Just for the record, it should be noted that many of the most eminent luthiers today incorporate "laminated sides" in their instruments.

These should not be confused with low grade Chinese plywood laminates, they are usually comprised of two layers of solid wood with the grain direction of the inner layer running a few degrees off from the grain direction of the outer "show" layer.

This gives stability and longevity to the sides, and according to the luthiers who adopt this procedure, there is no loss in tone, in fact quite the reverse.