What, exactly, is a Double Top guitar?

Double tops first appeared in 1989 when classical luthiers began experimenting with sandwich-style soundboards: two ultra-thin layers of tonewood with a lightweight Nomex or similar core between them. The goal wasn’t to change the voice of the guitar—it was to make the top lighter, stiffer, and more responsive without losing the character of natural wood.

Compared to a traditional single-piece soundboard, a double top reacts to vibration differently. Because the structure is lighter and more controlled, the top moves more efficiently. Basically, you get more volume, stronger projection, and deeper sustain. You don’t have to “dig in” to wake the guitar up—lighter touch yields louder results without the sound of strings straining.

Over time, builders have refined the concept. Some use carbon fiber layers, some use alternative cores, and some sandwich spruce with cedar to combine warmth and power. The best examples feel instantly responsive, yet retain the organic tone players expect from premium acoustics.

You might be saying the same thing I did, at first… “Sounds like a fancy name for a laminate top.” Technically, that’s true. It is, from a purely mechanical perspective, a laminate. It’s not the whole story though. We’re not talking about a cost savings technique or a way to make sub par materials work- true double tops cost more to make and use premium materials.

How does this all translate from classical nylons to steel strings? Quite well, it turns out. There is a difference- they do respond to lighter touch, feel just as light as their single top counterparts, and do have a punchy projection. They’re different, maybe that’s why we like them.

There are only a few builders making steel string double tops. Hozen’s Maestro is one of them and they are known for their artisan construction of these specific instruments. If you haven’t had the opportunity to play a double top, it’s worth the experience.