Solid top acoustic?
# 1
[font=trebuchet ms]If the edge of the soundhole has been painted, you should wonder what they're trying to hide. A small inspection mirror (like a dentist uses) is handy for seeing if the top grain matches what you see inside. While you're at it, you can inspect the braces, too.[/font]
# 2
I assume you mean solid v. multiple thin layers.
Talk to the person selling the instrument. Contrary to common belief it can be very difficult or often impossible to tell by sound.
It's generally assumed that a solid top sounds better than layers, but a well-build layered top sounds as good as anyone has a practical use for. For example, D'Angelico sells a $25,000 archtop with a layered top. I actually don't think any of their guitars have a solid guitar and they average $10-15k. They've lost one artist over it but there hasn't been a significant difference in sales since they switched from solid construction (when the founder died and they were bought by some Asian dude).
Talk to the person selling the instrument. Contrary to common belief it can be very difficult or often impossible to tell by sound.
It's generally assumed that a solid top sounds better than layers, but a well-build layered top sounds as good as anyone has a practical use for. For example, D'Angelico sells a $25,000 archtop with a layered top. I actually don't think any of their guitars have a solid guitar and they average $10-15k. They've lost one artist over it but there hasn't been a significant difference in sales since they switched from solid construction (when the founder died and they were bought by some Asian dude).
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-A.H.
-A.H.
# 3
# 4