How to determine if a guitar is solid top or laminated top?

[edisontheone]

hi guys,
just wondering how to determine if a guitar is solid top? search the internet for answers but find most of them hard to comprehend. What are the things to look out for that prove a guitar is solid top? Weight?

Just thought it'll be quite useful to know as you won't be deceived by sellers selling laminated tops at the price of solid top. Of course, if the model of the guitar is well-known, then it's easier to find info online. But what about some guitars which don't even have online info submitted about them? THANKS!

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I heard that you can look along the sides of the soundhole. If you see layers, it is laminated. Not sure about the back and sides, though.

 

[eclipze]

in case of an accoustics or a solid body electric?

 

[Phil]

Andy: I'm certain that he's referring to acoustics.


edisontheone:

There are certain methods to determine if it's a solid top, sides and back. But it's never 100% accurate, because you can be fooled by a very good imitation.

Visual methods;

For the top, look at the edge of the soundhole.
Solid top is basically full solid piece of wood. So by right, the grains you see on the top of the guitar will continue on to the soundhole.
Like the following, can you see how the grains continue onto the edge of the soundhole?

On the contrary, as Eugene mentioned, laminated tops will either appear as layers of wood, or just a plain, sawn-off edge. No continuing grains. That is because of the way they are constructed, think plywood?
Look at how the different layers are so obvious.

For the back, the grains seen on the back should match the grains on the other side. The other side would be referring to when you look at the back through the soundhole. Look out for tell-tale signs like a swirl or interlocking grains, or any special grain feature, etc. If it's a real solid back, the two sides will match.
Same goes for the side, but it's a bit harder to view. Use a torch or something.
For example, if from the outside view, the side is a flame-maple side, with horizontal tiger-striped flames, then from the inside view of the side, it's all vertical grain with no sign of any horizontal flames; then obviously it's not a solid flame-maple side.


Conclusion
Of course, play it and see how it sounds.
Solid tops or full solids will generally sound a lot fuller and richer than laminates.
Then again, if it sounds superb, and you find out that it's a laminate; no harm done. Don't forget that you are buying an instrument, not furniture. So it doesn't matter too much if it's solid or laminate as long as it sounds good.
Because as we all know, there's a lot more that goes into the making of a good-sounding guitar, from choice of wood, to the braces, thickness of the top, etc etc etc.

Hope this clears all your doubts.

 

[eclipze]

hi phil ... check ur email

i agreed with you...
the solid top has a fuller sound
while the plywood ...when u hear the sound... its thin... like the wood has big pores all over its surface..

its also produce different sound when u knock at it

 

[Phil]

Yes bro Andy;

The merits of a solid top is plentiful.
-sounds better
-matures with time and playing

Solid tops vibrates a lot more freely than laminates. That is probably the main reason why it sounds so much better.

 

[dudelove]

-matures with time and playing

yeah there's a cheat code to that too:twisted:

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Tonerite! Not that expensive either.

 

[Phil]

HEHEHEH.

Tonerite FTW. We'll post a detailed review on the Maestro Bulletin soon.

HEHEHEH, gotta love it man!

 

[wilbur]

oh yes...my friend is selling a ARIA classical guitar , model C-36....can't find info about it via the internet. Just wondering is it solid top? she bought the guitar at $300+ 1.5 years ago

 

[EugeneSmasher]

$300 for an Aria? Chances are it is a solid-top, because with the smaller / less well known manufacturers, they have solid tops at a cheaper price than the big companies. You're paying less for the brand. So its having a solid-top isn't impossible. Can you see the grain in the soundhole?

 

[Phil]

oh yes...my friend is selling a ARIA classical guitar , model C-36....can't find info about it via the internet. Just wondering is it solid top? she bought the guitar at $300+ 1.5 years ago

Erm, maybe.. you can read my previous post?