Not all laminate wood is equal.
What is laminated wood guitar.
It s not as dense as solid wood but still delivers a rich sound depending on the manufacturing process of the guitar maker.
The resulting wood appears like a sheet rather than a solid piece and it s ideal in a cheaper guitar with an attractive looking natural grain surface.
The construction of an acoustic guitar s top is the single most important aspect in determining the quality of the sound the guitar will produce.
These layers are usually glued together to form a thicker surface.
Laminate guitars on the other hand can be made to accentuate certain color variations and grain patterns in the wood that are not only pleasing to the eye but are far more cost effective as well.
Hpl or high pressure laminate materials are becoming more commonplace in guitar construction.
As you re determining whether or not to buy a laminate or solid wood guitar consider this.
Laminate wood simply means money and wood was saved by using thinly veneered layers of wood combined to create your guitar.
Laminated wood as the name suggests is made from multiple thin layers of wood that are meshed together by a luthier using adhesive and pressure.
Usually there is a higher quality layer on the top and cheaper layers underneath.
As a guitar construction material there are a lot of advantages.
Laminate acoustic guitars have a body of laminate wood which is pressed plywood that s held together with glue and given a veneer coat.
Martin guitars in particular have a line made partially or almost completely from hpls.
Acoustic guitar tops are made either of solid pieces of wood or of laminated wood with several thin plies of wood glued together.
Laminate back and sides.
Laminate wood is manufactured not milled like traditional wood.
Even in furniture all solid wood parts are less common these days and much easier to spot than in a guitar.
Laminate wood in the hands of an experienced well established guitar maker will sound better than solid wood in a poorly manufactured guitar.
Using solid wood for the top is still preferred by most builders because the top plays a major role in translating the initial energy of vibrating guitar strings into rich acoustic sound.
In an effort to offer customers other more affordable options many builders also make guitars featuring laminate back and sides.
Laminated wood is economical but it s also strong and stable and can withstand a little more abuse than a higher quality instrument.
Laminate wood does not make for the best tone especially for tops.
But in order to go into this with y.