Middle layer of laminate back/sides is ??

[lmacmil]

I've read that the inner layer of the wood used for laminated backs and sides may not be the same as the visible layers.  And some folks claim that the inner layer has more effect on the tone than the inner/outer layers (which makes sense if it's much thicker.)  Wondering what Taylor does, specifically on the 214.  Is the inner layer rosewood also or something else?

[ataylor]

I'm pretty sure that the other layer(s) would be sapele. In fact, I overheard one of the guys who works at a local acoustic shop tell a customer who was playing a 210 that he might consider going with a 110 unless he wanted the look of the 210 since the two guitars are essentially the same otherwise.

[michaelw]

i've heard that the 'filler' layer on the laminate models is poplar & up until this year
other than maple on the DDX (now 214ce-BLK) the inner veneer has been sapele,
regardless of the outer (bubinga, koa, maple, sapele, rosewood or tulip poplar) -
the 200 series is stated to have rosewood inner veneer this year & the nut/saddle
on the 100/200/baby series changed from Tusq to NuBone, as used on the GS Mini,
which could  make a tonal difference, perhaps  even moreso than the inner veneer

also, the neck on the baby series is now sapele, as it's been on the 100/200 series since 09,
mahogany on the 214e-N & 214ce-N & satin finish being shown on the 200s (all gloss on the BLK),
rather than the varnish finish on the 100s, baby & GS Mini ... not sure if the 200 finish is UV or not

[Satsuki]

Laminate is laminate it doesn't really matter.

[lmacmil]

...this year & the nut/saddle on the 100/200/baby series changed from Tusq to NuBone, as used on the GS Mini, which could  make a tonal difference...

That's interesting.  Graphtech told me in an email that NuBone was their budget material and that Tusq was their premium material.

[Magazine]

Anyone know why it is cheaper to use three thin layers of wood and two layers of glue vs. using one thick layer of solid wood? It seems like it would be cheaper to just build a solid wood guitar aside from not having to use bracing.

[Scriptor]

Anyone know why it is cheaper to use three thin layers of wood and two layers of glue vs. using one thick layer of solid wood? It seems like it would be cheaper to just build a solid wood guitar aside from not having to use bracing.

My thoughts are  in order to avoid the bracing, the laminate is stronger and more predicatable than solid wood ...

[michaelw]

...this year & the nut/saddle on the 100/200/baby series changed from Tusq to NuBone, as used on the GS Mini, which could  make a tonal difference...

That's interesting.  Graphtech told me in an email that NuBone was their budget material and that Tusq was their premium material.

also, NuBone is supposedly closer in density to bone, so perhaps
with the sapele necks being used exclusively on the babys, GS Mini,
100/200s (exc maple on the 214ce-BLK & mahogany on the -Ns)
this year, maybe  the tone was more favorable with NuBone than Tusq

[Edward]

I recall reading that poplar was a common wood used in guitar laminates.  But I don't remember if that was Taylor using poplar, or if it was other makes.

FWIW, I don't think it makes much difference.  I have not had much experience with the 100/200 guitars, but I can tell you first hand that when I had my 210, I could not hear a difference between it and a 110.  The chief draw with laminates is cost and stability (resistance to humidity changes).  But that latter point is to be taken with great caution since a solid top is just as likely to suffer from RH neglect, so lam back and sides can give an owner a false sense of security if one is brazen about guitar care. 

Edward

[michaelw]

Laminate is laminate it doesn't really matter.

hmm ... i'll have to respectfully disagree with this -
in terms of Taylors, i'd like to able to compare a 2012 114ce, 214ce & 214ce-BLK,
preferably 2 or 3 of each at the same time, but i imagine that would be highly unlikely

i have compared 2 - 214ce models to a DDX & the DDX was, to me, definitely 'crisper' -
without being able to see the grain structure of the top, the maple neck could  also
have been a factor as well, but the difference could just be variances between guitars

other builders uses 3 layers of the same woods (inner, filler, outer), the generic term would be 'plywood', with
the grain orientation of each layer running at different 90 degree angles & some luthiers build 'double backs',
with solid tonewood inner & outer, with a very fine honeycomb resembling matrix in-between, which are not
solid 2 or 3 piece backs, 'plywood' or a veneer 'laminate' (or HPL) ... in certain cases, it could  matter, imho

ymmv

[Jannie]

Don't know the technical stuff but the 214 is a nice
sounding guitar!