A solid instrument is an instrument whose top, back and/or side have been made of a single ply of tonewood. Solid instruments are generally more expensive than laminated instruments.

Laminated wood doesn’t sound nearly as good as solid wood, but it is more durable. I would take a laminated ‘ukulele to the beach, I probably wouldn’t take a solid wood one.

Brad Bordessa

Solid wood will unarguably give you the better sweeter sound, and in many cases better volume. Without getting too techy it's simply that the solid piece resonates and sings better than laminated wood.

Barry Maz