La Patrie Etude

This is a basic student guitar. I have been playing classical for three years now and I bought this guitar two years ago. I play mainly fingerpicking and this guitar is good for learning your way around the fretboard. The specific technical despcription is: Solid cedar top, truss rod (good for the learner), lacquer finish, rosewood fingerboard.

I play fingerpicking classical guitar. The guitar is very basic for this purpose, but it does the job. The quality of the sound is very full for a cheap guitar, open chords sound amazingly, as a cedar top guitar should sound.

The guitar was a little to high when I bought it. One year after I bought it I changed the strings and there was buzz all over, in the bridge, and the headstock. The vibration is terrible and I think the tuners might not have been well adjusted because when I tighten the screws the vibration is not so bad. I have not dropped or hit this guitar, so now it is terrible with that noise. I adjusted the height and it got rid of it a little bit, but now it is annoying to play the guitar.

The wood is very week. I am not hard on my guitars, but his one has dings all over, because of the finish. It looks beautiful, but it is not durable.

N/A

Overall I give it a 5 because the sound is beautiful, but the fret buzz and the headstock are horrible.

As previously mentioned, this guitar features:
Solid Cedar top
Wild Cherry back & sides
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard

Very light, slightly glossy, slightly satin finish.
No tuner/eq onboard, straight up acoustic guitar.

Sound suits the style I play very well.
I fingerpick mostly, classical guitar pieces as I can.
More often than not, acoustic interludes from Opeth (Benighted, Patterns in the Ivy, etc).
Guitar also plays well for softly picking, playing singer/songwriter type compositions.
Sound of guitar is very warm, and for small size, the guitar projects suprisingly well.

The action of this guitar was setup just fine for me directly from the factory. There are no buzzing or dead spots anywhere along the fretboard.
I noticed NO defects in the craftsmanship of this guitar.
The tuners feel solid, and the strings that came on the guitar are still bright enough as not to necessitate a change.

I love the Cedar smell, I have owned this guitar for two months now and still can pick up the aromatics of the wood.

I have not tried playing live with guitar, put do travel with guitar regularly.
Main home for the Etude is a padded gig bag, which suits just fine.
I have safely taken this guitar camping, and would not fear using live.

The finish (and cedar in general), as most reviewiers have pointed out, is VERY soft.
This is a good thing, as it allows the soundboard to vibrate more freely, thus enhancing the tonal characteristics.

I did not take their warnings as seriously, and have already mannaged to leave noticeable pick scraps near the soundhole.

BE CAREFUL!

Have never needed to deal with their support.

I have been playing guitar for roughly six years, and switched from mainly electric to acoustic in the past year.
This is the first acoustic guitar I have ever purchased new, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the same price range.

I know this guitar will continue to open up over time, and the sound is only going to get better.

If it were stolen/lost, I would not hesitate to purchase from the Godin family of guitars again. Maybe not this exact model, but definately a La Patrie/Seagull guitar.

This guitar is perfect the way it is, needs nothing!

As a classical instrument, simplicity is often a desired feature. I would prefer a cut away due to being a flamenco player primarily and using the higher registers quite a bit but I have found that most cut-aways lack the warmth and projection of the full body.

The instrumnet sounds as good and better in some respects than my collection of high end Cordobas and a $3000 Navarro. Cedar has never let me down for warmth and articulation.

There are no corners cut. Binding is flawless and attention has been paid to each detail.

Too early to tell, but the bracing pattern seems sturdy.

After adding a golpeador (tap plate), I was able to play all styles and the guitar provided tones suitable for the contrasting styles ranging from classical to pop to the rasp of flamenco. It is definately more suited to the warm tones of rhythm guitar however I have put this guitar in my performance line up along with my flagship Cordoba models.

I have an Etude I bought new about 6 years ago. Mine is the model with the built in pickup. The only feature I wish this guitar had was a cutaway so I could reach the top frets a little easier but I don't spend much time up there. In my opinion this guitar has all the features it needs.

I've used this guitar to play jazz, folk, celtic, classical, and other acoustic music. This guitar has an awesome sound! It has changed a bit over the years and is more balanced now than ever. The bass is really strong in this guitar and is a little overpowering for some classical music where you want to get a really bright sound. I think this guitar is better suited to mellow music and rich chords. The guitar has a very full and rich sound without sounding boomy. It's great!

When I plug in, I play this guitar through a Fender Blues Jr. The tube sound makes a great combo with this guitar.

The fit and finish of this guitar don't leave anything to be desired from me. Not one single flaw in the top or the workmanship. The guitar was set up well but maybe a little high for my likes. Still, it's easy to play and I've never had to tweak the truss rod, bridge, or nut in any way. Holds it's tune like a champ.

The finish is a light satin so it feels like almost nothing. Great for sound, bad for durability. I've taken care of this guitar. I've played with it live on a weekly basis for almost 4 years and it's holding up great but I do have a couple dings in the top. I'd trust this guitar in any live situation.

The neck on this guitar is amazing. I think it's mahogany. It's so perfectly finished that playing is an absolute breeze. No stickiness.

The reason why I'm not giving this a 10 is because of the body finish. If it were thicker and more durable it would get a 10, but the sound rating would suffer. I'd rather have the better sound and be more careful.

Never had to deal with them, but the shop where I bought the guitar put the strings on incorrectly and there was a buzz. They fixed it free of charge. No fault of the company.

