Laminated sides- mahogany or rosewood for 12 string

[johnkline]

I'm looking for information on the differences of laminated material for the sides and back of a washburn 12 sting which comes in two different flavors, mahogany or rosewood, laminated of course.

I can't even find much info on laminated sides and back, most sites just discuss different types of solid tops. The only info I could find about sides and back was that it "wasn't as important to use solid woods".

Is there any difference between laminated material? Other that aesthetics? How would different laminates affect tonality?

 

John

 

 

Current guitars:

Ovation Custom Legend 1119-4 (1975)

Taylor 310ce

Fender HSS Fat Strat

[DenverDave]

Laminates do not affect the tone as much as a solid tonewood does, so really there is not a lot of difference. The additional wood used in the laminate will affect it a little, but really your choice is more a choice of what looks better to you. There will be probably no difference between the two in a laminate guitar since all you are getting is a 1/16" or so slice of the real wood on top of some kind of plywood. I imagine on the Washburn you are looking at the rest of the laminate wood is the same in the two choices - so you are 'picking colors' so to speak - in a wood kind of way.

[kwakatak]

On the back and sides I don't think that it really makes any big effect on tone. If anything, I think the "flavor" that the back and sides give on a guitar's tone are more dependent on the material's ability to reflect sound waves as opposed to is resonant properties such as it is with the top.

IMO laminated backs, sides - or tops for that matter - do have one upside. They are sturdier and less resistant to changes in temperature and humidity than solid woods. There are limits to that though. Excessive heat will degrade the ability of the glue to bond the layers together. No guitar, solid or laminated is immune to heat stress. I've seen it happen with my all-laminated Takamine and I believe that even Ovations are prone to heat stress as well.