Medium strings transform D09 into cannon

[Oetomoepi]

I have had my D09E for more than a year now and all these while it has been strung with custom-light.
I stayed away from medium because I felt it was lacking in the treble volume and I finger picked almost exlusively, but over the course of one year, the treble seems to have come alive and I am not really sure whether it is my technique that has improved or the guitar has finally opened up. Well, yesterday I changed it to a set of Daddario medium phosphor bronze, and adjusted the truss rod, loosening it a quarter of a turn, just in case the bigger string diameter is going to cause  buzzing. Let is sit for 1/2 day. Took it out at around midnight, and I was all smiles when I hit and open string A chord, it was loud with every note from each string ringing evenly. The acid test is to see if some of those tunes that require hammer/slur combination on the target note on the high E string would ring out. The lack of volume while doing this trick when I first got my D09E was what convinced me to stick to custom-light. Not this time though, the notes ring out clearly. I A/B with my Blueridge BR183, and while the BR183 is a tad louder, hard to believe but it is true the BR183 is one loud guitar for its size, the tones from the Larrivee is less harsh and more balanced, the BR183 sounds boxy, not that it is bad, because it lends itself very well when I play fingerstyle blues on it. I have seen posts in this Forum lamenting the lack of volume on Larrivee, perhaps all that is needed to bring out the volume is a change to a different string gauge, in my case the medium did it for me.

[cke]

  fellow medium lover!

My L-09 came alive with mediums. It's all I play. Even strung my Seagull parlor with mediums.  

Mostly I play PB, (D'addario, Martin, or GHS) but have used Red Strings and 80/20  as well.  You might check your relief again. Usually you would tighten against the stronger tension of the mediums. They actually buzz less as their greater mass and tension causes them to move in a smaller arc. But if it feels and sounds good as it is for you...

[Randy_R]

I've pretty much settled on medium 80/20's for my six string guitars. Ithink the tone with mediums is generally much better, I do a mix of flat picking and bare finger plucking.

[jbrummer]

Been playing my Larrivee with lights since I received it last summer, but have a set of mediums I'm thinking of putting on.  Any adjustments needed as a result, or can I simply string it up and go?

[247hoopsfan]

Mediums rule.  Vibrates the top more, gives better tone and volume.  I have used nothing else in my 40 yrs of playing.  You will have to get used to gnarly callouses, but that is a badge of honor!

[Randy_R]

Been playing my Larrivee with lights since I received it last summer, but have a set of mediums I'm thinking of putting on.  Any adjustments needed as a result, or can I simply string it up and go?

String it up and go. Then check neck relief after 24 hours. Its 50/50 whether or not you'll need to make an adjustment.

[flatlander]

Well, yesterday I changed it to a set of Daddario medium phosphor bronze, and adjusted the truss rod, loosening it a quarter of a turn, just in case the bigger string diameter is going to cause  buzzing.

I would think you could tighten it. The increased tension is going to pull neck out, if anything. Also increased tension means strings don't flop around as much so may negate slight diameter change. You may want to check that out. You might be able to get lower action between rod adjustment and possibly even lowering saddle. Just a thought.
The other side to be sure though, is that too low can rob volume even when not buzzing.

[Oetomoepi]

I am glad to know that lots of folks here are liking the medium strings too. It is not any harder to play with medium gage than it is with light, that's what I found. Time for string change on my Ibanez vintage, medium it shall be  .

How often do you guys change strings. I have not been dilligent in keeping the string industries afloat, changing mine only when the moon and stars  are in perfect alignment. You can't be too careful in choosing the right moment to change your string in order to retain that sound in your guitar  .

[cke]

I am glad to know that lots of folks here are liking the medium strings too. It is not any harder to play with medium gage than it is with light, that's what I found. Time for string change on my Ibanez vintage, medium it shall be  .

How often do you guys change strings. I have not been dilligent in keeping the string industries afloat, changing mine only when the moon and stars  are in perfect alignment. You can't be too careful in choosing the right moment to change your string in order to retain that sound in your guitar  .

I suggest you watch the top and check the relief on the Ibanez if you try mediums. I don't know the brand, though I know they are respected. Some makers build very lightly to enhance the responsiveness of the git, and mediums are too much for them.  Others need more adjustment than our ruggedly built Larrivee's. Shouldn't be a problem, but it's smart to watch it.

The rule of thumb with uncoated strings is 30 hrs play time. Martin SP's have lasted me 5 or 6 weeks. Mostly I change about every 2 or 3 weeks, when they don't hold tune as well or sound duller.

I too find them easy to play once the callouses are built up, and I like the greater resistance. I also play high tension strings on my nylon strung.

[flatlander]

I change strings when they start getting a little funny to tune. Uneven wear makes the intonation get wierd. That usually coincides pretty well with when to tone is fading beyond my likes.
A few weeks if I'm playing a good amount, including flatpicking and bending.

[Zohn]

  Hmm, that's it!!
I'm putting Meds on my L tonight!! Got a couple of D'Add PB sets left from last year's Elderly-special, and have been using them on the SD only. The mighty response and tone says it all.

[jimmyp]

What is the guage of your high E(unwound).  JP

[unclrob]

I know I say this a lot but have it propperly setup for the med.The nut slots need to be open for the larger strings also by going to med you may be able to get a little lower action and have the neck relief checked.

[Zohn]

What is the guage of your high E(unwound).  JP

0.013"
I believe Bluegrass gauge is a good compromise with the 3 higher Gauges of a Light set starting at 0.012, and the lower three of a Medium set ending with 0.056".
I haven't be able to source a set locally though.

[Michael T]

I am thinking of trying the opposite of Bluegrass myself, just ordered a 13-56 set and a extra 14 for the E and a 18 for the B to put on the mighty DV09. I seem to remember reading someone else doing that & I think it was on a Larrivee, or maybe just this forum. Ahhh, curiosity.

[Mikeymac]

I am thinking of trying the opposite of Bluegrass myself, just ordered a 13-56 set and a extra 14 for the E and a 18 for the B to put on the mighty DV09. I seem to remember reading someone else doing that & I think it was on a Larrivee, or maybe just this forum. Ahhh, curiosity.

Sounds like the string set that Unclrob (a.k.a. "Super-fingers") uses; he's a regular here, and yes, that's how he strings his Larrivees.

[PortHueneme]

I always used the Bluegrass set (med. bass/light trebs.), but I too found the guitar to come alive with the mediums.
I believe the guitar is better balanced over the strings as well.

[ffinke]

I know I say this a lot but have it propperly setup for the med.The nut slots need to be open for the larger strings also by going to med you may be able to get a little lower action and have the neck relief checked.

Or better yet, just stay with lights and really tick Rob off...

Absolutely right about getting it set up right, though. Rob Rules!!!!

f

[ryler]

I put some meds. on my OO for the first time today.  I've always been timid to do so because of my Beginner Into Perpetuity status...meaning that I thought they'd add a degree of difficulty I may not benefit from.  But so far, no big deal at all and I love the full tone.  I think I had overestimated what the tension would feel like.  So far, I'm liking them a lot.

[flatlander]

I put some meds. on my OO for the first time today.  I've always been timid to do so because of my Beginner Into Perpetuity status...meaning that I thought they'd add a degree of difficulty I may not benefit from.  But so far, no big deal at all and I love the full tone.  I think I had overestimated what the tension would feel like.  So far, I'm liking them a lot.

If you stick with them, you might consider lowering action. Since they don't flop around as much. thicker strings can go lower, kinda balancing out the playability.