Simon & Patrick SP6CW Cedar

Here is the official spec list off the site...

Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
24.84 scale
14? fingerboard radius
1 ? nut width
tusq nut
fully compensated tusq saddle
quarter-sawn spruce bracing
inlayed wood rosette

These specs are for the sunburst series in general. The model reviewed here is the cutaway electroacoustic cedar version.

All Simon and Patrick guitars are available with bband electronics, which mine has. Whilst it doesn't have any 'out there' features it certainly is a beautiful guitar, handmade in Canada to an expert degree.

This is where the guitar excels. Unplugged it has a full, bright sound with strong bass tones. I most play fingerstyle and folk with it and so far it has proved excellent in everything I've tried.

Plugged in it sounds crisp and clear and with a little settings change can provide an impressive array of sounds.

When bought the guitar was restrung and the action was already very low, complimenting the thickness of the neck which, whilst not thin per say, is much thinner than most. The action is perfect and smooth along the whole neck and each fret is perfectly responsive, even the higher frets.

The beautiful high gloss sunburst finish also adds to this immaculate handmade product.

It's rock solid, but the finish will chip with the slightest tap of anything metal, so keep this locked away in a case and be VERY careful when using it not to bang it against anything, as it will most likely chip the finish. Aside from the easily chipped finish the body itself is solid.

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The guitar was reduced from #699 as the shop decided it was too high end an acoustic for the market such a small shop attracts, so at #450 this was an absolute steal. The assistant even threw in a hardcase to go with it.

Whilst I haven't played any of the infamous Martin or Taylor guitars, I can safely say I've played a representative portion of the rest and this is easily on eof the best acoustic guitars I've ever played.

As for fantastic value, this gets a ten due to the price I paid. Would I pay #700 for it? If I had that kind of money, in an instant.

Made in Quebec, Canada. 21 frets. Volume/Bass/Mid/Treble controls on the electronics. Cutaway body. Your basic acoustic-electric guitar. Decent price too. I had to get a strap pin installed into the body... there was only the one at the end of the guitar (strap the string 'round the head method was assumed to be used, but I don't like that at all)... that was kinda lame. Got a free hardshell from the store :)

I play a wide range of music on all instruments, though with acoustic guitars it's a lot of (original) folk, country, rock, that kind of stuff. I also play a lot of my electric tunes acoustic for small shows or when my band can't play a set. The guitar sounds fanatastic. It has a very deep sound, without too much bass and definately not "tinny". It resonates well on it's own and sounds really big plugged in. It is a lighter sound and not as rich as a Gibson, but it's great for band/multiple acoustics playing.

It was setup great. The first one I got was actually a step down from this model (no cutaway)... but it had some flaws and I just got this one and the store paid the difference. The neck is kinda big, not in particular, but like I said, I do electric to acoustic stuff often and that can be a reminder of why I love to play electric: it's easier haha. But it plays well, looks great... stays in tune! And I can be a heavy player. The tuners are solid... the finish is light but it gives the guitar some character haha

This thing is built VERY well. I am not abusive with my gear... except my cheaper guitars, but with my acoustics... I love them. This thing has great tuners, basically is built to last. I've gigged with it many times and it has sustained some minor damage but it's in good condition still. I've had it about six or seven years now. The finish will wear, otherwise, it's good. I use it without a backup, but not by choice... I may get another acoustic-electric soon but other gear is more important to me.

I get everything done at my local Musicstop... they've always been good but I've never dealt with Godin.

I've been playing near ten years... I play lots of different music but my main band is a slighty prog., alternative folk rock band. We're all quite eccentric (aren't most musicians? haha), especially about gear. My band loves this guitar, as do all my musician friends. It's a great starter guitar as well as a main acoustic or second acoustic. I sometimes run this into an acoustic sim then into my KUSTOM amp (QUAD 100DFX 2x12 Combo). If it were lost/stolen, I would look into another S&P... but maybe a Taylor or whatever depending on my cash. I do really like it though. It's a great guitar.

I bought this a few months ago, and I've played it quite a bit, and I've decided that I love this guitar. It's a pretty basic guitar. I paid just under #500 for this guitar, and it is very much a basic guitar. No fancy tricks, it's a guitar. It doesn't have fancy touches to it, it has a light satin finish to it, a solid cedar top, and it's hand built, which is a nice touch. It has 21 frets, easily accessible because of the cutaway.

It came fitted with a BBAND new frontier pickup, and plugged in, this guitar sounds every bit as good as it does unplugged. Where this guitar loses points is that the finish is quite light. Some of my friends who have played it are quite aggressive, and have scratched the finish. I strum quite lightly, and i've inflicted a few scratches myself. The light finish is a nice feature though, as it allows this guitar to age well. It does have a few imperfections, some arising from the hand built nature of the guitar, and it is qute a basic guitar, in terms of looks.

I mainly strum, but enjoy finkerpicking, and playing with a capo quite a lot. I sometimes play in pubs, and this guitar is just perfect. The sound is a nice bright sound, which resonates well. I use d'Addario 11's on this baby, and they go together like bread and butter.

