Art & Lutherie Cedar

The Cedar Black model has a beautiful finish. Mine is about 7 years old now, and still plays, and looks great. Cedar Body, rosewood fingerboard. Mine has no pickup from the dealer, but I had a fishmann installed.

I Play some praise stuff and blues/rock. This guitar sounds great. It's got good tone on the low end, but still cuts through with the higher frequencies. Even with ultra-light strings, it's got good bottom end. I think the older it gets, the better it sounds. Definitely plays in well.

I bought this guitar from a store, and found the set up ok. I've had the action lowered a little, but that was a personal thing, wasn't really necessary. All of my buddies say it's one of the nicest playing guitars they've seen.

The guitar does scratch easily. The black satin finish doesn't hide anything.
I've carried it across Canada and have had no problem at all. It stays in tune while playing live, and really needs only minor adjustment between sessions.

The store was great. I've had no dealings with A&L directly.

I've been playing for a while, and this is one of the nicest playing and sounding guitars I've seen. It's cheap, but could compete with the Martins and Classic Gibsons easily. I think it's a great guitar. It has been excellent from the time I began playing, until now.

Rich full sound that compares with or outshines many $1k+ models. I lost so much commision when I worked at a guitar shop because I couldn't bring myself to not show people this guitar when they were looking at taylors. There are better guitars and if the attack isn't set up when you buy it it will buzz on the low E string. Can't comment if this is fixed on the newer models as mine is 14 years old.

The tuning machines were really nice when I got them. Still haven't changed them in over ten years and stays tuned. Period. I mean, I went on an 8 month deployment and besides having dead strings they were only off by 10 cent. Wow. But the attack was dreadfully high when I got it. I had to have the attack lowered. I've changed string weight and set up so many times I couldn't comment on if I had to set it up when I got it. I also had to install a strap nut on the top of the guitar but many grand plus guitars don't have them either. The finish did wear off the neck after 8-9 years but I would expect that. It has a nice hand polished look to the top of the neck now.

It has a good finish that has lasted over ten years. I got this guitar when I was 12 and now that I'm 26 it has lots of dings and scratches but still sounds great. It withstood a clumsy 12 year old, numerous camping trips, plane rides, and several falls on concrete. (Yikes) It just looks like a well worn and loved guitar. It has outlasted 2 heavy duty cases.

Never had to deal with them.

I've been playing for 14 years and all of them on this guitar. Love this guitar. It's finally getting old and losing some of it's beautiful sound. Not to say that it sounds bad it just doesn't have some of the qualities that I loved in it anymore. Although you wouldn't notice the loss at a concert. I'm only considering getting another one because it is so beat up after 14 years and I don't want it to go the way of the buffalo. I've grown quite attached over 14 years and want it to last another 30 but I need a knock-around guitar for that to happen.

Chech review (check 1st review 30/9/06 and 2nd review 1/7/07)

Sounds still very good till today. The only thing is the 1st E string is buzzing as the neck might have bend a little.Adjust the neck and the buzz might not be there anymore.

I have been using it to play in church when i am on duty and it never fails me till today.

My guitar have been scratch quite often, but it depends on how deep is the scratch. if it guitar pick scratch, you can polish and the scratch marks will be removed.

so far none used

i would still reco this guitar as it is a good guitar. If lost i would try to get this guitar again unless i decided to get another new guitar.Guitar stays tune for quite some time.

Been playing guitar for about 8-9 years when i got this for my birthday. I did tonnes of searching. This thing is made like some of the nicest Taylor, Maton, Fenders etc...Dreadnought shape. looks nice.

Unbelievable, you don't expect to hear this sort of tone for under a grand. Rich bottom end for a nice rocky tone. Truely amazing tone!

Very nice. Finish is matte, which looks much nicer IMO.

only had it couple months.

NA

Best guitar in the price range. Get one as a back up even or camp fire. you will probably find your self playing it more than your exy guitars tho!

Beautiful cedar solid top dreadnought acoustic. Nice looking natural body and rosewood fretboard. Quality instrument.

No cut away and no factory electronics on my model.

