Are Simon and Patrick guitars any good?

[Jim]

I've tried several S&P acoustics including a couple of their Woodland Pro series which are all solid wood. They are decent guitars for someone on a tight budget, but they are not in the same league as Larrivee, Taylor, or upper level Martins. To be fair they are not trying to be at that level. I like them better than the Chinese solid wood guitars such as Blueridge, GuildGAD, Eastman, Recording King, etc. At the prices these sell for, though, I might take a long look at some used Larrivees, Taylors or upper level Martins in perfect condition that may only cost a couple hundred more.

[Penrith Pete]

Hi there

I like them - but I have come across a few that have developed problems with saddles shaved down to the bone and still quite high actions. I am not sure whether this is due to movement in the neck or the top. Several of them reside in a local guitar shop and have done for years.

Having said that, it is not the norm and the good ones have been great guitars and my out and out favourite is the cedar topped dread with laminate cherry b/s. One of the cheaper models but to me the most lively and musical. all just personal taste of course.

Here is a clip of an artist who really knows how to coax the sweet tone out of this model:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aePp93pq8Pw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDwRiMekmQY

Great model that. I might have one in my future! :-)

Pete

[fhubert]

One of my first guitars 20+ years ago was a S&P pro flame maple. Its the only guitar I regret selling. That said Godin seems to have changed a lot over the years (they use to be Lasido). At one time S&P could give Larrivee a run for their money. S&P brand was the premier line of the then Lasido company that made La Patrie, Norman, Seagull and S&P.

Back to the OP
The ASW line of S&P are great guitars at any price, the only thing that stops me from buying one is the neck profile.
The Yamaha L Series has a nice thin 1 3\4 neck profile.
The S&P is chunkier, I'm not sure of the nut width.
Sound wise the S&P has a woodier richer tone.
JM2C
Thanks

[Mooh]

I see them all the time in student hands as well as pro hands. Great bang for the buck as everyone says.

I've had a few over the years and have an all solid top back and sides mahogany folk size right now. Lovely to see, hear, and hold.

I really don't think you'll be disappointed in any S&P model.

[crikey]

Originally Posted by flagstaffcharli

I used to own this one. I liked it a lot, though I traded it for a nylon string guitar.



They make pretty good, affordable guitars.

That was a very enjoyable vid! Thanks for sharing.

Danny

[dhcod]

Woodland Pro Folk is what got me back into guitar after years of not playing. I'd still have it except I prefer a wider nut. The sound is way beyond it's price.

[Basque]

Originally Posted by crikey

That was a very enjoyable vid! Thanks for sharing.

Danny

Agreed. Very cool.

And now I want some whiskey..

[flagstaffcharli]

Originally Posted by Basque

Agreed. Very cool.

And now I want some whiskey..

I stop at three cups of coffee these days. Maybe a beer or two at most. Or a nip of tequila. The good stuff.

Thanks!

[jazzalta2]

To the person that said S&P guitars are not jn the same league as Martin, Tayor and Larrivee I respectfullyp and totally disagree. He certainly hasn't played my Showcase. I can't stand this painting all guitars with the same brush mentality.

[Dru Edwards]

Zombie thread but a good topic so I'll post. I have 3 Simon & Patricks and I think they're very nice guitars. I was fortunate to find all 3 used and bought them on the first or second strum because of the way they felt and sounded.

One day I hope I make it to the factory in Quebec.

[Jaden]

The S&P Songsmith dreadnought is a popular seller in Canada. Laminate cherry back and sides with pressure tested solid spruce top & Adirondack bracing; comfortable guitar to hold with slightly shorter scale akin to Gibson’s 24 3/4. Easy to play, good sound, quality entry level instrument.

[Steadfastly]

S & P and Seagull are similar. The biggest difference is the Seagull has a wider neck. S & P is 1.72 and the Seagull is 1.8. There are a few exceptions but for most models, this holds true.

[Casey86]

Yeah that 'three cups of coffee' was great. Nice S&P that is very much like a Gibson j45.

I recently looked at some 'Showcase' S&P dreads after seeing pics of the maple model right here on AGF. They sadly did not have the maple model in stock but they had other showcases. Looked super nice at a good price. Sound wise they did not have the specific dreadnought bass punch I was looking for.

For the same money I went for a used Larrivee D40re dreadnought over the new Showcase. The Larrivee was half it's new price, and in a whole different sound class.

If you absolutely want a new guitar at a good price check them out. Owners love them.

[Birdbrain]

... and, glory be, I found the one right at home, through CL. Appropriately, on St. Patrick's Day today! Maybe I'll name it "the Saint." It's a mere Woodland Mini Jumbo, Cedar over that familiar Wild Cherry (what's the Latin name for that species? I thought so). Be that as it may and despite its laminations, this very basic guitar delivers! Chords hum very coherently, like a Gibson, even with years-old strings. With fresh ones, it shimmers and sings. Cedar can give such rich and interesting tones. I loved the sound of my old cedar S6, but hated the shape. Jumbos and mini j's are my sweet spot, until the good folks at Godin bother to make some 12-fret OOOs.

This S&P immediately feels like a keeper; I think it's going to displace a spruce maple Jumbo With No Name that I was quite excited about a few months ago. If so, and I can recover that guitar's costs, I'll come out way ahead.

My used S&P was barely played and flawless, and came with a Gator case, a tuner, worth about nothing next to my iphone, and a stand I've been needing. The price? $225. So happy I live in Denver, where we don't know much about the nice things that come down from Canada. Someday, I really want to try a more expensive guitar, but these kind of values don't leave me an excuse to spend more.

[Brucebubs]

Are Simon and Patrick guitars any good?

I did like their 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' album.