opinions on seagull guitars

Subject: opinions on seagull guitars
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 07:42 PM

Seagulls are handmade in Quebec. Rather salty and inexpensive but very nice sound. I'm looking for some players who might have strummed one or two before and would like to voice opinions on my possible upcoming purchase. Whatcha think of 'em? No Seagull Guitars sales reps answer please. ps - looking specifically at the 'S' series S6+folk cedar top

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 07:49 PM

Several threads on Seagull may interest you. Type seagull into the filter box and set the refresh at 2 years and you'll get them. Here's one.

Spaw

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Morticia
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 07:50 PM

Gosh, Spaw beat me to it by 30 seconds :)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 08:18 PM

thanks Spaw... (no thanks to you Morticia, too little too late *LOL*) I got all the info I need and more. I'm satisfied. I'm hooked. I think my wallet just got a little lighter. But we'll keep this thread running in case someone out there wants to talk me out of my purchase By the way, my main guitar is a Norman, which is a higher quality brand from the same company. I didn't even know that. I should be a damn sales rep for these guys. Again, thanks

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 08:56 PM

Ummm... BJM?? Question...

salty??

huh?

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 11:33 PM

I've been playing Seagulls exclusivly for about 13 years I guess... with the exception of a loaner Tac, that while I was glad it was around when I needed it, I couldn't get rid of that shelacked POS fast enough...

My most recent Seagull addition has been an A Series Mahogany folk... Duet II pickup... and I like it so much for DADGAD playing that I'll probably blow the St Pats Day money on another one for standard tuning...

I think most seagulls are a steal at twice the price...

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 11:50 PM

They're good, and they're very low priced for what you get. Thoroughly recommended.

- LH

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: mousethief
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:22 AM

What exactly is a salty guitar? You're supposed to play them, not lick them.

Alex

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:31 AM

that was my question too, MT

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:32 AM

From the eight or nine I've played, I'd say the sound quality was certainly similar to most Martins, and perhaps a bit fuller than some Taylors. I found them vastly superior to Takomas and Takamines (soundwise) Two of them that I worked on had serious intonation problems, with slightly misplaced nuts.

I'd have to say that as far as an inexpensive solid top guitar goes, if you get the right one, you might never want to upgrade. Check the tuning though.

Rick

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: mousethief
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:39 AM

And a fine question it is, too, Clinton!

PS love my Seagull. Looking forward to buying a new one soon if the water heater doesn't break!

Alex

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 07:14 AM

My Seagull is also the first guitar I've ever had that fit my body. It's a smaller model (can't remember which- I'll check later)and it's just right! Solid spruce top, and yes, Rick, I do have to check the tuning more than my friend does with her Gibson, but hey, I can do that!)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Learchild
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 10:35 AM

I love my seagull, its a dreadnought size which is really to big for me but I wouldn't part with her - full body beautiful sound. In DADGAD she sings, no problem with the stability of the sound it remains true but I've a light touch and am used with finger picking style. They don't turn up for sale very often in the U.K. now.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: JohnB
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 10:57 AM

I looked around a lot last year for a new Guitar, actually I have been looking for a few years. Had a good excuse to buy one. Tried Larivees, Taylors, Martins, also a couple of custom built jobs, mostly in the $1000+ (Can) range. Probably liked the Martins best, almost bought one made by Peter Cox, who's guitars are getting better and better. I just could not bring myself to part with that much money for the level of my playing. Played and bought a second hand Seagull with a solid spruce top for 350 inc hard case. Very happy with it. It helps me play more than my earlier pretty crappy guitars, the more I play the better I get, maybee I will buy that Martin one day. JohnB

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clifton53
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 11:37 AM

I bought an S6 recently, second-hand from a friend of mine. It is a fine guitar and sounds nice and full, although for some reason my thumb has to reach a bit further to hit the low E than on my Gibson. But this is a minor annoyance considering the value in these guitars.

Clifton53

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:02 PM

I have read and enjoy this forum but only once enjoined in any conversation. I don't want my ignorance to show..but I have a couple of questions to ask the community. I assume that most of you are consider yourselves folk musicians. There seem to be many inquiries back and forth concerning different instruments, usually factory made opposed to handmade instruments.With the exception of garage bands in the60's, I haven't played on in front of people, but I do play every day.I know musicians, espically those not playing TOP 40 stuff,don't make the best money, but play more because they like the music.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:07 PM

I am sorry-- I haven't finished-- I'm not very computer savy and I sent the message before I was thru. My questions are(1) why do folk musicians not own/ buy good handmade instruments, .. is it because of the price, or the fact that individual makers may not be known, or what?Thanks-

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:08 PM

I am sorry-- I haven't finished-- I'm not very computer savy and I sent the message before I was thru. My questions are(1) why do folk musicians not own/ buy good handmade instruments, .. is it because of the price, or the fact that individual makers may not be known, or what?Thanks-

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:15 PM

Most of my hero's, (Guys like Garnet Rogers, James Keelaghan, Donn Ross, and Stepehen Fearing) DO own good handmade instruments... and I think I do as well, as seagull ARE handmade... and are very good guitars...