These features are available for about $125 more. Did not have the cash to buy the extra features.

Right out of the box this is one of the best acoustic guitars I have ever played.

I bought it with no features otherwise I would give it a 10.

I play acoustic guitar, song writer, hobby, open mic nights and some recording.

This guitar has a perfect acoustic sound.

The sound is just as good as my Martin but just a little brighter sound, but nice all around

Perfect action right out of the box. no adjustment required tuned it and played.

Brand new have not had a chance to bring it anywhere but looks good all around.

no problems yet.

I have been playing good many years and this guitar is fantastic.

It is just as good as my vintage Martin but much cheaper.

came with godwin pick-up and rosewood fretboard and mahogany neck cedar face e.t.c. made in canada. it was cutaway and easy to play higher than the 15th fret. not laminated.

i play a variety of rock to blues and found that it covers all ranges. it is nice to pick after the action is lowered and when plugged in sounds reasonably bright but quite warm and rich when not plugged in.

i found the action a little bit high personally but that soon was fixed. the cedar wood looked superb and a really nice colour. the saddle was slightly high but i replaced it and now i have a spare. it was unscathed and immaculate when i got it.

the cedar wood is not very and it would seem that it would not last a heck of a lot of playing on stage if you are strumming hard. i myself never had the opportunity as my sister put her foot through it and i was going to replace it with another but i live in New Zealand and were out of stock so i replaced it with a DEAN QSE Key Largo. it scratches very easily and suggest not to go on stage with it.

it came under warranty for 12month and am trying to repair it service was friendly but i do live in NZ and i didn't buy direct from manufacturer.

i have been playing for about five years and i do not have the money to buy an extremely expensive guitar and this guitar really takes the cake. when not plugged in it sounds nice and warm yet it seems bright when played harder. definately worth the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and

Check my feature below

It really sounds good till today.It sounds good when you are plucking it on slow songs.Good sound when you are strumming it too.

Well I did the same as Isaac.I had to lower the saddle so that the neck wont bend and it will be alot easier to play. If you dont want to lower the saddle, get lower tension strings so that the neck wont bend (not guranteed). For another safety, get a new saddle so that you can keep the original saddle that comes with the guitar.

This guitar scratches very easily. Dont even try knocking the guitar a single bit. Fix a pickguard if you dont have any on the guitar.

Dont know as I havent deal with them and I dont think i got a warranty.

This guitar is a nice guitar to play with. It sounds good BUT it scratches easily and the saddle is too high. So it is really up to you all if you want to buy this guitar.

Solid cedar top, looks like a mahogany neck, wild cherry laminate back and sides. Truss rod at the nut, seagull tuners, inlaid white binding rosette. No frills, but it looks pretty clean.

OH MAN, does this sound nice. Full, but not bottom heavy, sustain for days, lots of complexity. Not crispy, but it does have detail in the high end. Harmonics sound beautiful.

EUGHHHH! The original setup was awful. The nut was cut well, frets dressed evenly and the finish was nice, but the saddle was WAY too high, and the neck was bowed like crazy. My rating is for the guitar AFTER I adjusted it. Prior to my adjustment, I'd say it would have been a 4. I'm guessing that at least a few of the "warped" neck reviews are actually just bowed to oblivion. Not that it makes it any better. The dealers should adjust these when they come in. A&L says that humidity is to blame, but even so, that's cold comfort to the people who don't know how to work on them. And there's NO excuse for the saddle that I had to take almost a 1/4 inch off of. I've seen Dobros with lower action. However, I am pleased to report that after some adjustment, it plays wonderfully. Absolutely worth the elbow grease.

The raw materials are very solid. Absolutely a workingman's guitar.

HAHAHAHAHA! Good luck with these canucks! You might get a reply back from santa at the north pole first.

I have to say, the store I work at used to sell these, and from what I can tell, they change the models at the drop of a hat, And the stock setup is awful on these (but the cheaper Wild Cherry models are ready to go out of the box - go figure). They're more solid than most chinese imports (and sound better) but they always need initial attention.

If you have basic guitar tweaking skills, this is an excellent choice. Otherwise, buyer beware. I have to say, though, if it were lost, I'd definitely replace it with the same.

