Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm considering building either a Martin 00 or Gibson L-00 shaped guitar (14 fret) and I'm wondering which shape sounds better. I played a Gibson L-00 at Guitar Center the other day and I didn't sound to bad..., but kinda thin. I would prefer more bottom end. I haven't tried a Martin 00... Any thoughts on the subject? (Should I give up on the smaller body? I like my OM guitars...)

BTW - I noticed that the Gibson L-00 at Guitar Center had very big braces... Whats up with that?
Steve

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I don't know if this will help but I've built both an L-00 and a Martin size 00-12 fret and I like the sound of the L-00
a bit better. I used my own bracing, not like Gibson or Martin and basically just used their body shape.
I really don't like the way Gibson braced the old L-00's. GAL. has a plan for a 37' L-00 and it shows how they
used a small wedge/filler at the X . Not a very good design in my opinion.
The L-00 has a larger lower bout which might add more bottom end bass. This size is very comfortable to play.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Steve,

I have an L-OO that John Greven made for me and it has great bottom end, regardless of guitar size! It is lightly braced though.

Shane

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Canada

With all due respect, it isn't the shape of either that sounds good, it is how you build it.

In my estimation, the 12 fret version of either sounds better than the 14 fret version, but it is harder to get to that 14th fret.

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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

I have been consistently underwhelmed by the sound from the new L-00. Many builders get better sound out them than Gibson does. The big braces don't help.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I sell more 000 12 fretters than anything . I love the sound of them .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I agree... except I would go a bit further... I have been really underwhelmed by everything acoustic Gibson is currently offering... They basically sound like an American made knockoff of a $199 Chinese guitar... They need to work on getting back to why people love Old Gibson guitars...

Thanks

I routinely make the L-00 body size in both 24.75 scale 13 frets to the body and 25.5 scale 14 frets to the body. both are great.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John,
Do you mean triple 0 or double 0?