lam top

[buffbarno2]

yea so i got my guitar but i am really questioning if it was a good move or not. i decided to go with the alvarez rd8 instead of the rd20s to save some money. plus they had a deal with the rd8 including a case. is the laminated top going to make a big difference. now that i think about it, i could have gotten a used case and maybe picked up the rd20s. would it be worth going back and exchanging it? i assume you can buy used cases somewhere too, right? let me know if you have any experiences with the difference between the 2 tops.


here's the specs of the two.....
http://www.alvarezgtr.com/heartprodpgs/regentseriespgs/RD8.html

http://www.alvarezgtr.com/heartprodpgs/regentseriespgs/RD20S.html

thanks

[dennisjayhawk]

Hey Man,

I think further down the road when you, get better you will be able to tell the difference between the 2. Most people are going to tell you that almost 100% of the time a Solid top will be much better that a laminated one.

Check out these cases and compare the prices of upgrading your guitar:

Clicky Clicky (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030519094449024123102222284764/g=guitar/search?d=tp&c=4392)

I just got the RD20SC w/ a black hardcase for $260, granted this is a family discount but I think you can get a better deal on the RD20S.

Good luck

[buffbarno2]

yea so you think i should return this and keep looking. i basically paid the same as you except i am stuck with a shittier guitar. i really dont want the laminate top if its not going to sound as good. anyone know where a good place to get an alvarez rd20s and a case in the binghamton new york area??? it seems like places around here are really overcharging. i dont know how to go about finding a guitar that i can be satisfied with, without getting ripped off. i assume buying online is too sketchy? any more info you can give me would be cool.

[dennisjayhawk]

Yeah dude, the local shop here that tried to push a RD8 on me came with a brown hardcase which they told me would be like $60 if I wanted to buy one down the road, and he was selling them for $198, I hope that's close to what you paid and not closer to $260. My local shop had them stacked about 10 high, so they buy alot cheap and sell alot cheap.

As for telling you to take it back or not that's your call. Have you called every shop in your area or a little outside your area?

[buffbarno2]

yea i have checked around. now i am sure i got ripped.:mad: everything was close to 250 with tax. its going back for sure. i dont know where to get a damn guitar now and its getting frustrating.

[darbini]

Originally posted by buffbarno2
yea i have checked around. now i am sure i got ripped.:mad: everything was close to 250 with tax. its going back for sure. i dont know where to get a damn guitar now and its getting frustrating.

online

[dennisjayhawk]

Hey man,

Have you checked out eBay? That's always and option and you can probably find some good guitars on there being sold by honest people who are giving up the hobby or some other reason to get rid of their instrument.

[WesDutchMaster]

what's the difference between a lam top and a solid one? is laminated made up out of different parts?

[dennisjayhawk]

Originally posted by WesDutchMaster
what's the difference between a lam top and a solid one? is laminated made up out of different parts?

Laminated Wood, or Soild Wood

[WesDutchMaster]

Originally posted by dennisjayhawk
Laminated Wood, or Soild Wood

so laminated as in covered in something?

[Firedncin8nancy]

The answer isn't simple because it deals with not only quality and craftsmanship, but tone as well. Solid wood ages better, costs more, and in most guitarists opinion, sounds "better". A solid wood will resonate more truly than a laminated surface as the layers of glue don't allow all the layers of wood to vibrate precisely as one piece. But a laminated top is considerably stronger than a solid top and is less likely to suffer warping or rippling from extreme weather changes. Also a heavily lacquered finished solid top may not sound as open as satin (virtually looks and feels unfinished) finish laminate. The Lacquer is basically a glove around the wood and if applied heavily can stifle resonance. Either guitar has been used extensively on stage and in recording studios. To help you judge whether or not a guitar has a solid top here are a few hints for inspection:

The key lies in the sound hole. Follow the grain on the top and see if it wraps around inside the sound hole. You should be able to follow it right inside the body - this means it is a solid top. If the grain ends, you should be able to detect the lamination - because the layers of lamination are visible.

[buffbarno2]

Originally posted by darbini
online



is it safe to purchase a guitar online? i had thought about it but i became scared after hearing some stories and what people had to say about it. then again i heard most of this in guitar shops. if it is, it would save me some money and hassle. let me know......

[Rob]

Originally posted by buffbarno2
is it safe to purchase a guitar online? i had thought about it but i became scared after hearing some stories and what people had to say about it. then again i heard most of this in guitar shops. if it is, it would save me some money and hassle. let me know......

No- buying a guitar online is a dangerous venture. You need to play the exact guitar you're buying, not its brother from the same line- no two guitars are the same. In addition, if you buy a guitar from a shop you can always go back there for free advice, neck resets, etc, whereas you're up shit creek with an online purchase.

[buffbarno2]

Originally posted by Rob
No- buying a guitar online is a dangerous venture. You need to play the exact guitar you're buying, not its brother from the same line- no two guitars are the same. In addition, if you buy a guitar from a shop you can always go back there for free advice, neck resets, etc, whereas you're up shit creek with an online purchase.

thanks for the advice. i think i will just take it back and spend a little extra cash for a solid top. it sounds like itll be worth it in the long run. thanks again.