I’m not familiar with any guitars that have the same neck as an Ovation but there are certain neck profiles that are slimmer within the different brands. >>Learn more about the differences between Sapele and Mahogany here. The wood on any one guitar could be different for the top (soundboard) of the body, back and sides of the body, the neck, the fretboard, bracing, the bridge & the headstock. Sitka Spruce is a great all round soundboard material and responds well to both aggressive playing and more subtle playing. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Used for: Soundboard. Laminate acoustic guitars have a body of laminate wood, which is pressed plywood that’s held together with glue and given a veneer coat (1). ... Taylor has shown, however, that it’s possible to make laminated-wood guitars … Cedar: Cedar is a bright sounding wood option, though produces a warmer tone than spruce (the most common top wood – see below), when used as a top. I was planning on building a six string acoustic but this being my first time I have no idea where to begin. 21 Guitar Playing Tips Every Beginner Should Know, Tips for Learning How to Play the Guitar and Sing at the Same Time, Acoustic Guitar Stands: Ways to Keep Your Guitar When Not Playing, Takamine Serial Numbers: What They Can Tell You and How to Decode Them. You’ll know if an acoustic has a solid top by looking carefully at the soundhole; because the soundhole has been cut into the wood, you’ll be able to see a cross section of the grain when you look at the edge (see image below). Check out the link below for a more in depth discussion about fretboard woods. This is why you’ll see a lot of beginner guitars advertised as “solid-top”. It is probably not ideal in a band setting because it might be prone to feedback issues. This means it complements the sound of the top without messing with it too much. You’re going to pay a heck of a lot more for an entirely solid-wood guitar than just a solid top. This is frequently used as an acoustic guitar soundboard - especially on nylong string guitars - and has a warm, soft, open sound with beautiful overtones. In the end, our goal is simple: to help you find the ultimate tone. Adirondack Spruce is another variety of spruce that is great for soundboards. Look for a change in grain direction at the edges of the soundhole. There are various other tonewoods used these days too like Ovangkol (similar to Rosewood). In an "all solid wood" acoustic guitar, each body wood component is solid, and not layered or laminated: that means the top, back, and sides are all made from solid wood components. It has a bright top end like Koa but stronger mid tones coming through. The wood that is used to create a guitar makes a huge difference to the sounds that the guitar will produce. This is often used on classical guitars but also sometimes on steel string acoustics. Mahogany is a hardwood with more direct sound and greater definition across the frequency range. I cant find very much information on the Okoume wood, other than that it is similar to mahogany but lightweight. Other benefits of solid wood acoustic guitars are: Solid top acoustic guitars are hybrids that combine the best parts of laminate and solid wood guitars. For years, the laminate vs. solid wood acoustic guitars argument has raged. When wood loses moisture - it shrinks. 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. If you are on a serious budget then this could be an option but I would avoid it at least for the soundboard if you can – often you can pick up something cheap that has a solid top but laminate back and sides. Gone are the days when a cheap guitar meant an inferior sound quality. Rosewood: Rosewood is a very popular wood for guitars and has been used a lot traditionally too. Or you can use it with another top (such as Sitka Spruce) to “mellow” out or add warmth. Different parts of the guitar suit different woods and it is often the case the wood of the top will be different to the rest of the body and the wood of the neck will be different etc. Cocobolo. Retrieved from https://bourgeoisguitars.net/tonewoods-htm/, Brazilian Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars. Laminate wood is made by bonding several thin layers of wood together. Solid Top ; Brand. It has great mid-range like Mahogany but also expands well into the high-end tones and low-end tones, producing deep bass notes and bright treble notes. And that is why those old Martins cost a fortune. Unlike the laminated guitar, Laminate is a nice word for plywood. In my opinion you will likely want to go for that high grade sitka spruce top but potentially use tropical mahogany (if you want it really warm sounding) Rosewood if you want the sound to be brighter and crisper and something like Sapele if you want it to be warm but not quite as warm as Tropical Mahogany. Solid woods have the advantage of sounding more resonant and often producing a richer and more complex tone. Howdy, Two questions: Why exactly do solid wood guitars sound better with age? It goes great with a Koa top. This is often used on classical guitars but also sometimes on steel string acoustics. https://sixstringacoustic.com/the-different-acoustic-guitar-neck-sizes-and-shapes. If you are in the market for a new guitar, your first guitar, or even looking to custom build, you may be wondering about the best wood for acoustic guitars. Pressed plywood is made