Althought, one day I hope to put my order in to Grit Laskin... to get onto that 5 year waiting list... Lack of sufficient funds is all that's stoping me right now...

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:29 PM

Hi Frustrated,

Price may be a large part of it. Also peer [preesure believe it or don't. Lazinessw? Heard a Martin that sounded good so all Martin's must sound good so why search further.(Faulty logic there ofcourse) The thousand dollar wall may be an issue. Anything over agrand anymore is a real major outlay of cash and hand made guitars are rare within that price ceiling.

About half the working musicians I know save there nice toys to play with at home and look for road tools to take to gigs. I won't subject my 30 year old Martin or my 40 year old Guild to the rigors of road work. I will take my soulless Ovation out however.

Some people like me have very serious neck or body size requirements (Animaterra) an we could definately benefit by having a guitar made by a skilled luthier but for me cost is the issue.

I imagine the reasons will vary for everyone. Fear of the unknown may play a part in it too. How do I know a hand made $1500.00 Eversharp will last as well as a name brand of the same price like a GuildGibsonMartin which have known track records.

Regards

Don

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:40 PM

Hi Guitarmaker. A lot of times it's simply because the independant builders aren't known except to their friends and customers.

Two folks I've tried to plug as often as I can, are Glen Reid from Burk's Fall Ontario, and Peter Cox from Barrie Ontario. They both build fine sounding instruments at reasonable prices.

Both Jean Larrivee and Mr. Godin (father of the Quebec guitar industry...Seagulls, Simon and Patrick etc.) obviously had good marketing skills to go along with their building skills.

Are your instruments on the web somewhere.

Rick

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:41 PM

I wasn't saying any thing against Seagull. Guitars made in factory situation assembled"by hand" aren't what I am talking about. In a factory situation, an individual piece of wood, the top for instance, cannot be "voiced" the braces shaved, depending on the stiffness of that individual top,because of the time necessary to do that process.I am asking about guitars,such as Grit Laskin makes opposed to a factory assembled (hand assembled,I agree)instruments. The few Seagull guitars I have seen were well made,clean, playable instruments the intonation was good, but those I have inspected were made of laminated material(plywood). Again I am not trying in any way to take away anything from Seagull, and qualify everything I said based on those few Seagull's I have had my hands on.

Subject: picking seagull nits ;-)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:53 PM

Lemme pick a nit there FGM... Seagull only makes backs and sides out of Laminated hardwood... and there's a difference between that and plywood... a subtile but important difference... And the 3 way lamination they use makes for good strong back and sides...
The laminated back and sides don't matter half so much as a solid top, where sound quality is concerned... and all seagull Guitars have solid tops...
So I go Seagull, because they have nice features as above and do cost 5 grand like a Laskin does...
But like I said, I'm just picking nits...

;-)

Subject: picking seagull nits ;-)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:53 PM

Lemme pick a nit there FGM... Seagull only makes backs and sides out of Laminated hardwood... and there's a difference between that and plywood... a subtile but important difference... And the 3 way lamination they use makes for good strong back and sides...
The laminated back and sides don't matter half so much as a solid top, where sound quality is concerned... and all seagull Guitars have solid tops...
So I go Seagull, because they have nice features as above and don't cost 5 grand like a Laskin does...
But like I said, I'm just picking nits...

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 12:55 PM

GODAMN FRIGGN USLESS MESSAGE BOARD!!!!!!!

If a mod comes by can they delete this post and the first of the repeats above please...

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:04 PM

The durability of an instrument is very vital I guess - I know I would cringe at the thought of someone spilling beer all over an instrument I created in some club, so the instrument you use on the road - that ovation - maybe is the best choice. I am primilarly talking about accoustic guitars. As to the durability, how a guitar will hold up,if a guitar is made out of solid wood(opposed to ply) it is going to have to be treated more carefully than a solid body guitar or a laminated accoustic instrument.Today I see cases that are close to $500.00-- those by Amaritage for instance. I think all of you musicians would supprise yourselves if you takd the time to locate individuals who build instruments. Many of the share some of your traits-- If I understand things from a folk musicians point of view:(1) you play what music you like rather than top 40's stuff(2)you peobably work cheaper because you won't play anything like some lounge organ player -- you do it because you love what you do-- I think that's the comparison I am trying to make-- Handmade instruments are in many cases, superior to factory made stuff, the tone balance, attention to detail,voicing, the finish. Handmade instruments are more tempremential, but I've never seen or met a musician who wasn't tempremental-- it comes with the territory