Brand New, not sure what year it was made
Solid Cedar Top
Tuners work fine, not out of tune yet.
Pickguard
21 Frets
Godin EPM Quantum 1
Hardcase (Extra Being paid, rm210),strap (free), String(free as the string has rust on certain part)
Single Strap Button (Crap) Need to get a planetwave quite release strap.

I play Praise songs and jazz.Sounds good when unplugged but when it is plugged, it can be abit bassy and there is a need for tuning before you can really play live. At times when strumming too hard will cost a buzz..But it is worth getting as there is a rich sound when it is being played.

Finish was superb and i made sure that the guitar was clean from the inside and the outside. Other things like tuners, saddle was all fine as i check the guitar many times before i bought it.I am very particular of finishing as i am paying for it. I did ask the shop to adjust the neck for me as i want it for more comfortable playing.

Not really sure as this guitar is still new. The bottom strap button is solid (tested)..I am not sure if i will use it on a gig, but will try it out during christmas and let you all know.

Never Deal with them yet as i just bought my guitar. The shop told me if i have any problems, i can bring it back to the shop.The shop told me that the guitar dont have warranty which confuse me.

I have only bought this guitar for a 4 days and so far the guitar is ok. I love the sound of this guitar when i tested it. I did test other guitars like Seagull S6 and Seagull S6+sprunce,but i still love A&L guitar more. If the A&L guitar u buy dont have a pickguard, please help yourself by getting it fix. It wont cost much. You will really need it as the guitar can scratch easily. I will repost once again after 5 months and there will surely be some updates.

average, unremarkable

Guitar is missing a lot of the lows & highs. Goes out of tune very easily, terrible guitar. I've been playing for 12 years, a friend of mine bought this guitar as a beginner. This guitar is terrible. We are exchanging it tomorrow.

Action on the neck is not bad, actually. Perhaps it would be worth sanding down the bridge and putting the strings a bit closer to the neck,

very bad. in 2 months this guitar has gotten a warped neck.

don't know.

Hunk of junk. Not worth the money!

Art & Lutherie Cedar Quantum acoustic, solid cedar top, laminated wild cherry back & sides, 21 frets, no cutaway (so frets higher than 15 too hard to access), active Quantum electronics. Tuner are noname, but still fine. Good features except heavy weight and missing cutaway :)

I also owned A&L Spruce CW model, but after a month of usage came a problem with a neck, so I changed it in local shop and took Cedar model with pickup (for the same price)

I play almost fingerstyle blues, country and jazz, and it suits me great! It hits all other guitars (like Yamaha, Ibanez, Washburn) in it's price range. None of them have such reach, full and clean sound. And plugged it sound cool )

Action was good when I biught a guitar. On Spruce model it was a little bit higher than I like.
Pickups amazed me - clean and nice sound that I didn't expected for this money!
Only minor things - it's finish flaws on body... seems like somebody put his oily fingers on before finishing it.

You know, buying A&L guitars it's like a lottery - I've seem some model with warped neck and etc. after some period of use, but aslo I saw good instruments with no problems. So it's your own risk to buy it... might think that it's payment for good sound ))
I suggest to care this guitar a lot - buy good case, hummidifier and etc.

In case of earlier problems with Spruce model - 5.

Oh, yeah... customer support is very bad - no internet presence, it's awfull. After I get their e-mail from canadian friend - they didn't answer me about problems. Also I didn't sure about warranty... so, this point get's only...1.

I've playing guitar for about 7 years, and I owned other guitars, but they cannot be compared with A&L - it was models for 100$ (such Ibanez V50).
I advice, than if you decided to buy this guitar - choose carefully, there are many "problem" instruments of A&L.
If it's stolen... if had an extra money, I prefer to buy som e more well built guitar, like Seagull, but if not - I'll buy Art & Lutherie again.

This is an update on the review a few spaces down. After 3 months of owning this guitar the neck has warped. this rendered the guitar useless as everything below the 5th fret went completely dead. I take excellent care of all my guitars and I really loved this one but the thing was just not sturdy enough to handle sitting on a guitar rack.

