Looking to buy + HPL

matttherevelator41 · Unread post by **matttherevelator41** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:27 pm

I'm looking to buy a new guitar in the 400-600 dollar range. I've been looking at Martins (DXM, DX-1, DM....) but a lot of these have high pressure laminate sides/backs. I was wondering if anyone knows how this HPL material ages. I.E. sounds better over the years. If anyone has any other suggestions for guitars for me to buy please post.

thanks

DMBFan63 · Unread post by **DMBFan63** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:57 pm

It's a bad decision, go for a solid alverez or something else. I like my HPL back and sides, but they aren't worth the money, honestly.

paywad927 · Unread post by **paywad927** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:58 pm

in that range i would stay away form martin, you're just paying for the name and not getting a very good guitar, material wise. a lot of people on these boards praise alvarez in that price range. takamines are also pretty good. im sure that you could find a solid wood guitar in that range, it wont be a martin tho. just keep looking, play everything, and buy what you like best but in that range i would probably say alvarez. good luck.

Pickles · Unread post by **Pickles** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 5:22 pm

ONLY solid wood gets better over time. laminates dont.

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 5:52 pm

Look at a Martin D-15, Taylor 110, Alvarez, Takamine.

mikey69 · Unread post by **mikey69** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:47 pm

Seagulls, Art&Luthurie and Simon & Patricks are great too. And they only come with a solid top, cedar or spruce, your choice

Ranting Thespian · Unread post by **Ranting Thespian** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 12:12 am

I have to say, after getting this Michael Kelly, and looking into them, check them out. They are actualy pretty good guitars. And the legend line will be available later this year (which is the series I got).

matttherevelator41 · Unread post by **matttherevelator41** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 12:30 am

Any specific Alvarez models?

Pickles · Unread post by **Pickles** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 12:39 am

i have an alvarez RD20S (solid spruce top) thats very good for the $200 i paid for it.

washburn10 · Unread post by **washburn10** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 3:21 pm

i always wondered what makes the wood sound better as it ages?

Pickles · Unread post by **Pickles** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 3:29 pm

the vibration improves something about the wood.... maybe it tightens/loosens the grain or something, i cant remember.

geekmug · Unread post by **geekmug** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 4:19 pm

The resin in the wood becomes brittler over time and the vibrations fracture the bonds, and allow the wood to resonate better and be more responsive. When people talk about woods that don't "open up" those are called low-resin woods, and conversely high-resisn woods, "open up".

Dancing Ants · Unread post by **Dancing Ants** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 4:24 pm

From my playing, the DX1 is a very nice guitar...

freshead16 · Unread post by **freshead16** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 5:11 pm

does anyone who puts down laminate sided guitars actually own one themselves? For instance how would u know? all of the reviews i read about guitars like that are good. ive been lookin into the DCX1E and it all has excellent reviews. wouldnt u trust someone that owns the guitar rather than is just stating what they think? Just wondering. i dont know much bout guitars or anything for that fact but ive just been wondering that. thanks

matttherevelator41 · Unread post by **matttherevelator41** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 6:20 pm

I wonder that myself. Theoretically the laminates won't age as well but has anyone ever really owned one long enough to be able to say first hand?

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Looking to buy + HPL

Looking to buy + HPL

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