Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 07:05 AM

I have just bought a Washburn D10, it looks really nice but I have not learnt how to play it yet and I dont know anything about guitars, but it is very shiny! I will let you know what i think about it in a few weeks.

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 06:12 PM

...also used to not favor satin finished guitars...then I saw the picture of Richard Thompson's Lowden published in the most recent Acoustic Guitar Magazine. The patina is PERFECT. It looks exactly as it's been played.

JH

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 12:03 PM

It seems to me that everytime I hear/read discussions about these more affordable guitars, set-up may get a passing mention but may be the single biggest factor in the satisfaction, playability and sound achievable with them.

Rarely does one of these guitars get a set-up job to improve on the way it comes from the factory. Thus it sits, unplayable, in the store, garnering criticisms by comparison to the well set-up expensive guitars.

I think this is ONE of the reasons why the La-Si-Dos stand out--of all the affordables, they come from the factory with the best set-up. Of course the other (larger) factor is the solid wood.

What can be done with new nut, saddle, pins, and set-up (for very little $$$$$ I might add) is amazing.

I confess to having my sense of beauty strongly influenced by the Martin/Gibson juggernaut of the 40's-60's and therefore find the Alvarez the most pleasing in appearance, with the Yamaha close behind.

My experience is that in order to achieve a more expensive sound from an inexpensive guitar, I avoid the "bright" strings like the Phosphor Bronze. Bright strings on a "thin" (sounding, not measuring) guitar translate to all jangle, no wood JMHO.

John Hardly

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Marion
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 11:55 AM

No, it was about a Seagull guitar - kind of. The night before I started guitar shopping in earnest I dreamt that I went into a music store where I knew they carried Seagulls, and looked around for one, but couldn't find it. So the staff pointed out to me where it was, but the Seagull wasn't a guitar at all, but rather a hideous worm-like creature the size of a cat. A little boy was pulling organs out of it with tweezers as it writhed around. It was very disturbing; I was torn between wanting to distance myself from this disgusting scene and wanting to kill the worm quickly and end its suffering.

I sure hope this wasn't an omen, because a few days ago I bought a Seagull guitar anyway.

Marion

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: GUEST,ben
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 10:41 AM

I almost bought a 2ndhand seagull, but ended up buying a Simon&Patrick instead - my theory: unlike UK/US, Canada hasn't logged ALL its old-growth forest for McDonalds boxes yet so decent wood is cheaper & more likely to be sustainably produced- thus better value guitars - any opinions?

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 09:48 PM

I dunno.............Was it made of wood and sounded like a guitar or did it have feathers and crap on you?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Marion
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 07:06 PM

I recently had a bad dream about a Seagull. Does that count as info/opinion?

Marion

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Pixie
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 09:56 AM

A few years ago, my dear husband bought me a Washburn WD40S which suits me fine. I had started at the tender age of 24 to play the guitar, and started on a Yamaha. I didn't know squat, so it wasn't well-set up for me. The Washburn has been a real treat....I don't have a strong voice so it doesn't drown me out, the action is set up (Thank you Doug Sampson of McCabe's Music!) so I can actually do some barre chords, and I love it. It can take a knock and some abuse (I'm not good with humidifiers) and still keeps on going. I'm not a "hard" player, though, so cannot attest to how well it would stand up to a more aggressive style of playing. I love my Washburn, though!

Pixie

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 08:24 AM

I've got an Alvarez Yairi dreadnought that I bought new in 1985 or 86. Solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides -- a poor man's D-28, basically. It's a good solid, reliable guitar, good woods, very nice neck, decent sound. It was my main guitar for a few years when I was struggling financially, and these days it's my backup guitar (for dangerous gigs, trips to the beach, etc.). I paid around $600 for it, with a good hardshell case thrown in, and have always felt like I did well.

The Seagulls I've played are very good for the money, and more "alive" than a lot of other guitars in the same price range. But I don't think they could handle a lot of hard traveling. A few postings up, someone referred to them as "disposable" guitars, which sounds about right to me. Give it another ten years or so, and it'll be interesting to see how many of today's models are still in active service.