If I lost this guitar I'd buy another one. A friend of mine has a $2000 Spanish guitar which is amazing but totally not suited to what I like to play. I'd honestly pick my guitar over it. No matter what you're playing, this guitar makes you want to play and play and play! It rocks!

I think the other reviews have already covered this guitar very nicely. I mainly just wanted to add a couple of comments about the sound and the action.

This guitar has basic features, which is perfect for those situations where you want good sound and playability, without the heavy investment or risk.

I have no problems with the tuners by the way (I've seen mixed comments about that in other reviews).

The sound is certainly what attracted me to this guitar. I've been looking for a classical with cutaway (my existing doesn't have a cutaway). But when I came across this used guitar, I felt compelled to get it. So now I have two without a cutaway. Hmmm, well, the price was certainly right, and I don't regret getting it one bit.

The sound can be a bit too bassy, or boomy in the midrange, for some songs in my opinion, and I don't think it's a perfect fit for everyone. I really need to try a wider variety of strings on it though, to see if I can bring out the brightness for the top three strings.

But overall the sound is reasonably balanced, and is just very impressive for a guitar in this price range. It resonates so nicely and sounds so good that it keeps you inspired. Sometimes I just say "wow" when I play certain passages.

I'm giving it a 9, but I would clarify by saying it is easily a 10 in this price range, and probably an 8 compared to guitars at 5 times the price.

Even with the much more expensive guitars, you have to decide on what type of sound you're after, and I would say that some people would be willing to pay a LOT to get this particular sound.

The action is really the main reason I wanted to write this review. I think the fret height could be just a little higher than what it is now. But this is just a minor comment, and it is still overall very good.

I'd rather have the fret height be too shallow than too high. I've seen a lot of classical guitars where the fret height is too high, which can affect intonation, and just doesn't feel right. But in this case, it seems a bit too low.

It really isn't an issue for me except for bar chords. For someone who has thicker fingers, it makes bar chords harder to play. Parts of my index finger are pressing against the fret board pretty hard before I get enough pressure against all the strings. Thus it takes more force to get the job done, compared to my other guitar. I don't mean really thick fingers (I'm a fairly skinny person, but just happen to have kind of long fat fingers). I think for someone with more boney type fingers this wouldn't be an issue.

Other than that, the neck seems well shaped. The nut / saddle / string height all seem just fine.

Haven't had it long enough to really comment on long-term durability. It's used, yet is in near perfect condition, so the previous owner was either very careful, or it's reasonably durable.

I notice the grain on this particular cedar top is fairly coarse.
This might be one of the reasons it's very soft, which others have commented on. It might also impact how much the sound will improve with age.

But, I'm not complaining. The more choice tighter grained cedar is probably reserved for more expensive models. With the less expensive models it may be hit-or-miss. The sound is just fine with mine as is. Any improvement with age is just icing on the cake.

Haven't tried to contact the maker.

Overall I like this guitar a lot for the price, and some aspects of it stack up well against much more expensive guitars.

I'm giving it a 9 overall, but I think it would be more like a 7 or 8 against more expensive guitars, and 10 for this price range.

This is a very basic, fully acoustic classical guitar. Nice satin finish, which should age well and allow the sound of this instrument to really open up. I like the fact that it has a truss rod- a very rare finding in a classical guitar in any price range, let alone one so affordable. The top is solid cedar, I believe the back and sides to be a cherry laminate. This one is brand new, made in La Patrie, Quebec, Canada.

I love the sound of this guitar. It is well balanced and quite loud. I play anything from rip off classical to jazz to metal and bluegrass, so I wanted to add an actual classical guitar to my collection. It suits my playing style perfectly. The tone of this guitar is quite warm and rich. The sound projects amazingly. It doesn't have any electronics, but the guitar stands up well on its' own. I can see this guitar working well for classical (of course), jazz, bluegrass and folky, fingerstyle acoustic.

I can find only a little extra glue on one of the bracings inside the guitar- otherwise it is cosmetically flawless. I own 2 Seagull acoustics and I have to comment on the Godin corporations' attention to quality, detail and value. They put out some of the best playing, best sounding and most affordable instruments available. My Seagulls sound better and play better than Martins and Taylors that cost 3 or 4 times as much. This La Patrie is no exception. It is set up perfectly, I tuned it up and started playing and that's all I've had to do to it. Can't go wrong with that at all.

The finish on this guitar is light. It's meant to be. Cedar is a soft wood. It sounds beautiful. It will sound better as it ages. The finish and the wood work together for that to happen. You shouldn't expect a guitar like this to hold up to years of rough handling and abuse. If you play it like it is intended (a classical guitar), it should last you many years and sound better as it ages. With the light finish, you should treat this one with respect and care or you will ruin it.

That being said- with proper care, I will be playing this guitar in live situations and would use it without a backup. No strap buttons or anything on it- this is a sit down and play kind of guitar.

I've never had a need to deal with the company, my Seagulls are perfect and have never had any problem with them, I have experienced the same with my La Patrie thus far. Honestly, I would sooner take my guitars to my trusted local guitar tech/luthier for any work and just pay them for it before I would try to deal with a company 100's of miles away for a warranty.

I've been playing for over 20 years and have a room filled with Fender and Gibson electric guitars, but my only choice for acoustic instruments is the Godin company I own 2 Seagull acoustics and plan to add at least another in the not so distant future. The quality, sound and value are unsurpassed. I played some Takamine, Alvarez and Ramirez classicals before deciding on the La Patrie Etude. The Ramirez was a fabulous guitar, but it also cost 5 times what I paid for the LaPatrie, and this guitar sounds every bit as good as the Ramirez for a fraction of the cost.

