La Patrie Etude

Canada

I had a cheap guitar off of ebay and played it for a few months. After visiting guitar stores and playing some pretty nice models for $500-$800 I came across this guitar. It was the most exciting sound that I have every gotten from a guitar that I have played.

Great actions, no flaws, I've had it about a year

It's finish is a little easily scratched; I am thinking about buying a new one so I will have one in very good condition and the other for just fooling around. Although I would probably end up playing the new one.

I have been playing for 2 years and I have gotten so much better playing on this amazing guitar. I would definitely buy one just like it if it were lost, broken, etc.

I think it sounds better than most other guitars less than $1000.

Made in Canada, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, looks like mahogany sides and back, and cedar or spruce top (I can't tell nor do I really care for those details since it sounds so damned good). REALLY basic stuff, plastic bridge and nut, basic tuners, no REAL inlays (it's a decal as far as I can tell). Really, the basics and nothing more. Looks like the only 'fancy' bits are the 'binding'. For a classical - and a STUDENT model at that - it has no features in the typical sense of the word, but at the same time it needs none. An 8 here for the excellent woods but average tuners. Nothing else to note here.

WOW! Holy Shaznaz! This thing is FULL of tone. For the paltry $250 Canadian I paid for it, it EASILY blew away anything else I picked up off of the rack. No weird buzzing, no nasty booming, no freaky hollowness or plasticy sound. Just wonderful sound. For the price - jawdropping. I'm sure there's other guitars out there that sound WAY better, but for how much $$$?

As I was alluding to at the top, the materials chosen for this are unbelievable. There's no flaws in the wood, the joints are either TOTALLY invisible (like the back) or have a really tiny visible seam (the sides), the neck joint is ridiculously tight and well-matched, the rosewood fretboard and peghead veneer is perfectly straight and smoothly done. The clear paint finish is very thin (and if not strung up carefully, the low 3 strings CAN leave a mark behind the bridge when you tie the ends). Even the nice-lookin' rosette is very well decal'd in place. The frets are straight and well 'shaved' at the fretboard edges. The least impressive bit of workmanship is how the end of the fretboard is cut at the soundhole: it's very well done, mind you, but it IS the end-grain and there's really not much that can be done to make it look pretty.

Played live? I never have - I just play for myself at home.
Does it last? One year flawless. Maybe I'll upgrade the tuners. If I'm bored, maybe even the nut and bridge 'saddle'.
I see no reason to have a backup, unless for some reason a string breaks and I haven't got time to restring (which is not the case since I just play at home).
There's nothing on it to GO wrong, so it's a 10.

Never had to deal with them. Last time I looked, their web page didn't have a lot of info on the classical guitars. Does it matter to me? Nope - I have no reason to call except maybe to congratulate them on an incredible value of a guitar.

I'm just a student - a beginner.
I like almost everything about it, except MAYBE the tuners, but I'd probably have to spend a good $50 to upgrade them, and for a $250 guitar that is otherwise spectacular, it's not a pressing issue.

Features pretty much like others have described. Matte finish, rosewood on fretboard, cedar top, mahogany body, bone nut & bridge, butterflies around sound hole. Light, but well built. Made in Canada. I use a case and a humidifier.

The first time I strummed the guitar, I almost dropped it. It was loud! It resonates at "G". I fingerpick (bluegrass & Travis style). Lots of volume, bright, complex.

Action's pretty good for a classical guitar. Haven't had any problems with fit and finish.

With a microphone in front of it, it does well for live playing. I have it set up with strap buttons. The finish dings easily, but after the first ding, I remembered the price, and got over it.

Never had to contact them.

I've been playng since 1975. I also have a Yamaha G-150a and a Yamaha CG-150-CCE (electric classical), a Martin Backpacker (steel string, electric) and an Alvarez acoustic. This is the only one I'd never give up or selll, and if something happened to it, I'd have to get another one just like it. There is no date or serial number on the sticker, but I think I got it in 1998. It's all about the sound. Yes, this guitar has a personality all its own, and I only use D-Addario strings on it. It wants to be played, and is equally good at strumming or finger-picking. This one's definitely a keeper.

found in pawn shop for $150 Canadian. Beaten around cosmetically but not structurally. Nice warm sound. Clear treble, very warm mid range, muddy bass. Excellent intonation. Poor machine heads, especially fourth. Warms up when played very quickly. By serial # made in 1997, Friendly fingerboard/neck combination. A bit chunky ninth to heel.Mind boggling sustain like I have never heard on any other guitar. Love that French heel. End of fingerboard protrudes onto soundhole a few mm's. This guitar is very reminiscent of the "folk nylon string" made by C F Martin in feel, sound and appearance. Except it's a lot better value for money. This is a very good bread and butter guitar that is incredible value for money.
I would replace with new if need be. This one's a keeper. jimmy in Vancouver

I picked up the Patrie guitar before heading over to Saudi Arabia in early 1995. It has the typical creamy colour with the gloss finish. This guitar was resident in one of the driest places in the world for almost four years. No sign of cracks anywhere.

