Seagull is NOT the most consistant manufacturer. I do a lot of set-ups for my friends, and I've worked on at least three of them that were 'mis-fretted' (out of tune at certain frets). On the other hand I've played more than a dozen (of all their models) that were excellent. Their little cheap guitars are terrific buys....IF you get an experienced player to go with you and check out the tuning and neck set. A new student of mine got one I picked for him at the 12th Fret and it's a killer. Great sound, huge volume, good action. 'Bout the size of a turn of the century Martin, and cheap as dirt. A year ago I would have steered him in the direction of a Larrivee Parlour axe, but not any more.

Taylors seem to me to be remarkably consistant...which is amazing considering how many they're making now. Taylor has become the "everyman/woman" guitar. Remember how a few years ago everyone on TV was using Taks...now it's Taylor.

For what it's worth (and even though we've discussed this ad nauseum in many other threads) I think that the new martins are pretty consistant as well. The cheap ones have great sound, but look to me like there may be neck problems on some of them down the line.

Gibson is trying to recreate their famous old models and charging an arm and a leg for them, but to me they look cheap and tacky, and I've seen some questionable "inside" finishing......some have huge amounts of superfluous inlay. There are a couple in the 12th Fret now that look like they should be played by "Seigfried and Roy".

If I were in the market for an axe right now and I had ...say..1500 Yankee dollars to spend, I'd hunt around to find a used (at least 5-10 years) Martin D-18.

In the 1000 dollar range, I'd try to find a used (5 years at least) Taylor.

At about 500, I'd look for a used (over 10 years) Guild. They're fine instruments but don't hold their monetary value, so you might get a steal.

At 200, I'd go Seagull (once again ALWAYS used, if possible), but I'd look at the Fender line.

At ANY time, if you see a BIG and OLD Yamaha (15-25 years or so) check it out. About half the ones that I've seen (and I'm ONLY talking about BIG ones) beat everything on the market for sheer volume. You can also defend yourself on the street with them!

Just in case it ain't obvious, getting a "used" guitar is how you get a chance to see whether anything "went wrong". Most problems (neck angle, cracking, shrinking (makes for lousy tuning) and neck twisting) happen pretty early.

The big problem with getting a "used" instrument, is that it's a luxury we have living in a big city, with several music outlets. In more rural areas you have to do a lot more research. For me the "huntin'" is fun, but if I was doin' a 9-5 job it would be too time consuming.....so I guess that's why some of these threads may prove helpful to some.

When getting a mini-disc recorder, (of which I knew nuthin') I found the mudcat threads invaluable....in a sense, others did the research, 'cause of their personal experience.

Rick