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 10:42 PM

refresh for Crowhugger

Spaw

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 07:00 AM

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 10:04 AM

Oh, Cat, I was just yankin' your chain! All I have to say about the Seagull is it's my first steel string, I love the spruce top, don't care about the finish one way or the other. For a few years I've been thinking of diversifying- wasn't too thrilled with the guitar and seemed to have reached a wall in terms of skill. Got the Seagull last summer, and am back in love again! I hope to take lessons to improve my playing, but right now I'm so overstressed for time... but I won't get into that here. Go on and be yourself, Catspaw- I wouldn't have it any other way! And yes! do compile the Cletus saga- I've missed some of it! (Yikes- on their way to Maine, you say? What'll I do if they take cover in southern NH along the way???) ;-)
Allison

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From:
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 12:39 AM

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 12:18 PM

I'm sorry Allison, I really am. But this is where Sandy asked the question so this is where I answered it...and that is dumb. I started all these guitar threads to have the information on just a few threads. Can you imagine referring someone asking about Seagull to this thread and having them encounter the ongoing tale of Paw and Cletus? Even worse, I've put other parts of the story on at least 9 or 10 different threads!!! I should have started another thread to add story to a long time back. Now I don't even want to think about collection of it and posting to a new thread.

BUT-----PLEASE, POST YOUR SEAGULL INFO. That's still why this thread exists!!!

Again, Sorry.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 12:00 PM

How do I follow that? Catspaw, you did ask for more Seagull praises... I was going to offer my humble story as a happy Seagull owner but now... what can I possibly say to follow your saga?
Allison

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Banjer
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 04:31 AM

Shows how much the CIA knows, they sent someone to make Bob Dole an embarassment, did they really think they could improve on what he already did by himself?? I think they, (the group AND Paw & Cletus) are alive and well here in Florida. 'Course there are so many folks here in the Sunshine State that fit that description, it is hard to ID any of them positively. This gives me a whole new idea for a product that is obviously needed! BOOT TAGS...Tags that get glued to the top of the boots. These would read TGIF, advising wearers that toes go in first. Another set of tags would be glued to the bottom of the boot to instruct those recently relieved how to empty the product. There could also be a tag for the top front of the boot explaining that there are no laces for this type of footwear. This would save much time for those used to shoes or boots that have laces in them. Another tag at the front of the boot, near the toes could point out how the pointy toe and a corner can be combined to use for do-it-yourself pest control!
Catspaw, you are a sick puppy, an inspiration to us all!! I hope one day to to be as great a wit (well, half, anyway) as you, sir! Not only did we have different mothers, go to different schools together, but had to walk there and back home, UPHILL, both ways!

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 12:14 AM

more tales from the litterbox brings you the continuing saga of 'Paw and Cletus or....

"AS THE TIPLE TURNS...a serial from "THE EDGE OF SANITY"

Well much has happened to Cletus and 'Paw, so let's get started. Following the institutionalization of Cletus at the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed, 'Paw was so overcome that he spent days wandering the waste water plant mumbling about pants pressers. During this time, Cletus was being de-toxed from his hamsterdance addiction by playing tapes of Enya interspersed with a collection of witty remarks by Strom Thurmond. Knowing thru Katlaughing that the Young Center is a CIA front and training center for CIA world takeover through the use of crazed tiple bands instead of killing squads, you would expect the treatment to be effective and state of the art. Indeed it was, as Cletus was rehearsing with his own tiple band within a week. They were sent to Washington DC to embarass and discredit Libby Dole by making Bob Dole an embarassment to her. The idea was for this crazed tiple band to play the Oscar Mayer Wiener ditty within earshot of Bob and it would cure his Erectile Dysfunction but leave him screaming through Rock Creek Park, in his flapping boxers, shouting,"I got WOOD! It's a WOODY!!" This plan did not come to fruition as at the last moment, fate reared it's head.

