Cedar vs Spruce tops on Dreadnoughts! | Guitar Battles #21 | @ TFOA

It might seem like Coen and Maarten are enjoying themselves a little too much in the thumbnail, but this is a serious question; Cedar tops or Spruce tops on Dreadnoughts? Find out now and let us know which one's your favourite!
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[@wouterdejong5798]

Thx for battling spruce vs ceder! I thought the ceder sounded warmer and more friendly than the spruce, but spruce has more clarity. Great playing and great guitars. I'll drop by soon to try them both myself!

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks Wouter! Look forward to seeing you here :)

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

What I like to do is taking a ceder top (or redwood) and combine it with rosewood for more bass response. Thats my favorite combo :) But as most of you mentioned, its really good for fingerpicking.

[@thomasgaida7174]

I bought a Faith Mars recently which is a Cedar/Mahogany SS dreadnaught, and it is explicitly aimed at fingerstyle players. It is said that cedar tops tend to produce more volume with a light touch, and this is the case with my guitar. It is loud and mellow, which I like. On the other hand, the sound is a bit too warm, especially the lower strings have no punchiness at all. I can tweak the sound a bit with the right choice of strings (bronze or aluminium bronze). I suppose, one cannot have best of both worlds.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

I agree Thomas, guitars are meant for specific means. Doens't mean we can't get creative!

[@annag1481]

I am used to spruce tops, but I have to admit that I really like the warmth and richer sound of the cedar top....surprisingly enough I prefer the cedar top....A real eyeopener....thnx for sharing, has been very educational.... Question: how does a mahogany top sound compared to a spruce top?

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Hey Anna, thanks! I've noted that one, let's see in a future episode! :)

[@RRStout]

Another difficult one! During Coen's finger-picking, the Farmer comes across the best. Much sweeter in tone. During Maarten's strumming, the Atkin sounded better. Warmer. Another good Guitar Battles. Suggestion; you should compare an Atkin J 45 COPY against a Gibson J 45. Take care and see you next week. And since you asked, my gear is: 1971 Martin 000-18 Spruce / Mahogany 1994 Lowden F24 Spruce / Flame Maple 1979 Yamaha FG 335 Spruce / Mahogany with a JLD bridge truss system installed

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Now tháts a nice collection, love seeing people own vintage Martins and Lowdens side-by-side! That Yamaha must be great too though ;) Thanks! Noted your idea.

[@hahahallo12]

Cedar!! Beautiful song, well played But depends on what song you play. The second song was beautiful with spruce

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks Johan!

[@brianwhite3771]

Spruce baby!

[@dirkjanklijn9949]

The Spruce top is more alive in both songs to my ears.

[@chriswalter4887]

Cedar sounds new what bruce have to learn

[@jasper_north]

Does Martin make a Cedar top?

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Usually, no. But we could always inquire for a Cedar-topped custom... ;)

[@teamrockettes]

IMO cedars sound a little more like vintage guitars, because spruce gets sweeter/warmer with age. The big difference (I think) is they don't love it when you attack them with too much force while adironack/spruce seem at their best when you're really pushing the top. (I love 'em both. And mahogany.)

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

I think you're right on that one, that would explain why it's more suitable for fingerstyle in most scenario's!

[@AchillesWrath1]

For me it's the opposite. I'm a very heavy strummer and can really dig in and strum hard on my Takamine cedar top.

[@RandyBelinda]

Cedar is amazing. Unfortunately this comparison doesn’t help as a dreadnaught is the worst body style for cedar. It’s too base heavy and muddies up the sound. I’ll take the spruce any day over cedar on a dread. Cedar has limited headroom and it’s too easy to overdrive the dreadnaught with cedar

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Well, that sounds exactly like what we were trying to find out in this video ;)

[@MsDenver2]

I disagree I think cedar tops are warmer

[@BILLY-px3hw]

it depends on the guitar, it is not as cut and dry as it seems. You need to find guitars that you like, the spruce/cedar debate does not exsist in my world, if I like a guitar I play it, I don't really care what it is made of. you should not limit yourself to one tonewood, stop analysing and play your guitar

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Hey Billy, I like your approach! We have many customers that share your philosophy. For some people though, analysing is part of the fun ;)