Larrivee Parlor String Question

[davemich66]

Hello all! I am not that tech savy when it comes to guitars, so I wanted to ask a question here about strings. I have a Larrivee Parlor P-01 from 2002.  I know that these guitars originally were shipped with light strings, and that the newer Parlors now ship with mediums. The guy that owned this guitar before me had put Martin Marquis Extra Light strings on it. With these strings it is super easy to fret and a fingerstyle dream! My only problem is that I feel like I am missing out on a better tone/sound and more volume with the extra light strings. If I put some lights or mediums on it, what will be the positives and negatives regarding sound and playablity versus what I have now? I know that these are always gonna have a somewhat boxy sound. I am just wondering if lights or mediums would take some of that boxy sound away. Thanks so much for any help you can offer!!

David

[cke]

Mediums mediums mediums! Yes still somewhat boxy - that is part of the size and charm. But the Larrivees all do better with heavier strings, IMO. The short scale makes mediums feel like lights. Mediums let you lower the action to compensate.

[Queequeg]

Parlors want mediums.
They're braced for it, they perform a lot better (more volume and body) and as a short-scale guitar, there is less tension than longer (standard) scale Larrivees.

[eded]

For years, I have used John Pearse phosphor bronze bluegrass gauge on my O-01 parlor.  With a decent setup, they are plenty easy to fret and offer the best balance (I can find).  Medium gauge strings on the 24 inch scale are very close to equal tension to a set of lights on a 25.5" scale.  I've found the medium bass strings beef up the bass while the light trebles cut back on the high end giving a better balance.

FWIW, my parlor never had a boxy sound.

Ed

[OutWithTheBlue]

Larrivees do very well with lights and mediums. Extra lights I wouldn't consider. But a nice bluegrass set would be the solution if you had trouble deciding which to use. Try them out :)

[davemich66]

I wanted to thank everyone for the information! I am hoping to have mediums put on the guitar soon. Just wondering if anyone that has switched to mediums had to do any tweaking other than a truss rod adjustment? Hopefully the mediums will fit, and the nut slots won't have to be filed.

Thanks again,
David

[eded]

I wanted to thank everyone for the information! I am hoping to have mediums put on the guitar soon. Just wondering if anyone that has switched to mediums had to do any tweaking other than a truss rod adjustment? Hopefully the mediums will fit, and the nut slots won't have to be filed.

Thanks again,
David

There is a good chance they will fit just fine in those slots.  The truss rod might need a tweak.  Keep in mind you will feel a difference in tension which will take a little getting used to.

Enjoy!

Ed

[davemich66]

Thanks Ed! I am thinking about trying some Elixir Nano PB's or Martin SP's on her.

[OutWithTheBlue]

Thanks Ed! I am thinking about trying some Elixir Nano PB's or Martin SP's on her.

I really like the Martin SPs! 

[Denis]

Yeah, a 24" scale and mediums, it just works.  I've had two parlors and the tops just moved so much with mediums. 

I can't imagine using extra light strings on any guitar. 

[davemich66]

So, I got the Elixir PB mediums put on the Parlor today! Wow!!!! You guys weren't kidding. It sounds like a different guitar now, and boxy doesn't even fit into the description of the sound!!
My guitar tech didn't do anything to the truss rod. So far everything looks straight and sounds great!! Oh, except for the bridge pin on the low e string sticks up a bit higher now...
With the old strings that were on the guitar, the top was barely moving. I sat down on the couch and did a little strumming earlier and could feel the vibration in my feet!! There is no doubt the top is being worked now!! Thanks so much everyone for the advice and information, it was a major help!!

David

[OutWithTheBlue]

So, I got the Elixir PB mediums put on the Parlor today! Wow!!!! You guys weren't kidding. It sounds like a different guitar now, and boxy doesn't even fit into the description of the sound!!
My guitar tech didn't do anything to the truss rod. So far everything looks straight and sounds great!! Oh, except for the bridge pin on the low e string sticks up a bit higher now...
With the old strings that were on the guitar, the top was barely moving. I sat down on the couch and did a little strumming earlier and could feel the vibration in my feet!! There is no doubt the top is being worked now!! Thanks so much everyone for the advice and information, it was a major help!!

David

Congrats and enjoy! Glad it worked out for ya!