The guitar, structurally, has held up very well and the neck is straight as the day I bought it. The nut, bridge and frets have stood the test of time. The machine heads are OK. I would be happier if they were a little better. One of them is clunky when tuning. I've given this guitar to my young son, and he uses it for classical training, as its a lot easier to play than the Yamaha I had bought for him. He's happy. And so am I. I had to go all the way up to a Ramirez Concert guitar before I was pleased with another instrument. I was spoiled by the Patrie.

The sound is great. I played in a trio in Saudi. The other guys played Yamaha, Martin and Taylor. No problem, Patrie could compete easily with clear tones, good bass and lots of volume - even at desert BBQs in the open spaces.

It developed a very quiet buzz, that seems to come and go. Somebody said its seasonal and that's probably a good way to describe it. Darned if I can figure out where it is in the body.

Really a great guitar to play. For hours, a pleasure. Some rigs will get you fatigued, but not the Patrie. The action is great. I never had to adjust anything. The finish has stood up. I've packed this guitar all over hells' half acre and it looks great. No dings or scratches can be seen. The finish, in my opinion, is pretty tough.

Played for lots of folks with this instrument. It stays in tune despite some brutal renditions of popular music. Its been durable and maintains the ability to make classical pieces sound great.
The case was essential to this guitars survival.

I put strap buttons on it, and they have held up.

Never needed any. But I hope they solved the buzz problem.

Been playing 40 years. Have a high end Ramirez and electric Epiphone. I am recommending the Patrie to a friend who is shopping for his daughter. Its been a great guitar and it has my son hooked on playing. Can't ask for more.

Mine is a 1997 model. It has whitish binding top and back. The top is solid cedar (very good piece of wood). Back and sides are a beautiful figured mahogony vener. Neck is nato and has a great feel. The finish on the top and back is very very thin matte finish (scratches very easily but helps tone). Rosewood vener on top of peghead. Rosewood fretboard. Rosewood saddle. Features were far better than other guitars in pricerange.

Excellent volume, textured tone is complex and very beautiful. Sounds good strummed or picked. I always use the D'addario Hard tension strings that came with it. I play worship music around the house with this guitar. It is my favorite guitar because of the sound and feel(my other is a dreadnought Larrivee). It is very expressive and can be very subtle or thundering depending on what the mood calls for. Love it. I have been looking for my next classical guitar but haven't found any under $2,000 that has a sound I like as much.

The action is a little high for my taste. The quality of the bracing work is only moderate. After two years of use the guitar developed a seasonal buzz generated from under a brace somewhere (I cant find it). Too bad the warantee was only for two years. Even with the problems the instrument is still worth the price.

See the above comment. I have installed a pickup in the instrument but have not had a chance to use it. I fear that I would only be able to use this instrument in a solo quiet type situation as the top is very responsive to external sounds from bass and drums and I suspect the top would be more apt to buzz or feedback. I play this guitar reasonably hard and very frequently. I regret the seasonal buzz but I still love it and would definitely buy it again. For what it is its great.

Like someone else has said. It is difficult to find any mention of this company on the web. All warrantee issues should be handled by the place of purchase. I haven't contacted La Patrie.

I also have a Larrivee D-02E. If lost or stolen I would consider getting another. I would also consider the parlor size classical which is also sweet but not as passionate sounding (even if not stolen I may pick one up).

This guitar has a personality. Much more so than my Larrivee (which is an awesome guitar). The fact that it's not super expensive makes it less threatening to play. And I rather like that I can ding and scratch it without getting all upset about hurting its value.

This guitar is not packed with lots of "features." A first glance, you'd probably just pass it by to pick up a nice glossy guitar with beautiful inlay, pretty fingerboard, etc. The guitar is very understated in terms of features. It doesn't need visual cosmetics and niceties. It's made in Canada. Mine has a production stamp serial number indicating it was made in 2002, so it's quite new. It's manufactured like the rest of reviews for the Etude.

The Etude has amazing sound! At first play, I fell in love with the bright, full texture of sound coming from this unassuming, inexpensive guitar. No buzzing, all the notes sounded volumized more than what I expected and it certainly is much more playable and responsive than the Aria I normally play. The sound is akin to a guitar well above the $800+$$$ Japanese, Spanish and Korean guitars.

Action was excellent. The guitar responded predictably to delicate pickings, as well as broad, forceful strumming. It acted as though it wanted to "play itself" which is extremely rare for a guitar of this price range. Almost scary!

