Guitar question. I need help?

Question

If you have the choice of getting a taylor 210 with laminate sides as compared to another company like Alvarez or Martin that is all wood which would you choose. I know that all wood ages with time and gives it a more mello tone but is it the same for laminate. Also does laminate have the same sound as wood? Or should I say why would anyone buy a guitar with laminate instead of all wood construction. I'm going to buy one but I don't know if I want to spend 700 dollars on a guitar that is not all wood.

Answer 1

Yours is a good question and a dilemma to face. I much prefer the quality woods that go into an acoustic such as what Martin and Gibson select. Taylor is a top-notch instrument company and I won't deride it, but a Martin having rosewood backs and sides say much more than I can here.

Play several laminates and several all-wood instruments. Stand away and have someone else play them for you to hear the projection given.

If this next guitar will become your partner for life and not just used on the road to prevent damage I'd select all-woods. But that is my opinion based on experience.

Answer 2

an all wood guitar always has a better sound than laminated. your best bet would be to go with the martin. $700 is a good price for a good instrument.

Answer 3

I used to be a guitar teacher. A solid top guitar (made from wood as opposed to laminate) will always give a better tone. If you are a beginner and unsure whether this is for you, by all means get a cheap guitar, but if you're passionate about it, I highly recommend the best guitar you can afford. Cheap guitars make it unnecessarily difficult to play for a beginner. Fender and Gibson are best, but very expensive. Takamini and Washburn are great but also pricey. You can sometimes get a good Aria (I played one for 20 years) but their quality vary. The Martin, definitely.

Answer 4

get the all wood if you can. laminate will last as long but the sound from an all wood is much better.