What is the history of the Kamouraska guitar company?
Lys guitars were made in LaPatrie Quebec. They are often described as the first guitars made by Robert Godin who developped the Seagull Guitar. This is incorrect. The Lys was made by Canadian Luthier Norman Butcher who also made the Kamouraska classical guitar. In the last part of 1980 a fire just about destroyed the Shop Butcher was operating and he did not have the financial ability to rebuild so he sold out to Godin, who remamed the Lys “seagull” and the Kamouraska the “La Patrie” Godin then developed the Simon and Patrick the Art & Luthier and the Norman. I used to own a Kamouraska in the 80s. I paid a hundred odd dollars for the guitar back then, so the price you mention doesn’t seem like such a great deal. I would advise you to get a La Patrie classical guitar instead if you’re interested in Godin products. Godin eventually replaced the Kamouraska line by La Patrie and improved the product substantially in the process. The Kamouraska I had back then had awful intonation; the G st
Lys guitars were made in LaPatrie Quebec. They are often described as the first guitars made by Robert Godin who developped the Seagull Guitar. This is incorrect. The Lys was made by Canadian Luthier Norman Butcher who also made the Kamouraska classical guitar. In the last part of 1980 a fire just about destroyed the Shop Butcher was operating and he did not have the financial ability to rebuild so he sold out to Godin, who remamed the Lys “seagull” and the kamouraska the “LaPatrie” Godin then developed the Simon and Patrick the Art&Luthier and the Norman. It is a good thing that Godin bought the Butchers out since Martin was in the bidding as well hoping to destroy the line by packing it up and shipping it to Korea. All one has to do is remember what Martin did to the Goya when they bought out Levin. The early Goya’s made in Sweden were superior guitars to the Martins, and what Martin did to Goya was just about criminal. I would put a Lys against any vintage Martin out there just as q
