Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 04:21 PM

I tried that website, and Googling..to no avail..so I thought I'd try here. Still needing input. Thank you..GfS

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 07:56 AM

"Aww come on, somebody, somewhere knows something about Heath Thomsley guitars......
Help me out!'

Harmony Central has reviews and there are pictures elsewhere. Google is your friend.

Peace. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 11:25 PM

Aww come on, somebody, somewhere knows something about Heath Thomsley guitars......
Help me out!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 11:41 AM

Just got a Thomsley 'Seaturtles' model. plys real nice. He used to build for Larrivee.
Does anyone know anything about them????

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,fret nut
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 12:49 AM

I'll dive in right now and say I have not read 1 post above this!
I have a Seagull SM12 made in 1995, I bought it after trying a Fender and a Takamine and there was no contest as the Seagull was the runaway winner for depth of sound and clarity...Am I on the mark here.....This is a very loud and playable guitar

Cheers Neil

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: the outlaw
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 09:48 AM

seagull are good if you got $1500 the cheaper ones are made of laminated(plywood)wood although some have solid wood tops.the reason you want to buy an all solid wood guitar is the sound is alot better and more clear/bright,I have played most of the high-end guitars and alot of them sound nice but over-priced(gibson,martin,taylor,etc)and the most impressive guitar I played was an EPIPHONE MASTERBUILT they are all solid wood,dove-tail neck,bone nut,all the features the high end ones have they are just not as fancy looking(looks mean nothing when it comes to guitars--sound is everything)MASTERBUILTS come in a few different styles and sell for $500.00 - $1000.00
COPLEY is another brand to check out the CA-7e model 300.00 on ebay
they are 1300 but these are display models so they are selling cheap.
solid cedar top/solid mahogany back&sides,5band EQ and a built-in tuner.I live on CAPE BRETON ISLAND,CANADA and it only cost a little over 300.00 with shipping and conversion(btw the copley is awesome)

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,JC in Maryland
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 02:25 PM

I purchased a satin finish Seagull Artist Rosewood/Cedar cutaway with the LR Baggs Duet-ll in January 2000. (apx $1200.00) It came with a solid cedar top, solid indian rosewood back, and triple HPL rosewood sides. I had problems with the original guitar I bought in a local store. (the electronics crapped out) So I contacted Godin customer support in Canada to explain the problem. They were amazing! very concerned, and very professional! After I return shipped the ailing guitar back,(at their expense)Godin/Seagull shipped me a brand new one direct from the factory several weeks later. Amazing craftsmanship.. very unique spin on the dreadnaught/cutaway design.. electronics with stero output and condenser / bridge pick-up are perfect for live or recording.

my collection includes, 1972 Guild D-40, 1987 Guild D-15, 1988 Gibson Chet Adkins Solid Nylon electric, 1994 Guild D-412, 1997 Guild JF30, 1999 Guild S4CE, 1999 Guild DCE-5, 2004 Taylor 415 Jumbo, 2005 Martin JC16R-GTE, 2008 Martin HD 28, and the Canadian Seagull.

This is my "go to" guitar. It sounds and plays as good as any, and I'm not terrified of scratching it. I played some $2500.00 Gibson acoustics last week that sounded like they were stuffed with dirty sox.. Canadian guitars are good ones.. oh.. I forgot the 2004 Godin Exit 22.. sorry

JC

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,JC in Maryland
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 02:20 PM

I purchased a satin finish Seagull Artist Rosewood/Cedar cutaway with the LR Baggs Duet-ll in January 2000. (apx $1200.00) It came with a solid cedar top, solid indian rosewood back, and triple HPL rosewood sides. I had problems with the original guitar I bought in a local store. (the electronics crapped out) So I contacted Godin customer support in Canada to explain the problem. They were amazing! very concerned, and very professional! After I return shipped the ailing guitar back,(at their expense)Godin/Seagull shipped me a brand new one direct from the factory several weeks later. Amazing craftsmanship.. very unique spin on the dreadnaught/cutaway design.. electronics with stero output and condenser / bridge pick-up are perfect for live or recording.

my collection includes, 1972 Guild D-40, 1987 Guild D-15, 1988 Gibson Chet Adkins Solid Nylon electric, 1994 Guild D-412, 1997 Guild JF30, 1999 Guild S4CE, 1999 Guild DCE-5, 2004 Taylor 415 Jumbo, 2005 Martin JC16R-GTE, 2008 Martin HD 28, and the Canadian Seagull.

This is my "go to" guitar. It sounds and plays as good as any, and I'm not terrified of scratching it. I played some $2500.00 Gibson acoustics last week that sounded like they were stuffed with dirty sox.. Canadian guitars are good ones.. oh.. I forgot the 2004 Godin Exit 22.. sorry

JC

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 27 Jul 08 - 12:53 AM

Dear Guest Mike:
What your comment has to do with guitars leaves me a bit perplexed!
Canada and the USA are sibling countries of common heritage. I am sometimes mistaken for my brother who is of similar looks and build but I have never considered that to be an insult. While I often differ with USA's international policy I consider it's people my kin.
If Britain is the parent country perhaps it should know better but I have often been called the names of my siblings by my own parents. Take a deep breath and smell the flowers!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 08 - 12:22 AM

While we are known to be the nicest people in the world, mild mannered and always polite. well I have had enough of being mistaken for an american. I do not really care but it has got to the point where another stupid brit who says "all you guys are the same " will be picking his teeth out of the gutter. as long as my wife is there. mike

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:04 PM

Bubblyrat...."I was talking to a VERY good luthier in Christchurch, England, who said he had had to repair quite a few as there was a build fault whereby some components inside the body were compression -fitted,not glued, and often worked loose."

