Simon and Patrick Trek parlor review

[@funcake22]

I just bought the S&P trek and was doubting if it was the right decision but after viewing this video, I know I made the right choice! Thanks a lot! Very very helpful!

[@ulasozbent9248]

I bought this guitar one year ago and I think I made a good decision. Although one of the things about this guitar very surprised me that is color-changing! My guitar gets darker day by day but up to me it's nice! A living and breathing guitar sounds very inspiriting.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jazzalta716]

I just ordered the S&P. Fantastic sounding guitar.

[@clintwhite3021]

First chords are 'Who's gonna make the gravy' - Paul Kelly haha. Nice

[@particlesmedia]

Lovely sounds, what strings are you using with it here?

[@jcrarnold]

You haven't helped me, John. You make every guitar sound very fine.

[@jakemiles999]

Hi john. Thanks for the wonderful demo. It's a better ad than they could possibly hope for - I just ordered the Simon and Patrick from a local shop. Could you tell us what microphone you used in addition to the pickup? It sounded quite nice.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Jake Miles Thanks Jake, I used an SE2000 studio mic for thta one.

[@jakemiles999]

John Coupland Thanks very much.

[@TomBerube]

Thank you for this wonderful review. It is a pleasure to listen to you play and speak. I have purchased the trek Dreadnought model cherry-wood sound board on this side of the pond though. Godin and all it's incarnations, simply cannot make a poor quality instrument. Thanks for the review.

[@pablo9364]

I’d like one. But am worried the action might be too high and in need of set up work. You said you are fussy so maybe this is the one I might go for. I’m not fussy just fed up buying lower priced guitars and later finding out there are set up issues etc

[@nateeaton1]

Excellent review! I have two similar parlor guitars from Godin companies. The first is an Arts & Lutherie Ami, which is a fantastic cedar-topped parlor of very high quality; in fact, price-wise, it's arguably the best deal in acoustic guitars and has been for years. I also have the Simon & Patrick Woodland Pro Parlor Sunburst HD, a spruce-top guitar which just sounds heavenly with remarkable highs, bass and sustain. The sunburst is of very high-quality, too. All of these guitars' designs, including the Trek reviewed here, are based on a circa-1910 parlor guitar that Robert Godin thought sounded great. Godin doesn't mention the name of the parlor, but I think it may be a Martin based on the shape. In any case, Godin or Simon & Patrick's parlor models are outstanding in sound and build quality - I would recommend them to anyone seeking an affordable parlor that sounds incredible. One major bonus of these lower-end Godin parlors is they have the Silver Leaf Maple necks, which I think exceed mahogany in terms of comfort, playability and durability.

[@timw9662]

I'm deciding between this S&P trek parlor and the A&L Ami cedar. Which would you suggest? Is one better than the other in terms of value or durability?I'm planning to use this next guitar as my travel/everyday player. Thanks!

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

+Tim Weak I have not tried the Ami so I cannot comment.

[@nateeaton1]

It depends on what you're using the guitar for. I have not tried the Trek, but if humidity were an issue, then I'd get it because the top, and back and & sides are all made from high-quality laminated cherry, which would resist humidity problems. But I like the sound of my A&L Ami with solid-cedar top a lot, and it may be less expensive than the Trek. Check around for reviews of each guitar. Even better is if you could compare them in a store, but you might have to live in Canada to find both models in a single place.

[@nateeaton1]

My Simon & Patrick Woodland Pro Parlor Sunburst HG is a real blues machine that competes well with the Gibson Keb Mo model (L-00). It might not have quite as much bottom end it as the Gibson, but it makes up for it in terms of sound quality of chords, flat-picking with clarity and fine intonation up the neck. The Woodland Pro models are great guitars for the price (around $760 USD street), but the parlor model is especially sweet. I like the Folk-size model, too.

[@trenthogan4212]

This J&P thing defies physics... How is that little guitar getting the bass tones? It sounds beautiful. ... looks beautiful. The Fender sounds boxey

[@MelTuly]

Hiya John ,thank you for info and great review . I will do . Thank you and hope you have a lovely night . I subscribed to your channel . Thanks . Melanie.

[@MelTuly]

Hiya John ,thank you 😊. . Could I please ask where I could buy the Simon and Patrick with pick up . I really like the look and sound of it . In your hands anyway . I have played a nylon for years and decided to change to steel string. Bit daunting :) thank you . Melanie.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Hi Melanie, I got mine from CC music at Kelvinbridge in Glasgow but of course if you don't happen to live in Scotland that might be a bit awkward for you. If you just Google Simon & Patrick Trek Parlor you will find a few stores which stock them. There is around a £100 difference between the pick up and non pick up versions.

[@glennsmith5921]

Nice guitar!

[@datmalph7239]

Hey John, I really enjoy watching your videos. Think I've seen almost all of them by now :D I wonder, is this an older Trek or some sort of special run? Because all the S&P Treks I've seen have a laminated cherry body.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

While the S&P site says cherry on the top it simply says hard wood for the back and sides. It looks like maple but I could be wrong.

[@datmalph7239]

John Coupland Either way, a beautiful sounding guitar. I'm going to get one for camping, they seem to be stable enough. Videos like this one are the better than any ad could ever be, the Godin company will be happy.

[@MrGrahawk]

It looks like that they produce a solid spruce top version for the European market. The same is true for some Seagull Guitars, who are also a sub brand of Godin Guitars. There's a Seagull Excursion Parlour with a spruce top in Europe as well as the laminate Cherry version which is only version available across the pond. This leads to some very confusing descriptions on guitar shop websites. I imagine that the Trek and Excursion have exactly the same body.

[@SrhLglt]

Is this form of guitar still good for occasional strumming ? Or the least strumming I do the best it will sound ?

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

The only thing this style of guitar lacks is volume. While there is plenty for the house, Jumbos and Dreadnoughts are better for the classroom.

[@SrhLglt]

John Coupland I see, but I don't need a lot of volume, I don't plan to play in front of a lot of people. I thought those sizes also lack bass, they are louder in the mid-range tones, in consequence they are not really balanced ? But maybe this guitar is so good that it makes an exception, who knows !

[@SrhLglt]

I mean, it could lack volume but still have a great sound at strumming.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

It does exactly that but if in doubt go to a shop and try one.

[@SrhLglt]

The problem is that I cannot do that, since S&P providers decided to be independant and now we can't find any of those little guitars in France. I would have to blindly buy it on the internet. But thank you for your answers !

[@tonym4157]

Thank you for the wonderful demonstration, Mr. Coupland. I very much enjoy it. I have been interested in this guitar, and I'm happy to have found your video. May I ask, what brand and gauge of strings are you using on this guitar? Or are they the stock strings, installed by Simon & Patrick? Thanks again!

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Tony M It still had the stock strings (12s) fitted. At present I am using a set of D'Addario chromes of the same gauge. These give it a more jazzy sound.

[@tonym4157]

Thank you for the response, Mr. Coupland. Not familiar with the D'Addario Chromes. By "jazzy"....do you mean, they are a little brighter or more warm and mellow? Thanks again!

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Tony M Very mellow. They are tape wound as opposed to round wound so they get rid of 90% of the finger squeak, improve the bass but detract from the treble. They also last longer than round wound as they are easier to keep clean. If you watch my video on the Harley Benton bowl back you will hear them on that guitar near the end.

[@tonym4157]

Thank you, Mr. Coupland. I appreciate your help and information.

[@bimo5461]

+John Coupland I hope you get this reply, on an 11 month old comment. :-) Have you ever demo'd the SImon & Patrick Trek guitar on youtube with the D'Addario chromes ?