Parlor build - spruce top or cedar top

[Olli Dangendorf]

I am curious. I am planning to get a parlor guitar built. Not sure if I am going to go with a spruce or a cedar top. I like both woods, own spruce as well as cedar-topped guitars...and can´t decide what will be of more benefit....the additional warmth of cedar or little more headroom of spruce. Any insights ?

[sachi]

Originally Posted by Olli Dangendorf

I am curious. I am planning to get a parlor guitar built. Not sure if I am going to go with a spruce or a cedar top. I like both woods, own spruce as well as cedar-topped guitars...and can´t decide what will be of more benefit....the additional warmth of cedar or little more headroom of spruce. Any insights ?

What wood will you use for the back and sides? What sort of sound or character do you want from the guitar? Have you chosen your luthier?

My Trek parlor is Adirondack Spruce over Peruvian Walnut. It is very nicely balanced with clean sound, and is LOUD for its size. Harvey did a superb job on the little thing!

On the other hand, I have cedar tops on both my Taylor GC-5 and my Kolaya. The first is Mahogany and the second is Amazon rosewood. The two guitars have very different characters – the Taylor is bright (but not overly so) and clean, with great sustain. The Kolaya is also a clean sound, but with tremendous warmth and presence.

A good luthier should be able to give you some great advice on what she or he can make with various woods.

[J-F C]

Originally Posted by sachi

What wood will you use for the back and sides?

Exactly my reaction to the OP's question

[Steve Kinnaird]

Olli--cherry pie or apple pie?
Strawberry milkshake or chocolate?
They're all good! What slice, or glass, have you not had in a while?
Go with what you have the least of, since you like them both.

Of course, the parlor size will give you plenty of clarity, loads of brightness.
Perhaps think about how you might warm that up a bit.
I love cedar AND redwood on parlors for just that reason.
Or if we use spruce, something like Engelmann works well as it is less dense and stiff than the other spruces--usually.

But again, they're all happy choices.

Steve

[Olli Dangendorf]

Well, If I only knew which pie I want :-)
Back and sides will be Ovangkol or Rosewood. I am leaning towards Ovangkol since I have already 2 Cocobolo an 1 EIR Guitar. My builders has some nice sets of Flamed Ovangkol and has gotten good results with both spruce and cedar.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Originally Posted by Olli Dangendorf

Well, If I only knew which pie I want :-)
Back and sides will be Ovangkol or Rosewood. I am leaning towards Ovangkol since I have already 2 Cocobolo an 1 EIR Guitar. My builders has some nice sets of Flamed Ovangkol and has gotten good results with both spruce and cedar.

Then make his/her day...order one of each!



Steve