Affordability, tone, comfort and stability are all part of the equation
Solid wood? Laminated wood?
Which is better?
Well, solid wood, of course, you might think, but, in truth, both styles of guitar have compelling qualities in terms of sound, playability and function.
An all-solid wood guitar, like a Legacy Concertina Natural Shadow CE, certainly sets the bar tone-wise and will almost always offer a richer, more sustained sound, along with a nimbler response and a wider dynamic range. For a professional recording a new album with high quality studio microphones, it’s clearly the way to go.
The same is largely true for an experienced player wanting to entertain themselves and perhaps the occasional visitor, in the basement music room. At some point, a discerning ear wants to hear the clarity and character offered only by all solid exotic tonewoods, like those found in sustainably sourced Made in Bend models and in the new Breedlove Organic Collection, including the all African mahogany Wildwood Companion Satin CE.
But it takes a while to mature that sense.
For younger players just starting out, for example, a laminate guitar like a Discovery Companion CE Sunburst can provide a surprisingly affordable, easy playing and stylish entry point into the wide world of music. If you could ask your favorite star, chances are you’d learn that they began on a laminate guitar for the very same reason as you. They could afford it and it was an excellent tool for developing skills and the finely tuned ear that would eventually want to move on to solid wood.
But many pros, serious players and even certain collectors still desire laminate guitars for any number of reasons—some simply sentimental (“Gosh this was my first guitar!”), others eminently practical (“Man, this thing just works!”)
For someone starting out their guitar journey, one of the most important things is staying in tune. That’s key in helping the musical ear train itself. Laminate guitars are less susceptible to string tension changes from fluctuations in temperature and humidity. That same new player wants to see their guitar all the time. It’s likely perched on a stand or leaning in the corner, available at whim, calling out for some attention. It’s sturdy enough to handle that kind of use while still sounding great, luring the eager player at every spare moment.
A fine, handmade all solid wood guitar—maybe a Premier Redwood & Rosewood Concerto CE—really needs some care and wants to be kept in a protective bag or case when not in use. It may not seem as immediately available for a fleeting strum, but it offers its own rich rewards when released from its protective little home.
A wonderful midway point—you might call it a compromise, but we won’t—is a guitar with a solid top and laminate back and sides. Such an instrument—say a koa Pursuit Exotic Concert CE—truly offers the best of both worlds—comfort, playability, ease of care and superior sound.
Breedlove Brand Editor Michael Eck travelled for years as a solo performer with a dreadnought featuring a solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian Rosewood back and sides.
In addition to dates around the Northeast states, Eck says, “I was hitting Manhattan monthly and playing a bunch of rough and tumble joints like CB’s Gallery, Arlene’s Grocery and The Fort at Sidewalk Café. I needed a guitar that sounded fantastic, but could go in a gigbag and put up with the rigors of train, bus and taxi rides without breaking down.”
“In high volume situations, the layered frame reduced the chance of feedback and back then, when fewer guitars came with built in pickups, I didn’t mind cutting in to the upper bout to add a body-mounted preamp and battery door.”
“That guitar hit all the marks and prepared me for playing quieter listening rooms with sensitive sound systems that could make an all solid wood instrument really shine.”
Solid wood? Laminated wood?
The answer is yes.
You will know which works best for your situation, and you will play better, sound better and play more with a Breedlove.
