I love my sinker-topped GA BTO. This guitar, which is only a year and a half old, compares quite favorably with my older, more opened-up guitars in both volume and tone, so I'm really happy with it. As compared with cedar, its voice is a bit "huskier" and deeper. Compared with spruce, its voice is - well- a bit "huskier" and deeper! Compared with redwood tops I've played, same answer in my experience. In any case, volume is no issue at all. It presents a nice alternative to both spruce and cedar!