Official Luthiers Forum!

So I'm just about ready to string up my first parlor guitar and I'd love some feedback from those of you who have built at least several of these (yes, that would be you Haans). I typically put on lights or extra lights on my OM's. Should I consider something heavier to bring out the bass more on this smaller bodied instrument?

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Just depends on how light you built the guitar. It always helps to try different ones too till you find the right set. My parlor is built really light so I like 10's on it.

I think that is sort of like asking what color do you like...

So many variables and personal preferences that is a difficult question to answer.

I personally am a light player so all of my guitars have light to medium strings and a variety of brands. The Parlor I built has D'Addario Custom Lights because that is what i think sounds and plays best on that guitar. But my Art & Lutherie parlor (Godin) sounds better with Martin Lights and my Gibson LG-0 sounds best with Elixir Custom Lights. My larger guitars almost all have mediums in either D'addario or Martins except my Martin EMP-1 which has Martin Lights.

So yea... it is like asking what color you like or what Ice Cream flavor is best.

Bob

Hi Doug - Your set-up and the sort of music that may be played including the style of playing, flat picking, finger style, etc. also are important considerations. The end user if it's not you is uber important too in terms of what, how, etc. they play and what they like as well.

So I think that we need more information in order to make quality recommendations to you.

Doug, a couple of things...
Ladder or X?
Scale length?
I run a 24.9" scale on ladder with a .120" red spruce top and use just shy of lights...

You're all correct in your responses; I didn't provide enough information. I was simply inquiring as to whether or not there was some sort of basic philosophy if all variables were considered equal for a smaller bodied guitar.

I'm building it for myself - light finger style player
24.5" scale length
0.095" Sitka top - X braced - braced quite lightly

I'm thinking of going with Elixer 12/53's. I don't want the strings to be too light and thus have a more hollow sound. I wish to draw out as much body as I can out of this smaller instrument. But therein lies my question: does my approach hold any water?

_________________
Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

I'd start out lighter than that, 11-50 or so and then see what happens to the top. You can change out some of the strings as you find out what is too rubbery or thin sounding. Buy some cheap singles till you get the feel for the instrument. .095 sounds a bit spooky to me, but mine are ladders.

I just put a set of D'Adarrio EJ16's on a little parlor Regal I just acquired. I set it up for slide as the action is to high for easy fingering. GBDGBD tuning and play it like a Dobro.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I re-glued a bridge on a 1938 Martin Size 5, the owner runs mediums plays and sounds great