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:13 PM

The entire instrument whether it be the top. the back the sides the thickness of an individual top,is all a big factor in the tone the guitar makes. The sides and back do play a lesser roll in the tone but they definately make a big difference in an instrument. Plywood is stronger but so is the back of an ovation,( hybred fiberglass or whatever the HUEY chopper blades were made from from the 60's--wasn't that Mr Kamans(of ovation fame) original material for the back/side bowl of the ovation? And again those Seagulls I saw had laminated tops. They were still very good playable well built, but they were made on an assembly line process of some sort, and wouldn't ,tone wise, compare to a good handmade instrument

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:17 PM

LOL!!

Good point there FGM...

But -I- cannot afford to drop the kind of $$ that most 'handmade' guitars that I've seen cost...

And as was mentioned above, my class of gigs doesn't warrent it either... hell, my class of gigs doesn't really warrent the Seagulls I play, but I like 'em so I bring 'em out...

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:20 PM

Laminated hardwood is plywood no matter what you choose to call it. It has it's purpose, and I agree it isn't as subject to the weather changes that a solid wood instrument is, I used to buy hardwood plywood when I build hammer dulcimers and folk harps, but I didn't use it on the upper end instruments. Again I am not taking anything away from the Seagull guitars I have played and I am not insulting anybodys guitar.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:29 PM

The Seagulls that I have played have generally been well-made, good-sounding and excellent value guitars. I would, however as a guitar repairer in a previous century, agree with frustratedguitarmaker's comments above. The back and sides do, to an extent, affect the sound. Witness the endless debates here regarding mahogany vs. rosewood and other woods! A solid wood back/sides will sound different to plywood or laminated. That is taking nothing away from Seagulls though. For the price they are very good IMHO. All the Seagulls I've seen recently have had solid tops. As someone said above, it is important to check the intonation as with any factory assembed guitar, as mistakes and shortcuts can occur.

Also just to sit in the shop or wherever and play the guitar uninterrupted for a good while as the sound is a very personal thing. The most expensive is also not necessarily the best.

Peace

mcmoo

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:34 PM

One last question: Guitars,(musical instruments)are tools to musicians. As working musicians,where do you take your instrument when it breaks or has to have fret work done or when the neck needs resetting? These are at least two things all guitars or other fretted instruments will at some point in their lifetime have to have preformed if they are played.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:38 PM

All laminates are indeed plywood, but plywoods are not all laminates and I'll pick that nit. From a standpoint of structural integrity and all, they have their use. On HD's for instance, regardless of the quality (top of line or not), a high quality laminate makes a far better back than any solid hardwood.

There are a ton of independent luthiers as you know and a lot are known here, some have been mentioned. Some have better marketing skills such as Taylor and Larrivee and have turned their products into far more of a business. And while a lot of people would like to own one of the handmade "greats"....price and time don't often permit such a purchase.

Spaw

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 01:59 PM

I agree that plywood is a better choice for the back of a hammer dulcinmer, but not because of the tone, but because of the structural reasons. That is not the case with guitars,mandolins,not jsut my opinion either.As to the difference in making guitars or marketing guitars, I would much prefer to make guitars myself, one at a time, individually, for an individual and apply my skill to a particular instrument,than to have my name on them, be setting behind a desk, being sure the bills were paid on time, concerned with all the employee regulations the government requires and all of that stuff that makes him(Mr. Taylor) a business owner and no longer a maker. Do you think,with the excpetion of the money they make, that Mr Taylor is still a maker in the sense of making guitars?His neck to body joint has changed lots of folks minds regarding the production of guitars, but that itself in part is from a production standpoint--that neck/body joint is basically a bolt on configutation-- lots of people including individual makers use that neck/body joint fro easier repairs later--

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 02:28 PM

Where do I take my guitar? Up to Jay at Custom Guitar... the best, highest praised repair guy in Windsor...

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Mooh
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 04:03 PM

I think of myself as a folkie and I got some good one-of-a-kind guitars which I have plugged here before. They're built by Marc Beneteau in St. Thomas Ontario. Like others here I have tried many other instruments from builders big and small from around the world and I would put my guitars up against the best of them.

That said, I also had the cash when I bought them. I don't now, and hands down I would buy Seagulls if I was to do it all today. First, I like to buy Canadian because I am Canadian. Second, I like to buy quality, playability, and good sound. Third, for the price nothing else approaches the first two criteria. That's all the reason I need. Period.

I've been considering a Seagull lately as one I could use as a backup/experimental tuning/lesson instrument.

Buy one.

