Simon & Patrick SP6 Cedar/Mahogany

There's plenty reviews on here already: I'd just like to say thanks to Simon and Patrick for staying away from the profession of hairdressing, which, given their names, would have been an easier option than becoming luthiers. They make great guitars for us poor folks. No frills, but no corners cut either.

Loud,and thanks to the almost non-existant finish on the solid cedar top, resonant. Crisp, pure single notes; a rich strum and it can do that low F# Johnny Cash twang-vibrato thing that sends the girls crazy.
Seriously, my playing has improved enormously since I bought this; its warm tone rekindled my interest in music to the point that I started looking around for something even better - I thought a budget of ??700 would be enough, but the low-end Martins and Taylors didn't strike me as an improvement. I finally bought an all solid second hand Furch which is quite spectacular, so there are better sounding guitars out there, but for the money, the S&P is a definite 10.

I bought this as an electric player's acoustic, if you know what I mean. The action is low and the string tension is looser than some (scale length, or distance from saddle to nut is about 1/2 inch less than my Furch, for example), making it easy to play and responsive.

Tusq nut and saddle: unusual on a guitar of this price. You'd normally get plastic. Tuners are good and solid. No bridge bellying and the neck is perfect at 10 years old.

The negligable satin finish on the cedar has a lot to do with the quality of the sound, but the downside is that, if you fart in its general direction, you're going to dent it. It'll look like Willie Nelson's Trigger in about 10 years. Back, side, neck and headstock are pretty much unmarked. No complaints. Just don't use metal finger picks or you'll have no guitar left.

I'm going to give this a 10 for sheer value for money. I've been playing, off and on, for 20 years. This guitar got me back to playing one or two hours a day because I enjoy it again.

If Simon and Patrick do bring out a range of hair care products, I'll definitely buy it.

SP6 Cedar, solic cedar top mahogany laminate back and side, mahogany neck with rosewood bord, great nut cut to perfection and thats about it for features, nothing fancy but it all works well.

Ok, I've waited 8 eyars before submitting a review for this guitar so I can defiantely say the honeymoon period is over and im not still looking at the guitar with rose tint glasses.

This guitar is amazing, full stop!
Its aged nicely, sounds beautiful with planety of volume and definition. When i bought this guitar i tried every single acoustic in my area and this hands down beat them all. For strummming of finger work its realy is great, comfy neck and raidus (dont know the spec) in fact im having a copy of this neck made for a strat i'm having built its that good, nice low action never needed to adjust the truss rod in the 8 years ive owned it, never had fret buzz and only needs a tweek on the tuning occasionaly. I don't think i could find a better guitar for my needs. I'll play this until I or it breaks.

Had it now 8 years, yes the top marks but thats because its a thin finished thin piece of wood, not a poly finished electric. the pickguard has moved slightly over the years but everything else is holding up great and ageing nicely.

had 8 years, played everyday and gigged with a rock band.
never even broke a string!

they have answered all my emails within 48 hrs , replied to my questions with politeness and a keeness to help. (and no i don't work for them i just realy like my guitar)

The best ??250 i ever spent. I've never played a martin long enough to be subjective but this simon & patrick is everything i'll ever need.

This one is a model: S&P 6 MAHOGANY CEDAR- 2007, Canada, 21 fret, solid cedar top, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, etc. For 300 bucks I got as much guitar as the 2400+ Taylors all the kids love without the worry of breaking the 2399+ electronic gear they carry.

I bought this one for my wife to play last year, I had a friend with one many years ago (Spruce/Mahog)and liked it. I negotiated the axe and a HSC for 300 OTD after playing nearly every one in the store. I have put my Gibson in its case and play this one as the daily. Tone is terrific, their construction is as good as anything I've played. I tried Martins, Taylors, Takamines, Larrivees, Guilds, etc. and none of them compared. I only wish it had the bottom end of the Gibson then it would be perfect.

I was told by the store owner that they lover this brand because they needed little if any adjustment out of the box. I have only had to change the strings since I brought it home. Fit and finish are second to none. I see why they call these the poor man's Martin.

My only concern is that the cedar is a little soft and it has 2 small dents in the top. I have not used it to play, I do special music at my church I prefer the Gibson for that fat bottom sound but would not hesitate to play her for some back up work or songs that don't need the fuller sound.

I've been playing for over 30 years, I have taught guitar, gigged (mostly blues rock and punk), still play daily and do special music for my church. If this guitar were lost stolen or destroyed I would not hesitate to buy another either Cedar again or possibly Spruce. I bought this one because of its tone rather than the top wood. I would/have recommended this brand to several people I knew who were in the market.

I bought this guitar in 1996 to replace an Aria that got damaged in a house move. As best I remember I paid about ??300.00 at the time, and it was really the most a poor student could afford. What attracted me to it was the plain classic quality look about the instrument, and the fact that it seemed to me at the time to be by far and away the best guitar I could get for the money. Other guitars in the price range I was looking at seemed to have premiums for the name Fender, Ibanez etc as the S&P played more like the aforementioned brands priced at half as much again. 11 years on, I am still very pleased with it. It is a true workhorse, and looks like it will last for years. I give it a 9 really because I have a real hankering for a John Kinkade handbuilt guitar!

