Pretty much structural. I just like having a solid
foundation to hang the parts on. After cutting all
those holes, adding a soundwell or ring, gluing the
fingerboard on and screwing a big metal plate to the
top I don't think there's much tone to be gotten out of
them regardless of materials or thickenss. Add it all
up and there's maybe 10 sq inches of 'free'
(meaning the area that's not glued to something
else) top left.
Also I like to use 'f' holes and I've seen solid topped
guitars get cracks between the holes. I have one
model that has a bunch of floral-style sound holes.
On that one I use a thicker solid top but laminate a
very thin piece of ply (3/64")
to those areas. That way you don't see the 'ply' and it
looks like it's one piece.
Edit: Sorry on my first post I should have mentioned
to make sure you're either slightly under 1/4" total or
your binding over 1/4". Otherwise you can end up
with a small problem. DAMHIKT