Totally unreliable. Avoid this guitar maker at all costs

I took it back to the store where I bought it. They gave me a complete refund so I didn't have to deal with the manufacturer. They were extremely nice about it. Apparently I'm not the only customer that bought one of these as they all seem to develop neck problems after a few short months.

They're nice at first but they don't hold up. Avoid these guitars.

I've had this guitar for a few years now so I couldn't tell you when it was made. I bought it at Rondo Music in Union, NJ and I think I paid about $249. The sticker inside the body says it is handmade and lists the various woods which were used in the manufacture. I recall reading somewhere that the wood was not harvested, but came from trees which had fallen because of storms and the like. As every other review states it has a solid cedar top dreadnaught with no real "features" , just real nice workmanship and a good feel. I give it a nine as its an acoustic guitar and plays well.

I bought this guitar as a "banger" and was really surprised with the sound. Put some nice medium gauge strings on this and change them fairly regularly and you a have a real loud booming voiced guitar. On occasion I'll tune down a step and boy does that sound great. I have a 30 year old Guild folk guitar and the contrast isn the voices of the two guitars is remarkable.

Out of the box the guitar was fine. There has been mention that there is only one strap button. you can either use a shoe lace or one of the those quick release things to attach your strap to the headstock. I have the natural finish and as I said have had it for a few years so it kind of mellowed a little. The lack of a shiny finish doesn't mstter all that much to me. Unless you keep it under glass any guitar is going to get beat up with use. That's kind of ther idea anyway.

I have played this guitar at practices with a sound hole pick up on it. I use it now as my writing and "workout" guitar. (Play an acoustic with medium gauge strings for a while and then switch over to a tele with 10s on it and find out how much easier it is to do some real big bends.)
For the money this is a great guitar. As I said I've had this guitar for a few years and thus far no problems have developed.

Who knows?

Let's just say that I have been playing a real long time. I have a buch of other gear including a Gibson ES 135, a Dillion Les Paul Gold Top, a Mexican Tele, a 30 year old Guild acoustic, two "Frankenstrats" I which built from spare parts, an old Kay archtop which I rescued from some person's trash (can you imagine throwing a guitar away !!!!) A Fender Blues Deluxe amp, a Marshall 100 watt combo amp, a 12 watt Kustom practice amp.
As you can see I'm all over the map when it comes to gear and I'm not a snob about where something is made. This is a fine guitar I relly don't think you'll find anything better for the money. (But if you do let me know so I can get one too!)

Cedar guitar purchased from local guitar shop. After playing through every guitar the salesman told me that this was his favorite guitar. I played it and it had a really full bassy sound to it. I like it since I tend to play a lot on the lighter strings. Pretty simple looking guitar not any flash at all.

I play praise music and it's perfect for a nice rich sound. The band members who both own expensive Martins and Taylors have both been caught jamming on my guitar. The one with Taylor told me he was thinking about selling his $5,000 guitar and buying a cedar guitar. The other one playing the Martin - told me he loves the sound of the Art & Luthrie he had looked into this guitar himself and reqretted not saving his money by buying this fine instrument

The set up and strings were good to go and I didn't change anything for 6 months. Had a little distortion and it turned out to be a need for a new battery. The volume control while simple pumps out a lot of sound. It sounds as good plugged as unplugged. Nothing loose, no problems flawless in design and build.

I've been playing it for 9 months and since it was an accoustic electric I ended up buying another one with out the pickup to play at work. I love this guitar and can't believe the price $300 without pickup and $450 with pickup. The fact that my buddies Martin and Taylor owners were coveting it. That's enough to convince me I got the right guitar.

I've been playing for 20 years. I own 2 Washburns, Johnson, Takamine, 2 Art & Luthrie, 1 Johnson Bass. If it was stolen I would definitely go out and buy another. In fact I did buy a second one. Maybe would prefer to have more adjustments for the volume equalizer.

Made in 2005 - La Patrie, Quebec Canada
22 Frets
Solid Cedar Top
No Electronics
Finish is blue, matte, lacquer
Dreadnaught
Considering it's a basic Acoustic guitar, the "features" category is a little unfair.

