Laminate vs Carbon Fiber

BreedloveRDMH · #1 12-30-2009, 06:04 AM

If you were to purchase a guitar that you knew would be subject to some extremes of heat, cold, humidity, which would you choose and why, a carbon fiber or a wood laminate? How would the tone compare in each to my traditional Martin?
Thanks,
Charlie

Kitchen Guitars · #2 12-30-2009, 06:24 AM

I really like the Cargo. But the F335 Yamaha's are T A N K S with tone. You can buy many of them for the price of the Cargo.
I have a buddy that does Emergency work in Colorado. He has started playing guitar and is dragging a F335 around in his Jeep. He'll hop on a Helecopter and the guitar will freeze for days. I am just educating him on how Humidity in the teens is bad, get a fish tank at home. We'll see how it survives the year. I did suggest for his situation a C/A would be perfect.
I have played a bunch. They sound very good. I would say between the F335 and a CA, the CA will sound good, not 5X's as good though and no where near the Bass of your Martin

Doubleneck · #3 12-30-2009, 06:48 AM

Carbon without a doubt. And I somewhat disagree on the base. If you get a deep body CA I don't think you will disappointed with the bass at all. I just took my CA on a winter road trip to see my son for Christmas. Sometimes in the 20's just left the guitar in the car. Pulled it out cold and play.
Steve

catdaddy · #4 12-30-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreedloveRDMH

If you were to purchase a guitar that you knew would be subject to some extremes of heat, cold, humidity, which would you choose and why, a carbon fiber or a wood laminate? How would the tone compare in each to my traditional Martin?
Thanks,
Charlie

Carbon Fiber for sure. When it comes to temperature and humidity extremes there is nothing more reslilient than carbon fiber. As for the sound, no carbon fiber guitar is going to sound like your Martin but I can personally suggest the CA GXi as a guitar that tonally satisfies this Martin lover, especially on the bass end.

jackstrat · #5 12-30-2009, 07:07 AM

This is why I went with a carbon fiber guitar. Most laminate guitars have a solid top, bridge, neck, etc. All of those are adversly affected by weather.

And in the worst case, laminates can come apart in humid or wet conditions.

And some laminates, like the Martin's HPL absolutely can come apart--I've heard from a few Martin dealers that they don't like carrying them but are forced to.

So carbon fiber is the way to go for extreme weather. The CA cargo is a jangly sounding guitar if the one I played is representative of the breed. Sounded great actually.

The caguitars.com clips of the GX and GXi are impressive. Good balanced sound with plenty of bass. I purchased the Legacy Raw and found the bass a bit lacking, with a strong mid-range, and actually, a balanced sound as contradictory as that may sound.

JackL

Armstrang · #6 12-30-2009, 07:08 AM

I will take my Rainsongs anywhere, under any condition. They have their own distinct and wonderful tone. I tend to baby wooden guitars - even the "cheap" ones. Don't need to baby the Rainsong, just take care of them.

#7 12-30-2009, 07:08 AM

If cost is a consideration, laminate - but i don't know anything laminated that would sound like a cf . . .

jricc · #8 12-30-2009, 03:22 PM

I own both a Martin 0001(solid top and back, lam sides) and Rainsong Advanced series. The Martin has a nice warm sound and the Rainsong has a bright piano-like sound. The Rainsong is strong guitar that handles all weather extremes, from humidity to frigid temps. Hope that helps.

BTW, Last time I looked the Rainsongs were selling for like $750 on Amazon.

Acoustic Rick · #9 12-30-2009, 03:34 PM

If I were to choose a guitar where extreme temps and humidity were an issue I'd go with Carbon Fiber without question. Laminate guitars are better at handling humidity and temp issues than a solid wood guitar but still, carbon fiber can't be beat for weather concerns and temperature concerns.
So far as comparing the tone to a Martin or any other quality solid wood guitar goes there is no comparison. Carbon Fiber sounds like, well carbon fiber. It has its own sound and wood has it's own sound. Definately different tone than solid or laminate wood guitars. Not bad mind you just different.

BreedloveRDMH · #10 12-31-2009, 07:28 AM

Thanks folks, for the advice, I'll be checking out those CA's
Charlie

Dru Edwards · #11 12-31-2009, 09:22 AM

Carbon fiber with definately hold up more to temperature/humidity swings over any wood guitar, whether solid or laminate. That said, CF guitars cost a lot of $. Try some out to see if you like them.

SpruceTop · #12 12-31-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreedloveRDMH

If you were to purchase a guitar that you knew would be subject to some extremes of heat, cold, humidity, which would you choose and why, a carbon fiber or a wood laminate? How would the tone compare in each to my traditional Martin?
Thanks,
Charlie

Carbon Fiber! No contest! They sound great and are durable with no humidity issues and stay in tune! The Age Of Carbon Guitars Is Now! I love my two RainSongs AND I'm a Martin Man too!

You can buy a new carbon fiber guitar for $750 to $3000 depending on make, model and finish.

Regards,

SpruceTop

chistrummer · #13 12-31-2009, 10:30 AM

There is no comparison. Carbon sounds better and is a hundred times as tough. I've been thinking about my first dread lately but the CA GXi is really calling out to me.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=172472

ironman187 · #14 12-31-2009, 11:33 AM

I would take the GXi over a laminate any day. The carbon fibers sound more alive than laminates, they are more responsive, and will have almost no neck issues and such. however, if this was meant to be a "beater" guitar, I suppose I could force myself to purchase an all laminate because I cannot see spending a crapload of money on a guitar I would not play very often.