Cletus found a place for the band to rehearse for a last time before making a tiple assault on Bob Dole. It was a gardenlike setting in the midst of hundreds of rosebushes which, even dormant, Cletus had always loved. They reminded him of his 5 former wives, all of whom had died in exactly the same way. It seems there lungs had been filled with Sevin dust while using the same defective sprayer. Oddly enough, all of them had recently taken out life insurance with Cletus as the sole beneficiary. After the death of the first, the local sheriff immediately suspected Cletus, but when it came to light that the insurance was for only $500.00, he decided that even ol' Clete wasn't that stupid. Of course, he was new in town then and didn't really KNOW Cletus. With each wife's death, he became more suspicious, but in every case the cheapo life insurance turned him away from Clete. Yeah, it's true, the sheriff ain't exactly J.Edgar Hoover...'course he doesn't cross dress either. But to continue our story, the band began rehearsing the Oscar Mayer tune. They didn't know they were in the Rose Garden of the White House. Even worse, with a mildness to the weather, several windows had been left open a crack to let in the spring breeze.

Inside the Oval office, Bill Clinton, now without both Hilary and Monica was meeting with a few top advisors and close friends and discussing world affairs. Maybe it was the springtime air or maybe the nerve jangling sound of a crazed tiple band...maybe it was both. Suddenly Wild Bill began to hold himself and revert to his Arkansas dialect. Pacing about he shouted, "Shee-yet! Suhbitch I jes' gotta' far offn' a biggun'." An aide trying to restore the conversation said something about Yugoslavia to which Bill responded, "Not only Yes, but Hail Yes!!! I gotta' shooter 'ats 'bout to EX-plode. Yugoslavia, Schmugoslavia, I got some blastin' tuh do!! Fuckin'-A right Bubba!" Hence once again a bungled CIA operation led to changes in history that may not have occured otherwise. The band was immediately sent back to the Young Center in Montana. For most of the way they were secreted away in the trunk of a car belonging to a Joe somebody who left the DC area last weekend heading west.

Meanwhile, Paw's pacing had been halted by the appearance of three strangers, somewhat goofy looking guys who had stopped here to inquire about Paw's whereabouts. I sent them on down to the wastewater plant and they immediately struck some kind of chord within Paw. This was unusual since they were what Paw always refers to as "Furriners." They introduced themselves as Rick Fielding's brothers...Reg, Reg, and Reg. Turns out that they'd been hoping to strike a deal with Paw and Cletus to combine for a North and South operation to fleece the unsuspecting of their goods. Paw and Cletus through deer hunting "accidents" and Reg, Reg and Reg through ice fishing "slips." Paw must have thought this was what their previously failed business needed and off they went to retrieve Cletus from the Young Center. It was my fear then that these dimbulbs would become CIA recruits for a crazed tiple band and I put out an alert for all points west to watch out for them. Now here I shoulda' known better. I hesitate to call them a band of half-wits since between them they have less than half a wit. Anyway, this half-wit band left town without a word to anyone. You'd think the sun or the roadsigns would have clued them in, but they were actually heading east. I guess they were just walking along and planning how to spend their future riches. They were passing through Wheaton, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC, when they asked for directions at the home of a guy named Bill carrying an autoharp. This guy seemed to be appalled at the sight of these four and not only told them that Montana was 2000 miles the other way, but what usually happened to assholes like them 300 years ago...and to get the hell off his property NOW!!!

So west they headed and of course they were tryin to lay blame on each other. Reg said it was Paw at fault, but Reg said it wasn't and then Reg said just to leave Paw out of it, but Paw says to Reg that he didn't know either and Reg says that Reg is an idiot and Reg says that Reg is an idiot and Paw says that Reg is right but Reg says Paw is full of it and Reg says that Reg............Well I guess this kinda' thing went on to about Frederick. At that point they all suggested that the others didn't have the sense to pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel. Whereupon they all sat down on a railroad track and took their boots off only to discover that NONE of them had instructions. This lightened things up and they began to talk about the best way to pour piss out of a boot. So they decided to try out their ideas and they all stood up and began whizzing into their boots. Their aim was helped by the illumination from the headlight of a Norfolk-Southern freight bearing down upon them. It was then that a local TV news van happened upon this scene of four guys pissing in their boots with a fast freight coming at them and began filming the spectacle. Also a police car arrived and the officer screamed for them to move, which thankfully they did...but their boots were carried off by the diesel. They were placed under arrest for indecent exposure and criminal stupidity. I got a call from the police and figured since they had no money and no boots I could go pick them up before they did anymore harm to themselves. But the TV station paid their bail and bought them each a new pair of boots and sent them on their way. The TV people figured they were in for several major awards with the footage they'd shot so money for bail and boots was a pittance.