Wow. The local guitar shop has a walk in humidor for their better guitars. I picked up a $1000 dollar Martin and a $800 Takamine for comparison. The store owner told me to try the A&L, which was a little ugly at first sight, but the sound sold me immediately. Seriously, it was exceeded the sound that I had in my head looking for a guitar. It sounds like Christmas morning.

Everything looked fine to me. I've always felt that you change yourself to fit your guitar, rather than the other way around. I'm not a serious musician, though, so it doesn't matter if I sound different on various instruments.

Hard to tell. I was seriously worried about the finish, since it's matte lacquer, rather than a high gloss. The guy at the store reassured me that the lacquer provides a high level of protection, although cedar is a very soft wood. I bought it for sound, not for looks, and I'm very tough on guitars, so time will tell.

Lifetime warranty. All you need is proof of purchase. They ask that you take it to an authorized dealer so they can evalutate whether it can be fixed locally or if it has to be sent to Canada. This brand is under the Segul/Godin line and it sounds like they seriously stand behind this guitar. http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/index.htm

I've been playing almost 20 years and I still have my first guitar, a Yamaha Classical and an Epiphone Les Paul copy. This was a Christmas present from my wife, so I'd be devastated if it were lost or stolen, but I'd buy the exact model and color to replace it. I've only played it two days now, but I'm in love with this guitar. It makes me feel like a better player. I bought a case that was made by A&L as well as a strap and a sound hole humidifier. You won't find a better guitar for twice the money.

Very recent. Drednaught guitar. Cedar top, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. No electronics. No name tuners that work fine.

I play mostly electric guitar. I play a Les Paul Studio and a Standard Telecaster. This acoustic sounds a cut above anything else in this price range. Good bottom end bass and also well set up for lead picking. It's the warm tone that sold me.

I beleive the store I bought from also did a set up on it. It was good to go. Upon reading other's reviews I would say that the cedar top might be a bit soft and easy to scratch but I am known to be very careful with my guitars. (if there is a scratch on one of my guitars it is me who put it there.)

I don't play live with an acoustic guitar. But if I did this would sound great if the guitar was miked properly. The tuners seem to work fine. It stays in tune. Like other's have said however, just be a little careful with protecting the finish.

No expierence with the company. However the dealer was very good about telling me if there was anything wrong with it to just bring it back, no questions asked.

I've been playing for 36 years. This guitar has a nice rich warm sound that you usually find in much more expensive acoustic guitars. Overall I cannot complain. It's the sound, and good construction that sells this guitar. There is no extra glue slopped from the edges in the interior of the guitar and the neck is straight as an arrow...

The action was great when i bought the guitar with light strings, but sounded much better (it was alredy very nice) when i moved up to medium gage. The action came up more than i like, but the shop i bought it from offers free setups of a few years so i am thinking of having the bridge lowered. The neck tapers, making it easier to wrap my hand around for open chords and giving more space by the bridge for finger picking. I am not bothered by the fact that there is only one plug for a strap, i tied some twine around the stock and attached it to my strap; feels and works great. i'm still not sure if my guitar has a solid or laminate body...it looks to me to be a solid top but it is hard to beleive for the price. The tuners seem to work fine, they are solid, and the guitatr generally stays in tune, even after being in the case for a while.

the strengh of the midrange helps notes and chords break out more, sounding less muttled than dreadnought, but not as full. The guitar has a bright, pronounced tone that i find pleasing.

i beleive the shop i purchased the guitar set it up before selling, so i can't judge how it was setup at the factory. i havn't noticed any flaws in the wood or construction, and the back is matched. The matte finish looks great and i don't mind the design around the sound hole. there is a light tan band around the top of the guitar that clashes with the brown finish, but that is my only complaint about it's looks. i didn't buy the guitar because of how it looked, but it is growing on me. i prefer the laquer look to the glossy top.

my guitar has no pick guard and picks dig into the wood very easily. i think it looks cool, but i will have to see what happens over the long term. I have taken the guitar to the beach and the snow, and have left it in the car for up to five hours in the heat and it has had no problems.