I love the cedar top and light finish. I truly dislike guitars that have heavy lacquer finishes- they don't allow the instrument to resonate properly, or age properly. As you play this guitar, you can feel each note you play. The sound is amazing and I'm looking forward to hearing how much it opens up as it gets older.

There's nothing I dislike about this guitar. It's simple, it's not ornate in any way, but it plays and sounds like a guitar that costs much more than it does. At the end of the day, we as guitarists are more concerned with how we sound anyway and this guitar lets you sound as beautiful as the song in your heart.

If this guitar were stolen, I would hunt down the thief, get my guitar back and then hang him upside down by his toenails. If I couldn't find him- I'd go buy another one just like this.

i have wrote a review on the previous 2nd post, just wan to elaborate it after extensive use

well basically i play this guitar everyday, more of a fingerstylist. from pop to classical to jazz, well i have start to fall in love with this guitar, the sound has totally open up now, it is very responsive, well balance bass, mid and high.
still i think i won't recommend this guitar to those who really use it for classical songs. cos it really don have that hard punch like those spanish guitar.
it is more like having a well-round warm sound

the action still as good as it could be, you can see from side top that is looks slightly high, but it is really easy to press.
the top is quite soft and easily indented,

i think i will buy back this guitar if it was stolen. unless i have more than $3000 cash in my hand, i would buy a high end spanish guitar, so basically i think this guitar plays like a $1000 guitar.

It's got the satin finish, made in Quebec, solid top. Not sure about what kind of wood, etc.

This guitar (to me) sounds incredible. It is the first classical guitar I've owned, and I am judging it against an Alvarez RD8, but it really, really does sound good. One thing I dislike is that bass notes tend to sound a little TOO bassy, but that's really not something to complain about.

I got this guitar used from my dad, who bought it used from a guy on the net, so it's essentially a hand-me-down. The only thing wrong with it that I can see is that the asshole used a *pick* and really, really screwed up the finish.

The finish is very, very soft. I mean, you can seriously take a fingernail and dent the wood. I wouldn't recommend using a gigbag - nothing less than being extremely careful & storing the guitar in a hard shell case will work.

I love this guitar. It's responsive, attractive, has a warm sound, and is incredibly easy to play. I'd recommend buying one.

the wood expecially the top is easily indented

my music style is from classical to fingerpicking. this guitar suit it well. Just don strum or play pop song wif it. it sounds awkward.
the sound is very nice, the bass and treble is well balanced. but i feel a bit plain in the sound, like a straight from wood sound, hmm.. dunno how to explain, some ppl may lilke it. but i can hear the fullness of sound. the resonance is nice too. yeah it has bright sound. you can fell it projected all the sound it could have. SO basically, i lilke it.

the action is perfect. very easy to press on it, in fact it is too easy i may say, good for beginner. I will give 10 for it's action. The finish is not too good, like there is none. the top is very easily indented, and it's like there's no protection on it at all. There is no flaw in it.
There's a problem when i first get the guitar, the neck is slightly bend somehow. but they change for me, now it's ok.

it seems the guitar is a bit fragile. cos i think it is because the wood is not thick. Anyway, jus take good care of it and i think it will last for bout 10 years.

i have problem with the neck, and they changed one for me while i was using the old one. so i think their service is quite good.

i have been playing for 7/8 years. i have a gibson electric guitar, epiphone acoustic and yamaha electric guitar. When u buy the guitar, u shud ask if the guitar can withstand the weather in ur country. If it were stolen i will buy it again, but if i have plenty of money, then i will buy other more expensive guitar.

This guitar is made in La Patrie and Princeville, Quebec, Canada. I was told that la patrie is actually a small town of guitar luthers. I don't know for a fact but it is worth looking into. Solid cedar top with rosewood fret board and laminate back and sides (I think mahogony. The pick-up is a EPM Quantam and the tuners are gold.

I don?t really have a style of music per say. I play mostly Rock. I bought this guitar for a classical guitar class that I took. At first I bought a Cardoba 20 from Musician?s Friend. I strongly recommend never buying that guitar. Everything about that guitar was a joke. I got frustrated and decided to go to the next tax bracket of $1000.00 for next purchase. I got some Takamine that totaled a little over a thousand dollars and it sounded pretty thin. I was pretty frustrated in thinking that all of that money was just for better materials and action but not a better sound than the previous Cardoba. That next week fate happened. I went to pick up my 91 Gibson LP at my guitar tech?s store and I?d be damned if he had a nylon string hanging on the wall for sale. Since I had been doing so much research on the Nylon strings this one caught my eye right off the bat. I sat down for 30 seconds and purchased it. Because this guitar isn?t lacquered the sound just pours out. It is very hard to find a guitar with a natural finish. The action was way better than the Cardoba maybe a hair not as good as the Takamine but then again it was 1/3 the price. The only complaint that I have is that the pick ups on this thing are very poor. It feeds back like crazy. You have to back the volume way down if you have the bass up at all. I play this guitar on a Roland AC-60 and it can sound fantastic once you dial everything in. The projection on this guitar isn't the loudest but it sure beats most. For guitars $1000.00 I give this guitar a 10 but I am scoring on all guitars.

