Solid Top vs Laminate Top Guitars: Helping You Choose Better

• Solid Top And Laminate Guitars Are Hotly Debated – Is One Superior?
• Learn The Differences In Manufacturing
• Find Out Which Is More Suitable For Your Needs

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The debate will probably rage until the end of time over which wood is the best-sounding option to build an acoustic guitar.

Of course, there will never be a right or wrong as it’s purely down to personal preference, but the one thing that we can unanimously agree on is that choice of materials impacts tone.

One of the discussions you have undoubtedly heard is whether a solid top or laminate guitar is superior in sound quality. But what does each mean, and how does the building method impact tone?

Solid Top Vs. Laminate Top Guitars

Key Differences

	Solid Top	Laminate Top
Composition	Solid Wood	Multiple Layers
Appearance	One Single Layer On Top	Several Layers Bound Together
Manufacturing Cost	Higher Than Laminate Top Due To Solid Piece Of Wood	Kept Low Due To Using Several Cheaper Materials
Sound	Warm, Resonant, Bright	Tends To Sound ‘Flatter’ Than A Solid Top
Durability	Prone To Cracking And Damage In Changing Environments	Tough And Better Suited To Changing Temperatures
Longevity	Sound Can Become Warmer And Improve With Age	Sound Will Stay Consistent

Construction

An acoustic guitar comprises several components, from pickups to the fretboard to the body, and the wood used plays a big part in how the guitar sounds.

The top is the area with the sound hole cut into it and can be considered the face of the guitar. This will usually be glued to the guitar’s body towards the end of the manufacturing process. Because the strings and bridge are directly in contact with the top, many guitarists feel that this is one of the most critical parts of the guitar when it comes to the tone it produces.

This is why a laminate and solid top are hotly debated. Both are constructed differently and can directly impact the guitar’s sound. Common types of wood used to construct an acoustic guitar are mahogany, spruce, maple, and rosewood.

Solid Top Construction

A solid top comes from one piece of wood, so technically, it isn’t made. Moreover, it is cut out into the right shape and glued to the guitar’s body. As you’ll guess by the name, it’s also a solid cut.

A solid top is generally considered a better build quality than a laminate top. That’s not to say that laminate tops sound bad, but because the top is sourced from one piece of wood, the solid option offers a richer sound than its counterpart.

However, this also impacts the cost. A solid top guitar typically costs more than a laminate top. Many guitars will have an entirely solid body, which many players find far superior.

If you want to splash out on a high-end solid top guitar, I recommend checking out Taylor’s K14ce. Not only does it sound great, but it looks incredible. However, some great budget-friendly solid top acoustic guitars, such as Fender’s CD60s, are out there.

Laminate Top Construction

A laminate top is more of a composite material, typically split into thinner layers. It serves the same purpose as a solid top, but the process is entirely different as it can be made up of several different types of wood or material.

These layers can be held together through various processes, from glue to heat to pressure. This process is usually much cheaper than producing a solid top because the manufacturer can construct more guitars by cutting down the expensive wood they use.

For example, they may divide the one piece of wood they would use for a solid top into several smaller slices. This can then be spread across more guitars, with the rest of the laminate made of cheaper materials.

Ultimately, this impacts tone, and many find the laminate top sound inferior to a solid top. But the trade-off is that the guitar becomes more budget-friendly if it is of laminate top construction.

I’d check out Fender’s FA-345CE for a great-sounding laminate top guitar.

Sound

It’s easy to say, ‘a solid top sounds better,’ but there are specific sonic characteristics that you’d associate with each type of guitar.

Keeping an open mind is important if you are considering buying an acoustic guitar. Just because it’s a laminate top, it doesn’t instantly mean it sounds terrible, and many solid tops get trumped by a laminate.

But if you’re wondering how one compares to the other, you will get some typical traits. Because a solid top is one consistent piece of material, it tends to resonate better than a laminate top, producing a warmer, boomier, and louder tone.

A solid top also offers more sustain, which many players find attractive. Moreover, as the guitar ages, it can improve in tone because the top is of solid construction.

A laminate top tends to lack as much richness and warmth. However, they also tend to stay the same with age, so buying your guitar will likely sound similar in several years.

Durability

This is essential for many guitarists, as your playing habits often influence purchasing decisions. For example, a guitarist who regularly travels with their instrument between gigs might favor a cheaper model over a pricier one that sounds better simply because it will unavoidably end up with more wear and tear.

A bedroom guitarist who knows their environment is consistent and has a safe place to store their guitar might favor a more costly solid top option as they know their guitar isn’t going to be in danger any time soon.

Suppose we think about how a solid top and a laminate guitar fare in changing environments, temperatures, and surroundings, it can be argued that a laminate top is a more durable choice.

A solid top is more susceptible to cracking when exposed to changing temperatures. In contrast, because of how a laminate top is made, it can withstand drops and peaks in heat and cold.

So yes, you might find that solid top sounds incredible, but if you’re embarking on a string of gigs in the middle of winter, moving from icy outside temperatures to hot stage lights, your money might be better invested in a laminate top!

Appearance

This is a great question, and the answer will likely differ depending on who you ask. Some will say that a laminate guitar looks cheaper than a solid top because of the nature of the materials used. In reality, the veneer (the top layer of the laminate) still uses the same material as that in a solid body counterpart, so the difference is minimal.

One scenario where you could argue the aesthetic superiority of a solid top is in a top-end model. This is because the luthier may be using a more exotic or expensive wood than you’d typically find in a budget laminate guitar, so naturally, it will be more pleasing to the eye.

This would be very much like comparing a Ferrari to a Ford. Yes, most people will probably prefer the look of the Ferrari, but this is because it is a much more expensive model. 

How To Tell If A Guitar Is A Solid Top Or Laminate

If you’re an experienced guitarist with an excellent ear, you might be able to tell the construction of a guitar just by hearing it or perhaps even feeling it. For most of us, a quick visual inspection tells how the top was made.

The easiest way is to look at the sound hole, specifically the edges. If you peer into the body of the guitar and look at how the edge of the sound hole looks, you should be able to see one solid edge or one made up of several layers.

Final Thoughts

As with many things in music, personal preference is everything. While solid top guitars are widely renowned for sounding better than a laminate, it isn’t a precise winner/loser scenario. 

Many factors come into play, with the budget being one of them. Yes, a solid top might sound warmer and richer, but if you are working to a particular price point, you will probably favor a cheaper laminate guitar. 

Laminate tops still sound great, and there’s a reason why manufacturers make them. It isn’t just a case of cutting their costs down. It’s also about producing great instruments that people can afford.

If you’re on the fence about it, try visiting your local guitar store and comparing the two. By picking one up and playing, you’ll only know which sound, tone, and feel you prefer.