Art & Lutherie Folk

pretty good features for an inexpensive folk guitar. Tuners work fine, but you may need to make a string change. It really seems to be finished well. It looks fantastic.

It sounds incredible. Bright, with a very lively top. Sounds like a Martin DM with extra lites.

Action is great, easy player. Great size, very comfortable. Everything was set up the way it should be. Could upgrade it, but it certainly does not require any upgrades.

This guitar sounds great, but I must say "great for the money". You could play it live no problem through a mic or fishman. But, the sound will never be as grand as a high end guitar. But for playing in your living room, it is fantastic. I think this guitar would last indefinitely if properly cared for. The finish looks great, but it is light (although that's what makes it brighter) so I would not pick it too hard, or hike through bushes with it. The hardware is fine, but I like good tuners and pegs so I would change them eventually.

N/A

Great guitar from a good company. I might be more inclined to go with another family line like Norman, but, I cannot complain since I got a deal on this one. Had a two cracks in the top (I have to give a shout out to UPS for getting me this great deal, keep damaging those guitars for me, got two UPS specials in one weekend).

Model: Art & Lutherie Cedar Folk.
Purchased: 2005

I've always been a fan of Godin Company guitars(this is my first review on this site), but I had pretty much stuck to Norman, Simon and Patrick, and Seagull. But one day while at my favorite guitar shop I picked up this Art & Lutherie Folk, and I was pleasantly suprised to find an unbelieveably comfortable AND beautiful flame neck. And a great flat finish on the body(for that o-natural feel and look). No electronics. One strap pin. 21 frets. real wood rosette. Very Comfortable to play.

A genuine satin lacuer finish (which allows the guitar to age like a violin-but much quicker). I've only had it a for about 7 months and you can already hear it sounding better and better--Like all my godin company guitars. (Not even Martins have that!)

One of the things I find really cool is that attached to a tuner of every godin company guitar is a little card that had the initials of each person that worked on a specific portion of the guitar(strings/action, neck, body, etc...)! Shows that they're truely handmade...

***I gave a low rating for features because I don't think a folk guitar should have many features. So in this case 2 is a GREAT rating. If you're someone who likes no frills, just a great guitar...highly recommended!

That GREAT mellow sound that only a solid Cedar top can give you.

I play both fingerstyle and flatpick and it works great for both. Wasn't expecting to be able to strum all that hard, but was pleasantly suprised it didn't rattle when I did.

I lowered the action just a bit...

everything else on this guitar is PERFECT, *BUT* I don't recommend this guitar for people who don't know how to treat instruments. This guitar should go in it's case after playing and use those mini humidifier every now and then.

Let's put it this way---Literally, days after I purchased it I took off on a 5 month trip through South America, and of all my guitars I picked this one to take with me, and it was great to play on lonely nights, or even on the side of the road for jam sessions with street performers or a bar for some extra cash(I even had several locals asking where they could get one!!). I wasn't sure how it was going to do with such drastic weather changes, but it's still in great condition!

I have a feeling with great care this guitar will last for the rest of my life, no doubt!

I haven't had to deal with the company with this guitar, I just went to the shop where I purchased it for the action adjustment and to get it polished after my trip...

This guitar is proof that when it comes to guitars it's not about brand names, but about CRAFTSMENSHIP! And these guys are the best!You soon realize when you are playing Martins and Taylors and all those brands, you are paying more for the name than you are for the actual guitar! Don't get me wrong, the best Martins and Taylors are FANTASTIC guitars, but when you can get something so damn close for nearly half the price you're silly to fork over the cash those other ones.

For $250, I got a guitar that I'm NEVER going to sell and one I would definitely buy again if it got stolen...Godin is the only guitar company that will forever have my money, loyalty and respect. They are the best kept secret in music!

I've been playing for several years, I own practically every acoustic that the godin companyies make!

Norman ST68, B50, B50(12), B20, B20(12), ST40, B20 Folk...Simon & Patrick SC Rosewood, S&P Pro Flame Maple, SC Folk, Pro Folk...Seagull Artist Cameo, Artist Mosaic, Artist Portrait, Artist Studio

Also a Martin 000C David Gray and OM-28 John Mayer, but I rarely play these...they are more collector's items than anything else.

Model: Folk Wild Cherry
Purchased 2004.Constructed in La Patrie Quebec Canada
21 frets, 14 to the body. Laminated top.
As sold it had no pickup but I added one later.

Bright sound with good bottom.