Mooh.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 04:13 PM

You guys have been great help. And, hey Frustrated, I'd say marketing is a lot of the problem with indy handcrafters. Consider my position. I'm off to buy a Seagull only because it was at the store and yours wasn't. Unless I have easy access to a handcrafted model I don't know about it. That and the fact that some of the 'crafters' I've played were weekend-in-the-basement kind of jobs that weren't worth a G-chord. Serious crafters must have it tough. But for now I'm going to stick with my 'salty' Seagull.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 05:35 PM

Frustrated,

I guess all things being equall, quality ofconstruction and materials, appointments, case, finish, warranty, et al... The price is the big issue. Can you competitively build a 00 size guitar or mahagony and spruce with an ebony bridge and finger board and stay in the Guild/Gibson price range. I know I'm putting you on the spot but it does appear to come down to that.

Don

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST,Jeff M.
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 06:01 PM

So now I'm totally confused. Frustrated, Rick and a couple of others have offered you a chance to tastefully let us know about your own wares, but you don't seem interested. Isn't this kind of illustrating why people buy from makers they've heard of. I know some Mudcatters have discovered Peter Cox through this forum.

Jeff

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Gary T
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 06:29 PM

Jeff M., I too would like to hear more about Frustrated's eneavors, but in all fairness, we don't know that he's not interested in telling us. He may have held back from touting his wares at first out of a respectful avoidance of crassly exploiting the Mudcat. And now, we have no way of knowing when or if he's revisiting this thread. Let's give it some time.

Frustrated, how about filling us in on what you provide, typical charges, etc.? Thanks.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 06:57 PM

If you play heavy, watch out for the stabiity of a Seagull's "B"

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: frustratedguitarmaker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 07:59 PM

I don't work in my basement, but I do work from a single car garage in my backyard.I don't make guitars for a living, in fact I can only work on building a couple of nights and the weekendswhen I don't have chores to do. Only in recent years have I have been interested in building for as long as I can remember. I built my first instrument in 1977. I built dreadnaught sized guitars for years, until about three years ago. I had the opportunity to do some repair work on an old beautifully inlaid turn of the century parlor sized slott peghead 12 fret neck brazilian rosewood back and side Washburn guitar, but unfortunately, its top was ladder braced and was failing(caving in front of the bridge/pulling up behind, a fairly typical problem on old guitars, and it needed a neck reset. I rebraced the top on that guitar in the traditional martin X brace style, reset the neck, rebound the back, finished the entire guitar in McFadden nitrocellulose laquer( it is the best I have ever used). I did a second parlor sized guitar for the same man and then one of my friends found another Washburn and I did the same for him.

Those guitars turned my opinion around and from then on I have concentrated my efforts toward smaller bodied 12 fret slot peg headed parlor guitars, because they are in my opinion, the most beautifully preportioned guitars ever to have been built,and most importantly,they sound good all thru their scale. In case some of you don't know what an old washburn looks like, they were similar in size to an "0" sized Martin . At the risk of taking advantage of this forums hospitality, I won't go into any specific price, but I can build a high quality, mahog/red spruce w/hardshell case for under $1000.00 not much, but under. Some out there would call me an amateur, and I guess I am. I understand correctly, the word "AMATEUR" has its origin in the word "amour" which means "to love". I'm sure if I am wrong about the origins of "amateur" some onewill point it out.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 10:45 PM

I own 6- and 12-string Seagulls and am quite pleased with both.

Peter Cox showed up at the annual filk convention in Toronto last year; his instruments are gaining popularity in the filk community up there. I may well be looking to acquire an octave mandolin or bouzouki from him (almost did last year, and that was without the big end-of-year bonus I got).

-- Gary

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 11:30 PM

I like the stuff I understood Frustrated. (some of your comparisons and stuff went right over my super-amateur head) The main reason I started looking at Seagull was because it offered the small body styles – not parlour, but not Gibson Jumbo either, and because they are in my price range (read: inexpensive). One of these days, with some money from my future world-famous folk career (titter-titter), I will invest in something a little more homegrown and call it my own.

PS to Richard Bridge: I tend to thump the body for percussion from time to time. You've got me worried I'm going to put my fist right through my future-new guitar.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 12:38 AM

BJM... I 'percuss' on my Seagulls alot as well, and they have stood up quite well under the strain!

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 02:24 AM

Salty?

