Why medium strings on the 000s?

[ewalling]

Just wondered why Larrivee puts medium strings on its 000 12-fret models, but puts lights on its OMs and Ls. The scale length on all series is the same, so why difference? Are the 000s more heavily built than the OMs and Ls? The thing is, I'm interested in a 12-fret 000, but I do not like playing guitars with medium gauge strings. If the 000s need them to sound their best, it would be a deal breaker for me.

[ducktrapper]

Like you, I generally prefer light gauge strings except on my OOO-50,. It just works better (and sounds great) with mediums for some reason and I don't have the same problems with medium strings on that guitar. Someone else may be able to explain the physics but that's what I've found to be the case. Of course, it's not like it would sound bad with lights, if that's your concern. I've had both on it and either way love the results. Just a little better with mediums, however. From canon to howitzer.   

[ewalling]

Like you, I generally prefer light gauge strings except on my OOO-50,. It just works better (and sounds great) with mediums for some reason and I don't have the same problems with medium strings on that guitar. Someone else may be able to explain the physics but that's what I've found to be the case. Of course, it's not like it would sound bad with lights, if that's your concern. I've had both on it and either way love the results. Just a little better with mediums, however. From canon to howitzer.   

Interesting response - thanks for that.

[cke]

Things change, but I got the impression from a conversation with JCL that most of those type of decisions are recommendations from the people contracted to do marketing. They try to assess the market and put together packages with  what they think will sell best. When I got my L they were stringing with mediums.

[ewalling]

Things change, but I got the impression from a conversation with JCL that most of those type of decisions are recommendations from the people contracted to do marketing. They try to assess the market and put together packages with  what they think will sell best. When I got my L they were stringing with mediums.

Well, some years back I bought a gorgeous SD-50 from Guitar Adoptions. I loved it, but it really did seem built for mediums, and when I put lights on it, the sound really wasn't too great. I compromised with a set of Martin SP Light Mediums, but these were still heavier than I felt comfortable with, and I ended up selling the guitar.

[broKen]

Can you lower the action to accommodate the stiffer strings?

[unclrob]

Can you lower the action to accommodate the stiffer strings?

Yep.

[cke]

Well, some years back I bought a gorgeous SD-50 from Guitar Adoptions. I loved it, but it really did seem built for mediums, and when I put lights on it, the sound really wasn't too great. I compromised with a set of Martin SP Light Mediums, but these were still heavier than I felt comfortable with, and I ended up selling the guitar.

My L when new definitely preferred mediums, but when it got some good mileage on it, lights sounded good too. I started using lights to tilt the tone toward the OM side when I got my Martin Dread and wanted a definite contrast with it.  I think it was worth the time it took. As mentioned a good setup helps.

[L07 Shooting Star]

Can you lower the action to accommodate the stiffer strings?

Absolutely.  That is what a professional setup is all about, right Rob?

[ewalling]

If you're a fingerstyle player like I am, it's not just a question of setup. Medium strings wear down the nails at a faster rate than lights.

[expo21]

I'm in the process of acquiring an 0 50  parlor guitar.  It's new so I will assume it will come set up with medium gauge strings.  Which I find quite strange.  Especially with  a 12 fret ,24'scale length. No  previous guitar I bought recently.  IE: Martin OMv, Blueridge 341 Parlor, or Alvarez p-70 came with anything other than light gauge, and not one of  the dealers, including Martin  recommended anything other that light gauge.  I like to play Delta blues finger-style, and I like being able to bend the strings, which ain't so easy with mediums.  So, I understand factory set-ups come with  the option to reset to your own  preference.  I  hope just changing the strings to light will work, otherwise  I'm going to have to get out the sandpaper and trim the bottom of the saddle , which I hope I don't have  to do.  IF anyone has confronted this issue with  any of their Larrivees, I  would appreciate any feedback??

[cke]

I'm not sure where the idea came from that only gorillas can play mediums.

A normal  thing to do with a new guitar is to set it up to your preferences.

But anyway, I play both mediums and lights on my P-09 which has the same scale length etc. except the slot head. Works great either way, and you can use round cores or Flex strings for even easier bending.

Mediums have the same tension on a 24" scale length as lights do on standard scale.
So 

[ewalling]

The parlors, with their 24" scale length, are a different case as mediums will feel looser on them. But the standard 000 12-fretters are a full 25.5" scale.

[broKen]

Hello Expo. I wont pretend to know exactly what you can expect going from mediums to lights, but I doubt it will require lowering the saddle. If anything you may loosen the truss rod a little... 1/8 turn. Just address issues as they come.

[L07 Shooting Star]

  to the last 3 posts.

I'm in the process of acquiring an 0 50  parlor guitar.  It's new so I will assume it will come set up with medium gauge strings.  Which I find quite strange.  Especially with  a 12 fret ,24'scale length. No  previous guitar I bought recently.  IE: Martin OMv, Blueridge 341 Parlor, or Alvarez p-70 came with anything other than light gauge, and not one of  the dealers, including Martin  recommended anything other that light gauge.  I like to play Delta blues finger-style, and I like being able to bend the strings, which ain't so easy with mediums.  So, I understand factory set-ups come with  the option to reset to your own  preference.  I  hope just changing the strings to light will work, otherwise  I'm going to have to get out the sandpaper and trim the bottom of the saddle , which I hope I don't have  to do.  IF anyone has confronted this issue with  any of their Larrivees, I  would appreciate any feedback??

At least get the guitar and try it for awhile before you come to any conclusions.  You are going strictly on speculation at this point.  By the way, if the guitar has been set up for lowest possible action without buzzing, with med. strings, then it likely will buzz with lighter gauge.  So if anything, you would have to raise the saddle, not lower it.  You will likely have to loosen the truss rod slightly as mentioned.

[expo21]

Thanks for the responses.  I think  I understand what most of you are saying.  That because it has a 24" scale length which is  the same as the Alvarez parlors , and in someways is too short, making the strings  kinda floppy (I don't know the word to describe it exactly) . Then  mediums, if I can get used to bending them, and  not that drastically. Maybe that is why Larrivee may have  put mediums on  as  standard on their parlors.

I'm gonna find out. I  will receive the guitar  next week.

Another question?  Does anyone have any idea  about how many 0_50's(Parlor size)  Larrivee produced in 2013?. That's the only year  they  did since about 2005 or 2009. I know it was a limited edition.  And there are very few around, so it was  quite a  bit of luck to stumble on one on eBay, supposedly  brand new  with case.  Eddie's guitars has one , but it's over-priced.  But it's rare , so he  obviously thinks someone will eventually  chase it.
I  bought the 0-50 because  of the Slotted Headstock.  Interesting Youtube video by  the woman at the Martin factory explaining the difference between the two Headstock designs. She said that because of the  greater angle of the slotted headstock, the tension of the strings coming over the nut produce a louder volume.   I wouldn't challenge her. She's the main spokesperson at the factory and has many videos on Youtube