Strings For a D02

[Shadow2751]

I just purchased my first Larrivee, a D02 mahogany, about a week ago. I was wondering what you guys used for gauges and if it was safe to use mediums on it?

I was looking at the elixir light-medium set (12-56) as a compromise.

Thanks for any advice! This is my first high end acoustic so I'm fairly clueless as to what I'm doing :D

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[Mikeymac]

If your fingers can take it, use a standard medium set, 13-56. I don't care for light unwound strings on an acoustic - they tend to sound thin and plinky. Some people like that tone, and it may work on some recordings, but if you're not going to do a lot of bending, go with 13's ... I've even occasionally switched out the high E to a 14, as have others here.

I even switch out the E and B strings to 13 and 17 when I'm using a light set of acoustic strings in order to maintain the meat and tone on the high strings. I also use thicker picks - there are a few good ones out there that keep some snap on the low, wound strings while not sounding too thin on the B and E.

A brand for you to try sometime is Martin's Retro Monel string - a recreation of their old steel strings from the 30's/40's. Nice balanced warm tone that still has nice clarity and woody sound, and they last for ever. Just give them a day or two to settle in before you judge them.

[Shadow2751]

Wow, thanks for all the information :D I think I'll end up putting on some mediums and just taking the guitar down to the local store and making sure it is set up right for mediums. As for my fingers, they'll learn to live with it for the tone. ;)

I take it Larrivee's can take mediums fine? I read somewhere that some acoustics can only use lights, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to damage my newest addition :D the gauges are so different than electric.

Also, I'll see if I can snag a set of those retro strings you mentioned online.

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[Mikeymac]

I take it Larrivee's can take mediums fine? I read somewhere that some acoustics can only use lights, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to damage my newest addition :D the gauges are so different than electric.

Most, if not all, Larrivees ship with mediums on them these days. They can handle mediums, don't worry. 

[eded]

When I get a new (even if just "new to me") guitar, I get PB and 80/20 in medium and light from Webstrings.com.  I try each set for a few days each, and the gauge and material I like best for that guitar, I get in John Pearse.

I've never found a coated string that I like the sound or feel of.

Ed

[Danny]

     My sixteen year old D-02 sounds great with 12/54's.

[Shadow2751]

When I get a new (even if just "new to me") guitar, I get PB and 80/20 in medium and light from Webstrings.com.  I try each set for a few days each, and the gauge and material I like best for that guitar, I get in John Pearse.

I've never found a coated string that I like the sound or feel of.

Ed

That's actually a really good idea.  Thank you!

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[Shadow2751]

     My sixteen year old D-02 sounds great with 12/54's.

Sixteen years old! That makes me confident this guitar will last me a long time  8)

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[Mikeymac]

Sixteen years old! That makes me confident this guitar will last me a long time  8)

If you take care of it, it will outlive you... 

[Danny]

Sixteen years old! That makes me confident this guitar will last me a long time  8)

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My D-02 came to me extremely beat up and in disrepair. I did a lot of clean up, set up and part replacement on it. But it turned out to be one of the easiest playing and best sounding Larrivees that I have owned.

If you take care of it, it will outlive you... 

I know mine could out live me. I'm feeling older by the day lately.

[eded]

      I know mine could out live me. I'm feeling older by the day lately.

Yeah, this.

Ed