another laminate question.

[mjw61]

it there a laminate back and side guitar that sounds almost as good as solid wood. asking for opinions as to leave out on a stand in an office. thanks.

[Osage]

Originally Posted by mjw61

it there a laminate back and side guitar that sounds almost as good as solid wood. asking for opinions as to leave out on a stand in an office. thanks.

There are plenty that sound better than solid wood. Yamaha leaps to mind as a company making great sounding laminate guitars.

[TomB'sox]

If you want a testimony, check out this thread!

[jwing]

Wouldn't keeping a laminate back-and-sides/"solid" top guitar in a low humidity environment be just as risky as keeping a fully "solid" guitar in that same environment?

[jaymarsch]

I had two all mahogany Alvarez parlor guitars - one solid wood, one laminated back and sides. I used to keep the laminated one at my office but decided eventually to downsize and only keep one. It was a tough decision as they both sounded great. The all solid one was just a tad more responsive.
Best,
Jayne

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by mjw61

it there a laminate back and side guitar that sounds almost as good as solid wood. asking for opinions as to leave out on a stand in an office. thanks.

Some Guild models have laminate arched backs. The backs have no braces! They sound great.

[emtsteve]

Yamaha if you are good with the thinner neck, an Alvarez Artist series, or a Taylor Academy for a bit more money. All are very durable and sound very good. I happened to be at GC yesterday a Yamaha FS800 was a standout for $199 and it was the sandburst finish that looks very nice. Can't beat that! If it's staying at the office you don't even need a case.

[yaharadelta]

Originally Posted by jwing

Wouldn't keeping a laminate back-and-sides/"solid" top guitar in a low humidity environment be just as risky as keeping a fully "solid" guitar in that same environment?

Yes, a solid top is still subject to expanding or contracting with humidity changes, doesn't matter if its glued to laminate or solid sides.

I am now the poster child for Sigma guitars, particularly the older ones with the faux Martin head stock logo. I just got one used at GC and for $250 it's a LOT of guitar for the money. I've played the Yamaha FG8xx and the Sigma is worlds better for the same money. The Sigma sounds great, looks great and playing it is totally worry free. It is heavy, though, so it might not make a great travel or commuting guitar. YMMV.

Not sure where you are located, but there is a guy in the SF Bay Area who must be like a collector of wayward beginner guitars. He always advertises a selection of them on Craigslist for $150 each. He usually has a bunch of Yamahas and Sigmas and other brands. No idea where he is getting them, but they look like a pretty good deal.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg...570188488.html

Good luck!

[keith.rogers]

Originally Posted by mjw61

it there a laminate back and side guitar that sounds almost as good as solid wood. asking for opinions as to leave out on a stand in an office. thanks.

Do you mean laminate as in laminated wood plies (aka "plywood") or the faux wood countertop stuff? I played one of those Martin versions (a D model) of the latter, solid top, and it was a very nice sounding and playing guitar. The neck was wood laminate, probably a dozen plies. I would expect it would be extremely stable. A friend has one of the 000-cutaway models and it has lived in his basement and been used outdoors for many many years.

Plywood guitars are about as good, though you will get a bit more movement with them, and they are also finished, where the "counter-top" material will not be finished, and is really impervious to all but submersion (and sharp blows!). I've seen finish cracks in plywood guitars, even some extending into the top wood layers, but, admittedly, those were in older guitars, likely subjected to neglect if not abuse. And, those cracks were only superficial, though they looked bad.

[L20A]

There are different ways to construct laminated guitars.

Some makers choose to use very thin verniers of tonewoods like Rosewood or Mahogany and use a thicker "Filler" whitewood for the center.
This dampens the tone of a guitar.

Builders like Alvarez use thicker laminations of their tonewoods and use Mahogany for the center piece.
This gives the guitar a closer tone to an all solid wood guitar.

Other laminated sides and back guitars that have great tone are Eastman, Blueridge and Yamaha.
Not sure of their construction though.
Here is a good video from Alvarez, that explains their process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEQxwclZf_o&t=28s

[MBee]

Many of the Godin guitars are laminate. They play and sound great, and are very durable re: humidity changes etc.

[Mirosh]

I have seen Yairi mentioned as an especially fine maker of lam guitars. There was a recent discussion here of the two different makers named Yairi.

[lapetrarca]

Several affordable options.....the all HPL Martin Special X 000 is a good choice. Mine is solid amd doesn't seem to care about the environment.

Rarely, if ever, will you go wrong choosing a Yamaha as well. My imported Guild OM240ce would be another consideration....IMHO.

Lots of choices! Enjoy your quest!

[brancher]

Originally Posted by Osage

There are plenty that sound better than solid wood. Yamaha leaps to mind as a company making great sounding laminate guitars.

100%! Also Yairi makes great laminates (although I wouldn't call them 'laminate' in the traditional sense - Yairi makes the best layered B&S in the world). Another would be Alvarez Artist series - Using techniques from Yairi in Japan, twith solid tops and great layered B&S - warm, lush, loud. As far as an office setting I see no issue as long as your office is at a reasonable temp and humidity level. The layered / laminated guitars are pretty indestructible.