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I'm getting ready to build a small bodied all mahogany guitar in the style of the '30's Martin 0 and 00-17's. I have a generic set of plans for an 00 (Grellier), but I also have his L-00 plans. I have a fair amount of experience with both old and new Martins of this style, as well as the incredible SCGC 00-1929, but since this is to be primarily a blues box and the L-00 is the iconic blues machine I want to consider it too.

From the plans the major differences that I can gleen is that the L-00 is slightly longer and deeper, has 1/4 inch non-scalloped braces, while the 00 is 5/16 scalloped. Is there a compelling reason that I might consider one over the other?

Both guitars are 14 fret short scale, however I know that historically both were also made in 12 fret (and the L-00 in 13). I'm assuming that the bridge and bracing are not moved but the shoulders are simply moved up to the 12th fret. Is there a reason to consider longer scale (I like the extra tension for tuning down) - if so I would push the bridge down and adjust the bracing.

My intention is not to totally clone a certain guitar, but to see if there is some strong reason to consider one over the other. Advice would be very much appreciated.

I built two L-00s last year, using the Grellier plans. (Well... sort of)
The first was an all Koa 13 fretter & the other is a 14 fret Amazon RW & second growth Sitka.
Despite having a hardwood top, the Koa guitar sounds MUCH better than the spruce topped one. If you decide on the L-00, I would suggest lightening way up on the bracing. In my opinion, getting the bridge further south (as in a 12 or 13 fretter) is a good move with this plan.