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Bytor1975
12-09-2005, 11:16 PM
These totally flew under my radar. Never heard of them. They are part of the Godin family, and the Godin dealer I usually go to only has Godins and Seagulls.

Well, I was killing time during work in a part of town I am usually not around and went to a music store that I had only been to once before. I went in hoping to spend some time on an Eric Johnson Strat. When I didn't see one, I went to the acoustic section, as I have been flirting with the idea of some small 000 or Parlor sized acoustic to mess around with in the living room while spending time with the family instead of down here in the Bat Cave with all the guitars and computer (ya know... I can't take a guitar from downstairs, I just need to get a new one to assign to a new room!... wow, what a run-on sentence!)

So this little parlor caught my eye, and it was an Art & Lutherie, Ami model. Sorry you Canadian readers, but I was totally ignorant of these guys. For those of you that don't know, they are beginning to intermediately priced acoustics, made in Canada with hardwoods (maple necks, rosewood fingerboards, spruce bracing, and the tops, backs, and sides being 3 piece CHERRY laminates as opposed to layers of 'whatever' woods.)

I picked this little guy up and damn! I don't know if it shipped playing this well, or it had some set-up work done in the back, but it was quite astounding... especially for $219! Since I didn't care for the Satin Blue finish I asked what else was available, in particularly did they have some sort of sunburst? He came back out a few minutes later with an antique burst that played just as well as the blue one. The tone, the best I can describe as a tad deeper than a Baby Taylor, but about the same mid-range and top end. Of course, the Parlor is slightly bigger... but still, it was far from boomy because of its tiny size. A hell of a guitar for the price!

http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/amis.htm

http://i20.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/aa/07/de_1.JPG

Anyhow, just another guitar to consider besides the Epiphone Masterbilt EF-500M and the Guild GAD-30.

The contenders:

Art & Lutherie AMI (actually a bit darker than shown)
http://www.guitarsetc.net/guitar_acou/a_l/al_23134_05036106_f1_lg.jpg

Epiphone Masterbilt EF-500M
http://www.bf-music.com/photo/ef-500m01.jpg

Guild GAD-30
http://media.zzounds.com/media/fit,325by400/quality,85/brand,zzounds/3810200_xl-03ada9ba2d90df95fd21231e3f2bb96b.jpg


Anyone else have one, or tried them?

aaronl
12-11-2005, 03:09 AM
havent seen one yet but those are nice looking guitars!
that guild has interested me but man i keep trying the masterbilt and just seem to be in love you know

Cat
12-11-2005, 03:23 AM
Yeah we get Larrivee (meant Art & Lutherie) down here, they sell quite well as far as I know.

Jason that epiphone is damn pretty though...

Cat

Time Pieces
12-11-2005, 08:30 AM
Godin makes some of the finest guitars for the buck, IMHO.

In fact right now I'm gassin' for one of thier acoustics or the electric Freeway Classic.

They play and sound awesome. All of them, regardless of the name Godin, Seagull, A&L, Norman ect.
I'm not big into midi interface like on some of the axes they make but the ones I like, I like.

Of course my local dealer has just about all the Godins on the wall so I've tried most and am certain this will be my next buy.

Bytor1975
12-11-2005, 09:29 AM
The Godin electrics I played didn't turn me on that much, but like I said earlier, the Art & Lutherie did. I am thinking I may take a Green Peavey five string I have over and see what kind of swap we can do.

Time Pieces
12-13-2005, 06:25 PM
yeah do it, Bytor. That would be a good way to unload your bass and pick up a kick-arse guitar while your at it!

Keep us posted of course!

shrinkme
12-13-2005, 09:38 PM
I heard mention of the Art and Lutherie parlor guitars on the Washburn acoustic forum and on a forum dedicated to fingerstyle blues. They seemed really pleased with them for that style.:guitar:

nothin but the blues
12-14-2005, 02:19 PM
A&L's are tremendous guitars for the price. A great value indeed. I prefer them over Seagulls personally.

Plus, hey they are built in Canada :thumbsup:

Bytor1975
12-15-2005, 10:12 PM
yeah do it, Bytor.
Just did it! :rock: (http://www.fenderpick.com/showthread.php?p=32497#post32497)

http://www.fenderpick.com/showthread.php?p=32497#post32497