All laminates are indeed plywood, but plywoods are not all laminates and I'll pick that nit. From a standpoint of structural integrity and all, they have their use. On HD's for instance, regardless of the quality (top of line or not), a high quality laminate makes a far better back than any solid hardwood.

There are a ton of independent luthiers as you know and a lot are known here, some have been mentioned. Some have better marketing skills such as Taylor and Larrivee and have turned their products into far more of a business. And while a lot of people would like to own one of the handmade "greats"....price and time don't often permit such a purchase.

Spaw