up of multiple layers of processed wood, typically pressed and bonded together with adhesive. And, like Mahogany this means that it has fewer overtones which leads to notes having a quick decay (less resonance – dies off quicker). Different designs, quality of craftsmanship, electronics and choice of woods make them sound, look and feel different from one another. Laminate guitars have greatly improved over the years, and even inexpensive models generate rich, gorgeous sounds. Knowing the different characteristic of woods now, would this influence your decision in buying your next guitar? Cocobolo is a beautifully figured wood. I picked up a ROS-G9M ez tone select and was pleasantly surprised at the price and sound quality of this little guitar. When wood gains moisture - it expands. Thanks again and God bless you and yours! They are also great in situation where you are playing with other instruments. One of the widely recognized distinguishing features of a premium or professional-grade acoustic guitar is the use of solid wood panels for the top, back and sides. The advantage of Adirondack is it’s dynamic tonal range and the ability to play loud without losing clarity of sound. Rosewood has rich overtones and that high response rate allows for a sharp attack into the note and a lot of resonance. Solid acoustic guitars are made with real wood, and the quality is typically determined by the type of tonewood used. Martin has the “low oval” which is their slimmest and Taylor have the “slim”. i would go with a mahogany back and side this is just me but i think okoume is to soft for a good back i know when working with it you get pull outs very easy, Your email address will not be published. You can get one with an aesthetic that mimics natural wood or exciting colors that aren’t available with solid wood guitars. Mahogany: Mahogany is a dense wood and gives a ‘slower response rate’ – don’t ask me what that means in scientific terms! E.g. As time goes by and you play the heck out of it the top wood will expand and change color as it ages, the guitar (as they say) will open up and start to improve in tone. The cheapest top option: The cheapest option for the soundboard is to use laminate wood. If you are on a tight budget, you can still find an excellent laminate guitar for less than a thousand dollars. The quality and type of wood will affect the tone and price of the guitar. A solid top is essentially a single piece of wood. The particular species of wood, and the properties associated with it, will also impart the most … Koa, in my opinion, looks amazing – but that of course is in the eye of the beholder. Cedar, by contrast, is softer sounding than spruce with more dynamic range and less natural compression. washburn guitar solid found in: washburn btsc56sce bella tono series studio body cutaway electric acoustic guitar w/armrest, washburn rover travel guitar - solid top with pickup - includes backpack carry case/bag, washburn wd7s.. What this means is that they have a solid-wood top even though the rest of the guitar is manufactured using laminate wood. Most of the guitar’s body is made with laminate wood to keep the cost down, while its soundboard is made with solid tonewood for a richer resonance. What you go for will depend on your budget, your personal tonal preferences and the style of music you like to play. Maple is a very light coloured wood. The sound produced by the strings of the guitar is transferred through the bridge onto the soundboard (the top) and is amplified by the top as it vibrates. Top Photo by Larry Jacobsen [CC BY 2.0], via Flikr Koa top Photo by David Wirth [CC BY 2.0], via Flikr Spruce top Photo by Larry Jacobsen [CC BY 2.0], via Flikr Koa back & sides Photo by Larry Jacobsen [CC BY 2.0], via Flikr Rosewood back & sides Photo by Larry Jacobsen [CC BY 2.0], via Flikr, Filed Under: Buying Guides, Guitar selection, Enjoyed your reserch on woods. Retrieved From https://www.dawsons.co.uk/blog/safe-humidity-and-temperature-levels-for-guitars. And is it just a cheap alternative to mahogany? Can you tell me a good sounding guitar that has a neck like an ovation. It will last for several years with no sound quality deterioration. This all round ability is most likely the reason it is so common as a soundboard material. I am a new guitar builder and need to look at all of the angles, wood type, guitar materials, etc. The strong sound produced is easier to hear in a multi instrumental environment. Now I've never got to lay hands or eyes on any of these, but I've read a lot about them online. The back and sides of the guitar are important tonally and can really compliment the sound that is created through the top. It needs keys , has a lot of scratches looks like it’s made out of rosewood spruce ebony fret.i. The limited availability of these wood types makes it expensive, though. