Cigar Weekly

Mo · 11-28-2002, 07:33 AM

I'm continuing to look for a good sub $500 guitar and am interested in hearing (excuse the pun

) opinions on Seagull guitars. I know they are no Martin, Taylor but they are super cheap.

JoeyBogus · 11-28-2002, 10:39 AM

Hey Mo,

I bought a Seagull S-Series Grand (folk guitar) about 6 months ago. I was looking for a decent sounding smaller-sized guitar that was affordable enough that I wouldn't be afraid to take with me on canoe and camping trips. I'm not much of a fingerpicker but this guitar would be great for that. Instead, I play a lot string-bending blues and this guitar sounds great in that role as well and it's not real difficult to reach the 15th fret, which can be a real problem with some of the other smaller parlor-sized guitars. The sound isn't really big like a Martin or an Ovation but it certainly beats out all of other the competition at that price point. Also, the action is really nice and low without any string buzz or vibrations and I almost feel like I'm playing one of my electrics.

Mine has a solid cedar top with a semi-gloss lacquer finish, cherry back & sides, silver leaf maple neck, and an Indian rosewood fingerboard & bridge. It came with a very nice lined hard-shell case and the price was $350 US. The guy at the guitar shop told me that the exchange rate with Canada (where Seagull guitars are made) is in favor of US buyers so that's a large part of why they are so affordable.

For more details, Seagull's web site is at: http://www.lasido.com

Edited by - joeybogus on 11/28/2002 11:48:30 AM

St. Alphonzo · 11-28-2002, 11:47 AM

Mo,

Not sure if you have seen this site but alot of good info.

http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues...verStory.shtml

Mo · 11-29-2002, 07:01 AM

JoeyBogus, I've played a couple and they sound very good for the price. Did you have your action adjusted on yours? They few that I've played had OK action, but probably could have been lowered a little.

St. Alphonzo, Yes, I've seen those reviews... actually that whole site has some good tidbits of information.

JoeyBogus · 11-29-2002, 09:09 AM

Quote:

JoeyBogus, I've played a couple and they sound very good for the price. Did you have your action adjusted on yours? They few that I've played had OK action, but probably could have been lowered a little.

No adjustments that I am aware of unless the guys in the shop did something to it before I got to it. From what I recall, the action on all of the Seagulls that I played seemed to be pretty good.

Happy shopping, and be sure to let us know what you decide on!

Aahzz · 12-02-2002, 07:38 AM

I've played a few, and generally liked the tone. Have found that several had extremely high action, to the point where it seemed that the truss rod may have never been properly adjusted. If you can find one that sounds and plays to your satisfaction, it's an excellent guitar. That having been said, for a mere $50 over your $500 limit ($549 at musiciansfriend.com - I got my local store to price match), you can get a Martin DM, which I found to be a noticeably better sounding/playing guitar.....

mannish · 12-02-2002, 08:30 AM

If I were playing 500 for a guitar Seagull would not be in the picutre. However I bought
a 100 dollar Seagull at a pawn shop for a friend and it is a right nice guitar. Aahzz
said it right spend a little more to get something better not that Seagull is not good just better axes for 500 out there. (IMHO).
I ain't gonna comment on the truss rod adjustment

11-28-2002, 07:33 AM	#1
Mo Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 184	I'm continuing to look for a good sub $500 guitar and am interested in hearing (excuse the pun ) opinions on Seagull guitars. I know they are no Martin, Taylor but they are super cheap. __________________ Troy "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistant one" - Albert Einstein

11-28-2002, 10:39 AM	#2
JoeyBogus Club Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,895	Hey Mo, I bought a Seagull S-Series Grand (folk guitar) about 6 months ago. I was looking for a decent sounding smaller-sized guitar that was affordable enough that I wouldn't be afraid to take with me on canoe and camping trips. I'm not much of a fingerpicker but this guitar would be great for that. Instead, I play a lot string-bending blues and this guitar sounds great in that role as well and it's not real difficult to reach the 15th fret, which can be a real problem with some of the other smaller parlor-sized guitars. The sound isn't really big like a Martin or an Ovation but it certainly beats out all of other the competition at that price point. Also, the action is really nice and low without any string buzz or vibrations and I almost feel like I'm playing one of my electrics. Mine has a solid cedar top with a semi-gloss lacquer finish, cherry back & sides, silver leaf maple neck, and an Indian rosewood fingerboard & bridge. It came with a very nice lined hard-shell case and the price was $350 US. The guy at the guitar shop told me that the exchange rate with Canada (where Seagull guitars are made) is in favor of US buyers so that's a large part of why they are so affordable. For more details, Seagull's web site is at: http://www.lasido.com Edited by - joeybogus on 11/28/2002 11:48:30 AM __________________ "A cigar is a banana for the monkey of the soul." --Tom Robbins

11-28-2002, 11:47 AM	#3
St. Alphonzo Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 471	Mo, Not sure if you have seen this site but alot of good info. http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues...verStory.shtml __________________ Two degrees in be-bop, a PhD in swing, he's the master of rhythm, he's a rock and roll king...

11-29-2002, 07:01 AM	#4
Mo Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 184	JoeyBogus, I've played a couple and they sound very good for the price. Did you have your action adjusted on yours? They few that I've played had OK action, but probably could have been lowered a little. St. Alphonzo, Yes, I've seen those reviews... actually that whole site has some good tidbits of information. __________________ Troy "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistant one" - Albert Einstein

12-02-2002, 07:38 AM	#6
Aahzz Club Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Union, KY USA Posts: 2,690	I've played a few, and generally liked the tone. Have found that several had extremely high action, to the point where it seemed that the truss rod may have never been properly adjusted. If you can find one that sounds and plays to your satisfaction, it's an excellent guitar. That having been said, for a mere $50 over your $500 limit ($549 at musiciansfriend.com - I got my local store to price match), you can get a Martin DM, which I found to be a noticeably better sounding/playing guitar..... __________________ I want music, sex, and cookies JLOH #42

12-02-2002, 08:30 AM	#7
mannish Herf God Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Springville, AL USA Posts: 15,792	If I were playing 500 for a guitar Seagull would not be in the picutre. However I bought a 100 dollar Seagull at a pawn shop for a friend and it is a right nice guitar. Aahzz said it right spend a little more to get something better not that Seagull is not good just better axes for 500 out there. (IMHO). I ain't gonna comment on the truss rod adjustment __________________ “We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”