Members Billystrat Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 Hello, I've cut my acoustic hunt down to two guitars. They both sound and look beautiful, so now I just wonder is there any difference in durability between Cedar and Sitka Spruce tops? Both guitars are finished in Satin Nitro Lacquer. I'm wondering what's less likely to dent and take less abuse in climate changes.? Thanks Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members corduroyhorn Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 i have a cedar s+p is a softer wood i think and therefore more likely to get bumps and dings but being a s+p the cedar is a very nice bit of wood and looks lush.(think i was sold on the quality grade cedar vs ok spruce on the s+p range i was looking at)..also i like the (warmer) sound and it looks a bit different to everyone elses Spruce top(silly reason but hey) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lovemachine97 Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 Cedar is a softer wood than spruce, and therefore more likely to show wear, dings, or scratches. I prefer the sound of cedar, so that is what I would purchase. Really, though, it is up to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 I too vote for cedar as it has a nice warm tone but as everyone else has pointed out it is soft and prone to damage easier. Cedar is a good choice for classical guitars and for fingerstyle players. OGP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitaristhelp Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 I'd chose tone over durability. If it's softer wood, just look after it more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AK47 Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 Sitka is more durable. Cedar dents easily but opens up quicker. They both produce a slightly different tone. It's just a matter of taste. Take care of them properly you won't have a problem with either. Check your favorite high end guitars to see what they use that might help you decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 I think it's well-established that cedar is a softer wood than sitka. Tonally I've heard that it opens up quicker than sitka, but also that it doesn't have the longevity - possibly because of its durability, but don't quote me on that. All I know is that once spruce opens up (anywhere from several months to a year) it's pretty sweet and IMO worth the wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rkyochim Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 Really now, the difference in durability is so minor that you don't need to worry about it. Maybe the cedar will ding a tiny bit more easily but why be so anal? If you want to be anal then be anal about tone and pick the sound your ears and hands like best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ihateyouguys Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 I had a nice cedar guitar that would get dents if you looked at it too hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EvilTwin Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 Cedar will scar easier, but I haven't heard anyone say that it's really structually inferior to spruce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dave W. Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 Go with the tone you like best, and live with the dents. I have 2 cedar top guitars and yes it will dent easily, but no reason to avoid it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vteckid22 Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 So has anybody made a guitar with half spruce half cedar top? Or two different woods in general? I wonder what that would sound like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted August 3, 2007 Members Share Posted August 3, 2007 Cedar seems to have a way nicer respose when played quietly. Less compression (notes sounding the same played quiet or loud) and more dynamics there...so that when you play quietly you can convey mood better. Since it responds better when driven lightly than spruce, it's great for smaller parlor guitars and classical guitars. The downside is that if you strum into a cedar topped guitar hard, it can get overwhelmed easily. You don't get that satifying crunch of the different notes when strumming chords as much as a sort of clash and crash of notes fighting each other. (Like a flamenco guitar where the chords are almost splashy percussion from the hard strumming) My experience anyway.You probably can get around these general characteristics by playing with other elements of a guitar's construction (soundboard thickness for instance) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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