2022 Larrivee L-03-MH - Strings for mellow tone

[DBothma]

Good day all,

Newbie here.
I have the privilege to own a 2022 Larrivee L-03-MH. Just an amazing instrument!

I have been struggling to get the correct strings to get the original mellow sound it had when I bought it. It sat in the store a while and was played a lot.
The store closed down, therefore no way for me to confirm if it was the original strings or something else.

I don't have much knowledge around strings and the impact on tone, but for me Elixir 12-53 Nanoweb's are a bit too bright, similarly about 4 other brands and types I tried. Getting expensive now :-)

I was hoping to get some opinions from the group and would appreciate any input on recommendations for strings for the L-03-MH for a bit more mellow tone?

1) Should I stay with light (12 - 53) or go for mediums (13 - 56)
2) Presuming the guitar would not have a problem with mediums and it would make a difference?
3) Limited options locally for me, so I was looking at Elixir Polyweb, D'addario XT, Ernie Ball's silk and steel, Martins Monel's maybe....or anything else for that matter?

I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions! Thank you for your time!

[615.Bill]

I put Ernie Ball Earthwood Bell Bronze 11-52's on my 000-40 (sitka/mahogany). For me, those strings made that guitar come alive. I mean, it was a great-sounding guitar with the original strings, but the Bell Bronze made it sound even better. But...no one size fits all when it comes to strings. On my other guitars I have John Pearse PB 12-53's Set #600L, Ernie Ball Paradigm PB 11-52's, D'Addario EXP16 12-53's, etc. That's what's fun about having multiple guitars, one can experiment with different strings to find the best match for a specific guitar.

[Silence Dogood]

The best strings I've found that don't have the harshness of regular PB are Thomastik Plectrums.  Yes, expensive, but very good strings.  I mean, insanely good.   

You might also consider monel strings, available from various makers.  Martin makes some good ones. 

A few years ago I tried the SCGC strings and it seems like they were more mellow than traditional PB as well. 

[DBothma]

Thank you for the suggestions.
I made a note a while ago about the EXP16, but could not find in my region. I read somewhere it was replaced by XT's, so I will try those out for sure. Thanks!
Mmm, I've heard good things about the Martin Monel's, will try it out as well. Thank you.
I was not able to find Thomsastik locally, but will keep an eye out.

Would you say I should stick to 12's on all of above?
Thanks again!

[teh]

FWIW, Sweetwater is selling three packs of Martin Retro Monel lights for under $23. I have been using these strings on my all mahogany 00-24 and they really bring out the best of this guitar. I generally use D'Addario light gauge strings on most of my guitars but I have some Ernie Ball and a pack of Martin Luxe strings in the box to try.

Good luck.

[DBothma]

Thank you!  

[StringPicker6]

I like martin monels a lot. I think you should stay away from the coated stings. It may be that your original stings were a bit old/dead, which gave them the mellow tone. John Pearce strings are nice and not too expensive. Maybe try them and let them age a bit? Also, DR sunbeams are good. stringsbymail.com has all these at good prices. 

[jpmist]

I have the privilege to own a 2022 Larrivee L-03-MH. Just an amazing instrument! –––  Limited options locally for me, so I was looking at Elixir Polyweb, D'addario XT, Ernie Ball's silk and steel, Martins Monel's maybe....or anything else for that matter?

Couldn't help but grin that you preferred the tone of old strings on your new L-03, so I'll offer my recent experience when I put a new set of "Martin's Retro Acoustic - monel nickel/copper" strings to replace the old John Pearce Phos/bronze set on my spruce/mahogany OO. The first thought I had was it sounded no different than the strings I just took off. That was initially, a few weeks later I'm still happy with them.

My one experiment with silk/steel is loss of volume, but I could be mistaken. Of the three I'd vote for the Martin Monels.

Larrivee's model designations fool me often, does the "MH" refer to mahogany back and sides or the top?

[Myopic Squirrel]

Like others here also a fan of the monels. Started with Martin Retros and wanting to try other brands found to my ear Curt Mangan round wound monels (lights) sound best on my Larrivee 000-40 MH and Halcyon 000 red spruce/mahogany. More expensive than the Martins, but the monels seemingly last longer. Supposedly the monels are a more "neutral" string thus emphasizing the guitar's tonewoods.

[B0WIE]

Mediums have a more mellow tone. Also, dead strings have fewer overtones, which makes them sound mellow. If you use a non coated set of 13's, it will mellow significantly in a couple weeks.

[DBothma]

Thank you all for the advice. I can get my hands on Martin Retro Monels 13's. I will give it a go.

@JPMIST Yes, it is Mahogany back and sides.
   when you say it like that it does sound a bit silly hey. Maybe it is just an untrained ear as well.

I found a set of Ernie Ball's Earthwood Silk and Steel 13's in a drawer and must say...that is the closest I got to the sound. And yes, a bit less volume for sure on the silk and steels, but actually a plus in my current environment.

Thanks again all for the suggestions. I really appreciate it!