Official Luthiers Forum!

Does this look like solid spruce to you or is it laminate?

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Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma

It looks like a solid top to me. Looks like spruce. You could try a small mirror and a light to look inside... that will usually confirm it.

It is difficult to tell from the photos. Look carefully at the edge of the f-holes for evidence of layers. I would doubt that it is solid spruce just based on the other shortcuts, such as the painted on binding and the faux figured maple sides.

I agree with you Barry. It just looked so much like spruce I had to ask. I thought these "cheapo" harmony type archtops were usually made plywood that you could kind of see the swirly pattern under the sunburst like the picture: ...you can see the straight grain, so that's what through me.

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Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma

I think some were made of solid spruce, but pressed rather than carved.