Best strings for Gibson L 00 studio?

[JimandJoni]

Hi everyone, after long research I may settle down for a Gibson L 00 Studio Rosewood, but sometimes I feel the sound is not adequate to the price (unlike the Standard, which was amazing but the thick neck was not for me). Is it possible that maybe changing the strings can improve the situation? What strings do you think will fit this guitar? Thank you

[generalliamsayn]

I string my 2 L-00's with monels - but they're both mahogany back/sides. Few people seem to like monel on rosewood back/side guitars. I've never tried. I tend to like phosphor bronze on rosewood so I would probably start there.

Brand-wise I'd go with Curt Mangan, John Pearse or good ol' D'Addarios.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by JimandJoni

Hi everyone, after long research I may settle down for a Gibson L 00 Studio Rosewood, but sometimes I feel the sound is not adequate to the price (unlike the Standard, which was amazing but the thick neck was not for me). Is it possible that maybe changing the strings can improve the situation? What strings do you think will fit this guitar? Thank you

Different flattops don't call for different stings. Just use whatever strings you always use. You'll always sound your best playing strings you like.

As for the price-to-quality ratio, that's true of any Gibson or Martin. You're paying for the guitar and the logo. If you don't want to pay for a Gibson logo, then Guild USA, Larrivee, Godin, and Taylor are waiting in the wings. And if you don't mind overseas imports, there are even more to pick from.

[Tramsnad]

I have a L-00 studio with walnut B+S. Next time I change the strings I am going to use d'addario nickel bronze, since I like them on my J-45 standard.

[rollypolly]

I had a walnut B&S G-00 and it sounded good with retros. That’d be my first choice, then maybe nickel bronze or PB lights.

[abn556]

My wife’s L-00 has walnut back and sides as well. I am running phosphor bronze Martin Lifespan strings on her guitar. It sounds good, but the tone of the guitar is very dependent on your strumming hand placement. You need to be over the sound hole to get the fullest sound. If you get too far back the sound gets a little tinny.

I am yet to form a conclusion on what I think of Walnut as a tone wood.

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[Al Acuff]

Since you like smaller Gibson acoustic guitars you might want to check out some of the Waterloo guitars made by Collings in Austin. The WL-14 was inspired by the Gibson made Kalamazoo guitars.

For what it's worth I own 3 vintage Gibson acoustic guitars and my Waterloo WL-14XTR gets played a lot. It's a great tribute to the Kalamazoo guitars. Great fit and finish. Excellent playability. Unless you like a super fat neck be sure you get the less chunky neck of the two necks available.

[Rosewood99]

No such thing as "best." It all depends on your individual tastes. Just experiment with different strings until you find one you like.

[JimandJoni]

Originally Posted by Al Acuff

Since you like smaller Gibson acoustic guitars you might want to check out some of the Waterloo guitars made by Collings in Austin. The WL-14 was inspired by the Gibson made Kalamazoo guitars.

For what it's worth I own 3 vintage Gibson acoustic guitars and my Waterloo WL-14XTR gets played a lot. It's a great tribute to the Kalamazoo guitars. Great fit and finish. Excellent playability. Unless you like a super fat neck be sure you get the less chunky neck of the two necks available.

From what i ve seen in now thousands of videos, Collings is absolute number one, but there is no way to get them in Europe where I am, I mean where there is a will there is a way but I am trying to keep it simple (and returnable).

[Al Acuff]

Originally Posted by JimandJoni

From what i ve seen in now thousands of videos, Collings is absolute number one, but there is no way to get them in Europe where I am, I mean where there is a will there is a way but I am trying to keep it simple (and returnable).

Even here in the States the Waterloo guitars are in short supply. When I bought mine in 2017 there were several available at Elderly.com. Now they don't have any.

For what it's worth I have never found that different strings will turn a dud into a hero.

[JimandJoni]

Originally Posted by Al Acuff

Even here in the States the Waterloo guitars are in short supply. When I bought mine in 2017 there were several available at Elderly.com. Now they don't have any.

For what it's worth I have never found that different strings will turn a dud into a hero.

this Gibson studio is no dud, mind me, it just would be nice to add a little bass to the sound.

[Tramsnad]

FYI... my walnut B+S L-00 studio has a much more substantial neck shape than my J-45 standard. I think a L-00 standard neck would be similar to a J-45 standard.

Sorry if I'm mis-reading what your original post said.

[Al Acuff]

Originally Posted by JimandJoni

this Gibson studio is no dud, mind me, it just would be nice to add a little bass to the sound.

When I buy a brand new guitar I expect it to sound a little stiff and tight. After you play it a lot it will start to sound really good. In my experience it takes about 4 years playing a well built newly made acoustic guitar for the sound to begin opening up. ASFAIK no one has figured out how to make a new guitar that sounds 50 years old!

Alternately you could buy vintage. If you go that route you'll get a mature instrument. Even if it's in pretty good shape you should probably budget for repairs and set up work. But then you'll have both an instrument to play and a solid investment.

[abn556]

Originally Posted by Tramsnad

FYI... my walnut B+S L-00 studio has a much more substantial neck shape than my J-45 standard. I think a L-00 standard neck would be similar to a J-45 standard.

Sorry if I'm mis-reading what your original post said.

The neck on my wife’s L-00 is quite small, especially at the nut. Being more of an electric player, I would call this neck a small slim taper profile. Her L-00 is really fast playing. On the walnut on this guitar - its definitely much brighter than my 000-18. I guess I am not sure what to think of it yet. It seems more like maple than rosewood or mahogany.

Would Monels be a good choice for this guitar?

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