Sonic diff between solid, vs lam back & sides

[Mad Max]

Originally Posted by Rpt50

Finally, as a qualifier to the prior statement, do remember that laminate B&S guitars offer easier care. When I have to keep a guitar in a case, it never gets played. My laminate B&S guitars hang on the wall all year long and get all the play time.

Agreed. When I got my solid wood guitar, it sounded so good, I wanted to sell my laminated B&S guitar and get another solid one. But I didn't, for this reason.

[musicman1951]

Everything has an influence on the sound of a guitar. It's very difficult (impossible?) to select one influence on one guitar and confidently state that was the determining factor for what you hear.

And that brings us to what you hear. There is no good substitute for playing a bunch of guitars and buying the one you like. Never pay for quality you don't hear.

[CelticDude]

I didn't see anyone mention Epiphone Masterbilts as decent all-solid wood guitars under $1K. These deserve a play, and can usually be found at GC and other guitar marts.

[cdkrugjr]

It’s complicated. If I tried to give you one true rule I’d miss something.

Everything matters, but an all solid guitar is much more difficult to build, so i look at any sub-thousand all solid guitars with great skepticism.

[GeneralDreedle]

Guild Maple Jumbo's have laminated back and sides I think. Nothing low end or cheap sounding about those guitars, they're as good as any Jumbo's out there

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by CelticDude

I didn't see anyone mention Epiphone Masterbilts as decent all-solid wood guitars under $1K. These deserve a play, and can usually be found at GC and other guitar marts.

Yes I have an older AJ500MNS and I am soooooo impressed by it I'm looking for its "mate" ... a similar slope or regular dread with rosewood back and sides. No cutaway or electronics if possible.

[swampyankee]

OP here.
Ironically, I was offered an even trade, my import Guild Starfire V electric for a D'angelico EX-63, which is an all-lam, round hole archtop and back. I always wanted to try a jazz box and this one looks to be a nice all-acoustic version.

It's a bit of a digression from my quest for a solid wood or solid top dreadnaught. but from the youtube reviews, it seems to have a unique voice I'm interested to give a try.

[printer2]

I would guess that a laminate guitar built along the lines of a solid wood guitar will not sound too terribly different. Solid top mind you. I plan on putting it to the test, building two guitars using the same wood for the b&s's but laminating one. But I need to rebuild my bandsaw first.