Action is great. Pickups will get you by. The solid cedar top is fragile due to the fact that it doesn't have a thick coat of lacquered but the sound makes up for that big time. The only flaw is that on the first fret there luther cut a little too deep so there is a little tiny gap where the fret fits into the rosewood. This is a tiny cosmetic flaw. The butterfly's around the sound hole are a little girly and take some getting used to.

Nylon string guitars are not ment to be thrashed around. I have had my guitar for almost two years now and nothing is wrong with it. Very duriable for normal use.

Never had to deal with them but I am sure that a company that makes this quality of a guitar for this price must care a lot about musicians. This is only a theory so don't quote me on it.

I have been around a lot of music in my life time. I have played trumpet, baritone, and french horn for over 20 years and guitar for 15. I love Type O' Negative, Opeth, Anthrax, NIN, all the way to Vivaldi, Franz liszt, Bach and Beethoven and then sometimes and I emphasize sometimes Garth brooks and Brad Paisely. Being around cheap and expensive instruments for a great deal of my life I would have to say that this guitar is a golden buy. You can not go wrong with this guitar period.

Made in Canada, satin top, great smell, bought it new in 2002 for $300
No electronics, but that means nothing to me.

This is where the Etude shines. It is truly a giant killer, i was ready to drop 900 dollars on some other name beand guitars, BUT the second i played this one, i instantly knew from the first chord i strummed, that this guitar stomped the yamahas and takamines i was ready to fork ovder more cash for.

First classical guitar I have owned, and it will probably be my last. The finish is strange at first but nice and smooth when playing, and the smell of cedar is just fantastic. Neck was a little difficult to get adjusted to, but still plays well.

The only Beef i have with this ax is how easily the top gets scratched. mine has a couple of battle scars, and you must be gentle. I would use this guitar anywhere, anytime. The tuners and bridge, nut seem ok.

Never dealt with them

ive been playing for about 10 years, and I am VERY picky (and frugal), this guitar is the best bang for the buck. You WILL NOT find a better sound for under $1000, and this thing costs about $300. If i needed to buy another classical, I would definitly stick with Etude. Quality sound and good price. Simply a great guitar.

Newer model (2005?)- made in Canada, basically featureless?but that?s the point right? Best feature of the guitar would have to be a solid cedar top and a price tag under 300 bones. The back and sides are a mahogany laminate. The neck is also mahogany, with a rosewood fretboard. The neck has been described as thinner than many classicals, but this is more in profile-- thee's still adequate spacing between the strings. This model has a flat fingerboard end as opposed to the rounded end (cut to contour the soundhole) that you see on many classicals (and older model Etudes, I think?) not as pretty, but what difference does it make?

The whole reason for owning this instrument. The lasido company (Seagull, La Patrie, et al) has found a way to make affordable instruments that sound comparable to many double and triple their price. A new set of strings and good posture and this baby really sings. Way nicer than anything in it?s price range?How my neighbors to the north haven?t completely monopolized the acoustic market by now is a mystery to me.
I'd say the Etude has basically a very balanced tone, the lows are rich, not boomy, the trebles are clear and bright. no one string dominates the other, although the tone is greatly enhanced by correct right hand technique. I've also played it with a pick for jazz styles, but this guitar sounds much better under the fingers.

Action: Near perfect for my playing tastes, that?s why it came home with me on the spot. The addition of a truss rod (not seen on a lot of classicals, especially in THIS price range) makes it a little more adjustable than others. I need to preach a little here though-- never adjust the truss rod to adjust action! If you don?t know how to handle a bridge saddle (or if you?re afraid to screw it up, like me) take it to somebody who knows what they?re doing. Truss rods are for seasonal tweaking to adjust the neck profile ONLY. Okay, I?m done. As far as the finish, this is the only place I can deduct points. I like the looks of the satin finish (sometimes a gloss finish makes a cheap guitar look cheaper) but cedar is a pretty soft wood, and it will be dented and scratched rather easily if I?m not careful. If it?s gonna leave the house a lot, get a hardshell case, or a really super-duper padded gig bag. A little love and she?ll last a long time. On a pleasant note, i was nicely surprised when i encountered one of these in a store (world folk music company in beverly, chicago--support small business!) because of the color of the mahogany. most of the pictures online have washed out the color of the mahogany, showing it as a honey-ish color not much different from the cedar top. in person, it's definitely a more "mahogany" color, about the tone of bass ale. this is purely cosmetic, i know, but us guitar players are a shallow lot.

Again, the finish is the only thing I can think of. I?ve heard people complain about the tuners, but they seem fine to me-- granted, on a nylon string instrument you're usually loking at a week or so before a new set of strings will stabilize-- so if slippage is a worry, give it a little time.

No experience. I?ve owned a steel string Seagull for 10 years and I?ve never needed any support, so I?m crossing my fingers that the quality has crossed over to their other brand lines along with the great sound.

I've been playing for 15 years, and this is the second nylon string guitar i've bought. the first was a no namer, and it was a piece of junk-- totally turned me off to the classical lessons i had been taking. i switched to jazz, and never looked back. my tastes now are more in the experimental vein, using a lot of electronics and processing to create backdrops to improvise over (i'm very heavily influnced by miles davis' "in a silent way" and the work of derek bailey.)The etude will serve as another texture in the mix, especially chordally, comping bossa-esque rhythms beneath the other sounds. all in all, it's just a really nice bare bones guitar. I plan on enjoying it for quite a while.

