La Patrie's

[bfloyd6969]

Any love for these around here? I'm in the market for a nylon string, though I don't play classical. Are these bridges bolted on? Looks like there are two pearl screw covers on the bridges (from the looks in pics).

[gerardo1000]

If you do not play classical, consider the new Cordoba GK studio. It has a reasonable cost, more or less like a medium-high level La Patrie, and sounds incredibly well.

[Antonio Salieri]

I have no idea about the bridge, but I've heard my wife play just about every La Patrie model available when she decided that she wanted a classical. We're both Godin & Seagull fans, so La Patrie was a logical choice.

La Patrie offers well-made instruments at good price points, but I wouldn't say that any of them has outstanding sound. If you wanting a classical for occasional playing, nothing serious, then the LP is a good choice. If you decide to take nylon string playing more seriously in the future, you might find the La Patrie models lacking.

I'm not saying that La Patries are bad (they're not), they just don't have the quality of tone & projection that you'll notice in better classical/nylon string guitars.

[MJScott]

I have had a Motif for about a month. It has great tone and is pretty easy to play. Another nice thing is the Parlor size to the thing. I really don't have any negatives on it.

I just purchased a Yamaha NTX 700 which is a cross over nylon string. It includes electronics which I in all likelyhood will not use, but I wanted a full size nylon and this was superior to the others I tried in tone and playability. I like the thin line body and the slightly lower neck; it also doesn't look like a classical in many respects which is both a + and a -. It was also more $$$ than the Motif and the tone is mayby not $$$ better. I would say go play some of the La Patries and then decide. The reviews on the Etude are really good and it is the same price as the Motif. Good luck on your search.

[jayhawk]

When I was looking for a nylon string I tried the La Patrie crossover. I have always thought that Godin makes a value guitar.

I will say I was disappointed in the La Patrie, it had gotten very good reviews but the one I played sounded 'over built'.

I was much more impressed with the Cordoba guitars in that price range.

ymmv

Jack

[bfloyd6969]

Thanks for the replies everyone, greatly appreciated. Sounds like the La Patrie's are a mixed choice. I will find some to play and play the Cordoba's as well as others too. I'm just really looking for a not as deep neck profile that more traditional classicals can have. Thanks again to all.

[jayhawk]

One thing to think about when you look... The LaPatrie will have a full 2 inch neck, but a fairly shallow profile. The Cordobas will have either a 2 inch or 1 7/8 inch neck, depending on whether it is classical or hybrid. When I was looking I was very concerned about getting something with no more than 1 7/8 width. After playing a number I came to the conclusion that the profile of the neck (how deep it is) not the width was more of an issue. Nylon strings will move around more under your fingers so having a the strings a little farther apart can be a real advantage.

Let us know what you find.

Jack

[bfloyd6969]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

One thing to think about when you look... The LaPatrie will have a full 2 inch neck, but a fairly shallow profile. The Cordobas will have either a 2 inch or 1 7/8 inch neck, depending on whether it is classical or hybrid. When I was looking I was very concerned about getting something with no more than 1 7/8 width. After playing a number I came to the conclusion that the profile of the neck (how deep it is) not the width was more of an issue. Nylon strings will move around more under your fingers so having a the strings a little farther apart can be a real advantage.

Let us know what you find.

Jack

Good point, thanks for the tip...

[tennjed]

I do not have a refined ear and often times have difficulty distinguishing any great quality difference between various steel string guitars; I have heard $500 guitars that, to me, sound as good as some $2,000 guitars. However, differences in quality of tone between various nylon string guitars is glaringly obvious even to me. In my opinion, if you are considering LP and the various other offerings for under a grand, you are just as well to consider the very reasonably priced Yamaha student guitars. I own an LP Etude, a Yamaha GC111C, a 63 Gibson C-1, and a Pavan TP30. The Pavan sounds brilliant while the others sound, to about the same degree, much less so.

LP Etude did include one of the best gig bags I have ever owned. If I ever sold the guitar, I would try to keep the gig bag.

[Vic9mm]

I bought a LaPatrie Hybrid and it's amazing. I've tested it against Cordobas, Guilds, Yamaha's and others haven't found a guitar that's comes close to what my LaPatrie sounds like.