Traditional vs Double Top Guitars

[William2]

I came across this short, informative description of these two types of guitar tops. If what the presenter says is true, I would prefer a traditional top instrument as it has more bloom and sustain. And some of the comments below are interesting also. That the double top instrument may sound louder to the player, but it doesn't translate that way to someone sitting in the concert hall. And then there is the difference in repairing the two types of tops. When I came back to the instrument, I owned two Eastman instruments, one was an OM double top, and the other was a 00 Adirondack top. I was never impressed by that Eastman double top, and the 00 Adi blew it away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeENjoGmA5I

[B0WIE]

 This is a really interesting subject that I looked into quite a bit, back when it was exclusive to the classical world. For performers, there are distinct advantages to the double-top. I've heard of classical makers describing some guitars as being "for the teachers" and some "for the student". That's not a comment on quality but on some being tuned to project and others being voiced to have a more sweet, sustaining sound. Volume and projection is much more a consideration in the classical world vs acoustic where we can throw in a pickup and the listeners don't think about the tone being degraded. Acoustic double-tops seem like a bit of a gimmick to me but, that's just my perspective.

 There's been so many takes on the double-top that I don't think it's something where people can just say "that sounds like a double-top". But, I think there are stellar instruments of both types. I haven't felt the need to buy a double-top and I do think they're very interesting and some classical double-tops sound incredible.

[Pilgrim]

I recently spoke to a luthier who occasionally builds double-top steel string guitars.  My takeaway from our conversation was that in his experience the major benefit of a double top guitar is headroom.  He doesn't often recommend them because most of his customers are not heavy handed plectrum players that can benefit from a double top.

He said they are also a considerable amount of work to build.  (I think it's a $1K+ premium on his builds.)

[William2]

Of the single top instruments, I have to say every Cordoba C-12 vs C-10 comparison I've heard the lattice bracing pattern (C-12) easily won over the fan brace pattern.