They're still headed for Montana folks, but they could be in Texas, Florida, Michigan, or Maine. Keep an eye out for them I implore you. Call me if you spot them. I'll keep you all posted.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Guitar Fixer
Date: 24 Mar 99 - 08:38 PM

The Seagulls are sold under other names: Norman, Art & Luthery, Simon & Patrick. The vp of manufacturing, Brian McConnel told me he they had corrected the problems they had a few years ago with bridge placement. They sent me a sample. The bridge saddle was in the wrong spot. It needed to be moved back 1/8inch and canted at a steeper angle. Other friends of mine who are dealers for this company aren't troubled by this situation. Their repair people don't even notice. Our specs are kinda strict, but we have no trouble with guitars from C.F. Martin including the Sigmas they import from Taiwan. Regarding the soft tops, this can lead to many nicks and dents that would not occur on guitars with a better finish. The world's finest guitars have lovely finishes. In terms of long life we think of the Seagulls, et al as disposable guitars. We have one customer who is on his third one in only 5 years. We are used to thinking of guitars as lifelong friends that should last for 50-100years. If you already have one, maintain it carefully. Replace the saddle with bone and improve the tone and intonation at the same time. If you are shopping, keep looking. They may fix some of the deficiencies, but they don't seem to be hurrying to do so. Elderly is one of the best, but even they sometimes have new or used products that represent lower value than many of us are looking for. Ask them about the repair record on Seagulls they've sold over the last several years.

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Barbara
Date: 24 Mar 99 - 08:06 PM

Ive got a Seagull flame maple cutaway dreadnaught, and it's lovely to play and look at. I'm delighted with it.
I was told by one guitar shop owner, not where I purchased this, that he would not carry the Seagulls because the finishing details were too erratic -- you could end up with terrible action or unglued perfling, stuff like that.

He had a couple horror stories that I don't recall now about things coming from the factory without adequate glue because they were clamped too tight in the press. But he was also one of those people who had already known for a long time everything he needed to, and was just waiting for someone to come along so he could impart some of his wisdom.

I'd buy one of those cedar topped ones in a minute.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 23 Mar 99 - 08:09 PM

Okay, Catspaw. One more long-winded tale from the old fogey. When I meet my wife I was playing an old Washburn (not one of the new imports, a genuine old one) strung with nylon strings. It was a beaut! I packed it with me for our year in England and Scotland. When we got back, I was booked for a year of school programs by National School Assemblies out of Los Angeles. They let me know that they thought the old darlin' (the guitar, not my wife!) looked a bit road weary, and that I would appear more successful with a new guitar. I couldn't afford to just up and buy one, so I traded the Washburn in on a Martin 000-28. Broke my heart!

Years later, at a festival, Hedy West was waxing ecstatic over a new old guitar she had just gotten. Said she strung it up with silk & steel strings and it was absolutely glorious. Hauled it out of the case, and (you knew it was coming, didn't you?) there was my lovely old Washburn. I probably wept openly; at least I felt like it.

I've asked Hedy to remember me in her will, but... She's so darned much younger than I am... doesn't smoke... Say, how's Cletus doing these days??

Sandy

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: DR.PUMP (inactive)
Date: 23 Mar 99 - 06:47 PM

I just picked up an Alvarez DY-70 Yairi model. I Played several Marntins and I liked the Alvarez better. I'm a R&B bass player by traid, hence stage name Dr. Pump. Still with as many hour on guitar as bass, I've done my share of pickin and grinnin. Check out these guitars!!!