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From:
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 06:16 AM

I bought a Seagull S6 Folk guitar about 4 years ago. I own martins and Gibsons, which I love, but the Seagull is the most amazing little guitar. It sounds great and seems to be very well constructed. I have mine fitted with a Baggs Dual Source pick-up system and its very rare to have any problems with feedback. The only criticism might be the "soft" cedar top. After one weekend at the Walnut valley Flatpickin' Championships, I had dug a pretty good groove in the top where a pickguard would be. For the money it is the best guitar available, in my opinion.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST,skarpi at work
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 07:28 AM

Hallo all, as I have said before I have a segull guitar a duo mable type, it is fine guitar but I have had some proplem with strings some are good others are horr..... I am gonna get me a new segull 12 stringer, and i hope that he be just a good one like first one. all the best skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 12:57 PM

Glad to hear lots of good comments about Peter Cox's guitars. I very nearly bought one just last year. What I have not seen mentioned is that he uses a completely differnet approach. He hand carves the front and back from a block that starts out about 1" thick. So he uses little or even no bracing. His pricing is about the $1000 to $1500 Canadian range. Don't know how he does it for the price. I think I should buy mine soon, as his name grows the prices are sure to go with it eventually. JohnB

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: mousethief
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 01:30 PM

To paraphrase Bill Clinton, "It's the price, stupid!"

Salty?

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: DougR
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 01:37 PM

Frustrated: As far as I know, every "pro" was an amateur first. You sure sound to me (who knows nothing about guitar making)as though you know what you are doing, and love what you are doing. I think Rick tossed you a pretty good hint. If you don't have a website, get one! If you are really interested in getting orders, go to where the musicians congregate and take some examples of your work.

I almost skipped tuning in to this thread because I thought it might just be one of those "what do you think of ...), but I'm glad I read it. Turned out to be very interesting.

DougR

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 01:46 PM

I'm thinking about changing my handle to Salty. *L*

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 03:57 PM

Wonder if "Justa Picker" (who seems to be into vintage Martins) "thumps" his D-45s?

I'm in between. I like to play really hard and then almost inaudible. Found the Seagull to be pretty indestructable.

Ahahh! Here's probably an accurate analogy. If the blind street blues pickers were still plying their trade today, they'd be tradin' their Stellas for Seagulls.

Rick

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Justa Picker
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:32 PM

"Thumping a D-45" to me would be akin to slapping a lady around. I think not. But I am a fairly delicate player and never get to aggressive with an instrument. I figure if the instrument's got TONE, you just have to tickle it to bring it out. But that's me, and there are different strokes for different folks. A live situation gets your adrenaline going and sure, there is a tendancy to pick harder. I try and resist and let the p.a. do the work.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:35 PM

You've never seen Don Ross play have you?!?!

Guitar god with lots of percussive stuff...
;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Justa Picker
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 04:40 PM

As a matter of fact I have. I think he's great, but he plays in an entirely different way and in different styles than I do.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Marion
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 10:02 PM

Big Joe Mufferaw, that's the very guitar I bought a month ago. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Besides its perfect size, I like its raw woodiness - the satin finish, the unfinished bridge, the smell of the soundhole, and the wood mosaic inlay around the soundhole. And my roommate's guitarhead boyfriend is very approving of its sound.

Your name suggests that you're in the Ottawa Valley? I'm from Perth, though I don't live there now, but I did buy the guitar in Ottawa - Metro Music in the Glebe. They have an extensive selection of Quebec guitars there. Now that I think about it, I think all of their acoustics were Quebecers.

Marion

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: BK
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 11:20 PM

I own a variety of acoustic guitars; different sizes, types & styles, from hi-line to cheapies; bought an S-6 folk Seagull last year, took it to Winfield. I think it's a GREAT campfire guitar & a pretty decent rig for the price, fairly sturdy & nice size - very close to exactly the same as my old Gibson "B" body guitars (somewhere between a tripple-O & a double-O Martin). Even green & new, it's clearly a better guitar than at least my B-bodied 6-string, & many other b-bodies I've heard & played & it seems to be getting some good ageing already. (I'm VERY fond of the sound of my [relativly uncommon] B-bodied 12-string - if only the neck wasn't so thick!)

I replaced the factory saddle w/one I made myself, multiply compensated, & the intonation is just fine, string height just where I want it; I didn't like the relatively HUGE tuner buttons - standard shaller style -on the relativly petite headstock, so I swapped them for the original small buttons from a DM (The DM looks a LOT better w/old-time full-sized Grover Rotamatics), swapped the bridge pins for some I like better. 'n so it goes... sorta puttin one's own "karma" into your instruments is not hard & adds to pleasure of ownership..

I have been looking at Seagulls for YEARS, & I've never ever seen a laminated top. As for the back & sides.. There appears to be a lot of variation in the materials & bindings, w/little in the nomencalture to give a clue, some clearly DO have solid mahogany back & sides, some rosewood, also different finishes, & much more attractive dark bindings (& 2 of them - both top & bottom).

The necks also seem rather variable; some are much better finished & shaped, some VERY coarse - I carefully chose one w/a nice neck. The necks are deefinitely wider than most 6-strings. I almost get the idea that each bit is made under a different roof in the village(s) where they are constructed. I'd really like to know..

BUT - buy the Seagull - select it carefully, 'n you'll probably love it. Bueno suerto!