The sound is nothing short of a spectacle. In the shop, I played some Taylors worth three times what this was worth, and at the end of it all, this was clearly my favourite. This guitar is perfect for playing with a capo. Some of the higher notes resonate really well, and it stays in tune well.

The sound may not to be everyone's taste. It's a definite "dreadnought" sound, but it's like punch with just the right amount of brandy in. There's something about it which makes it somewhat different to other dreadnoughts though, I can't quite put my finger on it. It's not to everyone's liking, but for me, it sounds good.

I have a couple of complaints with this guitar. The binding on the body is a pretty rubbishy plastic. There isn't a binding strip on the back of the guitar, though that isn't of much significance, it's always a nice touch.

The neck seems somewhat out of synch with the body on further inspection, and the heel of the neck is very odd, although it seems to be quite comfortable.The neck has definitely been cut by hand, and it does get somewhat deeper between the 5th and 9th frets, and gets a bit thinner before it becomes the heel. It isn't all that noticeable though.

The solid cedar top is a wonderful thing in terms of sound, and the inlay is simple but quite beautiful. The satin finish is very light, and easily scratches off, but this aids the tone quite a bit. the cherry wood on the back and sides is of a good quality, although there are a couple of knots in the back of the guitar towards the neck.

The inlay dots only go up to the 12th fret, and the top markers where the fingerboard binding usually is ar eonly on the 5th, 7th and 12th frets. this can be irritating at times.

The guitar is handbuilt, and it definitely shows it. It doens't have much of a production line feel to it, even though it is essentially a handbuilt production guitar. there are a few small flaws, but they're only noticeable upon very close inspection.

When I got the guitar, and it required no setting up. The action is just right for me, and the intonation along the fingerboard is consistent. the pickup was quite cumbersome at first, but I eventually got the hang of it.

This guitar is more of a guitar to be used in the studio, or just casually played at home, rather than being a guitar one would use if you were playing a lot of gigs. The finish does scratch off easily, and i am quite apprehensive about lending this guitar to people who play aggressively.

I have taken it to a few jam nights at local pubs and played, and it's adequate for that, although more rigorous live playing wouldn't be adviseable. I play solo acoustic cover sets, and it holds up really well. It stays in tune, and the pickup works well.

The guitar does feel quite fragile, so to speak. I wouldn't advocate this guitar if it were to be played live rigorously. however, as a guitar to have in the home or studio, or to be played live on occasion in venues such as pubs, it's quite a nice guitar.

I've been playing for about five years now, and i'm still developing as a guitarist, and i can quite easily say that this guitar is fantastic. for #500, I believe I got my money's worth. I bought this guitar because it sounded edgier than the other guitars in the shop. The sound is quite unique. I'm very much a style-over-substance player. I very nearly opted for a Steve Vai Ibanez Euphoria rather than this one. I opted for this guitar instead, because I preferred the sound. It doesn't have the finishing touches that i absolitely love, such as a unique inlay, or nice binding, (There isn't even any neck blinding, which is a finish I admire.) and in all honesty, it does look quite ugly. But it plays well, and sounds good, and in the end, that's what matters.

A friend of mine has a nice ovation guitar, and I used to consider that good. Now he wants to borrow my guitar to play in his band.

I do wish this guitar had some better looks, such as a bound fingerboard, and a better bound body, and some inlay dots on the 15th, 17th and 19th frets would be good too, but these are purely cosmetic features which this guitar lacks. If this guitar were to be stolen, I would want it back! there are other acoustic guitars that play well for about the same price, but this guitar, despite its eccentric neck-meets-body area, and pretty basic feel to it, is a good sounding guitar, and is good quality. Obviously, a few cosmetic touches have been sacrificed to keep the price quite low, (#500 for a handbuilt guitar is quite cheap) but bein ga young guitarist who isn't willing to invest large sums of money into a guitar, I can accept this, although it would be brilliant if it did have these features. At the end of the day, this guitar has got a good sound, and that's what matters.

Features as with other reviews. Mine's coming up to it's 2 year birthday...well I've had it for 2 years anyway. I have friends with other S&Ps and the electronics seem to have changed over the years. Mine has a B-Band pickup with controls for Vol, Body and Edge (I think). The battery is on the inside (what a pain).

Pretty basic dreadnought really...no fancy finish, but that's not why you'd buy this guitar.

I had to get a strap button fitted as it only comes with one...and I refuse to tie the strap to the neck!

I play mainly Christian music in a band, played through a decent enough church PA, or unplugged in smaller groups. I also play various other bits and bobs at home...but only for me and my wife to hear! I also have a Zoom 504 II Acoustic FX pedal I use sometimes for a little chorus, delay/reverb or auto-wah! For strings I use Elixir Lights.

Unplugged it sounds great! A really nice full, slightly bright dreadnaught tone. This could be partly because I hate using old strings, so change them quite regularly, but I think it is mainly down to the guitar!

Plugged in it sounds great! I like to get as natural a sound out of a PA as possible and this guitar makes it really easy to achieve. The only thing I have had a problem with is a particular low freq can tend to feedback, but that's easily fixed with EQ on that freq. My FX pedal has an anti-feedback feature which picks that up nicely.