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: DR.PUMP (inactive)
Date: 23 Mar 99 - 06:47 PM

I just picked up an Alvarez DY-70 Yairi model. I Played several Marntins and I liked the Alvarez better. I'm a R&B bass player by traid, hence stage name Dr. Pump. Still with as many hour on guitar as bass, I've done my share of pickin and grinnin. Check out these guitars!!!

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 12:08 PM

OK, OK, Catspaw. In fact, I had to put the strap button on the neck/body joint of mine. I hate it when they manufacturer doesn't do that. Still a great sounding/playing instrument.****chuckling still****

Mick

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 11:44 AM

Damn...What a day!!! First Sandy as a guinea pig for these threads and now Mick. I was waiting on THAT type of Seagull comment. Thank you Mick!!!

From the number of references in other threads to Seagull, I thought this thread would explode with 'Catters singing Seagull praises. In any case, I have never heard anyone say anything negative about them! I personally think they are in a kind of class by themselves. A few bucks more than others they are commonly associated with, but MEGABUCKS LESS than the guitars they SHOULD be compared to. Just outstanding quality. Period.

And once again I echo Mick's praises of Elderly. I have always dealt only by phone with them, but they are equally helpful,knowledgable,honest(very important on the phone),courteous, blah,blah,blah.........helluva' place!!!

Anybody got something negative to say about Seagull...like "Hey, I HATE there strap button!"...???

catspaw

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 11:21 AM

Just a quick word about Seagulls. Those who have been around here a while,know my opinion on these fine guitars. For the money there is no better buy. These folks harvest and cure their own wood. They build a quality instrument and stand behind them. I got my SG6 with a hardshell case for $240 about 8 to 10 years ago at Elderly. Most of you already know that Elderly is one of the finest, if not the finest string shops in the world. The help is supremely qualified and they are the largest Martin dealer in the world. I was a little down on my luck at the time, having gone through a divorce, and needed a guitar. The sales floor guy, a player himself, asked me one question. "Can you afford a Martin?" "Nope", I replied. He said "Buy this". I played it, and understood. It has a wonderful sound, good action and the company stands behind their product.

Mick

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 10:47 AM

Sandy...Just the person I was looking for!!! We started threads on popular guitars to get opinions and info from other Mudcateers, often very experienced and knowledgable folk, on their viewa...AND...to have it easily located on just a few threads. So........

Try this: Go back to the page with all the current threads. At the top, ask to do a forum search. Under subject, type in Martin or Martin guit and you'll find the thread. I'd give you a little hi-lited click-on, but I do want to see if this works for you easily enough without it.

Thanks for being the "guinea pig" ... and use the Martin thread to let me know what you think!!!

catspaw

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: campfire
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 10:01 AM

I have an Alvarez 12-string that I've had for almost 20 years. Paid about $400 for it "slightly used" - someone had bought it,couldn't get used to a 12-string, so took it back to the music store after 2 months. I love this guitar - and so does everyone who plays it. Quite a few of the "real musicians" (I just play for fun) here can't beleive the sound out of her; she's been borrowed for quite a few gigs.

On the even less expensive side, I bought a 6-string Vantage "second" last summer, for a "camp" guitar. There's a few blemishes in the finish, but it sounds just fine and only cost about $140 with a back-pack case. I wanted a guitar I woudn't really worry about if it fell overboard, got dropped in a campfire (I really had that happen once, to a different guitar) or got stolen.

dawn

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Sandy
Date: 20 Mar 99 - 09:14 AM

I am interested in buying a decent acoustic. I sat in a room playing guitars ranging from $600 - 4,000( all new Guilds, Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, etc.) The one I enjoyed the most was the cheapest--a Martin D-15. The bass response was great and the entire soundboard was made of mahogony. It's also an extremely light guitar which fealt a litter odd. Has anyone else had experiences with the D-15?

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Vixen
Date: 19 Mar 99 - 08:41 AM

Dear Catspaw--

I went home and checked the neck on my Alvarez, and I am happy to report that the grain runs straight and true from the body to the head!!! Thank you for the tip. I've been trying the "Simon Husband's Method" of guitar tuning, and that produces an incredibly sweet sound. Looks like I won't be shopping for a new git-box soon!

