. I prefer to play a guitar tuned at pitch. I find lowering them really reduces the tone. If the parlor or "O" is just to small for you you might also consider a guitar with a 24 3/4 scale. It is amazing, but my Gibsons with mediums feel like a 25 1/2 scale with lights. I am still using mediums or bluegrass on all my guitars. Every once in a while I feel a little finger fatigue and switch to the "O" or a 24 3/4 scale. I prefer the sound of the mediums even though it takes a bit more to hold them down, but I believe the exercise is helping to maintain my hand strength.

I read somewhere that Chet Atkins switched to nylon strings because his hands got so bad. I truly wish you the best in your search for a solution as I believe music is one of the keys to a healthy & happy life.

[guitone]

Thanks....my hand, just age and arthritis and my two hobbies, cycling and guitar, but I do not put loads of weight on my hands and I do not ride like I used to as my knees are also an issue, still I ride and I play...so it is the tension I believe, I have two martin short scale guitars, a 00 and a 000 and as I wait for my hand to feel better I will not play. I am waiting for an all mahogany parlor to show up here for me to try, if it works I will be very happy. I have known for sometime that a parlor was in my future due to my hand, I was just not sure when.