Spruce vs. Cedar

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mlee
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Spruce vs. Cedar

Post by mlee »

Hey all, I don't post very much on here, but I do find if very informative reading all of your posts. THis is a great message board. I am thinking on purchasing a new guitar, pretty sure I'm going with a Takamine either a G330S or a GS330S..the only thing is I'm wondering what the difference is between Spruce and Cedar...is one better than the other? Is it just a cosmetic thing?? The Cedar guitar looks better in my opinion, but the Spruce guitar costs a bit more....

Thanks

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mbgreen
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Post by mbgreen »

Cedar will typically have a warmer, deeper sound. Nice bass. Spruce will be nice and bright, with (usually) better mids and highs.

I own a cedar top guitar, and I love the tone. Its really mellow and deep...great for solo dave-style play. If you play a lot of fingerstyle, you might want to look at the cedar (whoops...brain goes faster than my hands.) Just play both, and see which sound suits you best.
Last edited by mbgreen on Sun Sep 07, 2003 2:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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firedancer86
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Post by firedancer86 »

Cedar is known for ints fingerpicking qualities...

Spruce will put out a decent sound for fingerpicking also...just not like Cedar or Redwood
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ElGuitarrista
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Post by ElGuitarrista »

I have a Taylor 514ce w/ cedar top. I love the sound. It's very responsive and soft. Not as harsh sounding as spruce. My preference is cedar over spruce.

Keep in mind that cedar is a softer wood and damages easier. If you're a heavy strummer and tend to hit the top of the soundhole, it'll damage easy. Mine is nicked up and showing more damage than if it were spruce.
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firedancer86
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Post by firedancer86 »

in many experiences, people say that Cedar, when strummed loud, will have a mush sound...and that it is best to stick with fingerpicking...just what some say...
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Post by isaac »

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musicia ... oods1.html

and fingerpicking still sounds beautiful on the Spruce top of my 414ces. :) all just a matter of opinion really, outside of cosmetics and strength of the wood, as noted above.
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