I don't use the Body and Edge controls on the guitar...it's never needed it.

I bought this guitar for the sound...and I'm not disappointed.

The action initially was quite high. I had problems with it staying in tune when putting a capo on. This was OK when playing with no other band...but it put the guitar too much out of tune when playing with a band. So I had it set-up at Chandler Guitars, Kew. Now it is brilliant! It was like getting a new guitar. I did this a year ago now, and wished I had done it when I bought it. Action now nice a low.

Finish is natural, and when bought looked ok.

Score when new - 5
Score since set up - 9

I've played it pretty much every day at home, and 'live' in church services or smaller group meetings 2/3 times a month. It's coping OK...but I have noticed a few things - which could be my playing of course (I've only played for 2 1/2 years!).

The finish on the guitar top is very thin, and getting worn around the sound hole. I guess this is me learning how to play...

Also the frets are starting to get worn on the high strings. Grooves are appearing. I don't know wheter this will be a problem in the future, but it isn't at the moment.

Tuners etc all seem OK still.

I play it without a backup, as I can't afford one. Also I've never needed one as I've never broken a string!

Never needed it

This is my first guitar, and I've loved it. I'm glad my friend convinced me to buy it 2 years ago. The alternatives were basically factory Takamines or similar. I think this guitar is much better than those...and comparable to the hand made more exensive Takamines too!

If it were lost or stolen I think I would shop around playing other guitars now that I know how to play a bit more! But I think I would be hard pushed to find something better for the price. If I had more money...I think I would have to have twice as much to find something better sounding.

My only real gripe is with the finish...and long term reliability. I guess being fairly new to guitaring I've probably not played it as caringly as I could have, but I think I will have to replace it some time when it wears out. Does this happen to all guitars? I hope not! I will be saving for my Taylor soon...!

I do love this guitar though...mainly because it has always sounded great, and since I had it set up feels and plays great too. So this biases my overall score!

Hand-made in Canada, basic no-frills dreadnaught. Solid Cedar top, satin finished, cutaway, mahogany neck and wild cherry back/sides. Equiped with B-Band under saddle EQ and reasonable quality tuners.

The sound is the best thing about the guitar.
Acoustic - Bright highs, with deep rich lows.
Amplified - the B-Band pickup still sound good thro' a standard lead amp.
Can't fault the sound for the money, playing any style of music, acoustic or amplified.

The factory set-up is high and the strings aren't the best either. Even after a pro set-up the string tension is high which makes playing the S&P hard work. I also have a Seagull SM6 gloss, also made by Lasido, and it a joy to play.
Overall construction is not the best I've seem either.

Satin finish is thin and requires carefull ownership.
The compensated saddle is very brittle and care is required changing strings. Replacement saddles are expensive and not readily available.
No front strap button, which is a pain.

Useless. I've E-mail Lasido a few times you never get a reply.

If its your only guitar then you'll probably play the guitar and not notice the high string tension. But if you already own other guitars, or normally play electric, this is not for you, unless you are prepared accept the faults. If you are, the rewards are high, the sound is excellent value for the money, in my opinion better than the lower end Taylors or Martins, but it does take some getting use too.

Hand-made in Canada, 1997, 21 frets cutaway guitar with a beautiful looking cedar solid top.
Bought for Dfl. 1,850.-- incl. the Dfl. 850.- built-in "Jan Verwey PM" (piezo-mic) amp-system. Bought at Jan Verwey's guitar shop Zaandam, Netherlands.

This guitar has a full, warm sound. The bass-tones are heavy and the highs are a bit less, but still ringing. I experimented with different kinds of strings for a year or so. I now play with GHS silk and steel Medium strings (11-48). They give for me the right balance between smooth action and rich sound.
I play many styles, fingerpicking (blues, jazz, classical, atkins/dadi).
I play in many different tunings; a great feature of this guitar is that it stays in tune high upon the neck, even with very low tunings (C-G-D-G-C-E, for instance).
Unamplified the guitar sounds wonderful (I like the warm tone)!
Amplified (using my home-stereo....) at first I only heard bass-tones. After purchasing a mixer it became a lot better. Recording directly into the computer sounds just great!!

The action is just fine. The guitar looked good, delivered (mind you, I bought it at a guitar-builder's shop...). The finish is really beautiful, but!!! because of the very thin laquer it is very easy scratched. The advantage of the thin laquer is the increasing sound (you can really hear the tone getting richer over the years!).

The durability of the finish is questionable. When you take good care of this guitar it'll last, but don't let anything happen to it. I think it's a wonderful RECORDING guitar, and less a PERFORMING guitar (however, with the Verwey PM system, it sounds just great!!!).

I haven't dealt with it, so I don't know...

I have been playing for 28 years now, and I've owned this guitar for about three/four years. I never played as much guitar as since I have this one! And yes, when it would be stolen, lost, or else, I would buy the same guitar the next day, because I don't think I would find a guitar priced like this one with these looks, this sound and this action.