Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Susanne
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 02:47 PM

I am looking into a Simon & Patrick acoustic guitar (2nd hand)ProRosewood (Sixth Edition) SP2634 with a pick up by Godin. The price was 500.00 and they told me that the original was around 1100.00. Does this seem like a deal and how about quality of the guitar?

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 07:46 AM

I've just spent a week as a house-guest in Spain, and played the resident Art and Lutherie practically non-stop, including an informal gig for ex-pats. I thought it was quite remarkable for an entry-level guitar, felt and sounded good, and had stayed in perfect tune since the last guests used it during the summer. I've got a Seagull on my shopping list for next time, but I would certainly not talk anyone out of buying an A & L.

So many guitars - so little time (and money!)

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 09:13 AM

Warning, shameless plug for a friend.

Joshua House (www.house-guitars.com) has one for sale at Folkway music in Guelph (www.folkwaymusic.com). His work is getting scary good, and he has one started that I'd love to have. Some recent pro orders have kept him busy and I get to drool with regular visits to his shop. Josh made a "teaching" guitar for me three years ago which has worked out for me beautifully.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: leeneia
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 12:14 PM

Years ago I bought a Canadian guitar called a Kamouraska Etude. I've told my husband, "If there's a fire, grab that guitar and crawl out the front door with it."

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,John G
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 05:57 AM

Hi there

Just been cruising through the net as I'm looking to get another guitar and found this thread on Canadian Guitars.

I first discovered Seagulls about 8 years ago when I was in my local shop just trying out various models to replace my old Yammy 12 string. tried a Seagull S6 (had never heard of a Seagull before)and just loved that clear crisp sound. bought it there and then and I still love it. Added another Seagull the Artist Studio about a year ago.

The Artist Studio is an absolute gem for the money, craftmanship is excellent, Spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides give a great clear sound especially on the attack, Action is great and haven't had to have the truss adjusted at all. I play mainly blugrass/flatpick style but sounds just as good for fingerpick or strum.

I absolutely love it !! best guitar I've ever had.

If other Canadian makes are anything like the Seagulls you can't go wrong.

Currently looking to treat myself to a new addition and am looking at either a Gibson rosewood J45 or a Martin D28 0r D45. If anybody out there has any views on these It would be good to hear them. My preference at the momet is for the Gibson.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 08:03 AM

Further to my comment about Thompson guitars, I played a fantastic maple and cedar one at Woodshed music in Guelph (Canada) last week. Easily one of the best sounding guitars I've played, and fit and finish was top notch too. Folkway music in Guelph had a nice selection of guitars as well, but that Thompson is the stuff of dreams.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Bubblyrat
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 06:24 PM

I have had a bit of experience with Canadian guitars---Some years ago,I bought a Simon & Patrick cedar -topped dreadnought, & I have to say I liked it very much.--I have a thing about cedar tops !! It sounded good plugged in, and it was loud enough for acoustic sessions.
I would be happy to use one again, BUT---I was talking to a VERY good luthier in Christchurch, England, who said he had had to repair quite a few as there was a build fault whereby some components inside the body were compression -fitted,not glued, and often worked loose . I also know some people in Dorset,England, who are very "at home " with Seagull guitars,which seem to have acquired a good reputation.
But when I was in Bielefeld,Germany, I got to play a Larrivee, & all I can say is ---WOW !! Oh Lord ,give me the money !!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: number 6
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 07:54 PM

Bubblyrat .... are you sure that Larrivee was made in Canada ... Jean Larrivee moved (himself) and a good part of the guitar production to California in 2001.

Regardless Larrivee's are good guitars.

As to Seagull ... I owned an S06 for a while, then sold it. I was disappointed as I found it to be a very inconsistent guitar. I much prefer my Chinese made Blueridge over that Seagull.

biLL

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:04 PM

Bubblyrat...."I was talking to a VERY good luthier in Christchurch, England, who said he had had to repair quite a few as there was a build fault whereby some components inside the body were compression -fitted,not glued, and often worked loose."

No sir, they may be vacuum clamped and glued, but surely not compression fitted without glue. I've serviced dozens and NEVER seen such a thing in an S&P or any of its family members (Seagull, A&L, Norman, LaPatrie, Godin). Little would stay together for any length of time in a guitar without glue. Do you know specifically which parts he was referring to?