No pickguard.
No buzzes, sharp frets, loose tuners. Excellent quality.
Action low. E strings (low and high) closer to the edge of the neck than most guitars. Only one strap peg.

I have used it live. I have played many, all more expensive than this, but I always come back to this guitar.
Satin finish has worn shiny where my hand rests near the bridge and where my arm rests at the top.

Haven't had to deal with the company, Godin, so I can't comment on them.

I am a beginner on guitar so I didn't want to spend too much, but I didn't want to get something that would put me off playing. I tried many of the guitars in the shop (Yamahas, Normans, Washburns, Takemines, Ovations, Fenders) and found this one to feel and sound excellent. It was smaller, tighter, brighter with solid bottom end. It wasn't chosen for the price, though that turned out to be great too! I added a Fishman piezo-electric pickup, which may have been folly, because it cost almost as much as the guitar, but what a sound! For about $260 Canadian total ($180 + $80) I have something that sounds like $800. I have since tried other guitars, but I still come back to this one. This is an all-rounder. Many people comment on it when I play it, due to its unusual appearance (Wild Cherry top) and clarity of sound. It's solid bottom end is remarkable also. I actually can use it as an ersatz bass guitar by boosting the bottom a little on the PA channel its plugged into when accompanying other acoustic players!

My A & L Folk Guitar is based on the company's "Wild Cherry" model with the notable exception that it is shaped more like a classical guitar. The company is Canadian from La Pierre, Quebec and they use mostly (95% according to them) Canadian woods. The Folk has 14 frets up to the neck and 7 frets on the body which consists of a laminated lacquer satin finish top. I was at first skeptical but I've come to the realization that it would not sound the same with a high-gloss finish. I believe the neck is made of Maple with the sides being Wild Cherry and the fingerboard and bridge being made from Rosewood. Since this is my first acoustic (I have 6 other nylon-stringed Latin American guitar-like instruments) I chose not to buy the Folk model with an electric pickup. I'm no professional and I figured I'd get the acoustic-electric version at a later date. Other than that, the guitar came with its own custom-made case which was also made in Canada and cost $120 alone. All I can say about the good features is that I didn't buy this guitar for the "bells and whistles," I bought this guitar because I loved the sound and tone. Just as plain and simple. For me, this guitar is loaded with tons of features that I consider just the essentials and nothing fancy.

The A & L Folk model has a very good sound, I mean I couldn't believe the price. It sounds so much more "expensive" than it actually is worth. You just gotta try one for yourself. As a person so used to playing nylon-stringed guitar instruments, I found this steel-stringed acoustic guitar to be very pleasing. I have friends and family who own Fenders and Martins and they were impressed with the sound of this guitar. Trust me, once you pick one up and play it, you'll say WOW! I know that there are more expensive and better sounding guitars but for the price, you just can't beat the quality of sound that you get.

Can't say much in this category because I just like to play. Of course I inspected all this stuff when I bought it but it seems to me that they are well built. The salesman who sold me the guitar told me that the company prides itself in proclaiming their guitars as "Handmade" and from owning previous quality made guitars, this guitar looks like the maker took a lot of time in making sure it was completely built together.

Oh yeah, the hardware seems built to last. Only time will tell but I definitely believe that I will enjoy this guitar for many years to come. Heck, with the "Antique Burst" finish it already looks like its been played for a long time.

I haven't dealt with the company but the two-year warranty sure seems plenty considering most products nowadays are only good for 90 days maximum.

I've been playing for about three years now mostly on nylon-stringed guitars. Honestly, I've always been hesitant to buy an acoustic because I always thought they were too big and bulky for me. When I found this A & L Folk guitar, I felt that it was just the right size for me. The neck and fingerboard are narrow and just perfect for my small hands. If it were stolen, I'd buy not one but two more just in case. Try it and buy it.

My Art & Lutherie Folk was made in April 2002 in Quebec, Canada, by Godin/LaSiDo, which also makes the Seagull Folk. The A & L Folk is almost a "twin brother" to the Seagull Folk, with a cherry laminate soundboard instead of the solid cedar soundboard on the Seagull and a neck that is both slightly narrower and slimmer than on the Seagull.

The entire body (soundboard, back, and sides) is made from "Wild Cherry" laminate, which is three layers of solid cherry, with the center layer laid cross-ways for added strength.

The body about the size of a Martin 00-size Grand Concert, but is shaped more like a classical guitar, with round shoulders and a thick waist. The 4 3/8th inch depth of the body gives it more volume and resonance than the typical 4 inch depth on most other mid-size guitars.

