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Solid Tops vs. Laminate Tops
Written by Doug Ducey   
Thursday, 17 April 2008 00:00

As you shop for an acoustic guitar,  it is important to know about basic acoustic guitar construction.

First, there are three basic styles of acoustic guitars, all in different sizes.  The smallest body would be the "parlor" guitar (a good example would be any of the Martin Guitars designated by their 000 series).   The medium size guitars are the "Dreadnoughts".  These are the most popular sized guitars.  A Martin D-28, for example is a Dreadnought guitar.  The largest is the "Jumbo" sized, like the Gibson J-200.  Here's the rule on guitar tones, the larger the body, the deeper and bassier the tones.

Now we need to discuss the overall construction of the instrument(s).  Be sure and ask if the guitar you are looking at has a Solid or a Laminate top.  Lower priced instruments usually feature a "plywood" top, or what is called a "laminate" top.  Since most of the guitar's tone resonates from the top,  it is important to know what type of top is on the instrument you are considering.  Here's why:

Laminate Tops are plywood.....2 or more pieces of wood make up the manufacture of the top of these guitars.  They require more bracing inside the guitar than a solid top will.  They are usually thicker tops and because of the need for more bracing, they won't vibrate as freely as a solid top.  While there are some great sounding laminate top guitars out there, bear in mind that the tone you hear from the instrument right now is as good as the sound will ever get.

Solid Tops are tops that are made from one solid piece of wood.  They are usually thinner tops that require less braces inside.  The solid tops vibrate more freely...they sustain longer...they usually have a brighter tone than a laminate top instrument.  Another benefit of a solid top guitar is that while they sound great today, the tone will only improve with age.  With the increased vibrations from a solid top, the guitar's tone will "mature" as it gets older.  This is why you see people on EBay every day looking for the 20 year old Martins and Gibsons....they sound better now than they did when they were new!

Here's another factor to keep in mind when you purchase an Acoustic Guitar.  If you do get one with a solid top, and knowing that these tops are usually a little thinner than a laminate top, you have to humidify these guitars in order to fend of problems in the future, like finish cracking or even the top itself cracking from drying out.  My rule is, just be safe, you should humidify any guitar, whether its laminate or solid top.....but especially if it's a solid top.   A decent humidifier, like the Dampit brand, cost under $20 and it's a great way to protect your investment.  When humidifying, always return your guitar to it's case when done playing, with the humidifier installed.  This is most important in the winter when forced air heating systems naturally dry out houses.

Take your time in looking for the right guitar.  You know what sound you are looking for, and with a little time and patience, you'll find it.

Keep Playing!!

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Laminated top acoustics
written by Lyle, November 16, 2009
There are many misconceptions about laminated top acoustics, the most important one being that these guitars have 'plywood' tops. The methods used to make laminated tops for guitars and plywood are significantly different so, describing such a guitar as being made of 'plywood' is inaccurate. The second is that a laminate top cannot sound as good as a solid top. This may have been true in the past - the majority of laminated top acoustics made up until the early to mid 1980's are fairly horrible sounding instruments - but that's not true anymore. Advances in the technology of pressure laminating have resulted in excellent sounding acoustic guitars, comparable to solid wood. They are thinner and lighter, requiring lighter bracing similar to solid wood tops, resulting in a much improved transfer of string energy and better sound. Even the venerable Martin Company is now making excellent sounding acoustics made from laminates, some models even have laminated tops. Modern laminated top acoustics will even improve their sound with age, although not nearly as much as a solid top will. I own a Yamaha 12 string laminated top acoustic that has grown richer and more mellow sounding over the years since I purchased it back the the mid 80's. Guitarists, acoustic players in particular, should try and keep an open mind when judging modern laminated top guitars. You could find yourself acquiring a real beauty that will become a cherished instrument for many years to come.
More comments on laminated tops
written by Steve, November 17, 2009
I concur with Lyle's comments. Over the years, I have owned solid and laminated top guitars from a variety of makers and have come to see that there are many factors beyond "what the top is made of" that influence tone. Two of the best sounding guitars I've ever owned were an old '70s Yamaha FG-180, and early '80s Sigma DM-5, both of which have laminated tops. The Yamaha, in particular, was a cannon with an unbelievable dynamic range. I have also had some unimpressive solid tops, namely an Alvarez AD70S that never lived up to expectations. One thing I have noticed about the "good" laminates is an overall very lightweight construction. It seems that when overdone with bindings, finish, heavy bracing, etc., that tone can suffer with ANY guitar - the Alvarez I had being an example. It was noticeably heavier than the other guitars I mentioned. Lightweight and simple along with thoughtful structural design translates to better tone in my experience. I'd also like to chime in on the "opening up" of solid wood that so many people talk about. I won't deny this phenonmenon, because I have experienced it with a Taylor I own. But, I have had others that started out "tight" and stayed that way. I don't think anyone should buy a guitar counting on it to sound better 5 or 10 years from now. It has to sound good TODAY! To sum this up, it is just way too simplistic to adhere to a philosophy that solid wood guitars are always better. Every guitar is made differently and when making a purchase you have to evaluate them on an individual basis. To just "rule out" laminates means you may pay more than you need to and miss out on some "diamonds in the rough".
yeah!
written by Jeremy Pacailler, January 22, 2010
Steve I totally agree. I just found my "Diamond in the rough". A Garcia guitar..Grade 3 made in 1974. This thing is all laminate, and it is the best sounding guitar I've ever played... look them up..
solid vs. laminate
written by steve, January 29, 2010
I have a Washburn D-10n that I bought in about '96, it came with a cheap plastic nut and saddle, which I replaced, and it is probably totally laminate. But I'll tell you, I think this guitar sounds great!! It has that deep Martin tone, but projects more since changing the saddle to bone. But I'll have to admit, I fall a little into "musician's prejudice", and worry about playing a "cheap" guitar on stage. I mean, I think it sounds good, but does it really in comparison to the better ones? I think I'll take it into the music store and compare, (if they'll let me!) All I know is, it sounds like the guitars on many recordings I've heard, namely CSN and Heart songs, and I think they both play Martins...

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