Acoustic guitar with solid top

1. How do I know if my acoustic guitar is solid top?
2. How do I know if my guitar is solid or laminate?
3. Why do solid top guitars sound better with age?
4. Are all solid guitars good?

How do I know if my acoustic guitar is solid top?

Looking at the edges of the soundhole is the best method; in addition, you can look at the grain of the soundboard: cheap laminates usually aren't made to be good looking, often they use lower quality woods, if you see nice spruce patterns it's probably solid; also, the bracing on a solid top is different, but that has ...

How do I know if my guitar is solid or laminate?

Pull the end pin and look at the cross section of the side. The only way to really tell if the back is solid or laminated is to find some way to see the cross-section, which is virtually impossible to do if the guitar is intact. Sit there and play it until the guitar "opens up". If it does, it's solid.

Why do solid top guitars sound better with age?

It contains gaps which allow it to absorb water into. Over time, these gaps in the wood can collapse. Hence, the wood cannot retain as much water. And it's this lack of moisture, and the process of the top of the guitar drying out, that causes it to sound better over time.

Are all solid guitars good?

Only the best acoustic guitars are all solid wood. Once again this refers to the top and sidewalls of the guitar body, and has nothing to do with the neck nor any other parts. Of course the guitar body as a whole is "acoustic and hollow".