What's wrong with High Pressure Laminate?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CrowsofFritz
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CrowsofFritz

CrowsofFritz

Flamingo!
I know a lot about playing guitars, and quite a bit about about electric guitars. I'm only starting to get into woods though haha. I just played a Martin 000x1ae. It was the best sounding guitar I have heard for $500. I then saw it has HPL sides. What's bad about this? I've heard it makes the guitar not sound better over time, but that's about it.
 
Laminated acoustics are fine the down side is that they do not age like solid top, back and side guitars do.
As acoustic instruments age their tone sweetens or gets warmer, laminated instruments do not but retain the same sound.
 
I tried one of those Martin X guitars and didn't like it at all-it was all plastic to my ears. I think formica is better on a countertop than a guitar.
And I ended up with a Martin D-16, all wood and plays great!
 
The back and sides of a guitar have little to do with how a guitar will age. The top and bracing are the critical factor. They do contribute to the sound of a guitar though. Whether you like that sound is entirely up to you.
 
I have a Martin DCX1E and it's a very sweet guitar. Nothing at all wrong with HPL in fact over and above the manufacturing cost savings, it has practical uses, an instrument made in this way is far less likely to be effected by humidity and temparature changes and will provide a more even and consistant tone. (I also have 2 double basses with laminate backs and sides for the same reason) Long story short if your guitar never leaves your climate controlled house get all wood - if you gig with it get a hybrid... imo yadayada
 
bruiser1964 said:
I have a Martin DCX1E and it's a very sweet guitar. Nothing at all wrong with HPL in fact over and above the manufacturing cost savings, it has practical uses, an instrument made in this way is far less likely to be effected by humidity and temparature changes and will provide a more even and consistant tone. (I also have 2 double basses with laminate backs and sides for the same reason) Long story short if your guitar never leaves your climate controlled house get all wood - if you gig with it get a hybrid... imo yadayada
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Rubbish...
 
haha i've read the HPL does react better to humidity and temp. changes. But over time, can literally melt the glue off. And the top of the Martin 000x1ae is solid spruce so there is some wood in there. I'm looking to replace my crap $150 dollar acoustic and I don't have the budget for a nicer acoustic guitar (like the D-16) as I am saving for some nice monitors. I went to the local guitar shop and this was far and away (to my ears of course) the best sounding in to $500 dollar price range. It may have HPL but hey, it's a Martin, you know the make is good. Does anyone recommend any other guitars around this price range? No higher than $600
 
It's times like this that I wish I was muttley, because he is a nice person and I am not :D
 
bruiser1964 said:
Nothing like an educated debate and your education is nothing.
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Shall we settle for the word "informed" instead of "educated"? Go and get informed and then we shall move onto how educated we may or may not be. Be ready for an exciting but ultimately fruitless ride ..
 
mshilarious said:
It's times like this that I wish I was muttley, because he is a nice person and I am not :D
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I don't have time or energy to keep this place clean anymore. It has slipped into a mix of n00b5 and nonsense..

How is business your end these days. Things here are getting about as slow as I can remember..
 
CrowsofFritz said:
haha i've read the HPL does react better to humidity and temp. changes. But over time, can literally melt the glue off. And the top of the Martin 000x1ae is solid spruce so there is some wood in there. I'm looking to replace my crap $150 dollar acoustic and I don't have the budget for a nicer acoustic guitar (like the D-16) as I am saving for some nice monitors. I went to the local guitar shop and this was far and away (to my ears of course) the best sounding in to $500 dollar price range. It may have HPL but hey, it's a Martin, you know the make is good. Does anyone recommend any other guitars around this price range? No higher than $600
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I'll give you the same answer and advice as I always give people in your position here and elsewhere.

Go to a bunch of stores and take as long as you have. Don't be hassled by any sales staff. If you are leave immediately. Take a mate who can play guitar with you if possible so you can hear the guitar from the front. Play loads even the ones you don't think you'll be interested in. Then leave and come back another day and do the same.

Ignore the name on the headstock.
Ignore sales staff.
Ignore price tags.

You now have a good idea of the type of guitar you want and can narrow the field down to a few. Take your time and have your mate play them for as long as it takes to make up your mind. Guitar shopping is fun. Have fun.
 
muttley600 said:
Shall we settle for the word "informed" instead of "educated"? Go and get informed and then we shall move onto how educated we may or may not be. Be ready for an exciting but ultimately fruitless ride ..
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If I meant informed I would have said informed, I was referring to your lack of education. Posting “rubbish“without qualifying your point demonstrates this.
 
bruiser1964 said:
If I meant informed I would have said informed, I was referring to your lack of education. Posting “rubbish“without qualifying your point demonstrates this.
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Actually you posted the rubbish I just pointed it out to aid any one that may be seeking a little education or information.

As you seem keen to stand by the exact wording you use does that apply to your original post?
 
muttley600 said:
Actually you posted the rubbish I just pointed it out to aid any one that may be seeking a little education or information.

As you seem keen to stand by the exact wording you use does that apply to your original post?
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My mistake, I didn't realise you were a troll.
 
bruiser1964 said:
My mistake, I didn't realise you were a troll.
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lol yeh a troll with 6 years here and over 4000 posts in this section alone. Mostly correcting other peoples nonsense opinions on how guitars work and how they are made especially when they use terms like "fact" in their ramblings. Well spotted.:laughings:
 
muttley600 said:
lol yeh a troll with 6 years here and over 4000 posts in this section alone. Mostly correcting other peoples nonsense opinions on how guitars work and how they are made especially when they use terms like "fact" in their ramblings. Well spotted.:laughings:
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Maybe if you spent less time wanking around on here and more time playing (that's if you can) then you would know what you are talking about... 4000 posts of ignorance is a lot of ignorance.
 
bruiser1964 said:
Maybe if you spent less time wanking around on here and more time playing (that's if you can) then you would know what you are talking about... 4000 posts of ignorance is a lot of ignorance.
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You know what. I've pointed out that your original post consisted entirely of rubbish. I'll let you research exactly how much I do or do not know about guitars and how they are made and how they work. In the mean time I'm back to work. Some others here may help you out with that research to save you a little time. Then again they may not. I don't really care.
 
bruiser1964 said:
Maybe if you spent less time wanking around on here and more time playing (that's if you can) then you would know what you are talking about... 4000 posts of ignorance is a lot of ignorance.
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haha!

Obviously you don't know muttley. Yeah, he's a little prickly but ill-informed he is not.
He's a top notch luthier who builds some unbelievabley beautiful archtop jazz gits and teaches acoustics at University.

I'll grant you, he IS a bit short sometimes but he knows his shit as well or better than about anyone around.
 
I have the DXC1e also and I really love it. I couldn't care less if it is plastic or not. It sounds great, nice and full with a sweet high end. It does have one small buzz problem at the nut on the high E that I will have to get fixed. Most everyday, I take it from my cooled studio to the front porch in this texas heat and I don't have to fuss with it much.

I played a lot of acoustics on many trips to the store before buying this one (it was a toss-up with a Taylor).
 
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