1999 Model Made in Canada. Has a solid Cedar top with Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany laminate back & sides. Solid Mahogany neck. Satin Finish & gold colored tuners w. white buttons. Has an adjustable neck w. truss rod. I agree w. the previous reviewer, the neck on La Patrie's is thinner than most Classicals. Its not a thin neck overall just thinner than most Classicals. Its Acoustic Only Non Electric.

This is where this guitar excells! The sound is amazing for this price. There is a lot of bass and the sustain is very good especially for open chords. It is a very full sound. I played many of the Yamaha, Ibanez, & Raimundo models at GC & Sam Ash and this guitar sounds way better. You will not be disappointed by the sound.

The guitar came set up w. Medium action so I left it that way. The grain on the neck on mine has some prominent grain lines in it that I first thought were cracks but they are wood grain. The top is beautiful and has a pleasant Cedar aroma especially if you play open chords. The back & sides look amazing and really give you the impression of solid mahogany. The finish is satin and is very very thin. I bumped the top on the corner of my cushioned couch and it made a tiny pin head sized ding in the top. The finish is real delicate but I believe that it is the key to the deep sound of the Etude. The tuners are average at best. They work but are not the most precise or smooth and one of my tuner buttons has a crack in it. Many complain of the rosette but mine is perfectly centered and looks great. If you look real real close you can see that it is computer generated but it looks fine to me. Mine also has the end of the neck cut to match the curve of the sound hole. Many of the newer Etudes I have seen have the end of the neck hanging slightly over the sound hole. Mine came with a hardshell case which I highly recommend on this model.

Can't give this a 10 as the Satin Finish really makes this guitar delicate. I would view this guitar as a good practice or home recording guitar. I would use this to take to friend's houses or lessons but I wouldn't gig with it. If you plan to use this as a main guitar replace the tuners, they suck.

Haven't had to use this (knock on wood) so I can't comment. Warranty appears to be

Been Playing for 18 years. I would buy another if it were stolen but I might opt for the gloss/lacquer finish. I like the sound, the adjustable neck, solid cedar top, & the aroma of cedar when you play. Buy this guitar if you are looking for a good sounding Classical and you are on a budget. Don't let the Satin finish turn you away.

This guitar has a solid top. It is a simple acoustic classical without a pickup, but what it does it does PERFECTLY.

I play latin guitar styles as well as classical and this guitar is perfectly suited for those styles.

The guitar has no imperfections that I can see---and I've had it for six months. There are no painting imperfections, no scratches, string spacing is perfect, the binding is fantastic.

This guitar is very dependable as I've used it on stage various times. It is light, rigid, but by no means is it meant to be thrown around like some toy. It is an instrument and if you treat is as such then you are a perfect match for this one.

Have not had any problems that neededed addressing but I did talk to them once to see what other products they offered and they were extremely helpful and courteous. Excellent:)

If you're looking for a great guitar without spending all that dough, play this guitar and see what you think. Remember, the action can be adjusted to whatever you wish to, but concentrate on the sound and the responsiveness of this guitar. In my humble opinion it is a magnificent
instrument for advanced guitarists as well as beginners.

Bought this guitar for 260.00 Can. at Long Mcquade last November. It has a solid cedar top and laminated mahogany back and sides. I believe it was made in Feburary 2004. It has a satin lacquer finish and is a rather plain looking guitar. It is a solidly built guitar with very good woods.

I spent a lot of time in music stores playing different guitars in around the 500.00 to 750.00 price range. Nothing came close to the sound of this guitar. I played Tak's, Yamahas, even a 1200.00 Ramirez and it blew them all away. An amazing guitar for 260.00 bucks. I'm using Savarez Alliance hard tension strings on it and the projection is unbelievable.

The factory setup on this guitar was good from the factory. Still not convinced if a bolt on neck works on a classical guitar. I've played a few La Patries with haywire neck pitch angles. Only time will tell. Slight finish flaw on back of guitar and crappy tuning machines. Mickey mouse decal rosette.

I've had no problems to date with this guitar. I baby my guitars so even though the finish is very light i've had no problems. The soft cedar top won't take any abuse. I would'nt recommend playing with a pick.

I've had no problems with this guitar so i have'nt dealt with them. I've heard there a little slow answering e-mails.

I've been playing guitar for sixteen years and own an Almansa and La Patrie Collection. Also just bought a Simon & Patrick Mini-Jumbo with a B-Band 3.2 pickup system in it.The etude is not comparible to my Almansa but i paid 1800.00 for it. For the money there's nothing out there comparible. PERIOD!!! Buy the way, my La Patrie Collection is prettier but not better. Without a doubt the best buy in a classical guitar for under 500.00.

It was made in 2002. Same features as everyone else's. I really like the satin finish, I think it makes it unique instead of those shiny ones.

It is the most amazing-sounding guitar I have played in my life, I tells ya. It blew me away the first time I picked it up.

Everything was great for 3 years. I then changed the strings myself (yes, after 3 years when it still sounded great) and there was quite a bit of buzzing. I don't know what the heck is going on, but I am planning on buying a la patrie presentation and planning on letting professional string it from now on. The top is easily scratched, but that is only because someone with a pick played mine.

I have been playing for 4 years. I started out with a steel string, but I think this guitar is the only reason I switched. I swear all I play on it is Classical Gas, about 10 times a day, but It sounds so awesome on this guitar that I just can't stop.

