Solid Top vs. Laminate Top

[ecthelion]

It's new guitar time and I'm considering buying either an Alvarez RD-8 or an Alvarez RD-20. They are both very nice guitars, but the RD-20 has real chrome tuners and a solid top. The RD-8 has a laminate top. The RD-8 costs $200, and the RD-20 costs $250.

Is it worth spending $50 more for a solid top and some nicer tuners? I heard that although solid tops sound better, a laminate top will take more punishment without showing it. Also, the RD-20 is getting up there into Seagull territory, which makes matters more complex. I mean, I bet I'll eventually upgrade to a nicer guitar a few years down the road, so I don't know if I'll even have time to break in the solid top. What do you think? Should I spend $50 more for nice tuners and a solid top or save the money and buy the cheaper one? Thanks.

[Wolfgang]

why wouldn't you upgrade for 50 bucks?

[ibanezpf105]

Solid Top.

[distr0ided]

solid top hands down. if its only 50 dollars more expensive to get a solid over a laminate, then id call that 50 bucks well spent. laminates just sound too hollow for my taste

[GuitarMonky55]

fact: laminate top acoustic guitars are garbage. <==note the period