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ezFolk Forums > Reviews > Guitar Related Reviews > Art & Lutherie Parlour Guitar (AMI Cedar/Solid Cedar Top) by Godin |
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| Art & Lutherie Parlour Guitar (AMI Cedar/Solid Cedar Top) by Godin - Guitar Related Reviews - Reviews - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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UkeForever Approved 
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Well, here it is: And here it is in perspective, with my full-size Alvarez dread to the left and baritone uke to the right:  I spent the morning in a guitar shop, looking at smaller-scale guitars with a buddy. We saw/played/handled a lot of Martins, Taylors, Larrivees in the $700-$1200 range, but nothing "spoke" to us. At least not clearly. I guess you can't get a good version of those guitar brands unless you drop $2,000 and up. Then they begin to sound really impressive. (Or is that your brain telling you that for $2,000 & up, it needs to sound like something, so it does?) At the very least, the lower model Martins are a case of the emperor having no clothes. I'm sure there are exceptions as wood varies greatly. Well, on a whim after lunch, we stopped by my favorite place to get inexpensive ukes, and we came upon those little Canadian Art & Lutherie guitars that look a lot like early Martin 00S models. Thin upper bout, fat lower bout for a fat sound. With a solid cedar top, they sound great--crisp, decent definition, but a very full sound for a parlour. They have good action, are set up and finished well overall (compensated saddle on second and fifth), and at the smaller scale-length, can even handle the abuse I put strings through--a lot of open tuning below the normal tension. Handles just fine with excellent intonation. Again, the way I tune makes intonation tough for a guitar... The rest of the guitar is pretty standard fare--Cherry laminate back & sides (it's Canadian wood, apparently), rosewood fretboard & bridge (the 5% that's not Canadian?), plastic nut and saddle. The neck has an adjustable truss rod, and the neck has a stacked joint at the heel and a scarfed joint just below the peghead. The top seems thick enough and braced enough to hold the string tension. It definitely has that folky/wooden cedar sound. The soundhole rosette is a machine inlay--not perfect, but a nice touch--and the binding around the top is real. Makes it look real sharp. The fret profile impresses me the most--not only is the fretboard radiused, but the frets themselves are pretty low, allowing strings to clear most of the time, and keeping strings from over-stretching and intoning sharp. With hard strumming, some of the strings do bounce and vibrate against the fretboard, but man, this is a parlour guitar--no pickguard, which should tell you something about how it is meant to be played. It is LOUD when it is strummed with a pick. I am amazed that these guitars cost what they do. My buddy and I each bought one, and at $200, you should too, just to see what I'm talking about. There are a couple of different colors, but they all have kind of a rustic look about them: satin finish. Since I'm a uke player, I would compare the finish job (in look) to Rick Turner's Compass Rose ukuleles. These are perfect for a house guitar, a kid's first guitar, travel/portable guitar, and whatever else you can imagine. It's almost criminal how great mine sounds and plays, when one considers the price and the nice canvas bag that came with it. (I'm a sucker for deals, OK, and although I may have headstock lust from time to time, I kind of like having the "off" brand.) I have my travel guitar now, and it's actually gig/performance worthy. I'll post some sound clips eventually. Sure, somebody will be by to purchase those Larrivee parlours I played this morning. But they won't sound as nice as this Art & Lutherie. And at least I'll have money left over for lunch. Last edited on Sun May 21st, 2006 12:38 am by UkeForever ____________________ Don't let the door hit 'ya where the good Lord split 'ya. John Rockwell's Crazy Songs 
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viking Approved 
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HI I am sure you have a great little instrument there. I have had a parlour sized Norman ( from the same factory I think ) for several years now. I love it !! It's a realy goog player priced in a way that allows it to drift around the house and be available to play at all times. Great neck and action, tight accurate sound and a complete joy to play. I agree with you about the young and beginners aspect as well. The body is easier to handle than a dreadnaught and he narrower fret guage may be more user freindly than some of the monster frets on most cheap to medium priced guitars. Mine seems to have found a home in my ten year old daughter's bedroom. I don't mind as long as I hear it picked up from time to time. I hope yopu will enjoy this great little guitar around the home and to an audience as much as I have. MARK
____________________ Hear You Soon MARK |
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UkeForever Approved
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Here are two recordings of the A&L Parlour: IN DADGAD: A&L Cedar Top Through Sennheiser Cab mic In G/Capo1/Cut C w/vocal:Part Time Lifer with A&L through Sennheiser. Vocal through EV767 This is a great little guitar. Check out the resonance & sustain. Fingerpicked with pads of fingers. Last edited on Thu Jul 13th, 2006 04:26 pm by UkeForever ____________________ Don't let the door hit 'ya where the good Lord split 'ya. John Rockwell's Crazy Songs
