La Patrie is another sub-brand of Godin, and this one specializes on classical style nylon stringed instruments. This sub-brand is worth mentioning because it offers a parlor guitar shape model with nylon strings, called the La Patrie Motif.
The La Patrie Motif is a departure from the usual steel string parlor acoustics that have been featured here in Parlor.Guitars. It is more akin to a classical guitar than an acoustic steel string, and utilizes nylon strings. But it gets a spot in the listing because of its parlor guitar inspired shape, and as such it expands the listing to include classical tone options.
Just one look at the Motif and you can guess that its smaller size and distinct shape is inspired by turn-of-the-century parlor guitars. While it can be considered as a 3/4 size guitar because of it’s dimensions, this compact guitar features a full-scale neck that allows for playability that is similar to bigger classical or nylon string guitars.
The top of this parlor guitar is crafted from solid cedar, which follows traditional classical build. As expected from a Godin sub-brand, La Patrie adds a modern twist to this traditional design, by having the top go through their pressure testing process. According to the company, this pressure tested solid top helps ensure tone and reliability, turning this parlor into a workhorse instrument that sounds better the more it ages.
The back and sides are crafted from Wild Cherry, Godin’s favorite material for acoustics. It has tone characteristics that sit between mahogany and maple, which would brighten up the expected mellow tone of the cedar top and nylon strings.
The neck is crafted from mahogany and topped by a rosewood fretboard, which features a radiused profile that makes playing easier than traditional classical guitars. There are no fretmarkers on the fingerboard, but there are small dots on the side facing the guitar player. The bridge is also crafted from rosewood, while the saddle and nut are from Graphtech.
Each La Patrie Motif is handcrafted in Canada, and feature the option to have EPM Quantum 1 electronics. More importantly, this solid top parlor guitar comes with a reasonable price tag of just under $400, making it a very easy and accessible to add to your collection of instruments. Visit La Patrie Guitars for further details.
2 thoughts on “La Patrie Motif”
I just wanted to say I’m a singer from Australia. Started playing keyboards, tried steel string guitars but hated the brightness. I tried a lapatrie godin etude in a music shop, and bought it straight away. It did approximately 100 gigs for me each year for 5 straight years,and travelled thousands of kilometers and varied climates, til the pickup strip split. I’d tried other friends nylons w a pick up, and just didn’t mess around. Went straight back in and bought a new Etude. Ironically, it had the same 5 year life span on the road with me. I’m now looking at your motif range. Just wanted to say thanks for such great, beautiful,reliable no fuss guitars. Plug in and go. For at least 5 years anyhow. I’m sure if it was just home or studio use, they’d have more longevity. I travel 50,000 kilometers each year, so thanks from the east coast of our land down under. These guitars have had so many compliments at all my gigs, and I’m not some prodigy guitarist, just plucking, finger strumming rhythm player mostly. Bye