I walked into a regional chain music store this week in Louisiana (to buy a couple of harmonicas). I stopped to try all their guitars and banjo (yes, just ONE banjo). I was really intrigued by one of their Seagull guitars. What a great sound! This was a list price or $400 something, flat finish, no frills - with a sound that would knock you over. A really good sound, and loud as hell! It had a wide neck, not too deep, and little knotted at the head, somehow - but not a bad neck. No electronics, but just a really good guitar at a really good price. I gotta say I was impressed.

I don;t know how it will hold up over time, but I suspect it'll do just fine. I gather it had three ply back and rims (didn't seem to hurt the sound any) and a solid cedar top. It was certainly worth the price, even the list price. I haven't played many of their other models, but I surely was impressed with this low end model.