I own both a dreadnought and a parlor acoustic guitar. On the dreadnought I use extra light elixirs. On the parlor I still have the original phosphor bronze light that came with it.
Is there different aspects to consider when it comes to restringing these guitars due to their neck length and build?
Essentially, yes. Most dread-sized instruments will sound better with medium gauge strings. You have to have enough mechanical energy to "drive" the top.
Many manufacturers of smaller-bodied instruments will specify a string tension. Some will warn against anything heavier than "lights". However, my small-bodied GS Mini specifies mediums due to its short scale.
Be aware that switching gauges might require adjustments to truss rod or action.
If you like the reduced volume of the Parlor guitar (so as not to wake the neighbors), You might enjoy Flatwound strings, for purer tones at low volumes. Roundwound strings produce a fair amount of "noisy" overtones which can make notes difficult to identify at lower volumes. Flats don't.
But beware, most flats are "coated". The coating will wear off and the volume and "presence" will drop suddenly and substantially when this happens.
My favs are Thomastiks. I've probably said enough about them in my other answer here.
So if you're bold and curious, try a $10 set of D'Addario Chromes, play it until the coating wears off to get a sense of the spectrum of tones flats can give you.
