Quote Originally Posted by jaymen
Any updates on the Venetian?

The pressed top Harmony I had was collapsed due to age, which they say is not uncommon with pressed tops. Even some the thin 1940-50s ES-175 laminated tops were known to collapse. Martin dropped their pressed arch tops due to issues with the tops not holding shape.

So it begs the question: How are the pressed top Gibson Venitians holding up now, almost a decade later.

The only reason pressed sides don't distort is because they have both edges glued to the top and back, which traps them so they cannot move.

BTW, my 2004 Epi Emperor Regent has a solid top but it is pressed, and is very thick. It also has very low arching, presumably to reduce the tendency of the thick spruce to crack/split if bent to much.
I have a Solid Formed SF17 from 2015. It's as sound now as when new. No movements, deformations, signs of stress of any kind. I don't see nor foresee any unusual or premature maintenance issues with these guitars. -Phil