i went to the website to find out if my guitar has a solid or laminate top, but could not find the information. i have not tried contacting A&L.

ive been playing for a couple years but just got serious about six months ago. i have a cheap ibanez electric and i was borrowing a low end yamaha steel string acoustic before i bought me A&L. I was looking for a guitar that felt good and easy to play for 200 to 300 dollars. i tried all the guitars at the store in that price range the it really stood out. It felt more substantial and controllable than any of the others. i also played an A&L dreadnought, but prefered the stronger tone of the folk model. I did not like the tone of the seguls, while the feel was very similar. I don't think i could have gotten more for my money and no one that plays it beleives how little i paid.

I bought the guitar around the turn of the century. It has a solid cedar top and laminated wild cherry body, with a dark finished maple neck and a walnut fingerboard. The light satin finish is very appealing to me. It looks like wood, and I don't have to wipe it down every time I pick it up. The finish adds little protection. It is picking up sweat stains over the years. I also like the cheap soundhole treatment. It is just white and dark brown paint or decal, but it is an interesting, simple Eskimo looking motif. Binding is simple, only cream on the top of the body. It came with no electronics. Action wasn't bad, but I got it a real setup, and after two tries, it's just the way I like it. I stuck an EMG magnetic soundhole pickup in it (I don't like piezos. It must be my upbringing or something). I give it a 7 for its simple, functional nature and unusual woods.

It sounds like angels. I can flat pick it or fingerpick it with no nails, and it has a rich, loud midrangy tone. It sounds best through a Crate GX-15R (no laughing). My SWR and my Line 6 AX212 sound a little brittle. I really like the 8" speaker and real spring reverb (don't use too much!) on the $79 crate for this guitar. With the mag pickup, feedback isn't much of a problem, though I play solo.

I got the itch to buy a "real" guitar, and auditioned Martins, Gibsons, etc.. I found lots of pretty guitars, but none sounded better.

Action was adequate. I don't often find a new guitar that's set up right. I always budget about $150 for setup after I've played it long enough to evaluate the action. I don't find any "flaws". The "7" I'm giving it does not take price into acount, If I did, it would be a "9".

I play at home. The Cedar is easily scratched, and the top and fingerboard pick up stains. It still looks cool. It's not like a scratch in a gloss top or anything. I expect it to continue to last with good care. I added a strap button at the heel of the neck.

No experience

I;ve got a Seagull cedar top 12 string, an Ibanez AF85 jazz box (another great steal - sounds like jazz, looks great, $350 new). An Ibanez factory second solidbody (another great deal under $200), A Tacoma fretless Thunderchief, and a fretless Guild B30. I've got the Crate amp, an SWR Workingman's 15, and a Line6 AX212. I think it is hard to beat this collection for the price.

Anyway, it's the sound and soul comfort, stupid! 10.

This Guitar was handmade in Quedbec, Canada. It has 21 frets but since there is no cutaway and the body meets the neck at the 14th fre, frets 15 thru 21 are very hard to access. There is a Godin Quantum preamp with three very basic controls, volume, bass, and treble. This guitar is made of cedar and hsa a nice sounds to it. Kind od bright, kind of melloe, in between. It is excellent for staying in tune.

This guitar sounds amazing for the price. If your looking for a guitar in this price-range look no further. This is the best you will find, and its hand-made too. Nowhere else will you find a hand-made guitar for this price.

This guitar has a pretty high action, and as you got to the lower frets it becomes harder to play them. Thgere is a stencelid design that looks pretty crappy on the body, and a lued ob pickguard that i could have probably doen just as good or better of a job myself. But i suppose it doesnt look too bad. I kind of liek the tailpiece.

I've never seen a guitar that scratches as easily as this one. Just barely touch the body with your pick and theres a huge dent there.

N/A

I own a Roland Cube-60 Amp and if you set the amp to the acoustic chancel this guitar sounds great with it. If i did own this guitar(its a rental until my Takamine gets in) and it were lost or stolen, I'd save up some more and get a better guitar, but this guitar is a great bang for your buck.

