Larrivee L-02

[CraigB]

Just bought a new L-02, what a stunning guitar. I have a Taylor and Martin but L-02 is the best of the bunch.  The 02 range is being sold as a limited edition in the UK but I know they have been on sale across the pond for many years.  The one I got came with Daddario EXP16 which sound great but I just wondered whether anyone had any strong opinion on what strings Sound good on a Larrivee.  Obviously strings are a personal thing and I will try various brands etc but I thought I'd see if i could get a bit of a lead.  Also wondered if there are any other Brits who have recently bought an L-02 and what they think of them so far.

[Michael T]

http://www.maurysmusic.com/dr_sunbeam_strings___todd_s_review


http://www.maurysmusic.com/dr_sunbeam_strings___tony_s_review


Here are a couple reviews (there are several more available on Maury's site, thank you sir). I use the 13's and custom gauge the 13 & 17 with 14 & 18 on my dread. They are round core (not just round wound) so you need to tune them to pitch before cutting and don't stretch them much if at all. Long lasting and hold the note during sustain instead of trailing off. I really like them!

[hatofthecat]

The 02 range is being sold as a limited edition in the UK

I was a bit shocked when I saw about five 02's in the PMT (Professional Music Technology) shop in Oxford last week.  Larrivee's are a very rare sight in UK stores.  They'd positioned them at the "posh" end of the wall, just beyond the Taylors and Martins plus one in the window    ...sales guy was pretty keen on them so hopefully they'll sell a few  

I use GHS Bright Bronze on my L-09 Koa, light gauge.  I like the "bright" edge to them and they are super smooth on fingers as I only play fingerstyle and never use a pick (I can't stand the "cheese grater" feel of Martin and some other "old school" strings).

Pete

[cke]

http://www.maurysmusic.com/dr_sunbeam_strings___todd_s_review


http://www.maurysmusic.com/dr_sunbeam_strings___tony_s_review


Here are a couple reviews (there are several more available on Maury's site, thank you sir). I use the 13's and custom gauge the 13 & 17 with 14 & 18 on my dread. They are round core (not just round wound) so you need to tune them to pitch before cutting and don't stretch them much if at all. Long lasting and hold the note during sustain instead of trailing off. I really like them!

I agree that Sunbeam 13's sound exceptional on my L-09. I really like the DR Rare 13's on mahogany.

But most strings sound good on Larrivee's b/c all Larrivee's sound good!

[Mr_LV19E]

My experience with sunbeams was not good (would not stay in tune after only 3 weeks) but I had to loosen them several times to make nut slot adjustments so it was probably not a fair assessment. I really like the Curt Mangan strings so not sure if I'll give the sunbeams another shot or not.

Edit:  The sunbeams did sound really nice right out of the gate. I forgot that I also changed saddles shortly after I put them on so maybe they came unwound or something while they were removed from the bridge, I wasn't thinking about the round core when I loosened them.

[rounder]

I like D'addario EXP 80/20.  Add a little sparkle. 

WELCOME to the Forum!      

[peterh]

   HERES SOME MORE 

I'm in the UK and play an OM 05 and I always come back to Phos Br. Newtones  which seem to suit the guitars  sweetness and balance, and they last well too , and like being cleaned! But will they work for you????
 Mine came pre owned from the dealer near Chester...who always had new and used.

Hope that helps

 

[CraigB]

Thanks for all the responses - sunbeams and newtones definatley seem to be worth a try.  Which newtone strings single or double wound?

Just looked up GHS and they look interesting too !

Thansk for the welcome

[peterh]

 
 

Re Newtones , I had to think for a sec. but I've not tried their double wrap , string noise isn't a worry at the moment, but  I also appreciate the looser feel of their strings especialy on my 05

kind regs etc

 

[Old Blue]

 I always come back to Phos Br. Newtones  which seem to suit the guitars  sweetness and balance, and they last well too , and like being cleaned!

Me too on my D-03R. They are the 'Masterclass' ones shown here:

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/991-newtone_master_class_phosphor_bronze_acoustic_strings

Would like to try an L-02, but the nut width would prevent me from buying it. I wonder if there are any D-02's around.....?

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats on the new Larrivee Craig - and welcome to the Forum!

[dependan]

Congrats on the new Larrivee Craig - and welcome to the Forum!

  Yup.

[CraigB]

Thanks for all responses and replies.  I have now ordered the newtone masterclass strings from stringsdirect, so I'm looking forward to trying them.  As I mentioned in my original post the Daddario EXP16 sound good but there's no harm in trying to improve on things.

I was a bit concerned about the nut and given that I ordered the L-02 purely on reputation without playing or hearing one (I know, I can't believe i did that either  ) I was  bit nervous whilst i was waiting for it to arrive.  When i got my hands on it I was over the moon, the gamble paid off (and I don't normally gamble other than the odd lottery ticket!) I got used to the 46mm nut width in less than 20 minutes and now switch easily between the L-02 and the  Taylor with its 43 mm nut width.

I'll let you know what I think of the newtones and then try some of the others that have been suggested.

What's the significance of doughnuts, is it good or bad?

[dependan]

Thanks for all responses and replies.  I have now ordered the newtone masterclass strings from stringsdirect, so I'm looking forward to trying them.  As I mentioned in my original post the Daddario EXP16 sound good but there's no harm in trying to improve on things.

I was a bit concerned about the nut and given that I ordered the L-02 purely on reputation without playing or hearing one (I know, I can't believe i did that either  ) I was  bit nervous whilst i was waiting for it to arrive.  When i got my hands on it I was over the moon, the gamble paid off (and I don't normally gamble other than the odd lottery ticket!) I got used to the 46mm nut width in less than 20 minutes and now switch easily between the L-02 and the  Taylor with its 43 mm nut width.

I'll let you know what I think of the newtones and then try some of the others that have been suggested.

What's the significance of doughnuts, is it good or bad?

Well here they are very good  

In the real world, well they can be detrimental to ones health

[CraigB]

Thansk that's good to know

[Old Blue]

In the real world, well they can be detrimental to ones health

We don't have proper donuts in the UK. Oh how I miss Tim Hortons.....

[hatofthecat]

I used to use the Newtone's myself.  Nice smooth strings    ..only stopped using them as with some dropped tunings I found their lower tension led to an occasional fret buzz  on my original L-03 and I didn't want to raise the action or mess with the neck any.

Pete

PS a  and a rubber band also make an excellent emergency capo