Laminated and solid wood acoustic guitars
- Thread starter Wayne27
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
I’ve owned a few different brands of each. My current dread is an mid-60’s Gibson SJ, which is solid spruce for the top and solid mahogany sides and back. After owning an Eastman with a solid top and laminate sides, I’m of the opinion that solid top matters, back and sides not so much.
I also have an all lam Alvarez. It doesn’t sound bad, but it’s nothing like the solid top guitars.
I hear the difference between a solid and lam top regardless of what I’m playing. The laminate has a boxier sound, not sure how else to describe it. Play both and you’ll hear what I mean. Or maybe you won’t, but solid top/lam side and back guitars are pretty inexpensive now.
I also have an all lam Alvarez. It doesn’t sound bad, but it’s nothing like the solid top guitars.
I hear the difference between a solid and lam top regardless of what I’m playing. The laminate has a boxier sound, not sure how else to describe it. Play both and you’ll hear what I mean. Or maybe you won’t, but solid top/lam side and back guitars are pretty inexpensive now.
i agree the top matters much more than the back and sides but a well build acoustic is as much about the tuning and bracing as the woods. the labor cost is usually more than that of the wood by a fair amount unless you are using some crazy rare/expensive woods. a good set of solid wood for back and sides isnt all that expensive. if you are getting a good acoustic, id go all solid wood. and used and would never buy one without playing it first.
Lewguitar
New member
Most plywood top guitars sound equally crappy played finger style or with a pick. :9:
Just kidding. I've played some decent sounding plywood guitars, and not every solid wood topped acoustic guitar sounds great.
Like I said in another thread: the tone of acoustic guitars is much more variable than electric guitars, and it comes down to the individual guitar.
That's why you should try before you buy.
Played with a pick, a plywood guitar would sound louder, just like a solid wood guitar would sound louder played with a pick.
Just kidding. I've played some decent sounding plywood guitars, and not every solid wood topped acoustic guitar sounds great.
Like I said in another thread: the tone of acoustic guitars is much more variable than electric guitars, and it comes down to the individual guitar.
That's why you should try before you buy.
Played with a pick, a plywood guitar would sound louder, just like a solid wood guitar would sound louder played with a pick.
Lewguitar
New member
The best sounding new but "affordable" solid wood acoustics I've tried were made by Blueridge or Eastman.
I bought a Blueridge because it sounded better than any other guitar in the room.
Even sounded better than the Martins costing 3 - 4 times as much.
Didn't have that great "new Martin" smell though.
I bought a Blueridge because it sounded better than any other guitar in the room.
Even sounded better than the Martins costing 3 - 4 times as much.
Didn't have that great "new Martin" smell though.
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
^ Eastman makes some really nice instruments. In a bluegrass jam, my $400 solid top dread would hang with all the D-28s. Had one of their F mandolins, too, priced at $800 new. The $5000 Northfield I have now sounds and plays better, but not six times better.
