The ShadowMusic Web Community

JimN wrote:The term "spruce top" (or anything similar, including "cedar top", "mahogany top"," maple top", etc) usually means laminated with the topmost later being a veneer of the indicated species.

Googling for "Epiphone" and the model number you provide gives returns at various well-known UK guitar shops, including GAK, Andertons and GuitarGuitar.

Every single one of them simply mentions "spruce top".

This other Epiphone J-type, though - even though it is cheaper, at £119 - is specified with a solid top:

http://www.andertons.co.uk/steel-string-acoustic-guitars/pid30972/cid677/epiphone-aj220s-solid-top-acoustic-guitar-in-vintage-sunburst.asp

So are a few others at about the same price bracket (£99 - £175), eg:

http://www.andertons.co.uk/steel-string-acoustic-guitars/pid30971/cid677/epiphone-aj220s-solid-top-acoustic-guitar-in-natural.asp

(solid top for £99!)

http://www.andertons.co.uk/electro-acoustic-guitars/pid17001/cid679/epiphone-inspired-by-1964-texan-electro-acoustic-in-vintage-cherry.asp

(a good copy of the Texan - with solid top - for just under £300.)

By contrast, this one - an Epi version of the Gibson Hummingbird - does not specify a solid top:

http://www.andertons.co.uk/steel-string-acoustic-guitars/pid32685/cid677/epiphone-hummingbird-artist-acoustic-guitar-in-honeyburst.asp

I suspect that this means that the models which are stated to have solid tops are going to be better guitars in the long run than better-looking ones (eg, the J-200 copy) where the top is simply said to be "spruce" or [even worse!] "select spruce".
thanks jim appreciate your help and time. peter

That one for £99 looks like a bargain.

dave robinson wrote:The most important things about any guitar are these:

A. Does it play well

B. Does it sound pleasing

C. Does it stay in tune

If you like the look of it and all the answers to the above are 'yes', then it's a keeper. Some less expensive guitars are good buys, there's a lot of snobbery about names. I have Gibsons, as well as a Martin, but my Washburn, Yamaha and home made acoustic built by a friend for a fraction of the cost easily stand up as do as good a job in their own right.
If the answer to any of those questions is 'no' then there's your answer. There's no shame in playing an Epiphone guitar or any other make if you like the sound and enjoy playing it.