I purchased the Etude this fall (2002) at a music store in San Antonio and only played it for about a week (it's my practice guitar that stays at my parent's home that I can play when I visit them... I live in Nebraska). So I don't know yet about reliability or durabilty.

I wish the guitar came with paperwork and contact info for the La Patrie company. I know that they are a subsidary of SeaGull and Godin and whatever other strange tenticles and contracts of ownership. The web presence for this seems to indicate a company that's dispersed and doesn't want to be actively involved with customers. Maybe it's a new/old marketing strategy! "Ignore the customers who buy the product!"

I've been playing guitar for many years off and on (I'm 50 years old), playing acoustic steel string, electric and now, the past couple of years, classical acoustic/nylon string. I've played at least 50 different guitars in many shops over the past few years and am budgeting now to buy 2 more La Patrie guitars. I believe as the word gets out about these wonderfully responsive and inexpensive guitars, that the price will soar upward, then the company will change the way it produces them, and the sound quality and uniqueness will degrade and they will produce "dead" guitars like so many of the off the rack guitars that we can buy now.
The Etude that I bought has PERSONALITY. I have a hard time putting it down and look forward to picking it up to play it. --- It was ironic that I never heard of the company, that I almost didn't even pick it off the holder in the store to play it since it looked drab next to the other glossy spiffy guitars. Hmmm, I'm glad I picked it up!

I have it for a year, its still like new, bought for 280 Euros. Excellent sound, bright basses, a very good finish of the guitar. As i have an Alhambra and Bernabe also, both much more expensive, i can say that the sound is equal to them. I would always buy the same again

Brilliant sound, warm and sustaining, easy to play.

Has its own finish, but i like it. Excellent woods and handcraft.

After use of one year: Sill in excellent condition. Never go wizhout a case!!!

n/a

see above

I think I have a 2000 or 2001 Canadian made one.

Solid top
Volume bass, mid and treble.

Natural wood finish.

I play a folk/rock conglomeration - all my own creation and it suits me down to the ground. I'm also a school teacher and find it gives me plenty of sound unplugged in a large room full of kids - they love it!
My intention (on a low budget) was to buy a guitar (classical acoustic) that I could use as an unplugged classical or plug into an amp and generate a steel kind of sound. This baby has done all this.

One thing I would have liked was an on/off switch when plugged in so's not to draw off the battery.

Action perfect across the whole fret board to start with but has since developed a bow where the neck hits the body - atmospheric?
I purchased it with a slight shop damaged aspect but was more than happy because the shop knocked a couple of dollars off the price.

I now wonder if there was an underlying problem that neither I or the shop staff picked up.

Being a natural wood finish has its problems but I love the look and if careful it will be fine. In some ways I'm looking forward to the "old wine" look.

Rock shops NZ have been superb in their handling of the problems I have encountered.

I've been fiddling around with guitars for 16 years and this is my first serious buy.
I am in the unfortunate (and it sound rare) position of having to have it replaced but frankley nothing else I have tried is a patch on it. I just want another etude without the buzzing problems.

Greetings! I am a proud owner of a 2001 La Patrie Etude. First I'll say that I felt in love with this guitar on the first strum. It has the bassy sound that alot of the cheap Mariachi guitars have ,nut it has great treble and mid range. I had a Martin thinline pick-up installed and it really brings out the already awesome tone of the guitar. I didn't want to have an eq installed because she just seems so delicate.

My style of music is very eclectic...it's somewhere between They Might Be Giants, Los Lobos, and Helmet. I use a Danalectro Daddy-O for distortion without any problems. I mean it's gonna feed back so I work with it. I play it throuh a Hartke bass head with a built in eq so I can really dial up the guitar's natural tone for the clean parts. Or I just use her plugged straight into the P.A. It's all good! The only real problem I have is I'm clumsy so I've already put a few nicks in the front and I've only had it for 8 months.

I don't know much about guitar construction, but I know this guitar just looked and felt right...right away.

I have a feeling that this guitar is going to take a beating so I'm thinking of buying another one before they go up in price. I'm starting to spot more people with em so I think the word is getting out. The hardware seems good. It stays in tune even in drastic weather changes (I live in Arizona). If your really concerned about the finish, which I'm not, you might want to get one of the other La Patrie guitars. For $300 bucks, this guitar is a steal.

I've been playing and songwriting for 10 years. I would buy another right away. I love the tone and the easy-to-use neck. I don't hate anything about this guitar. I've compared it to some Takamine guitars and I believe this guitar's natural tone just has more character. Not to mention the looks of her. I'm using this guitar to record on my next album in my band, Fatigo. If you'd like to hear her in action, check us out! www.cdbaby.com/fatigo.