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. If you are unsure, a solid top acoustic guitar offers you the best of both worlds. I am looking at purchasing a new dreadnought steel acoustic, and have landed on a guitar with a Sitka Spruce top and Okoume back and sides. It's a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at eBay.com. Again this wood sounds better with age and is typically found on more high end guitars. About 3% of these are Guitar. As with using Mahogany as a top, it is great for blues as back and sides – but combined with other tops it can work well with a large range of different styles. Maple: Maple works well in the back and sides of the body if the guitar because it has a ‘low response rate’, a bit like Mahogany. They vary in shapes and sizes so you might wanna consider those factors as well, if the visual appeal matters to you most. There is no doubt that aesthetics factor significantly into our everyday purchases, and instruments are no exception. It is ideal for guitarists who are on the road a lot and need a guitar that can take a beating and keep on singing. clear. Any ideas would be gladly welcome. This was very informative and I will be using your advise in the near future. Very helpful and interesting the ways wood can influence sound and style. But as it ages (the more it is played) it will mellow out and become richer and warmer sounding and show more emphasis toward mid range tones. The laminate wood’s climate-resistant features boost the durability of a solid top acoustic guitar’s body, making it a resilient product with an awesome sound. The Washburn WD160SW All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is of solid mahogany back and sides, and solid cedar top. Goes well with bluegrass players looking for that punch in both the low end and high end – but it’s very versatile and will go well with a lot styles depending on the top. Laminate guitars are an excellent option: Solid acoustic guitars are made with real wood, and the quality is typically determined by the type of tonewood used. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. A wide variety of solid wood archtop guitar options are available to you, … If you paired Walnut back and sides with a Cedar top and a smaller guitar this would be great for finger-style. Laminate Vs Solid Wood Acoustic Guitars: How To Choose, Acoustic Guitar Body Types: The Ultimate Guide. Solid Body; Necks; Soundboards; Flame Maple; Mahogany; View All; Info 12150 SW Garden Place Tigard, OR 97223 Call us at 503-906-6474 Subscribe to our newsletter. You’ll want a guitar that looks great, but is it your priority? Gibson guitars use a variety of different tonewoods including Mahogany, Rosewood, Koa and Walnut for their back and sides and Sitka and Mahogany for their tops. Your email address will not be published. The sustain on this little jewel is … The fretboard and neck wood can have some affect on tonal quality but is unlikely to be noticeable. Fast & Free shipping on many items! Do you know much about/have any experience with Okoume? Retrieved from https://spinditty.com/instruments-gear/The-Finest-Brazilian-Rosewood-body-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Steel-String-Guitars-For-Serious-Amateurs-and-Professionals, Guitar Humudity and Temperature Levels. Acoustic guitar tops are made either of solid pieces of wood or of laminated wood, with several thin plies of wood glued together. It has got a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back & sides. This is the folk style finger-picking guitarists sort of guitar. Whilst it is more commonly used in the back and sides (see below) it also makes for a great top if it suits what you are playing. Naturally, the pieces of wood that are used to make acoustic guitars are thin, as they need to be manipulated into a shape that works with the intended design. Purists say there’s nothing better than a solid wood guitar, which is why it costs more. Great deals on Top Wood Guitar Building & Luthier Supplies. Classical Beginner Guitars; Classical Solid Top Guitars; 1/2 Classical Guitars; 3/4 Classical Guitars; 1/4 Classical Guitars; Acoustic Guitars . Electric guitars vary greatly in sound, look and playability. Acoustic Beginner; Acoustic Solid Wood; Acoustic Electric Beginner; Acoustic Electric Solid Top; 3/4 Acoustic Guitars; Electric Guitars . Koa is another option. The best guitars have a top, back, and sides made from maple, mahogany, red spruce, or rosewood (2). There are many influences on the sound of the guitar (body shape, bracing, strings, bridge saddle etc), but the type of wood used is one of the most influential. If you intend to travel with your guitar, you’ll need something hardy and resistant to extreme weather. Solid Body Electric Guitar Sets. I was given a cindra guitar, from Brazil. Mahogany: Mahogany is great for the backs and sides of a guitar as it has a great mid range character. A guitar with a Koa soundboard will start out life with a very bright sound. These are reported to be fine guitars for the money. You can see then why the soundboard is so important. I can’t say I’m familiar with Cindra guitars. Best Online Guitar Lessons: These Platforms Teach You Guitar Online, Fast. You can still find a gorgeous guitar that’s made with laminate wood, available in diverse color variations and grain patterns. Vintage V880N Solid Top 00 Parlor Acoustic Guitar - Natural SKU: VINTAGEV880PARLOURAGNAT Regular price ₱16,950.00 ₱16,950.00 Tyma G-3 NSE (PG-40CE) Solid Top Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar with T-200 preamp Koa: In addition to being a great soundboard material Koa is also great for the back and sides. Last updated: August 22, 2019 by Nate 10 Comments. Koa: Koa is a pricier wood as it’s less common. I like Ovations sound too though – but it is a very different sound. I’m looking to buy a high-end guitar so a cheaper material/sound may be a deal breaker for me. 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