V

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Vixen
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 11:36 AM

Dear Catspaw--

Thanks for the heads up about the neck wood--you can be sure I'll check mine when I get home tonight! I dropped my Alvarez a week after I'd got it (learning how to attach my shoulder strap--ARGH) and split the top in two places. I had it repaired at the shop where I bought it, and it doesn't look great, but it's held up well. The luthier there told me to always use extra-light strings, so I wouldn't pull the top off since it was weakened by the split. What still seems odd to me is that the tone wasn't affected by the damage at all, and seems to have actually *improved* over the years. I do take good care of it, because it was my first "real" guitar. I had a Decca (my first, destroyed by fire), a 3/4 body Gibson (I picked it up in a pawn shop for $50 and, since I didn't know what it was worth, I sold it for $50 when I needed the money), an Ovation (bought from a friend in need and sold back to said friend when said need had passed. I didn't like the way it rested on my body when I played), an electric Guild (nice, but I'm not a rock 'n' roller), and a $35 second hand Suzuki. I 'spoze everyone has a "guitar history," but, compared with the other instruments I've had, the Alvarez pleases me most. Not that I'd turn up my nose at a "better brand" guitar if I found one I liked better and could afford!

Vixen

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: skarpi Iceland
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 06:34 PM

Hallo there, I saw this thread and I had to say this, I own a Seagull Duo that is he have one pickup and a mic in the hole, it is a cutaway qiutar and this is the best I ever had .It cost In Iceland 90 thousand kronur witch is about 6750 US Dollar.I also have twelve string american Ovation tthat is a good one. If you are gone get you a good quitar, have a seagull. sl n skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Bert
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 05:32 PM

Jon W,

Get yourself new nut and bridge 'bones' they only cost a few pennies.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Jon W.
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 02:18 PM

I've got a Washburn D-12 I bought in 1983 or 84 for about $165. I think it may have been their low end then, now there's a D-10 that looks worse and probably is worse. My D-12 may be Japanese rather than Korean. I like it quite a bit. I've only two complaints: there is a chip out of the nut that happened early on that causes problems tuning the third string; and the bridge has slightly separated and rotated up, raising the action a bit and throwing the intonation off a hair. The latter may be my fault as I did leave it in a hot car trunk one day. I have a young friend with a newer Washburn D-12 that has a compensated bridge and one other difference (it may be better tuners) that's a little nicer than mine. I don't know what they cost now but they're a good beginner guitar (I'm still a beginner 16 years later).

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Night Owl
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 12:07 PM

Thank you for the information re "threads" and the click for guitar tuning. I had been clicking on "Help" and getting "Coming Soon". Tried again last night after I posted and see that its operating now. Roger...is it possible to transfer your information over to the Help thread for other newcomers? Thanks again.. Re Seagulls, I've been borrowing a friend's newly purchased Seagull for music parties and love it! It begs to be played and I find it to be very responsive. Anxious to read more about them here (hopefully).

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:22 AM

I'm glad you have a guitar you like and enjoy. That's what it's about isn't it? The reason for these thread groups is to have a little mini data bank of info from other Mudcateers for those who are thinking of a new guitar, back-up, first guitar or whatever. We really do represent a nice cross section of experience, ability, styles (at least acoustic), and interests. In the future, should someone ask, we can refer them to these threads instead of finding bits and pieces all over the forum.

Alvarez seems to build very playable instruments. I do a fair amount of repair on the side so I must also comment on that aspect of Alvarez. I find them to be put together well enough, but their selection of woods could be better. In the past year, I've done major neck repair including several splits to over a dozen Alvarez instruments. I'm a dulcimer builder, not a full time repairman/luthier, so I don't want to knock the guitar personally. In talking to full time shops, they experience the same thing. However, Dan pointed out to me a while back that the normal Alvarez owner is generally harder on the instrument because many are novices. So if you have one with a marginal neck or top the problem is going to show up quickly through lack of proper care. None of this should deter anyone from buying one; just have a real good look at the wood first. I have one in right now that has the grain in the neck running at about 20 degrees to the strings for about a third of it's length. Split!!! This piece should never have been machined for a neck and should have been caught somewhere along the line as unusable.

catspaw

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Vixen
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 09:23 AM

Thank you, Catspaw!

