Do the new Space Age laminated tops improve with playing?

[Mischa Z]

Hi, Folks:

A friend of mine just picked up a new Redgate guitar, and Ana Vidovic used it for her concert here in Lake Tahoe last Sunday. She played beautifully, I could really see the careful craftsmanship of her teacher, Manuel Barrueco, in her exquisite phrasing, and she played the Redgate like she had owned it for years!

This guitar has exquisite Brazilian Rosewood, and the back is arched sort of like a violin's back. The seam of the rosewood is so fine that it almost looks like a 1-piece back, very lovely. I prefer the sound of my Ramirez 10-string, but this particular instrument has long been one of the great Ramirez guitars. However, the Redgate is superbly balanced and has great presence, enough to where I would consider commissioning Redgate if I can up my income this year, I would like another of my personally desgned 10-string guitars for security, if nothing else.

What I'm puzzling about is the new, laminated top, and I've seen this same kind of top recently in the Signature guitars of luthier Kenny Hill as well, in his workshop in Santa Cruz. The sound of these guitars really impresses me with both luthiers, but I can't help but wonder: do these instruments sweeten up, do they break in? Does anyone have any experience with guitars that utilize these new tops?

Thanks, and all my best,
Mischa

[Section_10]

As for my aussie guitars like Kneipp and Philp which are right up there with Smallmans, they certainly started to improve with time, but it really depends on the bracing as well. Since most braces are spruce they have an "opening up" effect as a normal top would since its the braces that change with the vibrations. I'm not sure if you were referring to "double tops" which are a bit different but the same goes for them in regards to the bracing. Those struts will continue to open up over time, especially in the first few months. The only possible problems is that people don't know how long they will last, which actually doesnt mean a dmn thing. Its probably the traditionalists just saying that since they don't like change.

[daniel711]

Mischa
I play a '98 Redgate which I've had since new. Redgates are not "double tops" like Dammann's or Hill's. They are braced with a lightweight carbon fiber lattice. In the Australian (Smallman) school Redgates lean more toward the traditional sound than do the others, like Kneipp or Phelps, or Price.

My guitar has definitely improved with age - the sound has mellowed and the feel has loosened, like most played-in instruments. On the negative side, it did suffer a serious top crack which was very difficult to repair. Because of the extensive bracing the crack could not be cleated. The guitar had to sit with lots of clamps for over a month while the epoxy dried. The neck design is also a little weird. It has lots of relief, and uses an adjustable truss rod. The Redgate is heavier than a traditional, but lighter than a Smallman or a Price.

All in all, I haven't ever played a guitar than can quite beat it as far as sound quality, sustain, and near perfect intonation...

Are you sure Ana was playing a Redgate?? That's pretty cool!