Cheers, BK

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 05 Feb 01 - 11:51 PM

I love you guys. This is the first thread I started, hoping for one or two bites and the response has been amazing. And ya Marion, I'm an old Valley boy from back some. I'm southern Ontario way now and miss 'da lads' like hell. I'm actually probably going to buy my Seagull at Eleventh Fret in Toronto. They do some custom work there so I can get it all real pretty like. I haven't seen their work yet (gonna head down there in the next couple o' weeks), but I've heard they touch up the Seagulls and varnish them a little on the cedar top. Is that a mistake? I found the couple of Seagulls I've played with satin (or NO) finish made a brushy sound when I strummed. Does that get annoying? It was like I was my own snare brusher. Whatcha think?

And BK... go to www.seagullguitars.com and you'll get all the info you need on the company.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 01:28 AM

The link for Lasido Guitars is in the LINKS section under "Instrument Related"

Spaw

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:27 AM

Hey Big Joe, where are you? There's several other Mudcatters in Southern Ontario, including me from Goderich. PM me if you want to talk!

Mooh.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 01:41 PM

And me in Windsor, BJMuffer!

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 02:34 PM

Woodstock... and what does PM mean?

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 02:36 PM

PM is Personal Message... check the FAQ Permathread for an in-depth lesson on how to do it... It can be pretty fun!

;-)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Marion
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 10:32 PM

Hi Joe. Yes, I found that sound of my fingers brushing the top to be annoying too, so I changed my strumming habits so I wouldn't be doing it.

Today I was playing aggressively with a flatpick at a jam session and put some scratches into the top - so now I'm thinking of getting a pickguard put on it.

Marion

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: BK
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 11:02 PM

You can buy stick-on pickguard sets meant for (apparently) classical guitar from old time instrument stores, both in shiny & satin finish, if I remember correctly. I recently got some in the shiny variety for a cort NTL-50; VERY pretty, but came w/o a pickguard, as did the small Seagull. I find the Seagull's strings are closer to the top than most other guitars I own, & I scratch it easier, even though I'm mainly a finger-picker, so I'll look for the satin-finished style this week-end.

Cheers, BK

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST,Mark. West Sussex. UK
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 09:41 PM

I suffer from GAS. "Guitar acquisition syndrome". My wife suffers from NYABASG fatigue. "No you aint buying another sodding guitar". As one who obsessively loiters in guitar shops I can say that these Canadian guitars - Norman, Seagull, and Simon & Patrick are the best in years so far as consistent quality and price are concerned. No, my S&P is not as good as my Martin HD28 or my 1977 Rob Armstrong but as a carry-about, jobbing, easily insured treasure of a guitar it comes close for session and club work. And at £250 as opposed to £2500 for my Martin I cannot honestly say that the HD28 is ten times better even if I do love it to bits.

Frustrated Guitar maker? The trouble is no-one can guarantee or predict the tone, volume, character of an unmade guitar. Makers with reputations have waiting lists of months or years, have prices that take you into top range production models, and at the end of the day may turn out something that just doesn't speak to the buyer. Try giving away ten guitars to ten top players. If you can persuade them to play your wares in public your order book will fill overnight.

The really great makers I have known don't get frustrated. They don't make guitars primarily to sell. They make them because they love making them. Maybe that's the secret.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: joshleik
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 10:46 PM

I was never crazy about seagulls until my wife bought me a simon and patrick. my understanding is that instead of continuing to produce simon and patrick guitars the seagull company continues to make the guitar or one very similar under the seagull name. That changed my mind, sometimes the name gets in the way.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 11:12 PM

I am dead on with Rick on this. I have owned a Seagull S6 for about 8 years or so. It has a wonderful, warm sound, very nice action...........I would call it a very, very good working axe. When one factors in that I paid $225.00 US for it, .................you get the picture. I don't even like to say that it is "a great value for the money". While that is true, it seems to imply that it is inferior to something else. It is simply a fine guitar at a very fair price. I have installed a Baggs dual source, and I don't think I will ever upgrade it for my road work. I will, however, acquire some roommates for it. I have to catch up with Fielding and Milner, or I will never make it in this business...................LOL.

Mick

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: pict
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 11:29 PM

Seagulls are very good guitars for very cheap and if your ears can't convince you of that you need to have them cleaned.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 02:49 PM

I have a 12 string seagull and I am very pleased with how it sounds and the way it stays tuned. I added an electric pickup in the soundhole and its great! I have only been playing two years but all my friends who are bettter players than I am are always wanting to pick my guitar and comment on how nice it feels and sounds.

I bought mine for $200. at a flea market and its a real treasure.