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Will Approved 
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Congratulations on your purchase. In 2003, I purchased the "cousin" of the Art & Lutherie AMI, the Seagull Grand, also a solid cedar top and wild cherry laminate parlour guitar. I've taken it to jam sessions, and its sound stands out amongst the dreadnoughts and other instruments when played with a pick:
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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madog99 Approved 
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Those A&L's are pretty hard to beat price wise. Last year my buddy wanted to get an acoustic for his son , after visiting 4 or 5 stores the Wild Cherry was the best deal and his son just loves it . Just this week he asked to me to get one for his daughter , but smaller as she is only 12 , so my guess is it will be the Ami or folk A&L . I have never tried the Ami but did get the folk for another buddy's wife , for the price , amazing North American made instruments. I also had a Seagull 12 , since gone , but still have a godin mando . Prices here are about even with US but in cdn $ so they are even more of steal up here.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/328/ |
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ductapeguy Approved 
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I've had a Norman for about 12 years and I love it. It has a fat bottom and sweet treble. It is soft and sweet and loud and jangly all wrapped up in a pretty package. I rented an A&L a couple years ago when I was on vacation and it was great too.
____________________ Sean McGaughey, Singer Songwriter http://ductapeguy.net My music, podcasts, audiobooks and ??? http://ezfolk.com/audio/Sean%20McGaughey Listen to my music http://www.myspace.com/seanmcgaughey http://librivox.org Free public domain audio books |
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reholli Approved
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UkeForever... Congrats on your AMI parlor style. I had a chance to listen to your 2 sound clips using this guitar, and it sounds great, as does your performance! Ordered one today...would have preferred to buy one a at local shop, but absolutely none of the A & L dealers anywhere in my area had an AMI in stock. I already have an A & L cedar-topped dreadnought, which is also a fine guitar for the money, but I really prefer something smaller (once had a Martin 00-18, and then a 00-21...both long gone...never devoted any time then to learning...just liked to collect 00-sized Martins), and the AMI should do the trick. Hope you're still enjoying yours. One thing of note in your review...the rosette in the AMI pictured is the new style A & L rosette similar to the ones used on the Norman and Simon & Patrick guitars and is a real wood inlay and not a decal. It's identical to the one on my dreadnought, which is definitely real...take a closer look. Unless, of course, there was a transition when they switched to this style where they used a decal at first. The original painted on/decal style can still be seen on A & L's website...it was pretty tacky, and definitely different. Ultimately it doesn't matter with respect to sound, of course, but I do like the looks of this new rosette...gives their guitars a southwest appearance. Enjoy, and keep making music! Last edited on Mon May 29th, 2006 05:55 pm by reholli |
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UkeForever Approved
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Yeah, it's real wood inlay. I am going to make the change to the above. Congrats on your new guitar. I'm still enjoying mine.
____________________ Don't let the door hit 'ya where the good Lord split 'ya. John Rockwell's Crazy Songs
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reholli Approved
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I'm glad you're still enjoying yours...and looking forward to mine arriving next week. I'm curious to see if the headstock face on mine is natural like yours or black like some of the other pictures I've seen.
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UkeForever Approved
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My headstock is black too. Lighting... Have you received yours yet? Whaddya think? BTW, I replaced the "special" Godin strings with Martin SP mediums. Those Martin strings seem to brighten the instrument up across the spectrum. I'm playing mine in the open mic tonight. I love the size and the sound. Still can't get over how fun it is to play. Maybe it'll become my new gigging guitar. Last edited on Sun May 28th, 2006 08:27 pm by UkeForever ____________________ Don't let the door hit 'ya where the good Lord split 'ya. John Rockwell's Crazy Songs
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reholli Approved
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UkeForever wrote: My headstock is black too. Lighting... Good luck at your open mic tonight! I'm far from playing well enough for that...only really been seriously trying to learn since the beginning of March. My AMI arrived Thursday and I like it! Definitely easier to hold than my dread and like you said, really fun to play. It also happens to play and sound great...I find myself picking it up over the dreadnought most of the time. Even though the guitar is much smaller, the scale (nut to bridge) and nut and string width are identical to the A&L dreadnought, just fewer frets to the body and overall, of course. Once I'm ready to restring I'll have to try something different than the Godin strings. Anyway, again, good luck tonight and "knock 'em dead".
