Laminate guitar bodies...

[Andrew Lamprecht]

This is probably going to sound stupid but do laminate bodies have a life span in a way? I've never owned a laminate guitar but today I found an awesome MIC Gretsch. The sound is amazing and I had to buy it if just for that. The playability is good (just needs some adjusting) but the thing that worries me is that the guitar is lite as hell. It feels flimsy in way and I knew this going in. I don't regret my purchase. Just wondering how it will hold up in the long run.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

In my experience, laminate by itself doesn't determine lifespan or quality over it's lifespan. The woods used in the laminate however can have an impact on it's lifespan. Usually a laminate top is stronger and lasts longer and rejects feedback better then a single piece of a particular wood.

Weight of the guitar is not a measure of quality or how long it will last or sound. One of the greatest sounding guitars I ever played was a 1929 Washburn parlor guitar that was completely dried out with holes in the top and felt like it was made out of Balsa wood, but it was so loud and projected so well and had incredible tone for such a small instrument.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

It'll partly depend on how you treat it, but there's no reason for laminate to come apart unless it gets wet, in which case all bets are off. Anyway, 335's seem to last OK...

 

[Bludave]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

335, 345, and 355's are all laminated guitars. Usually Maple over Birch. For an electric guitar I really don't think you should be too concerned. For an acoustic I would normally steer away from laminates. As the guitar ages with a solid wood guitar the tone should actually improve quite a bit. With a laminated body you get what you hear when you bought it. It's not necessarily bad, but I like to think that as my guitars age they will sound much better down the road.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

A solid wood top.ie spruce
For an acoustic is preferable
Laminated sides and back are kinda standard

Solid body should have a thicker laminated top 1/8 -1/4 inch at least
The paper thin laminates crack and separate

On a hollowbody or semi hollow I would suppose there is some other factors that I am not aware of

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[Chocklit_Thunda]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

335, 345, and 355's are all laminated guitars. Usually Maple over Birch.

Maple over poplar

It's actually poplar sandwiched between two maple sheets

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

Just don't feed it after midnight....

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

Plywood is, in general, stronger and longer lasting than solid wood. I would have no worries at all.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

Maple over poplar

It's actually poplar sandwiched between two maple sheets

Polar and Birch...... I always get them mixed up. You know you would think I could remember that I have a 335 & 359 and just had a custom made 335 from solid maple!

 

[Chocklit_Thunda]

Re: Laminate guitar bodies...

Polar and Birch...... I always get them mixed up. You know you would think I could remember that I have a 335 & 359 and just had a custom made 335 from solid maple!

Oh nice! I've been wanting to try a carved maple semi-hollow archtop but the inner arch gets me all the time...