I have an Alvarez which I bought in 1985 for about $350. I loved it then, and even more now!!! I have several musical friends, who own Guilds, Martins, Takamines and one with an Ovation, and they all say, with a sort of surprise in their voices, that my guitar has a beautiful tone and an easy action. I wrote to Catspaw because no one had mentioned Alvarez guitars in the Info/Opinion threads. Mine isn't a Yairi, though I've seen a few of those. But I haven't seen many Alvarez guitars at all.

Needless to say, I'm very interested to read what other Mudcats think of Alvarez guitars!

V

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Tony
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 08:12 AM

Always happy to provide feedback on Seagull guitars. When I last went shopping for a guitar I had a $500.00 budget. I did my research and played quite a few guitars both within the budget and way outside it. I ended up with a Seagull six string, a hard shell case, an instruction video, an extra set of strings, a few picks AND CHANGE from my $500.00. (Those are Canadian dollars!)

Is it the best guitar in the world? No. Does it match the competition for sound and playability? You bet. I am convinced that I would have to spend more than $1000.00 to get a better playing or better sounding guitar. Some people don't like the 'soft' finish. I really don't care. I bought it to play not to look at. The finish is one of the ways Seagull keeps the cost down. If you want a shiny finish there are other models from the same company (http://www.lasido.com/).

I know own two Seagulls (a 6 and a 12) and my son owns a Seagull 6 cutaway. We have no complaints.

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 06:24 AM

Night Owl,

Welcome to the Mudcat! Threads never die! Max has maintained every thread ever posted. Well, to be totally truthful, a few have been lost in system crashes.

If you go to the main forum page, you will see in the upper right hand corner area, just below the "Search the Digitrad Database" block, another small block marked "Age". The default is "1 day". Your screen, therefore shows all threads to which posts have been made in the previous 24 hours. If you click on the little arrow next to the box, you will see you can choose other time limits (up to "365 days"). If you select one of these and then click on the "Refresh Thread" button to its right, you will get all the threads which have had posts in that time period.

If you are looking for a specific old thread go to the top of the Main Forum page. You will see several phrases in blue just under the Mudcat Cafe logo. One says "Forum Search". If you click on it, it takes you to a typical search page where you can type in words or phrases and search the Thread database for them.

So threads never die. They lose currency when no one posts to them. So, when Catspaw said he was going to refresh those guitar threads, what he did was simply make a blank post to each of the threads giving them a current post.

I hope I have been clear enough, Night Owl. I will be happy to answer further questions if you have them.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From:
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 06:17 AM

I can answer one question Night Owl. You will see a button somewhere on the right top of the page with the index of threads on it called "Forum Search". Click on that and fill in one or more of the fields and wait--and (sometimes) wait and wait.

I have found threads over a year old there so I don't know when and if they die. There is another place on the page called "Filter Age" You can set that to a number and the threads will go back to that many days. When you first log on this is set to one--so you only see a list of one-day old threads. The others are not dead, just sleeping.

Anyway, the thread about "Toward Better Tuning" is here

More to the subject. When I was looking for my first guitar I played a Washburn classical guitar which I though felt and sounded great. I didn't get it because I was looking for an acoustic. Now I have "graduated" to solid top guitars. I would like some opinions on the cheaper classical guitars with a solid top.

Murray

Subject: RE: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: Night Owl
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 12:59 AM

Thank-you....found this thread to be informative reading..where did "Toward better guitar tuning go" and where do we find information on how to access old threads?.......and who/what/when/why determines the death of a thread?

Subject: Info/Opinions:Alvarez,Seagull,Washburn et al
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 07:10 PM

Vixen just sent me a nice message and I realized it was time to start the next to last thread on guitars. Here we can explore some of the more affordable brands available in many places. PLeade don't limit yourself to the 3 listed as there are quite a few others.

I'm also going to refresh ALL the guitar threads to invite any others who haven't chimed in yet. Kids are acting nutso...gotta' go for now.

catspaw