Acoustic Guitars – Solid or Laminated Top?

[Dominik Gräber]

Hey there,
I am still pretty new in the acoustic section, but plan to get me an orangewood guitar soon
Guitars & Ukuleles
So my first question is if anyone here has experience with orangewood?
But what I am actually aiming for is this: There are two guitars between which I can not decide, the model ‘Oliver’ has a solid mahagony top while the ‘Rey’ model has a laminated top (and a cutaway, which is a plus).
Now I wonder what the difference is here and what you guys would recommend me.

 

[Adin Shepherd]

I had never heard of Orangewood before now so can’t really offer any opinion on them. Any reason you have chosen them over other brands?
As for the solid top v laminate, solid tops will normally have deeper more resonant sound that seems to get better with age. A solid top will usually cost a little more also. These differences (including price) may be more or less noticible depending on brand, model and wood type.
A solid top, in most circumstances, will be the best option, but only if it meets your needs. If you want a cutaway and there is no solid top option in your price range, go the laminate.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

@Adin, I found them accidently and then watched many reviews of them. Their designs just meet my taste and what I found sounded really amazing so by now I have trust in them and want to give them a try, especially for the low price they can offer.
About the differences, that was what I supposed looking at the price. In my case a perfect sound (as far as I can get in that price category) might overweight a cutaway for me at first. But I’ll see. Thanks for the answer!

 

[Adin Shepherd]

No problem at all mate, happy to have helped.

 

[Jen Hapke]

I have watched a review of a Orangewood guitar once and I think they are ok, especially for the price.
But as allways and especially in case of acoustic guitars I recommend to go to a store and just try many guitars. As I bought my acoustic guitar I went to the store and tried many guitars and I ended up with a guitar brand I haven’t heard of before. Mine is a Art & Lutherie and as I know now they are part of the Godin family.
Buying acoustic guitars is crazy because I happens that the same guitar but just not the identical can sound so different. I tried the exact same guitar with a pickup and without and bought the one without because the sound was so awesome.
So I can be kind of suprising to try acoustic guitars.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

@Jen Sounds logical. I already testet some at a local music store, but as mentioned I really trust them now and they hit the style I want, so I’ll see what I get. But generally you are definetly right!

 

[Jen Hapke]

Ah, then just buy the one, that felt the best for you in the store. If you are feeling great with the guitar and the price is nice then just buy it.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Sorry, that was misleading. I testet some acoustic guitars, no orangewood though. I still want to give them a shot

 

[Jen Hapke]

Ah, ok, have you an idea where you can try them out?

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I kinda have to get one imported to germany because they ship only in the us, so I will have a friend sent me one. Of course, like you pointed out it is risky because I might not like it, but I will try this time.

 

[Jen Hapke]

If you love them, try it. It’s not that much money so you can’t loose like 1000 €.