I play in Church and housegroup twice a week,alongside other events. The S&P copes with fingerpicking and strumming with equal ease. The volume I can get acoustically is fine when strumming, but needs reinforcement if picking (or competing with the organ!) for that I use a fishburn soundhole pickup and a Carlsbro Amp. I use Martin SP Acoustic Strings guage .011 and when I strum, use a tortex .60 guage plek. Capo is a Kaiser. The Guitar does not lose tone when used with a capo, and holds it's tuning amazingly. During the very hot summers we have had recently, the church is a wonderful place to store it (large building that changes temperature very slowly if at all!), though I only do that in exceptionally hot weather!

I have found the action a little high for my taste, and over the years have put up with it. I recently come into contact with a luthier who has advised me about action and has helped me lower the action. Why I didn't do it before I have no idea.

The soundboard had marked quite badly over the years (I made the mistake of lending it to someone for a few weeks once - "it was like that when you gave it to me"), The pick plate (is that what you call it?) is lifting at the front edge a little, but it doesn't affect playing or sound quality. Back, sides and fretboard are still pristine. My advice? - Don't ever lend it to anyone!

I have never needed to use any customer support!

Been playing for a few years! other equipment as stated. Also have a Tanglewood 'OO' size guitar. Lust after a handbuilt John Kinkade, will have to wait till I'm really old before I can afford it. Whilst I wait, can't think of a better guitar! If the guitar were lost, stolen or broken This would be my first port of call - I might though be tempted with one of Simon & Patrick's more prestiege models - probably wouldn't even bother looking at the Jap stuff.

I BOUGHT MY SIMON AND PATRICK SP6 ON E BAY FOR #175, THE QUALITY OF THIS GUITAR FOR THE PRICE IS AMAZING.. I HAVE TRIED OUT GUITARS THAT COST 3 TIMES AS MUCH ( MARTIN TAYLOR ) AND I PREFER THE SIMON AND PATRICK BY MILES. IT FEELS BETTER TO HOLD, THE ACTION IS NICER ON THIS GUITAR AND THE SOUND QUALITY IS FANTASTIC.. I DID HAVE A BUDGET OF UP TO #500, BUT WHY PAY THAT WHEN THE BEST OF THE BUNCH COSTS LESS THAN HALF THAT.. I LOVE THE UNPRETENTIOUS LOOK OF THE GUITAR, IT HAS NO FACADE OF FANCY INLAYS OR MOTHER OF PEARL, THE MONEY HAS GONE INTO THE QUALITY OF THE WOOD AND EXEPTIONAL BUILDING OF THE INSTRUMENT.. I CANNOT FAULT IT, I WILL KEEP IT FOREVER...

SOUNDS BETTER THAN OTHER GUITARS WORTH 2 OR 3 TIMES AS MUCH

LOVELY TO HOLD AND PLAY, ACTION IS VERY EASY AND NECK IS VERY COMFORTABLE..

SOFT TOP IS PRONE TO MARKS IF NOT CAREFUL, SO BE CAREFUL...

A very nice handcrafted Canadian dreadnought. It has no pickup but I'm planning to upgrade my guitar with a fishman piezo.
I don't know in which year it was build, the guy whom I bought it from couldn't tell me.
It has mahogany sides & back and a cedar top. I bought the guitar with some scratches on the top. Doesn't infect the sound but I hope it doesn't become worse...I'll take good care...

The guitar has a very rich sound, especially for a guitar in this price-range. Nice and mellow but with enough clarity though! Never had a Martin or a Taylor (can't afford I'm afraid...) so I can't compare. But to me it sound the way it had to sound.

Plays very nive and easy.

The guitar has a very light finish...and you have to be very carefull. Especially the top. It can easy be scratched, even with a pick. But it is in very good shape, so I hope to have a lot of nice years with it.

Haven't dealt with them yet.

For the price I paid for it, it's absolutely gorgeous. Eventhough the price for a new one is also very generous. You get a nice handcrafted, great-sounding guitar for the price of a third Martin.

Built in 01-02? A Canadian built dreadnought sized guitar with solid cedar top and laminated cherry back and sides. This guitar has a painted binding around the top and a plain rosette with a tortise pickguard. Stained maple neck with rosewood fretboard & a black peg head . The finish is a natural satin that allows the grain to show thru. All in all a plain guitar but at the same time it looks nice and neat and actually this appeals to me better than some of the poorly done plastic trimed models in it's price range. Mine was a 2nd and the only flaw I found was a darker spot in the stain on the back about the size of a dime. Hence I got mine for $219 with a full warrenty. I almost feel guilty. I give it a 7 because it is plain but don't take that as bad. This is made by the same company as the seagull line which is an excellent value and this is equally so. The neck and headstock is more Martinish and that is what appeals to me over the wider seagull neck with the tapered headstock.

