Spruce vs Cedar Classical Guitar

Squonk

http://www.truthabouttheguitar.com/2011/08/spruce-vs-cedar-top.html

I am possibly(more like definately) buying a Takamine Spruce top Nylon Guitar and doing research on the different tops for Nylon guitars.

Two major solid tops are Cedar and Spruce and both have different characteristics.

Cedar - softer, a warmer tone
Spruce - Bright and Punchy

And according to most articles(Including the one I posted) Cedar does evolve like Spruce but obviously faster.

But each guitar will still have it's own character. I think the end result will be that I will have to get a Cedar top Nylon as well.

Any one else with experience of Cedar vs Spruce Nylon Guitars?

My brother has a Takamine Nylon that has incredible tone, not too sure if it's Cedar or Spruce.

Bob-Dubery

Nick Benjamin's notes on woods may offer some insights
http://www.benjaminguitars.co.uk/woods.htm
but, of course, the truest test is to play the thing.

aja

Squonk wrote: Cedar - softer, a warmer tone
Spruce - Bright and Punchy

Funny, I have had the opposite experience. Basically I found that ceder is like middle aged spruce - better than new spruce (more defined notes) but not as good as very old spruce. That's why I went for ceder. Also, ceder seems to be good for fingerstyle guitar...

I think the guitar bracing and wood grain (density etc) makes a bigger difference than top wood species choice anyways (IMO)

Another thing to remember is that ceder is soft and dings easily - really easily.

Bob-Dubery

aja wrote: I think the guitar bracing and wood grain (density etc) makes a bigger difference than top wood species choice anyways (IMO)

Different woods have different densities and different lengths of grain. This is why there are some woods better for guitar building than others, and why different woods bring different things to the party. Spruce is so widely used for steel string flat tops because it is very strong along the grain for it's weight (the same reason it was popular in the aircraft business at one time).

Another thing to remember is that ceder is soft and dings easily - really easily.

Yes. Softer than spruce. Though surely if a modern gloss finish is used then that's not too much of a problem?

Keira-WitherKay

As someone else suggested listen to the guitar without worrying about specs , with all acoustics steel and nylon you know sounds of similar models can vary , with a nylon string the bigger thing to consider is do you want a warm classical tone or a brighter more responsive flamenco sound , and be careful of cheap solid spruce tops , cos thanks to marketing when many see thew words solid spruce top they think they getting boutique quality but from what classical sites recommend is if you buying mid range rather buy cedar top as the quality does not differ as radically as spruce , but just listen your ears will like something then just buy it , and remember with classicals buy the best you can afford cos the tone you hear is what you get since nylons are amplified but seldom treated with fx not like electrics where fx and amp will change the tone

AlanRatcliffe

Construction and the individual pieces of wood will both have a big influence. I like both, but generally prefer spruce for flamenca (punchy, bright), cedar or redwood for classic (smooth, balanced). If I want one guitar to do both, spruce. Spruce will be more constrained when new but matures nicely, seeming to loosen up and fill out. Cedar tends to keep the same basic sound, just becoming more and more refined over time.

Squonk

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Construction and the individual pieces of wood will both have a big influence. I like both, but generally prefer spruce for flamenca (punchy, bright), cedar or redwood for classic (smooth, balanced). If I want one guitar to do both, spruce. Spruce will be more constrained when new but matures nicely, seeming to loosen up and fill out. Cedar tends to keep the same basic sound, just becoming more and more refined over time.

You are describing what I need ?
Thanks Alan

and to Bob, Aja and Keira

Will still play it first, but can't see me not taking it