Brand new, '04 I assume. Solid Cedar top, I think the back and sides are laminated Wild Cherry. Tuners work fine, seem to be good quality. Creme binding on top of guitar. Stenciled soundhole rosette that looks kind of crappy, to be honest. Still, for the price... the sound and playability are the things right? How do you rate "features" on an acoustic guitar? Main features are tone and playability; I rate it high for that reason. I factor in the cost in this equation as well (value).

This guitar booms. Not sure if Cedar is typically louder than Spruce, but this guitar is nice and loud and toneful. Obviously didn't sound quite as good as an all solid woods Larrivee I recently had, but for the cost difference, this thing sounds really nice.

No flaws at all. Action is relatively low, and only buzzes (minor) when I play really aggressive and tune down a half-step.

Who knows. Does have a warranty, not sure what all it covers though.

Again, don't know.

Great sounding, easy-playing guitar; what a great value! A nice quality solid top guitar with a decent gig bag for under $250 cash? Can't beat it. Do be aware, however, most A&L guitars are NOT solid tops; many of them are all laminate and don't sound nearly as good.

I only want to comment on a guitar that I played at a fishing resort in Brisbanke Sound, British Columbia. One of the guides had an A & E guitar made of mahogany back and side and a cedar top. The guitar had a fabulous tone and made me want to add one to my ever-growing collection of acoustic instruments. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of these provided it sounded and played as well as "Chief"'s guitar!!

One more comment... I thought the foam and velcro case was pretty ingenious for airline travel. Ray

This Canadian-made acoustic guitar has a solid top (cedar) with laquer finish, and the rest of the guitar is made with decent woods, which are the main features I wanted. The tuners work nice and smoothly: it is easy to tune the guitar and it stays in tune. The nut & saddle are basic but fit snugly, and the pick guard is a very basic plastic stick-on job. The guitar only has one strap button, at the bottom, so you would have to add a top one if you wanted to use a strap.

Both the spruce & cedar versions of this guitar had a beautiful, open sound, with the cedar a bit more mellow. A different class from the other acoustic guitars I tried in this price range.

The top has a laquer finish that, along with the quality of the wood, apparently accounts for the superior sound. However, it is soft, and picks up minor scratches etc easily. As purchased, the action was OK for open chords, but got uncomfortably high as you ventured up the neck. Adjusting the bridge made the action quite acceptable and improved the intonation. The guitar looks very basic, but the quality of workmanship is very good.

The workmanship is very good, and I would imagine that the guitar will last well, but it is an entry-level guitar, so the fixtures are basic but adequate.

The first A&L guitar I purchased had a manufacturing flaw, and it was replaced without question and very promptly with a new one. The dealer I bought it from and the local agent were very helpful.

After just over a year, I am very happy with the guitar and would recommend it to anyone looking for an entry level acoustic. This guitar looks pretty basic, but it is well made and the sound is in a different class altogether.

'Hand made' in Princeville, Quebec in 2001. Solid cedar top acoustic with maple neck and 21 fret rosewood fingerboard.
Came with a gig bag.
Only one strap button. What's up with that?

The sound is pretty good for any price range, but for this one, it is unbeatable. I have played guitars 3 times the cost that I didn't like half as much. The sound sold me almost instantly. It has a full, resonant sound with outstanding acoustic projection.

The guitar was pretty flawlessly crafted, as far as I can tell. The action is quite good, although perhaps a bit high for some players. It was well balanced with perfect intonation in the shop.

The thin laquer finish is not very durable. It is wearing off in some places, and leaves the wood unprotected from small dings and such. They say the thin finish allows the wood to breath so that it can resonate and age properly. If some worn finish is the price to pay for the sound thing thing makes, I'll take it. A little extra TLC can go a long way.

Overall rating is a 10, because the sound overshadows any minor short comings, espcially when factored with the low price. I would highly suggest that anyone who is looking to buy an acoustic guitar in the <$500 price range should find one of these and play it before making a purchase.

Art & Lutherie, although owned by the well known Seagull/Godin company, are handmade in a small town in Quebec (I seem to remember "native indian" luthiers mentioned...?).