I bought one on Thursday and liked it so much that I bought the only other one at the same store on Saturday --- I wanted one for home and one for my music school so's I don't have to lug it back and forth--- hey, for the cheapo price tag of around $250 sometimes with sometimes without a case (I got one with for $235 'cause I'm friends with the salesman and one for $240 without the case from the store manager)---the store manager said that they only get 2 or 3 a year and they have to wait a long time for them -- No Frills -- Plain Jane -- Just what I wanted -- Nothing about it is offensive. looking at all!!! Adjustable truss rod is a plus on a nylon string for inevitable and expected seasonal warpage resulting in action changes/ and buzzzz.......

The one that's been played for a while in the store sounds a little brighter than the one that's been in the stockroom sleeping in the case for months. I know that will change as I wake it up on a daily basis. The sleeper has a bit more midrange -- some notes like the A on the G string and the G , A & B on the D string actually "leap" out at you. This doesn't happen as much on the one that's been more played -- maybe it's just that they are 2 different pieces of wood and it could have nothing to do with the sleeping vs. played more theory. My nails are short but when I can catch a nail on a string....WOW instant volume -- A good reason to stop biting has finally come.

The action on one was a "tad' lower than the other but the neck profiles are the same---a "tad" CLUBBY ---the strings are spaced a little wider than the usual steel string acoustic but I'm guessing it was done for right and left hand technique involved with "classical finger style" pieces. Then again, Seagulls (the sister brand) are known for theeir wider at the nut set ups. One has a tightly grained CEDAR top and one has a widely spaced CEDAR grain. I've heard that it takes longer for the tighter grain to age whereas the wider grain has more exposer to be able to dry out and age quicker. I don't know how true this is but it sounds like it makes sense.

I knew that if I had to keep taking one guitar back and forth that it would get road scars from tranporting to and from home and work so I figured what the hey........get two for the price of one...and they would be in great shape because they would each be staying in one place.

Don't know and Hope I never have to-------although the little info brocure that comes with it HIGHLY RECOMMENDS to GET A soundhole HUMIDIFIER and keep it in the body when not in use. I suppose I'll have to get a couple.

This/These are the 1st Nylon string guitars I've actually bought although I've dabbled in classical guitar playing on and off (on my many electric guitars)during my 41 years of playing. I went looking for a nylon string cheapo about a year ago and NOTHING FOR $250 COULD EVEN COME CLOSE TO THIS GUITAR in every category. Easily rated a BEST BUY ----ESPECIALLY for S-O-U-N-D!!! I usually never write reviews about any products - This make & model really deserves praise. I love these 2 guitars especially because of the LOW price and HIGH QUALITY. That seems to be VERRRRY unusual these days.....

Classical Guitar handmade in Quebec Canada. Beautiful mahogany neck and body and kinda matte solid cedar top. Rosewood fretboard and bridge. I think it has 19 frets. Initially it looks crappy because of the non-shiny deck, but after owning it for a couple years it has grown on me, it stands out from your everyday, run of the mill poly stained laminated top classical guitars; besides, the mahogany is stunning. Besides the solid top, another great feature is the neck design. I never had a problem with classical necks, but this one is much more playable than most, not big and fat so you cant wrap your thumb around.

I try to play yngwie-style classical on this thing, but for the greater part of the past 2 years this has been my only guitar, so I played everything on it. Obviously you cant play slipknot on it (mind you older, better composed metal like megadeth/metallica sounds fantastic on a classical) The look of this guitar may not be for some, but for the price this has to be the best sounding guitar I have ever heard, no joke. Audiophiles will tell you that the solid top and laquer finish will give you many different advantages in tone, all I know is that harmonics ring off this thing like nothing I have heard, chords therfore sound fuller, and individual note phrasing sounds more alive. The sound is where this guitar really shines.

Everything was set up great, good action for an acoustic. I dont know how it works for classical guitars, but I find the high e tuner stiff, and the g string always raises pitch after bending for a while, so maybe some nut sauce and new tuners are in order.

As before, the tuners arent the greatest (but I dont know if there are any good aftermarket classical tuners out there.) The biggest complaint about this guitar I have is the strength. The solid cedar top gives outstanding tone (minimum weight too-very light!!!), and strength against deck warping due to string tension. Unfortunately, the solid top is succeptible to breakage in the other direction. I dropped the guitar from about 2 feet onto my floor, this resulted in a $50 CDN repair and a big ugly mark.

never dealt with them

sound wise this is a giant slayer. Many of my rich boy acquaintances bring over their fancy expensive guitars, but after they get over the look of mine they cant put it down. If you can baby your guitar the rigidity issue dissolves, and if you fall in love with this guitar (as you undoubtedly will) you can get over the plain boring looking laquer job.

Very Spartan in appearance. It's all about the sound. Decent tuning machines. Rosette appears to be a decal of some sort. Satin finish/soft cedar top combination is susceptible to dings.

Clear highs, and rich booming bass. Think of Willie Nelson's old Martin (that he calls "Trigger"), before it got all beat up. This guitar is all about the sound, and it is awesome.

Action is good. This guitar has a truss rod, which is unusual for a classical. Top has good bookmatching, back and sides look very nice. Fretwork is excellent.

Guitar doesn't weigh much, but feels solid all around. If I gigged, I'd be comfortable using it without a backup.

Have only dealt with La Patrie/Seagull once or twice via email. Now there is no email contact information on their website. I've never had to call them about this guitar, or my Seagull 12 (both have been perfect since I bought them, so no need), so I'm going with no opinion on this category.