The 14 frets to the body style neck is made from Maple, and is stained a burgundy/brown. The neck is slim, similar to current Martins. The guitar has the shorter 24 3/4 scale of many Gibsons. Both the fretboard and bridge are dark brown Indian Rosewood. The Folk has sealed tuners and a transparent (almost invisible) nitro lacquer satin finish over the natural golden yellow cherry of the body.

The bright, clear, mellow tone of the A & L Folk is ideal for the traditional role of a "folk" guitar, which is to support a singer. The voice of the Folk is perfectly balanced from the low Bass to the high Treble. Individual notes are distinct and clear, but without the overlay of harmonics and overtones produced by the solid cedar top Seagull Folk.

The bass is lean and tight, without the aded "boom" and resonance of many Dreads and Jumbo guitars. The notes within a chord blend smoothly and sound more like a single blended tone, rather than six individual notes. Chords have a bright, clear, bell-like quality.

The Folk is not a loud guitar. However, it projects clearly with both finger picking or with moderate flatpicking. Heavy flatpicking compresses the tone, and does not increase volume. It sounds fine with the traditional chord strumming style used by folk singers and singer/songwriters. Overall, it reminds me of a smaller voiced version of my Seagull Flame Maple Dread.

The Folk was set up well at the factory. The truss rod was adjusted for minimum relief at the 7th fret, leaving the neck very straight. The saddle was adjusted for 6/64th inch clearance on the Bass E at the 12th fret, and 5/64th on the treble E; exactly as I prefer. The nut was low, except the "B" string, which I lowered slightly. The tuners needed a bit more tension, so I tightened the tension screws a touch.

The combination of a narrow, slim neck, and the easy to play action allow the Folk to feel much like a Taylor, and Taylor sets the standard for playability.

The nut and saddle are both Tusq. The saddle has individual compensation for each string to improve intonation. The golden yellow cherry body is treated with an almost invisible satin nitro lacquer finish allows the wood grain to be seen, and the yellow binding around the soundboard and the white design painted around the soundhole add a small touch of "decor" to a plain and simple looking guitar.

The dark brown rosewood fretboard and rosewood bridge are attractive, and look much nicer than the grey walnut used on some A & L guitars.

The workmanship was neat and clean, with the only slight flaw being a small smear of glue on one of the back braces. The nitro finish was as well done as on some mega-dollar guitars.

The A & L Folk is built as well as most high quality acoustic guitars. The laminate soundboard might resist minor knocks that could damage a solid cedar soundboard, such as that on the Seagull Folk.

The nitro finish is ultra-thin and almost invisible. In contrast, many $200 guitars are covered with about a half pound of plastic. Those kind of thick plastic coatings might protect against minor scratches, but no finish will prevent damage from a guitar being dropped, banged into a wall, etc. However, A & L's thin nitro finish may be one of the reasons for its excellent tone quality.

All in all, the A & L Folk should be as durable as any good acoustic guitar. The tuners feel inexpensive, and someday I might upgrade to some better "heavy duty" tuning machines for the A & L.

Art & Lutherie is a division of Godin/LaSiDo guitars. Godin's philosophy has been to build up a network of local dealers to provide support to owners. Godin does NOT sell through chain stores, discount stores, or by mail order. Godin wants its owners to be able to get information, support, and minor repairs through the dealers.

Godin does answer e-mail through the Seagull website, although response time is very inconsistent. If a guitar needs a major repair, the owner is responsible for mailing it back to Godin. Godin has the reputation of being generous with its two year warranty, including making complete replacements for some guitars if an extensive or time-consuming repair is needed.

I have had a variety of other Godin/LaSiDo guitars including the Seagull Folk, a Seagull DM, a Seagull Flame Maple, a S & P Flame Maple, a Seagull Grand, an A & L AMI steel, and an A & L Ami nylon. The A & L Folk shares the Gogin family characterics of good workmanship and good tone at an affordable price.

The A & L Folk fits into the "middle" of the Godin family, with its mid-sized body. Its well balanced voice is ideal for Folk music and singer/songwriter type performers. Its narrow fretboard and slim neck make it an easy guitar to play, even for players as young as ten or twelve. It would be a good choice for someone's first or only acoustic guitar, as the Folk has many of the virtues of both smaller and larger size guitars, while avoiding many of their drawbacks.

I do not know of any other acoustic guitar selling for around $200 that combines the Folk's fine tone, comfortable size, and playability. It is a real "best buy" among acoustic guitars.