Cedar or spruce?

[Dragontooth]

I acquired an old Yairi CY 90 and don’t know if the top is cedar or spruce. How can I determine what it is? Would the serial number help?

[Gitaman]

I have both and Ah, good old smell it method should work. If not sure, go to GC and compare the smell. Sniff when no one is looking or you may get the looks. Cedar has a distinct stronger smell.

[fitness1]

Take a small piece of fine grit paper and scratch the underside of the top around the sound hole a few times. If it's Cedar, you'll know it (assuming you've smelled a Cedar chest before!)

I've not seen many Spruce top Yairi's from that era.....very likely Cedar.

[devnulljp]

Originally Posted by Dragontooth

I acquired an old Yairi CY 90 and don’t know if the top is cedar or spruce. How can I determine what it is? Would the serial number help?

Stick a flashlight inside in a dark room. if it's Spruce , you'll see shadows where the braces are. You shouldn't be able to see through cedar.

[MarkinLA]

I play a Cordoba C10 cedar.. Cedar is usually on the orange side, has more visible grain, dings easier, and has a warmer tone than spruce..Spruce is usually on the white side, has tighter grain, dings less easy, and has a more brighter/sharper tone than cedar....

[redir]

Originally Posted by devnulljp

Stick a flashlight inside in a dark room. if it's Spruce , you'll see shadows where the braces are. You shouldn't be able to see through cedar.

You can still see brace shadows in cedar.