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Pros:
- Great sound
- Good finish
- Sturdy yet comfortable neck
Cons:
- Might experience some buzzing (easily fixable by tightening the nut)
- Changing the strings might be a good idea
For over thirty years La Patrie has been producing handcrafted nylon string guitars in the small village in Canada. The company is as dedicated to creating affordable guitars as much as they are dedicated to crafting high-quality ones. Their Presentation QI is a classical guitar with good quality electronics and tonewood.
Build
The Presentation QI is equipped with solid cedar top from 800-year-old trees that are treated to produce the best sound and last longer than other tonewood. The back and sides are laminated rosewood while the neck is Honduras mahogany. Out of all the tonewood La Patrie always makes sure to use the best material for the top because obviously, it is the most vital “cog” in the machine.
The neck profile is also very comfortable so that intermediate and beginner players will find it easy to use. Usually, with classical guitars necks tend to be thicker which makes playing a bit more difficult unless you are a very experienced player. In case of the Presentation QI, the neck profile is reduced thanks to truss rod system. So now instead of a bulky neck, you get a very comfortable neck profile that it still sturdy and durable.
Hardware
La Patrie is very focused on using the best quality tonewood for better sound and tonality. BUT that definitely does not mean that they neglect other aspects such as hardware or electronics. While they do not overbuild their guitars they definitely put in all the good quality materials for the ease of playing and good sound. The Presentation QI features a rosewood bridge with compensated saddle. The nut is made of Tusq and gold “Lyra” tuners with pearloid buttons will give you no trouble for years and years. The special lacquer formula used on most of La Patrie guitars allows the guitar wood to breathe and age well. It is not too thick to obstruct the vibration but not too thin to just scratch off.
La Patrie Presentation Sound
Nothing can “predict” the sound of a guitar better than the top wood. With La Patrie, I am almost always assured that the sound and tonality are going to be to standard due to their choice of the tonewood and aging methods. The sound on this model is warm and woody with beautiful undertones. Every detail is taken into account to deliver on the promise of a great (even amazing) sound. Even things like finish, which a lot of people would not think affect the sound as much, drastically change how the guitar vibrates and eventually sounds.
Electronics
Godin Quantum I system used in the Presentation QI has a very simple and elegant design. By simple, I only mean the best. Even a beginner will find it very easy to maneuver this system. The volume, treble and bass controls along the saddle transducer and a built-in tuner with auto shut-off are well made and very useful. With these controls, you will be able to tweak the system so that you achieve the best and most authentic reproduction of the rich and full sound of your guitar.
Conclusion
I could not recommend you the La Patrie Guitar Presentation QI more. It might not be as renowned as some of the other guitars in its price range but it definitely is worth your attention. A well-crafted, beautiful guitar with warm, rich sound and high-quality electronics is everything and even more than what you could ask for in this price range.
Click here to find out more about La Patrie Guitar, Presentation QI.
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