Gibson L-OO Standard

[eyesore]

Hi ; this will probably go ignored because there aren't many owners of this guitar. I am having trouble finding strings I like for this guitar. I had Martin Monels on it for a while but it sounds SOO tinny. If any owners out there have strings they recommend for this bluesy little guitar ;I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

[abn556]

My wife has a L-00. When I got it in, the strings were dead and I replaced them with some light gauge Martin Retro strings. I think they were 11-52s. The guitar still sounded very mid rangy and lacked something. I started looking at the guitar more carefully and realized that the factory had not resized the saddle after the pickup cable was installed under the saddle. As an experiment and since my wife doesn’t use an amp, I pulled the wire from the bridge and wrapped it around the input cable and set the saddle back into the bridge. Not only was the action height perfect, but the guitar sounded way better immediately.

It might not be the case on your guitar, but it definitely improved my wife’s L-00. Take a look at your saddle and see if it is pulling forward in the bridge slot. If so, pull the cable out and try it without it.

Hope this helps,

[abn556]

As a side note, I feel like the saddle needs to be in good contact with the bridge and not sitting on top of a cable. There has to be a better way to put a pup in an acoustic.

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[Wade Hampton]

Eyesore, try John Pearse phosphor bronze strings in the gauge of your choice.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Monty Christo]

I agree with Wade. John Pearse Phosphor Bronze seldom disappoint on spruce/mahogany guitars; I love them on my LG2. Give them some playing time to lose their zing, and they're sublime.

[airborne1]

I’m very happy with D’Addario XS lights, or Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze for my 2021 L-00 Standard.

[rollypolly]

I used monels on my L-00. It was definitely a quieter and softer guitar compared to a 000-18. But I liked it a lot. The strings blended well and strumming was nice.

[abn556]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

I used monels on my L-00. It was definitely a quieter and softer guitar compared to a 000-18. But I liked it a lot. The strings blended well and strumming was nice.

Definitely would agree its quieter than my 000-18 and also more mid rangy. My biggest complaint about the L-00 is the lack of bottom end.

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[Eldergreene]

On my Eastman E20-ooss ( L00 copy ), I use Pearse Custom Light PB, the slightly lighter 4th & 3rd strings balance out the midrange dominance - it's not a strong/deep bass sound like a Martin, more thumpy, real good for blues/ragtime.

[generalliamsayn]

Originally Posted by eyesore

I had Martin Monels on it for a while but it sounds SOO tinny.

Did you let them break in long enough? I use and love monels (Curt Mangan roundcore) on both my L-00's and, to my ear, they have a bit of metallic edge for up to 2 weeks before it goes away - but then sound great and last forever.

[abn556]

Originally Posted by generalliamsayn

Did you let them break in long enough? I use and love monels (Curt Mangan roundcore) on both my L-00's and, to my ear, they have a bit of metallic edge for up to 2 weeks before it goes away - but then sound great and last forever.

What size Monels do you like on the L-00?

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[Jdogblues]

I put regular D'addario phosphor bronze strings on everything and love them. Easy to please I guess.

[generalliamsayn]

Originally Posted by abn556

What size Monels do you like on the L-00?

I go for 12-53:

https://www.curtmangan.com/12-53-mon...ar-string-set/

[abn556]

Thanks - my wife’s has 11s on it. I will try these next.

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[eyesore]

Thanks for all the input! I did use the Martin Monels ,12-54 . I had them on there for a good month of a lot of playing . They sounded too tinny [as i said]. I think I need a softer sound.I will try the John Pearce strings.