To some degree, it depends on the guitar. In general, spruce is louder because it can be pushed harder without the sound "breaking up". In my experience, that has to be pretty hard.
Cedar, being softer, tends to add nice rich lows while keeping the upper clarity. It can't be strummed maniacally, but every cedar I've owned (with the exception of the XXX-MC but that's due to low string tension) has been fine, and I strum pretty hard when I'm playing at church.
The only real down side to cedar is that it is MUCH easier to ding. I had an eyelash fall on it and I SWEAR it made a dent. Seriously, it really is easy to little microdings, but if you take care of your guitars, it shouldn't be a problem.
The supposed bright-to-warm series is like: Koa/Mahogany, Sitka Spruce, Englemann/European/Adirondack Spruce, Redwood, Cedar, at least as I've heard it explained.
I love them all, but cedar is my fave (and there was a time I didn't like it).
Peace,
Wade
__________________
Wade
Worry less about the guitars you want. Play the guitar you have more.
The answer will come, and it will not be what you expect.
A guitar is a tool, and a friend. But it is not the answer.
It is the beginning.
Current Guitars:
Taylor 716C Modified
Voyage-Air VAOM-04
CD: The Bayleys: From The Inside
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