When I first started working in guitars [it doesn’t seem that long ago but it’s close to 30 years now] I had no idea what the different woods used for acoustic guitars were, and what the differences actually did. I’m going to distil some of the information I have learnt over the years for you today.
.png]
What is the difference between Ply, Laminated, Solid Top and Solid wood?
Plywood and laminated wood is the same thing, in this type of wood there are 2 or more pieces of wood glued together. It's a cheaper way to make a guitar. Solid Top Guitars using a solid piece of wood for the top piece only [it’s usually split into 2 pieces and glued together, but it’s solid all the way through]. And Solid Wood guitars use solid woods in all tone sections of the guitar
Does that mean a cheap guitar is more likely to break because it uses cheaper woods?
Actually, the reverse of this is true [strange isn't it?]. A laminate wood guitar is super strong and hard to break, but this strength stops the guitar from resonating quite so well. A solid top guitar is a little more brittle, but it sounds so much better because the sound can reverberate more easily. Solid wood guitars are generally the most resonant.
Can I tell by looking if a guitar has a solid top?
If the guitar has a clear finish you can actually look at the grain on the soundhole, if it goes all the way through you have a solid top guitar
Can I tell just by looking if a guitar is a solid wood guitar?
This one is a little more tricky, but the key way to tell is to look for braces on the sides. Plywood back and side guitars generally don't need bracing on the sides, whereas solid wood guitars generally do [there are some exceptions to this though]
Why does a solid wood guitar get better with age?
Wood has a lot of natural oils in it. When we dry our woods to make our guitars it takes most of these oils out, but some are still left behind. When the wood matures all of this latent oil is lost and the wood becomes much more brittle [and sounds great!]. The wood also benefits from being played as the fibres in the wood actually change with the vibrations through the wood.
If you are a musician or love to play guitars, you may have considered what makes a single guitar different from the other. In recent months, an increasing amount of people have joined in the heated debate about the main differences between laminate and solid top acoustic guitars. Both guitars are excellent choices for the musicians as they both have an alluring tone and manufacturing quality. But the difference is more than just value and cost. Thus, in order to figure out their differences, we will guide you to clarify their definitions as well as their diversities.
Laminate VS. Solid Top Acoustic Guitar: What are they?
On the one hand, a Laminate guitar uses a type of wood that is highly regarded and valued by guitar makers because it’s an assembly made up of many thin layers of wood to form one bigger surface. It’s excellent as far as sturdiness and stiffness go.
On the other hand, the top, back, and sides are constructed from solid wood is a solid top acoustic guitar. The piece of wood has been rigorously picked, carved, shaped, and fitted.
How to Differentiate Laminate and Solid Top Acoustic Guitars?
Regarding the differences between laminate and solid top acoustic guitars, you should pay attention to the following aspects.
Appearance
A solid top acoustic guitar will have a deeper look with the characteristic of authenticity and earthy. By using wood as the raw material, the surface of a solid top acoustic guitar is unique. It means that no other guitar will be just like yours. Instead, it comes from a great top and finishes to establish the instrument as a high-quality one.
On the contrary, a laminate top guitar can be made to look like real wood. It has uniform grain size and patterns, which will improve stains and colors that make it looks more vibrant than real wood. In addition, there are variations in finishes and color options in a laminate top guitar.
Tone
A laminate top has flatter tones but doesn’t have the crisp highs or strong bass tones that solid tops tend to have. A laminate top stays consistent over time, so what the guitar sounds like when you first pick remains similar over the years.
In contrast to the laminate top acoustic guitar, a solid top acoustic guitar will resonate with the nice and full warmth that gets better as it ages. This wood provides an excellent sound with a clear tone. However, the tone may get louder as the wood ages.
Value and Price
In most situations, a solid top will make a guitar more valuable, and a laminate top will keep a guitar’s value low. Whereas it is not always the case, and with vintage instruments, we see some laminate top guitars with high production and craftsmanship. These guitars will retain their value accordingly. For instance, some new guitars that use plied woods are not concerned with craftsmanship or quality, which are often in the lowest retail price point and thus do not gain value with time. Thus, the price and value of the guitar should depend on the material it uses.
Humidity Concerns
One great thing about laminated guitar tops is that they tend to resist extremes in temperature and humidity. This resistance to humidity is helpful for the players that don’t like to care actively and maintain the guitar.
A solid top acoustic guitar is not good when it comes to humidity because of its material. As the season changes, the humidity changes relatively, which results in shifting and shaping wood. Thus, if you choose solid top acoustic guitars, you should pay attention to the humidity in your place.
Laminate VS. Solid Top Guitar: Which is Better?
This article is pretty much self-explanatory about the difference between a solid top acoustic guitar and a laminate guitar. As aforementioned, both laminate and solid top acoustic guitars have their pros and cons. You can choose the laminate or solid top acoustic guitar according to your needs. However, when buying a solid top acoustic guitar or laminate guitar, the main thing to consider is looking for a trusted manufacturer. Huayi is among the top manufacturers that can fulfill your need for solid and laminate guitars.
Huayi is not only the best acoustic guitar manufacturer but also manufactures other musical instruments, including spruce top guitars, different types of ukuleles, and musical instruments. We are a trustworthy stop for your acoustic guitars needs. We also offer OEM services in guitars by utilizing advanced technology for our vast product lines. In addition, we aim to provide a fantastic music experience to our consumers. Thus, if you want to get more about us, please get in touch with us immediately.
How do I know if my guitar is laminate or solid?
Hold the guitar up and look at the cross section of the top at the edge of the sound hole. If the top is solid, you should see the grain pattern continue through the entire thickness. If it's a laminate top, the grain will not be consistent as you're actually looking at multiple pieces of wood.
How do I know if my guitar is solid body?
To determine if your guitar is made of solid wood, you can inspect the edges of the sound hole, the inside of the guitar, or the guitar's specifications provided by the manufacturer. Solid wood guitars typically have one-piece backs and tops, and you can see the grain patterns continuing through the wood.
How do I know what type my guitar is?
Many guitars will have a model name next to the brand name, or it will be placed somewhere else on the guitar. Check the entire guitar as model names can be put just about anywhere [truss rod cover, neckplate, tailpiece, etc.]. Remember that many guitar books focus on individual brands as well as individual models.
What is the difference between laminate and solid top electric guitar?
-A laminate top is very stable due to the cross grain fibers. During humidly changes it is unlikely to swell or shrink. It is less likely to bulge or shift shape from the pressures of the guitar stings [the pot belly syndrome]. -A solid top is thought to have a better sound.