I think my guitar was bought in the same town it was assembled, as a gift for me, brand new, in 1997 (I'm assuming it was probably made around then). It's a dreadnought with a solid Cedar top, but has laminate Cherry sides and back. It has the typical string through Rosewood bridge with white plastic pins. The neck is also run-of-the-mill: semi thin, flat-ish back, large radius (flat) Rosewood fretboard and standard small frets. I don't know what the neck is made out of, but it's dark like Mahogany. The tuners are prescision Gotoh-style tuners. The body has binding on the outside edge (only) and a plain, 2 ring white plastic(?) rosette. The whole guitar has a satin finish. The one strap button it came with is a "strap-lock". There was a stick-on pickguard included, but I haven't put it on.

At first, I thought the guitar sounded dull and I didn't like it. Fortunately, I kept it as I've learned that Cedar guitars are purpously mellow and can be brightened significantly by using (and frequently replacing) phoshor bronze strings.

The great thing about these guitars is the craftsmanship. I have yet to see an, all wood, completely handmade, quality guitar for this low a price. The bookmatching is flawless, the bridge fine, frets filed well, nut cut and set perfectly and everything is tight.

What ended up costing me a little was getting the action lowered by a pro tech. Granted, I like low action, but this thing was ridiculously high. I literaly had the tech file the bridge bar down to about half it's original hiegth. The action is now absolutely perfect.

...very solid.

I don't know what kind of warranty it came with...never asked. I would think it would be as good as any Godin or Seagull.

I won't go into all the stuff I've owned over the years...I will tell you that, if they're all like mine, these guitars are a great deal. I'll also say that this guitar is getting better with age. In the 5 years I've had it, the wood has darkened a bit and it just sounds better.

I've seen big name acoustic guitars (Martin, etc.) that cost much, much more, but have plastic laminate sides and NO binding (hell, they don't even throw in fret dots)...hideous. I don't know about you, but that would end up bothering me, no matter how good it sounded. I not only have to play it, but I have to look at it, too.

Lets make this clear from the start, i've only been playing guitar for a year, this is only my second guitar. My guitar was hand made made in LaPatrie & Princeville, Quebec, Canada.

It's a green cedar wood solid top guitar, as said by someone else it's body is one except for the top which has a cream rim around it. I had a choice between a Cherry, a natural (Brown), and a black cut-away... Ye they were all Art Lutherie, Just saying TT... I CHOSE green.

There are 21 frets, it meets the guitar body at the 14 fret. The Frets are superbly made and fixed on.

It says its 95% Canadian Wood... In case that means anything to anyone reading.

With it, i got a strap and case although there is only one strap button at the end, that renders the strap quite useless. Strings were with the guitar, As well as a scratch plate. The stencle

It suits me fine, nice n loud. No electrics. It has a sharper bite then my old Prince guitar.

It has a "Genuine satin lacquer finish for maximum tone", thats what it says... (the guitar)

No flaws that im aware of except only one strap button, and the strings are a bit worn.

The Bottom bridge is all Wierd, it probly helps the physics of the string vibration.

The action is good but slightly too high for me, but it it'll do me fine.

The colour seems to be part of the wood, its darker on the outside and lighter as it goes in... nice. The finish on my one is excellent.

But it does seem flimsy, it will probably dent and scratch in time, but the guitar itself seems solid enough.

The lone strap button is well solid.

Never play a gig without a backup... thats my advice

I Looked for info about my guitar and this sight is all i found.

I gave this Category a 1. Let me explain... most others gave it a N/A meaning no opinion... where as i do have an opinion. Lets put it this way, Bad service is better than none!!!

No warranty.

I've been playing a year, im planning on doing guitar for my leaving cert. I own a Prince Model C700, an ancient guitar... older than me (Im 16). If it were stolen or lost id get a different guitar, as i havent tried them all, id broaden my horizon to be honest.

I love the unusualness of the guitar and hate that stupid stencel on it. Favourite feature?? Dont make me choose!!

Please E-mail me with info or anything reguarding the guitar you wish to share. Thank you!!!