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Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston
RE: Luis Cepeda double-top guitars (in reply to jsierles)
joshua--a double top, or more accurate, a sandwich top, is two pieces of wood (the bread) with a layer of nomex (the meat/cheese) in the middle. nomex is an aramid fiber (see: kevlar). the double top/sandwich guitars are almost exclusively classical. the alleged benefits of this method are increased projection (also referred to as loudness) and some say more control over tone and unwarranted harmonics. there have been more traditional double tops built--a "floating" layer of wood under the top as well as double backs--the "floating" layer towards the back. i suspect there are a few sandwich flamencos out there--not sure how they would sound but they would be louder than your average bear.
Posts: 3504
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
RE: Luis Cepeda double-top guitars (in reply to jsierles)
Cepeda gives a good rundown on the construction method and its history. Several leading classical players have been using this type of guitar for several years. Perhaps the two most notable are Manuel Barrueco and David Russell with their Damanns.
Just to pick a nit, Cepeda identifies Nomex as Kevlar. They are chemically related, both aramids, but they are different compounds with different properties and uses.
Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston
RE: Luis Cepeda double-top guitars (in reply to jsierles)
richard, it would be interesting to build a guitar with sides and back made with a vaccum bagged kevlar/wood laminate and a wood top--in some respects similar to ovation guitars except with a "normal" shape. for that matter a neck as well. it would be light and durable (assuming the wood layer was on the outside to offer some uv protection) and possibly some interesting sonics. there are some all graphite guitars out there for steel strings but wood and kevlar might make an interesting combo for nylon string guitars.
Posts: 3504
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
RE: Luis Cepeda double-top guitars (in reply to keith)
Coincidentally, I was acquainted with Charles H. Kaman, the founder of Kaman Corporation, and the inventor of the Ovation guitar. Kaman was an engineer and a great innovator in helicopter design, as well as a classical guitar player.
The company that I worked for in 1969 had suddenly become cash-rich and was looking for acquisitions. Kaman Sciences Corporation, a defense subsidiary, was one of the companies they looked at. Though I was a young guy, I worked directly for one of the founders of my company, a member of the board of directors.
I met Kaman and talked guitars a bit. I forget what kind he had at the time, he didn't have a guitar with him in Austin. He was interested in playing my Ramirez, not that common in the USA at the time, so we got together.
Talk turned to guitar making. Kaman said he intended to develop a concert quality classical guitar made entirely of modern materials. He was an expert in non-metallic aircraft materials, and had some interesting things to say.
I was quite interested to play a nylon string Ovation when they came out. I was surprised that the top was wood, and I was disappointed with the sound. My company ended up not buying Kaman Sciences Corportation, and I never ran into Kaman again after the Ovation came out, though I worked with Kaman people on various projects. I always wondered what he thought of the Ovation line, but never got the chance to ask him.
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