This guitar is a stone cold killer axe. I got an incredible deal buying it used, and if a car ran over it tomorrow I'd shed a tear and gladly plunk down $300 or more for a new one. The only thing I'm considering is the addition of a Baggs I-Beam onboard pickup so I can play it plugged in. It sounds great miked, but I'd like a pickup. It can be purchased with a B-Band onboard system if you can find one.

My La Patrie Etude was made in 1999 in Canada.

It has a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The fretboard is rosewood, with a rosewood veneer on the headstock and heel. The nut and saddle appear to be bone. The body has a very attractive creamy white binding.

The top and body have a thin satin finish. The neck also has a satin finish, which I think provides better playability than a glossy finish.

The rosette is a cheap decal, and not centered very well on the soundhole, at least on my example. Also, as others have mentioned, the end of the fretboard is not well finished to the curve of the soundhole. For the cost of this guitar, I consider these to be minor issues.

This guitar sounds far better than it should for its modest cost. It compares very favorably to entry level solid top guitars from makers such as Takamine and Yamaha, and is significantly louder due to the thin satin finish on the top.

Notes are full with good sustain, and the overall sound is well-balanced between treble and bass.

I don't think you could do much better as far as quality of sound vs cost.

The action and set-up was excellent from the factory. No buzzes or intonation problems.

As mentioned previously, the rosette decal is poorly centered, and the fretboard and soundhole are not well finished where they meet.

The frets are well dressed. All joints are extremely well finished and smooth. The bridge is very basic and unadorned, but works fine. The tuners are fairly cheap, but work fine.

This is a classical guitar and needs to be handled with care, as they all do.

It was not designed to withstand abuse. The satin finish on these Etudes is not as forgiving as the thick glossy finish found on most other entry level classicals, so some extra care is necessary if you expect to keep it looking pristine.

I have been playing classical guitar for 27 years. I purchased this guitar to carry around and not worry about too much.

I bought it because of all the good things I read about how it sounds, and I was not dissapointed.

One important issue about this guitar is the shape of the neck. Although it is classical in width, the neck profile is significantly thinner than most classicals. If you have large hands, this may not be the most comfortable neck for you.

I do have large hands, but I have adjusted to the neck fairly well. I would prefer it to have a more traditional thicker profile, however.

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.

This guitar is a 1994 La Patrie Etude. Canadian made by the same folks who make Seagull guitars. Solid cedar top. Mahogany back, Rosewood fret board with 19 frets. Gold colored, probably brass tuners of unknown make but they seem to be high quality. No electronics, stricktly an acoustic classical guitar. Needs frequent tuning but that's been my experience with all nylon stringed guitars.

Sound is warm and mellow. Exellent bass notes. It's not as bright as I would like but overall is an exellent sounding guitar. If you're into that Willie Nelson nylon string sound this is a great guitar for that.

Set up from factory was exellent. I haven't changed a thing. Action is good as with any classical guitar. Intonation is good. No flaws noted. Easy to play.

Solid cedar top that is kind of soft and prone to dings and scratches. Mine is 8 years old and is holding up well. I added strap buttons which have had no adverse effects.

I've never had to contact the manufacturer for anything. La Patrie has an exellent reputation though.

I've been playing guitar since 1968, nonprofessional. I've owned a variety of flat tops, 12 strings, and electrics. This is a good little guitar that could be used on stage and is a quality guitar for someone just wanting to fool around with one. I bought this guitar with the idea that it would be the last one I ever bought,HA HA HA! For overall every day finger picking I think a good steel string guitar suits my needs better. This Etude is however a very good classical guitar and I would recommend one to anyone with an interest in a nylon string guitar.

Made in Canada

Solid Cedar top
Mahogany back and sides
Rosewood fret board 19 frets
Gold coloured tuning machine heads.
Very light satin finish

The looks of this guitar are basic and not what makes it special

The sound is quite amazing with beautiful resonance from the solid Cedar top giving well sustained bass and clear bright treble tones. I play mainly Classical style on this guitar and though you will find better sounding nylon strung guitars they cost an awful lot more.

The guitar is well made for fit. The finnish is very light and as I bought mine second hand it has some scrathes under the sound hole at five years old. The action however is what makes this guitar special. I found it while looking to upgrade a Yamaha G225 to a concert guitar. It was in a Pawnbrokers specializing in guitars. I played it and thought it was very nice but as I was prepared to pay five times the price I continued looking and bought an Alhambra 7C as my main instrument. The sound of the Alhambra is better but not by much, the action of the La Patrie is much better. Fortunately the guitar was still there when I returned a few weeks later unable to forget this good sounding and beautifuly playable instrument.

This is the guitar I take camping. No problems so far.

N/A

I pick up this guitar for personal enjoyment just as much as my Gibson J160e. As value for money it is fantastic. If lost or stolen I will replace it even if I have to import one from Canada.

Solid cedar top
Mahogany back and sides

This guitar has a very warm and full bass, but it lacks a bit of treble. Overall sound is very good, and fits the style of music I play very well (samba).

This guitar is very well made. I didn't touch a thing.

The only problem is the thin finish that makes the guitar very easy to scratch (it happened to me with a microphone). Otherwise, it is very reliable and solid, and seems indifferent to the lack of humidity in my appartment (whereas my other guitar a 7 strings Joao Batista bought in Brazil is stuck in its case with 2 humidifiers).

I love this guitar, it fits me well, and it is the guitar I play the most.