                               bro bob

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: *daylia*
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 11:30 AM

bro bob, I just bought a beautiful 20th anniv Seagull, and I absolutely love it! It's so easy to play, has a lovely tone - bright in the treble and deeply resonant in the bass - and it's easy to tune too. It's something about the angle of the machine heads on the seagulls that makes the tuning so fine, I think. And I love the way it looks too ...

daylia

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Tunesmith
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 01:50 PM

I believe "Simon and Patrick" guitars having contections with Seagul. Any thoughts on them i.e. S&M ? I've only heard good things!!
Frank

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: *daylia*
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 02:01 PM

tunesmith, there's a few Catters' opinions about Simon and Patrick guitars on this thread about Canadian-made guitars. (There's links to a host of other related threads there as well). They are made by LaPatrie, the same Quebec company that makes Seagulls and Normans, as well as a few others.

daylia

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: *daylia*
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 02:14 PM

PS -- I just found this information in a Simon and Patrick brochure ... even more encouragement to practice! I'd never heard this before --

"Simon and Patrick guitars feature solid Cedar and Spruce tops. The tight straight grain in these woods make it stiff enough in the direction of the grain to take the string tension, while at the same time the flexibility across the grain allows it to vibrate. The more the top vibrates, the better the sound. And, more importantly, the increased vibration causes the sound to get better and better. This phenomena of improving sound is called aging. In order to encourage aging, the guitar must be played! The more you practice - the better you play. And your guitar improves along with you!"

Well, my new Seagull has a solid spruce top and a lot of hours logged in already, between my son and I. By Christmas, it just might sound like the whole orchestra!

daylia

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 02:22 PM

I may have mentioned this somewhere (likely more than once in similar threads), but I'll say it again here just fer sh!ts and giggles...

Regarding that 'aging it by playing it' thing... you can also, if you're the kind of person who leaves your guitar out of the case,(Or you live somewhere with a moderate enough climate that you CAN do...) sat on a stand, make sure that stand is near your stereo speaker... The satin top will 'resonate' in sympathy with whatever you play, and that will also help the guitar 'age'... so play it, practice on it, and when ya store it, let it sing along with yer CDs!

Subject: Review: Seagull Guitars
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 01:18 PM

I got the chance to play a Seagull 12 string at Portaferry, and was very impressed, anybody else any experience of this make of guitars?
Giok

transferred from a another thread

Subject: RE: Review: Seagull Guitars
From: skarpi
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 02:48 PM

Giok , I am glad you liked my 12 string seagull guitar,
I love play it it´s not stiff as many others I have played.
All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 04:40 AM

Thank you Skarpi the pleasure was all mine, sorry I didn't mention it was your guitar, but I didn't want people to think I was name dropping :~)
Thanks also to Mudelf for the judicious editing, can I take off the pointed hat with the big 'D' on it and come out of the corner now?
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST,Terry
Date: 31 Mar 06 - 12:11 PM

Hi:, I'm from London, Ont. Someone mentioned using McFadden nitrocelulous laquer for guitar finishing. Can someone please Email me with an address or store location to buy this product? Also heard of, Lawrence-McFadden 3651 guitar laquer (one in the same?).

Thanks, Terry.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: sciencegeek
Date: 31 Mar 06 - 12:25 PM

My husband has been very happy with both Seagull and their other line LaPatrie. He is admittedly not much of a musician - but for the first time he actually enjoys playing. They sound as good as our Martin and are more comfortable to play, didn't need a second mortgage to buy and they don't get the infamous Martin crack or need major & expensive repairs - like the Martin.

Martins are a great guitar - don't us wrong- but talk about high maintainence. Ours is a older 0-18 that had some hardship's in its life.

Another thing about the Goudin company - they stand behind their work and if you do have a problem - it gets fixed or they replace the guitar- that simple.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 09:37 PM

I'm a singer/songwriter, and have been playing chords for over 10 years now. While trying out th Seagull S6 I was gonna buy, I kept walking back to the Martin just to do comparisons. You know what, the seagull has an awesome smooth/warm tone, comparable to the Martin. I love the Seagull S6, and my next guitar will probably be the Seagull Mosaic with the solid top and bottom for only $700.00.
If you don' think a Seagull sounds good, you're tone deaf.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 09:55 AM

(Thread-creep, but not far)

On holiday, I was asked to do an evening for a group of ex-pats in Spain, and was provided with an entry-level Simon & Patrick for the day. No frills, and I have to say, insubstatial-feeling after my usual resonator, but what a fine guitar! I'm now imagining it with the up-market Seagull finish and trimmings, and unless something even more exceptional comes along in that price-range, I think I've chosen my next guitar.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 12:59 PM

I bought a seagull guitar 7 years ago for 400 punts,its great value for money,I have a fylde as my first guitar,and also a vintage,that cost 200 euros,but it needs its action lowered.
one question that has been intriguing me,if iwas to get a professional to lacquer the seagull,would it improve or otherwise,any opinions please.
http ://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: bubblyrat
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 07:06 PM

