What Is a Double-Top Guitar?

A double-top guitar is simply a guitar with a face made of two woods. But while easy to describe, the benefits of this type of design go far beyond the sum of its parts. Read our guide to find out why you should consider a double top guitar.

WHAT IS DOUBLE TOP GUITAR?

The double top guitar top sounds almost exactly what you would expect – it has two tonal woods for the top. But acoustic guitars have been built with a single top for hundreds of years, so why would we want two woods?

For any acoustic guitar, the top material and the bracing are two of the most important factors that affect the sound and response of the guitar. Key improvements that come with the double top include enhanced dynamic range, nuance, tonal range, durability, and stability.

Good sound! So why aren't all guitars made like this? Well, it's not as simple as gluing two pieces of wood together. Let's take a look at how a double top is built and the benefits it brings.

HOW IS DOUBLE TOP GUITAR WORKED?

A double top guitar, also known as a composite top or a sandwich top, is actually a three-layer design. The top is made of two outer layers of hardwood and a layer of special reinforcing material in the middle. In the case of the Hartwood Libretto Double Top Acoustic Guitar and the Hartwood Libretto Double Top Classical, the middle layer is made from a unique material called Nomex.

WHAT IS NOMEX?

Nomex is a Kevlar polymer manufactured in a honeycomb-like hexagonal structure. It was originally designed for use in the aerospace industry by DuPont and is used today in a wide variety of applications. "From keeping people safe while drilling beneath the earth's core to launching rockets into space" (DuPont).

Back on earth, a double top guitar uses a thin layer of Nomex placed between two hardwoods such as spruce or cedar. This three-layer construction offers structural and tonal benefits over a single guitar.

COMPARISON THE DOUBLE TOP GUITAR vs. SINGLE TOP GUITAR

The physical benefits of a double top over a traditional single top include increased strength, increased flexibility, and significant weight reduction. The result of this design is a responsive instrument with outstanding resonance and responsiveness.

A double top guitar can also deliver bigger sound from a smaller body, and you'll notice a sharper sound on the notes, making them crisp and clear.

All of these benefits will become noticeable when you realize how well a double top guitar responds to your playing. Every detail and dynamic is enhanced, every nuance and subtlety is reproduced precisely. These guitars enhance the finest of fingerpicking, powerful strumming techniques.

IS DOUBLE TOP THICKER than SINGLE TOP?

Dual tops are relatively thick when compared to standard laminate tops. As such, a double top acoustic guitar will respond more like an instrument with a fleshy top, with a familiar tonal palette.

The difference to a top guitar is definitely the layered construction. While sonic capabilities can be similar to those of a solid top, the dual top construction also offers the added benefits of high-quality lamination, encouraging extended range of both frequencies. low and high.

DOES GUITAR DOUBLE TOP NEED A VOICE?

A double top guitar still needs traditional bracing. However, with the Nomex and hardwood layers on the top providing all the strength and versatility, the bracing inside the instrument can be used in a different way. Traditional bracing on single top guitars is used to support and correct the guitar's response. In a double top guitar, the power is already there, so the bracing can be used exclusively to adjust the tone of the instrument. The benefits don't stop at the sound hole. A double guitar is less likely to crack than a traditional solid-faced guitar because the air pockets inside the Nomex layer allow it to breathe. In turn, this makes it exceptionally resistant to changes in humidity and temperature, giving you excellent tuning stability and consistent sonic response across multiple climates. different post. You'll also be assured that your guitar can withstand years of performance, practice, and recording.

SHOULD I BUY DOUBLE TOP GUITAR?

If you are an acoustic or classical guitarist, the guitar is the tool you use to inspire your inner music. You need an instrument with dynamic range to convey any emotion and subtlety of tone to bring out all the nuances of your technique.

Regardless of your playing style, you will immediately feel the benefits of a double top. The purpose-built top layer construction enhances all that you know and love about traditional acoustic guitars. Resounded? Dynamic range? Tone balance? It's all there, and it's all enhanced with a double top guitar.

Whether you're a student looking for greater volume and durability or a seasoned player looking for more nuance and sensitivity, a double top is well worth considering. .