Solid cedar top, satin finish.
Mahogany back and sides (I believe solid all the way around)
Cream Binding on the body.
Butterfly-motiff rosette

Excellent overall sound.
Basses are a little weak.
Sound is not muddy like some of the other budget classicals.

Action was a little high. I adjusted the truss rod, and filed down the saddle, and now it plays like an absolute dream. The finish is great. I "shined" the lower bout by placing my fingers on the body repeatedly while playing. There's really no cure for this on a satin-finish guitar. I tried steel wool, but it didn't work.

Thumbs up!

N/A

I did ALL my homework on this one! Mine is a mid '98 Model (I know because I emailed Mario at Lasido and he explained that the first two digits in the serial number indicate the year, and the last two digits indicate the week). These Guitars are manufactured in La Patrie, Quebec, Canada. It features a Solid Canadian Red Cedar top, Laminated mohogany back and sides (mine has a particularly beautiful back), a very thin satin laquer finish (4 layers, sanded between each coat), a relatively thin and round Solid Mohogany Neck with an Adjustable Truss Rod (an unusual but nice feature on a Classical), Rosewood Fretboard and Bridge, Cream colored Plastic Binding on the Body, a Veneer of Rosewood on the Headstock and Heel (a nice touch), Gold colored Tuning machines with white pearl colored plastic heads, genuine wood inlay Rosette (a Classy Butterfly pattern), I believe the Nut and Saddle are Micarta, it has 19 Frets, Standard 12th Fret Body Join, and I should mention that the Strings that it came with were very nice, bouncy and sweet!

This guitar is an Exceptional value where features are concerned! I checked out countless other guitars from other makers at considerably higher cost and nothing came close! You CAN buy a better Guitar, but you WILL pay at least twice as much!

My Fiance' used to be able to talk on the phone in the Kitchen while I played in the Living Room. Since I aquired this guitar, She locks herself in the Bedroom. The sound is incredibly balanced and full, and LOUD (due mostly to the solid top and thin finish). Very Sweet! I listen to all kinds of music: Flamenco, Classical, Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, Hardcore...I let them all influence my own style. I suppose my own music is mostly a darker type of Folk, and this guitar sounds gorgeous (even with ME playing it).

Again, I've heard better sounding guitars, but they all were at least $1000! For the Money, nothing sounds better.

Action was very nice, no buzzing. I think I would like it a little lower, but I'm not sure that's even possible, it's already very low. This guitar allows me to play whatever I want. I've noticed that with most guitars one must actually THINK about playing, with certain guitars, though, you just seem to PLAY, such is this guitar. The woods are all superb, very well slected and bookmatched.

My ONLY criticisms are: The end of the Fretboard does NOT line up properly with the Soundhole, it protrudes a little, and just doesn't look right. The Nut should have been cut more smoothly, it tends to chaffe the trebble strings (Particularly the G). The tuning Machines are of poor quality, the D and the G tuners tend to be a bit "Choppy", not Smooth, this is a nuisance, but once the guitar is in tune it stays there. I tune when I first take the guitar out of it's case (it's usually still more or less in tune) and it's good for the rest of the day.

Again, I checked out much more expensive guitars with far more flaws. For the Money, MUCH better craftsmanship than you are paying for. I got a much better guitar than I paid for.

This guitar seems very solidly built, although I am always EXTREMELY careful with it. the Canadian Red Cedar Top is somewhat soft and the Laquer finish is VERY thin, it scratches easily and I actually put a nice little ding in the front. Cedar is a soft wood, and the thin finish leaves it open to scratches, it also alows the wood to breathe and therfore SOUND GREAT! This is a tradeoff, just take care of it! I think the tuners will last and hopefully even smooth themselves out over time.

Taken for what it is (a delicate instrument, not an armored car), it is plenty reliable. I would not describe it as particularly durable, nor would I describe ANY solid topped classical guitar as durable, that is not it's purpose.

I had several phone and E-mail correspondences with Mario at Lasido regarding these guitars before and after I purchased it. He was pleasant and helpful each and every time! I'm sure I was a pain in the neck but he never showed it.

Warranty: 2 years

I have been a musician (mostly electric Bass) for 11 years. I have in my time owned dozens of guitars (acoustic, electric, bass...) I have always been a stickler for detail. I have already mentioned the Minor complaints I have a bout this intsrument, and they were all minor.

I compared it to Yamaha, Takamine, Martin, Ramirez, Cordoba and other guitars. It was HEAD AND SHOULDER above all others even twice it's cost. Some of the Ramirez and Cordoba guitars were nicer, but FAR more expensive.

I would, without question, replace it with the same model if it were lost, destroyed, or stolen (after crying like a little girl, of course!).

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS GUITAR!!!

Made in Canada. Solid Top. Satin finish. The non-glossy finish fits my personality. As long as I'm careful in handling the guitar, finish should not be an issue.

I play classical. The wide neck makes fingering easier, and the tone is very good. Bass strings are full. Higher strings are lively and bright.

The guitar was well made. No complaints purchasing as-is from the factory.

The guitar is well built. If you treat it like trash it will turn into garbage. This is true with more expensive lines too.

n/a

I've been playing for 20 years...long enough to look beyond brand name to sound and quality. I could have bought more expensive lines made by the same company but, why pay more? I was shopping for sound and playability. Higher priced models are for people who need a big name to feel secure, or for those who are not mature enough to take good care of a fragile finish.