Tuesday, November 5, 2024
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Tonewoods explained – Acoustic Guitar Tone Woods Comparison – Solid vs Laminate…Does It Matter?


In this beginner’s guide, Sam explains the differences between solid and laminate construction acoustic guitars. Sam also shows us sound examples of how different types of woods will affect the tone of a guitar.

Check out our full range of acoustic guitars at: https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/products/guitar/acousticguitars

If you’re new to the world of acoustic guitars, the terms “solid” and “laminated” may be a little confusing, as, unlike electric guitars which are literally solid, an acoustic is obviously hollow. In this video, we look at how an acoustic guitar body is made, and the difference between solid and laminate woods (sometimes referred to as layered, engineered or plywood).

We’ll be looking at the advantages and disadvantages of both, for example, solid wood usually offers a richer tone with more resonance, whilst laminated woods are usually tougher and more resistant to humidity and temperature changes, and we’ll also be taking a listen to guitars made from the most common tonewoods, to hear how they affect the sound. Want to hear the difference between Sitka spruce and cedar? Ever wonder why some guitars have mahogany back and sides, whilst others have rosewood? Watch this acoustic guitar tonewood guide, before trying out a huge selection of acoustic guitars at your nearest Professional Music Technology store…

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Originally posted by UCb5PQHC0CsA48rlI6gefr5A at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhyMhPt04Ag

49 thoughts on “Tonewoods explained – Acoustic Guitar Tone Woods Comparison – Solid vs Laminate…Does It Matter?

  • I like a solid Spruce top with laminated sides and back. The overtones of solid wood is good for strumming but for finger-picking and lead guitar playing it's not my preference. Laminated ones are usually louder and have better notes separation.

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  • Great video with very helpful content, thanks for producing this!

    Just for context, I have an all Solid Furch Yellow Master's Choice Gc-CR Acoustic-Electric, which is an amazing, almost boutique quality guitar! In fact it truly is my dream guitar and has remained so since I purchased it over a year agoI

    However, I also have three Walden Acoustic-Electrics each w/ Solid Tops and Layered Backs and Sides (different models/tonewood combinations, hence the reason for three of them).

    While there is no doubt the all-solid Furch is understandably at a different level, you can buy 5-6 beautiful Walden acoustic-electrics from their excellent Natura line for the price of the single Furch I mentioned.

    Is the Furch an incredible, guitar? Yes! Is it 6xs better than my Waldens? No!

    If I couldn't have purchased the Furch would I still be happy with my Furchs? 100% Yes!

    My Walden's are each great guitars and better IMO (and half the cost) of comparable Taylor models such as the 214 CE!

    In fact I use my Walden's all the time for gigging since those situations are often quite risky due to the environmental as well as space conditions. However they sound great plugged in, look amazing, and play beautifully!

    Additionally I feel safe leaving any of my Walden's out during the day while I work so I can squeeze some practice breaks in since they are more resilient due to having laminate back and sides. I do put them in a humidified case at night because I love my Walden's and treat them with the same care as my Furch.

    My point in saying all of this is that while it's true that my all solid Furch sounds better overall, the Walden's still play and sound great, are at a wonderful price point.

    There's no doubt that you can get them or other well designed and produced solid top/layered back and side guitars. In fact Yamaha makes the FG800 (which I also have) and the FS800 for around $220 dollars, Solid Spruce top w/ Nato Back and Sides, and they are really wonderful sounding and playing guitars!

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  • laminate sounds like a toy guitar to me, almost tinny. my favorite sound was the martin

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  • Living in Arizona I prefer Laminated guitars. I don't have to fuss with humidity issues or lack of it. In your example, I don't think any non guitar player in the audience would notice any difference
    between the guitars. They just sound different. I have a Washburn AD5K-A-U That cost me $319 with hardshell case and it's unbelievable! It's all in the hands…..

    Reply
  • I am from India and I am recently custom making my guitar from a manufacturer. I have instructed him to make the sides and back out of rosewood and instructed the top to be made of pine wood. Did I make a wrong decision?? Is making top with rosewood been a better option or pine is good??

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  • How does the back and sides vibrate if they are being held by the player and pressed against their body?

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  • So… with guitars, and to a higher extent ukuleles, it turns out I might prefer laminated, as I tend to hold the instrument under my right forearm at the front, and solid tops tend to stop resonating much more than laminated tops. So actuall If my forearm is there, holding the instrument, or just chilling, the laminated will sometimes resonate more as it's less affected by the vibration-stopping presence of something on it.

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  • That was pretty darned good. I usually watch Alamo Music Centre's video, but your video clearly demonstrated key differences in a way I could easily observe. Excellent.

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  • Your blending video was great and it demonstrates that guitar tone is usually subtle. The ultimate test of course is to actually play the guitar. There are many sound nuances that are elusive when viewing it on a video. Even when you actually play the guitar there is no guarantee that you are hearing the best tone it can produce. Are the strings new? Is the guitar wood too dry too wet? These things drastically change the tone. I have had expensive guitars that would change from dead sounding to the best sound you ever heard in a matter of days. Some guitars like my Martin D28 are more resilient to tone change. If you keep your house climate controlled and avoid drastic humidity and temperature changes you will avoid a lot of this problem.

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  • Just curious your opinion between the 324ce and the 314ce? I have the 324 and it’s just so beautiful. I just can’t decide tone wise which is best. I have a few weeks to decide before my 45 days are up. I live here in the USA. I play mostly strumming and country rhythm type music but I am wanting to learn it all and get better. I just can’t decide which is best for me sound wise. I like the boom of the 314 but I like the bass and warm of the 324 and the looks are just unreal better with the dark wood and black tuners etc. What to do! Please any advice? Thanks for this awesome video presentation.

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  • The Taylor sounded best when strumming. More balanced and better articulation of individual strings than the others. The Martin was really "muddy" strummed like that, I prefer that guitar for finger styles. For me, can't beat solid rosewood back and sides. Spruce or cedar top depending on the guitar and what style you play. The laminate guitars sound bright yet are not really clear, which some confuse with clarity.

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  • I play two laminated guitars live and solid wood all around at home. They are both great ????

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  • Very helpful. Here I thought to get a solid spruce top as much as possible. But since here in my country, the weather is very harsh and humid, choosing laminated top would be the most practical choice for me. Since I do not earn that much from being a guitarist.

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  • I live in Canada. Cold winters, warm humid summers. I reckon a laminate guitar with a solid top is the smart choice, particularly as I travel a bit. Thank you so much for the info. It’s made my decision informed and a lot easier!

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  • This was just great. To hear so many different types of guitars played by the same guy in various styles in such a sort period of time was fantastic.

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  • Sam's the best. Hands down. No matter the topic, his vids are always clear, concise and straight to the point without all the silly childish bullshit on sites….like Anderton's.

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  • Indeed, guitar sound is a combination of factors. Details in the construction differences aside (bracing, finish etc.), 2 of the more obvious ones omitted in this video is are the shape/size and the strings. I've been wondering though- does the grade of the same wood affect the sound? There's a shop where I'm at carrying this brand called Custom Acoustics and they have guitars made using grade AA spruce and above, but I'm not sure how it compares with regular spruce- apart from the difference in price

    Reply
  • Really useful vid – good shout out to environmental issue which is something I hadn’t considered enough when looking at choices.

    Reply

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