#1
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My The Loar LH300 Experience
I traded for this about a year ago. The set up and intonation was not ideal and I fiddled around until I got it where I like. I am generally a finger picker and have had a devil of a time getting the tone I wanted. String changes have been frequent. Popular belief here is medium nickel steel strings; tried-did not like. As a fingerstyle player I don’t care for medium strings at all. So, I decided the other day, I would give Elixer PB nanoweb lights a try and if still not happy with the sound I’d trade it for something better suited to what I play. I wanted this to work because I’m a fan of Roberto Menescal who sometimes plays an arch top. All I can say is the Elixers have done it!! (Ymmv).
I don’t know the age of this guitar. It has been upgraded with a cast tailpiece, floating pick guard and an armrest by a prior owner. It’s earned a place in the rotation for now with these strings on it. I know these get mixed reviews, but for now at least I’m good with this one. I hope this may be of use to someone also struggling with one of these. Mike
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Thanks, Mike Guitars: A few, but on the hunt for the "one" |
#2
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Check the bridge fit, Mike, especially if you moved it from its its original location; FYI a poorly-fitted bridge base is probably the biggest tone-sucker in the archtop world, and while it sounds like the previous owner put a lot of bucks into meaningless bling I'm willing to bet that he/she overlooked the one detail that would make the guitar sound as good as it looks. Do a check by sliding the corner of a piece of looseleaf paper around the edges of the bridge base, and if you can get 1/32" or more underneath at any point you need to bring it to an experienced archtop tech (many guys who know their stuff when it comes to flattops/electrics don't know what makes an archtop tick) or a violin luthier (the procedure for fitting a violin-family bridge is virtually identical) - I think you'll notice a major improvement in tone...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#3
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Bridge is well fit. I also play mandolin so I’m familiar with the importance of a properly fit bridge. I insured a good fit when I adjusted for intonation. Thanks for the suggestion-that’s an important point!
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Thanks, Mike Guitars: A few, but on the hunt for the "one" |
#4
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Congratulations on finding the tone you were looking for in your Loar LH300. Beautiful guitar. Thanks for posting how you got there...I'm sure others will benefit from your tonal success.
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“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself” — Miles Davis. |