Seagull questions...

[aahzz]

Local chain store (Daddy's) has a decent selection of Seagulls. They sound good enough, but they share one problem - the action is a mile high. Completely unplayable. Is this common among Seagulls?

I've only found one other Seagull in the area to compare it to, and it does seem to have decent action, and a decent sound. It's in an extremely small, new local store (only 3 acoustics total in the store). The problem there is that I think the price is too high. Opinions on paying $425 for an S6+ CW with no electronics, and no case?

If that's too high pricewise, and Daddy's can't get one with an acceptable action, I'll just have to find another Seagull dealer around, I suppose...or buy the Martin DM I'm also considering.

[DrewBlanc]

Check these out. http://www.carvin.com/cobalt/

[aahzz]

I've checked the Carvin website...just not sure about ordering an acoustic I can't play first. They look good, but not having seen one in person.....

[DrewBlanc]

It is hard to buy a guitar sight unseen. I went against my better judgement and did it anyway and was more than satisfied. There is the return period but then your out the shipping to send it back. Check on the Carvin BBS and see if there is anyone in your area that has one you could inspect.

[solimar]

I've been thinking about the cedar top model as I already have a Tacoma that has a spruce top. Looks like a great deal to get an all solid wood guitar with case delivered to your door for under $500.

I wish I could see one in person though. How is the neck on these guitars? What is it comparable to, (i.e. more Martin, less Taylor like)?

[DrewBlanc]

The mahogany Cobalts have laminated wood on the sides, that's probably the biggest draw back to the line. The rosewood models have a laminated back as well. To me it's not too big of a deal on the sides but I'm not sure I'm ready to accept a laminated back. To be fair, laminates have come a long way but not on an area as critical as the back.

In my limited experience the neck feels more like a Taylor than a Martin. It's a very nice player, low action up and down the neck without a buzz anywhere. You can find the neck specs on Carvin's page, I just know it's a comfortable fit for my hands.

[solimar]

Thanks for pointing that out. I see it says solid Mahogany back, Mahogany sides (which implies the laminate). Darn.

I'm kind of going back and foth between a Seagull and one of these.

[solimar]

Bought an S6 off Fleabay a few minutes ago for a great price (had a scratch). I hope I like it!

[Dan Erlewine]

I have been selling Seagull S6 and S6 folks to my friends for their kids for years. I buy them at a good discount from a friend that owns a large music store and pass the discount on. I end up doing the setup and charging a nominal fee.

I cannot say enough how about how good these models are (the round-shouldered jumbo S6 is my fave). It is the best starter guitar on the market and it is more than that. It will last for years.

I find them to be easily adjustable, although not always by the owner.

Sweet sounding, they are reminiscent of vintage Gibsons with a tone that sounds like "a family singing together".

dan

[solimar]

Dan,

I wish I could have you set mine up but I'm in Georgia! Anyway, it's nice to hear the opinion of someone that has as much experience as yourself.

I just wanted a cedar top for fingerstyle and I got it for $175!

Thanks,

John

[solimar]

Just got it. The guitar was in new condition except for the scratch above the soundhole that wasn't deep at all. Took the plastic off the pickguard, tuned it up and went at it.

Action is a little high but that will get fixed with a good setup. Kewl.:D

[OLYENGINEER]

aahzz, I have that guitar and just baught it recently after taking back a POS that my family, no offence to them, gave me for Christmas. I love it! Sounds great! $400 out the door with case, strap, you know, the works. I talked to my luthier and he said they are decent guitars and I was looking for a beater so there ya go. I need to take it to him for set up still but he said no problem. New nut, saddle, action and I am ready to go. I do really like the cedar compared to the spruce top. Good luck and enjoy. BTW, good score Solimar.

[Ed Driscoll]

Aahzz.

I realize I'm coming into this thread very late, but I purchased a Seagull a couple of years ago, when I was first getting back into recording my own music, after a layoff of several years (long story, which I've rehashed a few times on the LPF).

I wanted an acoustic, but at that point in time, I really didn't want to go too crazy in terms of $$.

My wife and I were visiting a music store in Salinas, CA, and I tried out a bunch of lower priced Ovations, all of which had horrible action, especially when I got beyond the third or fourth position.

I mentioned this to the owner, and he looked around the selection, and handed me a Seagull, explained that they were from Canada, and really nice guitars for the price, and away I went. I had never heard of the name before, but I thought the action and tone were both really good, especially considering the price of the guitar. I've recorded solos on the guitar around the 10-12 fret, and have no problem maneuvering around up there. (I only wish the dot markers didn't end at the 12th fret--I didn't realize how much I rely on them to tell me where I am!)

I mentioned the guitar to a friend who doesn't play, but loved acoustic guitar music. "You got a Seagull--those are great guitars!"

My only complaint is that I've never been able to get a decent sound out of the piezo-electric-whateveritis pickup in the thing. It sound thin and brittle, and just really nasty, even when plugged into effects (I tend to think of Ovations as sounding very thin, but in an interesting, musical fashion. This pickup did nothing for me.) But the actual tone of the guitar, with a mike stuck in front of it, is just great.

Ed