[Blind Dog]

I know there's lots of great Canadian guitars out there. Many of the members, here on CGF, enjoy their Seagulls, Halcyons, Gilmores, House & Beneteaus, etc.. What else is out there--Wrens, Laskins, Manzers, Normans, S&P, ... ?

What do you have that you would be happy to recommend? From a great campfire, to a dream custom--what's your guitar's strong suit?

No worries (for me anyways) on crossover posts. Mandolins, electrics (I play mine unplugged), & cigar boxes etc., can all be celebrated/get a shout out. Canadian builds, companies, luthiers--as long as there's a Canadian angle you're proud of, you own it, and you can recommend it--'s all good.

A thread to peruse, when gas keeps us awake.

 

[Blind Dog]

My Larrivée OM guitars are something I can proudly recommend. Their strong suit imo is their craftsmanship & value. I bought both mine used, one mint one minty, each at around 1k with ohsc. Considering the balanced tone, build quality, and great customer service, I think they're pretty sweet. Both mine were built in Canada, and Larrivée remains Canadian owned, and Jean's still a Canadian luthier. What a legacy he's leaving in his wake.

OM-03R & OM-03

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[Guest]

The Godin family's a good choice.
I have a Norman and used to own a Seagull.
They can be found used from < $200 - 300.

 

[sambonee]

My Godin LG has consistently been my top recording and stalwart performing guitar. Highly recommended

 

[Chito]

I love my Godin Fifth Avenue Kingpin.

 

[DaddyDog]

Unsatisfied with mass produced acoustics, I went with budding luthier Ashley Leanne Guitars from Cambridge. I love the results! All but the strings & tuners fashioned by hand.

 

[Merlin]

I always seem to have at least one Godin around at all times. Currently I have a Session and an SD, but I’ve also owned several Freeways, a Detour, an S&P 12 string, an A12, an A6 Ultra, an Acousticaster, an Acousticaster fretless bass, a Fifth Avenue, a Kingpin II, a couple of LGs, a Session CT, and a Seagull S6CW.

 

[John Reilly]

I bought a Noman in the mid 8 ies , and no regrets .

 

[MarkM]

I have an Norman 80's B20 twelve string and and a newer B18 CW.

Both have great pickups and tuners built in.

I have owned other off the shelf guitars and these are the best for me.

Love to have a Larrivee but I can't bring myself to spending the money on one when my Normans sound good to me.

 

[Sneaky]

Yanuziello makes amazing guitars. Here’s mine

And my old lap steel, sold to Ben Harper last year

 

[bw66]

My S&P Showcase is easily the nicest ~$1K guitar I've ever played. It has also been played by dozens of great players at the open mic I host and gets a lot of rave reviews, including a number of people who thought it was a custom build.

I also have a LaPatrie nylon string that I would strongly recommend as great value for the money.

A Godin 5th Ave. Kingpin II has been on my wish list for quite a while, but there aren't a lot of them on the used market and most are looking for 75-80% of new. Obviously people like them a lot.

As far as other Canadian gear goes, I am definitely a Radial fan with a Stage Direct active DI and a JDX Direct Drive emulator DI in my collection.

And Yorkville? 7 PA cabinets (4 made in Canada), 3 power amps, and an acoustic amp. Love Yorkville!

 

[SaucyJack]

I had a couple of Garrisons few years back. I really liked them both.

 

[colchar]

My Larrivée OM guitars are something I can proudly recommend. Their strong suit imo is their craftsmanship & value. I bought both mine used, one mint one minty, each at around 1k with ohsc. Considering the balanced tone, build quality, and great customer service, I think they're pretty sweet. Both mine were built in Canada, and Larrivée remains Canadian owned, and Jean's still a Canadian luthier. What a legacy he's leaving in his wake.

OM-03R & OM-03

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If they made guitars with full gloss bodies I would consider them. But I am not sure I would pull the trigger because of them moving manufacturing out of Canada.

 

[Dorian2]

Depends on the price point for me. I'm a cheap bastard so Seagull and A&L for me. Sound good to me.

 

[Blind Dog]

I was unlucky, my avatar was ill, and I did a purge for a vet' budget. I was lucky he bounced back, and I objected to taking a piece out of perfectly good dog, to satisfy curiosity.

When Vernon luthier, Trevor Kronbauer's Custom Koa came up, I was sitting on Healey's stash.

My little Larrivée 'claw is still my main squeeze, but this mini-jumbo imo is an amazing guitar. All I have to do is touch the neck, and the dopamine rush keeps me up for hours. It just feels so right. That's its strong suit I guess--several hours more playing time daily. The bevel is a nice comfort treat, and the sustain is so there to hang riffs off of. It makes you extend yourself. I think Jean's sensibilities, thru Okanagan luthier Ted Thompson's, are evident in Trevor's artistry.

Kronbauer Guitars - World Class Guitars from Okanagan valley in British Columbia Canada.

Not worthy, just blessed.

 

[Blind Dog]

If they made guitars with full gloss bodies I would consider them. But I am not sure I would pull the trigger because of them moving manufacturing out of Canada.

Maybe you could start a thread, "What I don't like about other players' guitars."

 

[rollingdam]

My 1996 Larrivee L05

 

[colchar]

Maybe you could start a thread, "What I don't like about other players' guitars."

It wasn't meant as an insult. I like them, but want an all gloss body so they are ruled out because they don;t make any full gloss guitars.

 

[Kerry Brown]

My Godin A12 quickly became my go to guitar for open mic’s. I've owned quite a few Canadian guitars but this one has stuck around. I can't imagine moving this one.

 

[Stephenlouis]

It goes without much thought from me to put Larrivée on the list, I love his stuff. My first was an electric that I am very sad to no longer own ( long story, one day) back from his N. Vancouver days. I picked up a LaPatrie that I like a lot but do not love yet. need more play time. I think it was stored for a few years, a bit tight. Still recommend because I can hear what it will be doing ! Most of the boutique builders here are a bit too avant-garde for my wallet and ability, but if I had both to burn I would certainly try a few, and I would also build my own through this guy, since he is close to me and I get to do it! :

Guitar Building Mentorship - Joe Young Guitars