Dear Fish Fingers---There are some who would argue that stripping the varnish OFF a guitar can improve the tone.....It will certainly alter it ! A famous American actor & musician, Andy Griffith, did it to his previously - varnished Martin dreadnought,such that the subsequent Andy Griffith commemorative model had,I think ,an unvarnished top.
However, that is a bit drastic !! I have altered the tone on my Martin & Avalon guitars by using solid brass bridge-pins--You certainly get more volume in "sessions",etc. !! Back to the subject--Seagulls seem OK to me, although I did try a Seagull 12-string once,& it souded a bit "Muted ". I wouldn"t say NO to one as a gift !!

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: number 6
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 12:25 AM

I once owned a Seagull S6. I was never pleased with it. Even though it was cheap, it just couldn't 'sing'. I sold it. There are better 'low' priced guitars out there these days. They may be from the Pacific rim, but they are superior overall in tone, and quality is (suprisingly) top notch.

biLL

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 03:16 AM

As with all these kinds of 'opinion' threads, there will be 'Yea-' and 'Nay-sayers'. Those with Seagulls, like Clinton, will say they're the best thing since sliced bread, others who don't have them will probably say they're a pile of pants.

The truth is that nobody can tell YOU what kind of guitar to like, it's subjective and is a matter for your own ears, hands and eyes. Get out there and try lots of different guitars. Ignore the 'This brand's the best' kind of 'advice', buy the one that suits your senses (and wallet, of course!).
S:0)

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 03:05 AM

If you buy a bag of chips and walk down the front at St Ives, a seagull will try and steal the chips. With a guitar case, they don't bother you. Seagulls aeren't really musical, so really a guitar would not be a good present. You would not be thanked.

My advice is to buy your seagull something it will appreciate, like a fish.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 06:12 AM

Seagulls can be excellant guitars you'll miss out If you dont consider them, as regards refinishing them,its not that straight forward.Over thick finish does limit tone, if a guitar has an over thick finish its very likely that the top is overthick, and that is likely to have a more profound effect,but doing much about that is extensive work as taking too much material away will compromise the structural integrity of the guitar,some of the best sounding guitars are on the verge of collapse.Why not appreciate Seagulls for what they are and for their robustness

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 06:22 AM

I once took the finish off a lam top guitar and it did improve the tone, but there is a good reason for a finish,it stops (reduces) the asorbtion of moistire and grime.I have considered reducingthe finish on a Gitane Maccaferri copy which are notorious for thick finishes but have limited my efforts to Tcutting the top Have a look on the acoustic Guitar magazine forum for some thoughts on refinishing

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 12:01 AM

A couple years back I needed a second guitar for a gig. A long story but I'll leave it at that. I walked into my local shop stating I had $1000 and wanted to leave with a guitar. My shop owner friend sold me a $500 dollar Simon & Patrick that I cannot keep my hands off. It's a fine guitar. I'm afraid I may someday actually play through the cedar top. It seems a little soft and prone to abrasion. But we'll worry about that down the road.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: 282RA
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 08:21 PM

I have the S6+ cedar GT or whatever it's called. Dreadnought body. Really full sound, nice resonation. It's like an orchestra. It doesn't have bass response you get with Martin dreads but it has a silvery brightness that makes up for it.

The drawback for me is I have trouble singing over it sometimes because of my weak voice. So I resort to my Tak or Washburn because they're not as boomy for certain types of songs. But the songs that I can sing on the Seagull always sound great.

I see nothing wrong with Seagull.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: GUEST,Nathan
Date: 14 Jun 08 - 11:45 AM

hahaha salty????

I have a Seagull Artist Studio Burst and i absolutely love it. I trade my Martin 16 series for it and the retailer said i was crazy and i was making a step down but i shook my head and paid for it. It sounds tons better than the Mahogany Martin and the only difference is there is no electronics on mine. The action was perfect and the finish was clean with no imperfections. Seagulls are the best guitars you can get for the money. I would have expected to pay at least 1600 for a similar guitar made by taylor or martin however I paid 800 and got this wonder.

Subject: RE: opinions on seagull guitars
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 14 Jun 08 - 11:58 AM

Basically a derivative of the Norman guitars built by Normand Boucher (sadly deceased) in La Patrie Canada. Normand was given a Martin guitar for his 14th birthday and he eventually took it to pieces and designed his 1st Norman guitar to a similar pattern.

After a fire and near bankrupcy in the 80's Normand was saved by investment from Robert Godin, who's sons names Simon and Patrick now appear on the headstock of one of the best selling guitar brands in the world. The Norman, Simon Patrick and Seagull guitars are excellent value for money.