Are you trying to decide between cedar vs spruce top acoustics? Not sure which would be best for you? You’re not alone in this question. Many different acoustic guitars have tops made of different types of tonewoods.
Are you an expert on woods? You will be after reading this!
The main difference between cedar and spruce top acoustic guitars is the properties and sound of the wood. Cedar is lighter weight, softer wood, but very responsive and resinous. Spruce is a stiffer, more dense wood that is heavier to the touch and provides an excellent sound response with fantastic projection and volume and longer sustain than cedar guitars.
Spruce Top Acoustic Guitars
The spruce top acoustic guitar is one of the most popular guitars in the world today. It is a common type of guitar for beginners because it is affordable, easy to use, and mellow sound. However, it comes with certain drawbacks that make it undesirable to experienced players.
What Are The Benefits Of Spruce Top For Guitars?
One of the benefits of spruce guitars is that they are less expensive than other types of guitars. It is also a softer wood, making it easier to play for beginners to learn. Another thing that these guitars offer is excellent sound projection and volume without being too heavy. This is important for someone who wants to carry their guitar around with them without feeling weighed down.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Spruce Top Acoustic Guitars?
One of the drawbacks of spruce guitar tops is that they do not have as distinctive. While this may be an advantage for beginners, it can become a problem if you develop your unique style, dynamic range, and tone.
What Does A Spruce Top Do To The Tone Of A Guitar?
A spruce guitar top makes the guitar more mellow and warmer, which appeals to some people, but this kind of sound can be tricky for beginners to play. A beginner would need to learn to play slowly at first because it does not respond well to fast playing. The guitar can sound tinny and unpleasant if the beginner gets too excited and plays too quickly. This means that several things are essential when purchasing one for a beginner, such as proper stringing, set up, and action.
How Long Does It Take For A Spruce Top To Age?
Typically, this doesn’t need to age for as long as a cedar top to reach its full sound potential. While they both need years of playing before they reach their peak, spruce tops only need to be played for a couple of months before sounding good. The aging process is most important for the tone and volume of an acoustic guitar.
Cedar Top Acoustic Guitars
Cedar guitars are more common, heavy-bodied guitars with a deep, powerful sound and friendly musical tone. Many cedar-top acoustic guitars also have minor inlays of abalone or other pieces of wood to make them look and feel nice.
What Are The Benefits Of A Cedar Top Acoustic Guitar?
A cedar top guitar can provide the player with a robust and full sound when adequately set up. It can also give a better output than spruce guitars for someone who wants to play in different kinds of environments. A cedar top acoustic guitar can be a good choice for someone who wants to play at some point outdoors.
What Are The Drawbacks Of A Cedar Top Acoustic Guitar?
Cedar woods do not resonate entirely when played at a higher volume. This could be a problem for someone playing their top guitar outdoors but is not concerned about others hearing them as much. Another drawback for many players is that cedar tops do not offer as much projection as spruce tops. This means they need to play a little harder to get the same sound.
What Does A Cedar Top Do To The Tone Of A Guitar?
Cedar tops are the most popular acoustic guitars amongst professional guitarists and experienced players alike because they can provide a full sound. They also have excellent tonal differences depending on what wood is used to construct the acoustic guitar. A cedar top guitar is a perfect choice for someone who wants to have a lot of control over how the instrument sounds.
How Long Does It Take For A Cedar Top To Age?
Cedar tops will age and mature faster than spruce tops but slower than rosewoods or other types of wood used to make guitars. Cedar is a fast-growing wood that does not take as long to reach its full potential. For this reason, most people do not notice the tone changing on a cedar guitar for years after it is purchased.
Which Guitar Is Louder, Spruce Top Or Cedar Top?
Upon first impression, spruce seems to be the louder and more vibrant sounding of the two types of guitars. However, cedar tops will produce a more audible sound when the playing volume increases. For this reason, it may depend on what kind of volume and type of music you will be playing when deciding which type of guitar is better for you.
Some Examples Of Both
If you are looking for specific examples of acoustic guitars or even a nylon string classical guitar with these tops, check out our posts:
A Conclusion On Cedar Vs Spruce Tops
Both types of guitars and tonewoods have pros and cons but are still very popular amongst players and luthiers of all kinds who choose cedar over spruce. Spruce top guitars are a good choice for beginners who want to experiment with different types of music and might want to move on to other instruments. Cedar tops are a better option for someone looking for a powerful and natural sound that they can use in a variety of different environments. This includes someone playing outdoors or someone who wants something more versatile for live performances or recording.