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Did you know that the famous Chet Atkins once used a La Patrie Etude in one of his performances? I discovered this when I borrowed an Etude for the first time from a friend.
This guitar’s tone, however, immediately made it clear to me why Chet Atkin chose it. The rich and creamy sound made me think of this guitar even more. In this article, I’ll gloss over some of the essential features of the Etude while adding some personal remarks of my own.
Check out our list of best classical guitars under $700.
| Made In | Canada |
| Model | Etude |
| Body | Canadian Wild Cherry |
| Top | Solid Cedar |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Scale | 25.66 inches (651.76 mm) |
| Nut Width | 2.08 inches (52.83 mm) |
| Weight | 8.00 lbs (3.63 kg) |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Frets | 19 |
| Bracing | Fan Bracing |
| Electronics | Q1T Cutaway Pickup |
| Bridge | Rosewood |
| Inlays | Side Dot |
| Truss Rod | Dual Action |
| Case | Available |
| Design | Classic Acoustic, Hollow Body |
La Patrie Etude is a model of classical guitar that has become known for its high quality and low price. This guitar was made by skilled luthiers at La Patrie, a Canadian company that is known for making high-quality acoustic guitars. The guitar’s solid cedar top provides a warm and rich tone, while the laminated wild cherry back and sides give it a distinctive character and projection.
La Patrie Etude Fingerboard
The fretboard of the La Patrie Etude is made of Rosewood, a dense and heavy hardwood commonly used in guitar making due to its durability and ability to sustain notes well.
The fretboard is attached to the guitar’s neck with a dovetail joint, which makes the connection between the two parts strong and stable.
The La Patrie Etude has a standard scale length of 25.5 inches, the distance from the nut to the bridge. The fretboard is 12 inches in radius and has a nut width of 2 inches.
The frets on the La Patrie Etude are made of nickel silver, a mixture of copper, nickel, and zinc. The frets are precision-cut and installed into the fretboard with a technique known as press-fitting, which involves pressing the frets into slots. After the frets have been dressed and leveled, the instrument is ready to play with perfect intonation.
Piezo Pickup
This acoustic-electric guitar uses a passive, under-saddle piezo pickup system known as the Godin Q1T pickup.
The piezo element of this pickup system is located underneath the guitar’s saddle. This saddle sends vibrations from the guitar strings to the guitar body.
Know more about classical guitar pickup.
The Godin Q1T pickup has a built-in preamp that lets you change the tone and adjust the volume. The preamp has a volume slider and a 3-band EQ with bass, midrange, and treble controls. A 9-volt battery in a compartment on the side of the guitar powers the preamp.
The pickup includes a tuner that can be accessed through the preamp. You turn on the tuner by pressing a button, and a tiny LED screen shows you the note you’re playing. The tuner allows for precise and speedy guitar tuning, even in chaotic settings.
Bridge
The La Patrie Etude has a rosewood bridge. The bridge is carved from a single piece of rosewood and finished to a smooth, precise fit on the guitar’s soundboard, following a time-honored tradition.
Each string has its saddle slot on the bridge. These slots are slightly angled to account for the different thicknesses of the strings and ensure the tuning is right all over the fretboard.
To prevent the strings from coming loose and to facilitate string changes, they are secured to the bridge by knotting them or using the traditional “tie-block” method.
In addition to the bridge, the La Patrie Etude has a saddle, a small piece of bone or synthetic material that rests on top of the bridge. It connects the strings and serves as a center point. By adjusting the saddle’s height and placement, the guitar’s intonation and note accuracy can be adjusted for the entire fretboard.
Pressure Tested Top (wood)
The classical La Patrie Etude guitar features a solid cedar top about 2–3 mm thick. Using a combination of spruce and cedar struts, the guitar’s top is braced to distribute string tension evenly. Cedar’s high resonance makes it make a loud noise with little exertion.
The laminated wild cherry wood body is distinctive to the La Patrie Etude. To prevent warping and splitting, the laminated wild cherry wood is constructed from layers of cherry wood veneer sandwiched between thin adhesive layers.
Bracing
The La Patrie Etude is supported by “fan bracing.” The braces are fan-like and radiate from the soundhole’s base to the guitar’s top edges.
In the La Patrie Etude, the fan braces are made of spruce and scalloped to reduce their weight while maintaining their strength and rigidity. The bracing is glued to the inside of the guitar’s top to support it while allowing it to vibrate freely.
What Makes La Patrie Etude Guitars Special?
The neck of the La Patrie Etude Guitars makes them unique because it’s all about comfort and quality. It’s designed for smooth and easy playing, making it an excellent choice for new and experienced guitarists.
The craftsmanship is top-notch, ensuring it’s durable and stable. It also adds to the guitar’s elegant classical look, making it a great-sounding instrument and a beauty to behold.
Custom Polished Finish
The La Patrie Etude from Godin Guitars is popular for its custom finish, a thin, lightweight finish that allows the wood to vibrate freely and produce a rich, resonant sound.
The Etude’s custom finish is inspired by the French polish of the 19th century. It is applied in a series of thin coats, and each coat is rubbed out by hand until the finish is smooth and even. The result is a finish that is both protective and beautiful.
The Etude’s custom finish is much lighter, which allows the top to vibrate more freely, resulting in a richer, more resonant sound. The custom finish also allows the wood to age naturally, meaning the guitar will sound better and better over time.
Conclusion
If you’ve read this far, I’ll tell you: the La Patrie Etude has blown me away. The price of this guitar is excellent. The skill and care that went into making each instrument are evident, so it’s no surprise that the La Patrie Etude has become such a popular choice. I imagine La Patrie keeps a castle full of incredible guitars deep in the Canadian snow.
For me, that’s how the Etude Q1 came to be. You can’t return to something else despite the many cheaper options once you choose this guitar. It’s not expensive but somewhat surprisingly affordable, making you feel lucky to have found this hidden treasure.
Pros and Cons of La Patrie Etude
Pros
Craftsmanship: The La Patrie Etude is known for its exceptional craftsmanship. Its bright, clear sound is perfect for fingerpicking and other solo playing styles.
Sound Quality: The Etude produces a rich, warm, and balanced tone, which is highly regarded among classical guitar enthusiasts. The combination of high-quality tonewoods and skilled craftsmanship contributes to its impressive sound.
Affordability: La Patrie offers excellent value for the price. The Etude provides the quality and performance of more expensive classical guitars at a relatively affordable price, making them accessible to many players.
Cons
Sensitive to humidity: The Etude’s wood top is sensitive to moisture, so it’s essential to keep the guitar humidified to prevent cracking.
FAQs of La Patrie Etude from Godin Guitars
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