Fwiw...There's a cedar topped A&L folk for sale from me right now. Very good condition $200Cdn. It has been the student guitar in my studio for a year and a half, but I need to create space for other instruments.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 08 - 12:22 AM

While we are known to be the nicest people in the world, mild mannered and always polite. well I have had enough of being mistaken for an american. I do not really care but it has got to the point where another stupid brit who says "all you guys are the same " will be picking his teeth out of the gutter. as long as my wife is there. mike

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 27 Jul 08 - 12:53 AM

Dear Guest Mike:
What your comment has to do with guitars leaves me a bit perplexed!
Canada and the USA are sibling countries of common heritage. I am sometimes mistaken for my brother who is of similar looks and build but I have never considered that to be an insult. While I often differ with USA's international policy I consider it's people my kin.
If Britain is the parent country perhaps it should know better but I have often been called the names of my siblings by my own parents. Take a deep breath and smell the flowers!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,JC in Maryland
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 02:20 PM

I purchased a satin finish Seagull Artist Rosewood/Cedar cutaway with the LR Baggs Duet-ll in January 2000. (apx $1200.00) It came with a solid cedar top, solid indian rosewood back, and triple HPL rosewood sides. I had problems with the original guitar I bought in a local store. (the electronics crapped out) So I contacted Godin customer support in Canada to explain the problem. They were amazing! very concerned, and very professional! After I return shipped the ailing guitar back,(at their expense)Godin/Seagull shipped me a brand new one direct from the factory several weeks later. Amazing craftsmanship.. very unique spin on the dreadnaught/cutaway design.. electronics with stero output and condenser / bridge pick-up are perfect for live or recording.

my collection includes, 1972 Guild D-40, 1987 Guild D-15, 1988 Gibson Chet Adkins Solid Nylon electric, 1994 Guild D-412, 1997 Guild JF30, 1999 Guild S4CE, 1999 Guild DCE-5, 2004 Taylor 415 Jumbo, 2005 Martin JC16R-GTE, 2008 Martin HD 28, and the Canadian Seagull.

This is my "go to" guitar. It sounds and plays as good as any, and I'm not terrified of scratching it. I played some $2500.00 Gibson acoustics last week that sounded like they were stuffed with dirty sox.. Canadian guitars are good ones.. oh.. I forgot the 2004 Godin Exit 22.. sorry

JC

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,JC in Maryland
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 02:25 PM

I purchased a satin finish Seagull Artist Rosewood/Cedar cutaway with the LR Baggs Duet-ll in January 2000. (apx $1200.00) It came with a solid cedar top, solid indian rosewood back, and triple HPL rosewood sides. I had problems with the original guitar I bought in a local store. (the electronics crapped out) So I contacted Godin customer support in Canada to explain the problem. They were amazing! very concerned, and very professional! After I return shipped the ailing guitar back,(at their expense)Godin/Seagull shipped me a brand new one direct from the factory several weeks later. Amazing craftsmanship.. very unique spin on the dreadnaught/cutaway design.. electronics with stero output and condenser / bridge pick-up are perfect for live or recording.

my collection includes, 1972 Guild D-40, 1987 Guild D-15, 1988 Gibson Chet Adkins Solid Nylon electric, 1994 Guild D-412, 1997 Guild JF30, 1999 Guild S4CE, 1999 Guild DCE-5, 2004 Taylor 415 Jumbo, 2005 Martin JC16R-GTE, 2008 Martin HD 28, and the Canadian Seagull.

This is my "go to" guitar. It sounds and plays as good as any, and I'm not terrified of scratching it. I played some $2500.00 Gibson acoustics last week that sounded like they were stuffed with dirty sox.. Canadian guitars are good ones.. oh.. I forgot the 2004 Godin Exit 22.. sorry

JC

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: the outlaw
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 09:48 AM

seagull are good if you got $1500 the cheaper ones are made of laminated(plywood)wood although some have solid wood tops.the reason you want to buy an all solid wood guitar is the sound is alot better and more clear/bright,I have played most of the high-end guitars and alot of them sound nice but over-priced(gibson,martin,taylor,etc)and the most impressive guitar I played was an EPIPHONE MASTERBUILT they are all solid wood,dove-tail neck,bone nut,all the features the high end ones have they are just not as fancy looking(looks mean nothing when it comes to guitars--sound is everything)MASTERBUILTS come in a few different styles and sell for $500.00 - $1000.00
COPLEY is another brand to check out the CA-7e model 300.00 on ebay
they are 1300 but these are display models so they are selling cheap.
solid cedar top/solid mahogany back&sides,5band EQ and a built-in tuner.I live on CAPE BRETON ISLAND,CANADA and it only cost a little over 300.00 with shipping and conversion(btw the copley is awesome)

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,fret nut
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 12:49 AM

I'll dive in right now and say I have not read 1 post above this!
I have a Seagull SM12 made in 1995, I bought it after trying a Fender and a Takamine and there was no contest as the Seagull was the runaway winner for depth of sound and clarity...Am I on the mark here.....This is a very loud and playable guitar

Cheers Neil

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 11:41 AM

Just got a Thomsley 'Seaturtles' model. plys real nice. He used to build for Larrivee.
Does anyone know anything about them????

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 11:25 PM

Aww come on, somebody, somewhere knows something about Heath Thomsley guitars......
Help me out!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 07:56 AM

"Aww come on, somebody, somewhere knows something about Heath Thomsley guitars......
Help me out!'

Harmony Central has reviews and there are pictures elsewhere. Google is your friend.

Peace. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 04:21 PM

I tried that website, and Googling..to no avail..so I thought I'd try here. Still needing input. Thank you..GfS