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The Sheriff Approved 
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Hi there, I've been playing an AMI cedar for about two years now. I must admit that I really like the playabillity and the sound. Unfortunately I can not gig with it because it's not loud enough. We (dustbin threesome) play acoustic music, we hate amps 'n' mikes since we move a lot during gigs. But then again I've tried a dozen guitars and only a spanish guitar strung with extra hard tension strings, played with a piece of plexiglas instead of a plectrum seems to be loud enough... Seriously, I'm glad allso other folks realy like this cheap little wonder. The sound gets better and better, the top is not very strong though. That is if you play with plectrum. I had to mount a pick-guard. Cheers 'n' good luck with your AMIs
____________________ "The Sheriff" member of http://www.dustbinthreesome.be http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/964/music.php |
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UkeForever Approved
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There's no doubt it's not as loud as a dread--I mean, that's why I have the dread and the big electric pickup in it. But I mostly play coffeehouses and small venues like that (my classroom), and in venues, I always have a PA handy and the right microphones so the instrument can be amplified easily. You are right, Sheriff, cedar is a relatively soft tonewood, subject to deep pick marks. I can flatpick without hitting the soundboard surface, but I understand that some people really go at it. A pickguard is something I considered, but I like the look of it as is. Perhaps one of those clear classical guitar pickguards would work. Did you use one of those tortoise shell teardrops? How does it look? The AMI is a "parlour" guitar, which to me, means that it lends itself to fingerpicking for intimate audiences. I commonly take instruments to parties and do a lot of one-on-one performing, especially with the uke. It's intimate, and it's a cool way to connect with others. I find the dreadnaught doesn't lend itself to this sort of intimacy. The AMI does. It's my new party guitar. I have played the AMI in my classroom for the students, and its volume is just right--they do have to quiet down and listen, though. As for the open mic last night, I chickened out (mostly because of time constraints involved in switching instruments) and played two uke songs. They went over well. (I did the "Goldfish Funeral" and "Better Than a Test.") My buddy wrote a little about it here: http://ukemillennium.blogspot.com By the way, at the guitar shop where I played last night ( http://www.folkmusiccenter.com ), they had pretty much the entire Godin series. Art & Lutherie, Simon & Patrick, and the classical models La Patrie. I swear the cedar top Art & Lutherie dread and the cedar top Art & Lutherie folk model were two of the best sounding instruments on the wall. Unfortunately this shop doesn't sell Taylors, and the Martins they sell are far too expensive for me to touch (all vintage). I'd love to do a parallel listening with the Taylors, though. I know a comparison really can't be made, because the definition and feel of those upper-end Taylors really can't be beat (in my mind), but I was impressed with the sound of the A&Ls. Yeah, the A&Ls were "heavy," but that's just a small trade off. They also had a Simon & Patrick parlour which was shaped a little more like the traditional models, but it was set up so poorly (strings hitting the frets--bad nut) that it was impossible to get a true feeling for the instrument. Last edited on Mon May 29th, 2006 06:02 pm by UkeForever ____________________ Don't let the door hit 'ya where the good Lord split 'ya. John Rockwell's Crazy Songs
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The Sheriff Approved
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oh I just glued one of those cheap black ones on there... Doesn't look so bad. I know parlor guitars were not intended for plectrum (ab)use. I stopped playing fingerpicking style since I've been playing in this band. Why practice hard on fingerpickin' if knowone hears what youre doing, I develloped a very steady (and LOUD) rithm strum instead. CHEERS, Attachment: amicedar.jpg (Downloaded 295 times)
____________________ "The Sheriff" member of http://www.dustbinthreesome.be http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/964/music.php |
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MGM Approved
