Topmusicanswers
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.
- Do solid back and sides matter?
- Which guitar has a solid wood body?
- How do I know if my guitar is in good shape?
Do solid back and sides matter?
Do solid back and sides really make that extra difference when compared to laminate double sided. as some companies are still making £1000 guitars with laminate sides and others are solid. Solid back and sides matter of course, but the biggest single improvement in tone and sustain, come with the solid top.
Which guitar has a solid wood body?
In an "all solid wood" acoustic guitar, each body wood component is solid, and not layered or laminated: that means the top, back, and sides are all made from solid wood components. A keen eye can spot these tiny layers in the top if you look at the soundhole opening.
How do I know if my guitar is in good shape?
Play all strings, up and down the neck. Try to tell if all the notes play well and sound good. Some guitars have "dead frets" meaning their neck has some defects (usually fixable), and some guitars resonate very well at some frequencies (notes) and poorly at others.
