Here’s the laminate plate process Im using on the run of 14” guitars that i’m on! (see my first post on this for the whole scoop). Last year i got a nice vacuum system for the shop, and it makes the coolest laminate plates for these guitars. They use maple veneer, and are laminated in alternating grain directions with a super hard drying glue. This makes a real stiff and great sounding plate. I machined out a real precise form that I can use to press veneers into the shape. I can then add the bracing i want (which i custom designed out of sitka spruce) and it will match up perfectly.
The outer shell of the plate is gorgeous 1 pc full width flame maple that I found. It will look incredible after it is stained. One of my clients asked for a Sitka spruce face as well, and i took pics of how I sliced the veneer on the bandsaw. It takes a great setup on the saw as well as a brand new blade. It takes a bit of fitting to get a good bookmatch on the complex arch surface. Turned out great though and the guitar will have a cool spruce face.
CARVED VS LAMINATE????
I get a lot of inquiries on the difference between the sound of the laminate and carved guitars. Theres so many variables, but heres the quick answer. This applies to the differences in my instruments- not in laminates vs. carved in general, because i prepare my plates with quality materials (alternating grain maple), with hard drying glue and with a special bracing formula. My laminates sound more “electric” than my carved guitars, and this is a good thing. Many players are looking for less acoustic quality in their sound, in order to have a more modern tone or to be able to cross over into other genres. Carved isnt “better” than laminate! Its just different. That said, my laminates are built very lightly and have excellent response. Factory laminates on inexpensive guitars can have cheap plates, and thats why they sound dead. Its very much possible to have a very responsive and great sounding laminate (with surprising acoustic volume!) as long as the guitar is built lightly and care is taken with the plates.