The sound is what I bought it for. The cedar top gives it a warm sound that really appeals to me. It really sounds on par to me with some of the much higher priced guitars.

My guitar plays very nicely and I haven't done a thing to it except bring it home. I would highly recommend this guitar to any beginner looking for a easily playable acoustic to start out on. Besides the plainness of the finish mine is fit very well and will serve any player for years. All of the bracing is smooth and there are no globs of glue visible on the inside.

I take pretty good care of my stuff and don't play out but I would imagine that this guitar will hold up for a lifetime if you don't drop it and trip on it. I've heard it said that the top will scrath easier than a spruce but I don't hit my guitar with the paick or anything. 6 mos. and my looks like new.

I 've e mailed them about the warrenty as the guy at the store gave me the wrong warrenty card ( s/n wrong) and I live about 100 mi. away. They answered promptly and took care of me.

I have been playing about 3 years and have a Guild and a strat. I bought this as I wanted to have as cheaper guitar for occasions that I don't want to risk my guild. This guitar is actually all the guitar I really need and I play it most of the time now. If I had one bad thing to say about it is that I can't really justify looking at anything else so if your a equipment junkie this is a cure for GAS. Like I say if your a beginner or pro that is looking for a nice guitar that will serve you for years and don't need the fancy stuff then this could well be your answer. Even better if you can get a deal like mine.

This is a 2001 cedar top, mahogany side/back guitar. There are 14 frets before the body of the guitar. The top is solid, not laminated; it has a light finish but is not glossy. The body is a dreadnought.

Not a lot of features--it's plain, but I like it that way. Looks are important, and this guitar just looks like a good, traditional guitar.

This is my first guitar. I tried out DOZENS of guitars in all price ranges. Of the ones I tried, I liked Martin guitars the best. The Simon & Patrick of course doesn't sound like a Martin...but I had trouble telling the difference.

This guitar has a really nice base sound. It's a well-balanced, rich sound.

I am a beginner, and it isn't difficult for me to make the guitar sound good.

Excellent action. As a beginner, that was VERY important to me. Not the action of a $1,200 Martin, but better action than most every other guitar I tried.

It dents. And scratches. Easily.

That's just the top. The sides and back are much more durable.

But the construction seems very solid. It is a very well made guitar...it's all solid wood.

If this guitar were stolen, I would run to the store for another. For $350, this is a great guitar.

I took a friend with me when I went shopping...he owns two great guitars. He really liked this one. As we were trying out guitars, we kept our ratings to ourselves, and when we compared notes, we had both chosen this one.

One thing I wish it had is a strap button where the neck connects to the guitar, but I can have that put on.

I would recommend this guitar to anyone, pro or beginner. An 8 may seem like a low rating for a guitar I'm so excited about, but it just can't compare to a top-of-the-line guitar...but it comes close.

2001 S&P 6 dreadnaught with a cedar top and laminated mahogany back and sides. Difference on the laminate is that S&P, like their seagull cousins, use three pieces of real wood on the laminate rather than the typical chip-wood core. Mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard and bridge, nickel/silver frets, sealed schaller tuners, nice wood rosette around the sound hole. Satin finish gives the guitar an almost unfinished wood look, you can actually feel the grain.

The cedar top mated with the mahogany back and sides create a wonderfully warm, rich, full-bodied tone. I play a lot of folk and blues, mostly flatpicking right now, and this guitar really fits my style. I had the opportunity to play the S&P next to Lakewood's, Lowden's and Martin's. I'm not going to blow smoke and tell you that the S&P sounds as nice as a $1000 Lakewood, or a $2500 Lowden. But for under $500 I haven't found anything else that compares.

The set-up on this guitar was excellent, action was right where I like it. The quality of the woods used by S&P is excellent, and the finish is also excellent. I like looking down at the neck and actually seeing wood grain rather than a cheap plastic edge like so many Korean guitars in this price range. You can buy a fancier looking guitar, but part of the attractin of the S&P was the simplicity of the look, and the attention to detail in the construction.

Hard for me to say, I've only had the S&P for 4 days. I store it in a hardshell case, more to keep my kids from accidentally knocking it off a guitar stand. The finish is very thin, which improves the sound, but wear is uncertain. I would never gig without a backup (but then again, I guess I would since this is the only guitar I have.)

Haven't dealt with them personally, but based on recommendation from the store where I bought it, S&P as with all Godin brands provide excellent customer service.

I've been playing for a little over a year and there is no comparison between my first guitar, a Washburn D-11, and the S&P. The sound, construction and finish on the S&P's is first class. Where else can you buy a hand-made guitar with this level of quality for less than $500? I took my time at the store, played Alvarez's, Seagull's, Dean's, Takamine's, Epiphone's, even Lakewood, Lowden and Martin. While the Lakewood's and Lowden's weren't in my price range, the S&P was pretty close in sound, and blew away the Korean made guitars. I chose the S&P over the Seagull for the Mahogany back and sides, and I liked the feel of the neck better. I would not hesitate to buy another one if this one were ever stolen. I may eventually add another strap button, but since I rarely ever play standing up, may add one eventually.