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Hi all! I just bought an AMI. I had no intention of buying anything when, as I was visiting my daughter out of state, I stopped in a guitar store that I was driving by to see what they had in their acoustic room. Nothing too different, but I tried some Seagulls, Alvarez, Ibanez, a pricey Gibson, an inexpensive A & L dread. I was just leaving (safely, with a sigh of relief) when some little parlors caught my eye near the door going out. They had a nylon string AMI and a more natural colored almond steel stringed one. "Cute", I thought. The Wild Cherry wood intrigued me, and I sat down to play it expecting a little toy sound (it's really small). Well I was kind of blown away by how good it sounded , a much bigger sound than you would expect. The tone was very pleasing, the intonation was good, and it was just darn fun to play. Now the last thing I needed was another guitar. I even have a nice Tacoma parlor for travel (probably too nice for travel). But when I looked at the price tag and saw it was UNDER $200 and no sales tax in this state, I was talking myself into why I needed it. The tag said it came with a gig bag, I asked to see it because maybe it would be so cheesy that it would be obvious it was an inferior product. But no, the gig bag was a really nice little gig bag, with a zippered pocket even. The tag also said it was ALL laminated, including the top. But it had sustain and resonance, as much as you'd want in a parlor, and better than a lot of solid topped dreads. Finally, a lack of sufficient cash should have stopped me, but I wheedled myself into buying it by using my credit card. And I had 2 weeks to return it if I changed my mind or had buyer's remorse. What appeals to me so much is the nice woody tone, very bluesy or bluegrass. Also, with the almond finish and the wood rosette inlay it's as folksy looking as it sounds. The rosewood fretboard is well-made, the frets are even and smooth. I seem to have the newer tuners, they hold well. The set-up is good, and as mentioned it has the compensated saddle. Honestly, the craftsmanship is better on this than some $1000 guitars. But I was a little put off by the idea of a laminated top. So today I went looking for other parlors, and didn't find anything better. The Seagull Grand was almost as nice, I did like the warmth of the cedar top, but they only had the floor model which had a badly scratched the top and very high action. It was not as fun to play, had no gig bag and cost a hundred bucks more. I even tried an expensive Larrivee OM, but didn't find it it nearly as appealing as my little AMI. I think I'm gonna keep it, and maybe order a cedar topped one in the future. UkeForever, I really enjoyed hearing your soundclips. I don't play nearly as well as you, but the sound is very much the same on my AMI. It has a unique voice that definitely spoke to me. Your playing does it justice. This is my first short scale guitar. Should these be tuned higher than standard? I can't find much info on them, and the Godin website's not very informative. Last edited on Sat Jun 3rd, 2006 03:07 am by MGM |
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UkeForever Approved
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The laminted top just shows you that it's construction/design (top thickness, bracing style) that matters as much as materials. The solid tops should continue to "open" with age. The laminated tops (supposedly) stay the same over time. I'm actually kind of skeptical of that idea. If the laminate is high-quality wood, why wouldn't it open? As for tuning, standard pitches work just fine. EADGBE all in the same register. I tune mine exactly like I tune the dread, and many of my tunings are lower than standard (various open G tunings with various bass notes, DADGAD, variations of open D and even open C). It intonates these tunings just fine--OK, better than fine--(IMO all guitars are a little shaky on open C). I continue to be amazed. I may order a blue one in spruce for 4th of July. ~John Last edited on Sat Jun 3rd, 2006 08:47 am by UkeForever ____________________ Don't let the door hit 'ya where the good Lord split 'ya. John Rockwell's Crazy Songs
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goran Approved
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hi ppl! I'm new here and I like this forum.. its awesome! been listening to some music here, wow, very impressive how some people play. now, I've been intrigued by this AMI parlour guitar. shamefully I cant try it anywhere here as I live in Croatia. but what I heard from those two clips, it sounds really nice although I'm more interested in strumming part. so I wonder how it sounds strummed... anyway, before I buy it, would someone record something strummed, even 10 seconds, I just want to assure if thats my next guitar and if I should order it from internet. many thanks, goran
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HowlinHobbit Approved 
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UkeForever wrote:If the laminate is high-quality wood, why wouldn't it open? Because of the layers of glue. Howlin' Hobbit Got Uke? Howlin' Hobbit on MySpace Snake Suspenderz Hot Jass, Hokum and Novelty Music... with a bite!
____________________ Howlin' Hobbit Got Uke? MySpace ezFolk UkeLand |
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MGM Approved
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goran wrote: hi ppl! I've tried a bunch more since I bought mine (I actually decided to exchange it for a soliid topped, even though the laminate sounded pretty darn good
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). The spruce top seems to be a better strummer than the cedar, IMO. In fact, it has more volume than a lot of guitars much bigger, and a nice brightness. I ended up with the cedar top, but I think I'm going to get another in spruce. I love these little guitars 
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