No sir, they may be vacuum clamped and glued, but surely not compression fitted without glue. I've serviced dozens and NEVER seen such a thing in an S&P or any of its family members (Seagull, A&L, Norman, LaPatrie, Godin). Little would stay together for any length of time in a guitar without glue. Do you know specifically which parts he was referring to?

Fwiw...There's a cedar topped A&L folk for sale from me right now. Very good condition $200Cdn. It has been the student guitar in my studio for a year and a half, but I need to create space for other instruments.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: number 6
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 07:54 PM

Bubblyrat .... are you sure that Larrivee was made in Canada ... Jean Larrivee moved (himself) and a good part of the guitar production to California in 2001.

Regardless Larrivee's are good guitars.

As to Seagull ... I owned an S06 for a while, then sold it. I was disappointed as I found it to be a very inconsistent guitar. I much prefer my Chinese made Blueridge over that Seagull.

biLL

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Bubblyrat
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 06:24 PM

I have had a bit of experience with Canadian guitars---Some years ago,I bought a Simon & Patrick cedar -topped dreadnought, & I have to say I liked it very much.--I have a thing about cedar tops !! It sounded good plugged in, and it was loud enough for acoustic sessions.
I would be happy to use one again, BUT---I was talking to a VERY good luthier in Christchurch, England, who said he had had to repair quite a few as there was a build fault whereby some components inside the body were compression -fitted,not glued, and often worked loose . I also know some people in Dorset,England, who are very "at home " with Seagull guitars,which seem to have acquired a good reputation.
But when I was in Bielefeld,Germany, I got to play a Larrivee, & all I can say is ---WOW !! Oh Lord ,give me the money !!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 08:03 AM

Further to my comment about Thompson guitars, I played a fantastic maple and cedar one at Woodshed music in Guelph (Canada) last week. Easily one of the best sounding guitars I've played, and fit and finish was top notch too. Folkway music in Guelph had a nice selection of guitars as well, but that Thompson is the stuff of dreams.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,John G
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 05:57 AM

Hi there

Just been cruising through the net as I'm looking to get another guitar and found this thread on Canadian Guitars.

I first discovered Seagulls about 8 years ago when I was in my local shop just trying out various models to replace my old Yammy 12 string. tried a Seagull S6 (had never heard of a Seagull before)and just loved that clear crisp sound. bought it there and then and I still love it. Added another Seagull the Artist Studio about a year ago.

The Artist Studio is an absolute gem for the money, craftmanship is excellent, Spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides give a great clear sound especially on the attack, Action is great and haven't had to have the truss adjusted at all. I play mainly blugrass/flatpick style but sounds just as good for fingerpick or strum.

I absolutely love it !! best guitar I've ever had.

If other Canadian makes are anything like the Seagulls you can't go wrong.

Currently looking to treat myself to a new addition and am looking at either a Gibson rosewood J45 or a Martin D28 0r D45. If anybody out there has any views on these It would be good to hear them. My preference at the momet is for the Gibson.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: leeneia
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 12:14 PM

Years ago I bought a Canadian guitar called a Kamouraska Etude. I've told my husband, "If there's a fire, grab that guitar and crawl out the front door with it."

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 09:13 AM

Warning, shameless plug for a friend.

Joshua House (www.house-guitars.com) has one for sale at Folkway music in Guelph (www.folkwaymusic.com). His work is getting scary good, and he has one started that I'd love to have. Some recent pro orders have kept him busy and I get to drool with regular visits to his shop. Josh made a "teaching" guitar for me three years ago which has worked out for me beautifully.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 07:46 AM

I've just spent a week as a house-guest in Spain, and played the resident Art and Lutherie practically non-stop, including an informal gig for ex-pats. I thought it was quite remarkable for an entry-level guitar, felt and sounded good, and had stayed in perfect tune since the last guests used it during the summer. I've got a Seagull on my shopping list for next time, but I would certainly not talk anyone out of buying an A & L.

So many guitars - so little time (and money!)

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Susanne
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 02:47 PM

I am looking into a Simon & Patrick acoustic guitar (2nd hand)ProRosewood (Sixth Edition) SP2634 with a pick up by Godin. The price was 500.00 and they told me that the original was around 1100.00. Does this seem like a deal and how about quality of the guitar?

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 05:11 PM

In that case 100 !!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 05:11 PM

No Opinion gordon ?

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Bassic
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 04:35 PM

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Jim Tailor
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 01:36 PM

Lovely Canadian guitar photo essay

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 12:28 PM

My story - went to buy a Martin 18 years ago - tried several; bought a Norman ST68 instead - no contest - beat the Martin D28 (and others)hands down - came in at half the price. Been gigged to death a thousand times - never a hitch with it - just brilliant.

Just bought a Norman 12 string on Ebay. Most of my guitar-playing friends have Simon & Patricks. I heard that Godin ships more guitars worldwide than anybody else. Maybe true, maybe not, but it should be.

There's nothing to touch them at the price, and even at twice the price. Sorry Martin........

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 04 Feb 05 - 04:29 AM

I just wanted to second the comment about buying from 12th Fret in Toronto. I bought my Seagull 12 string there on the recommendation of the Cat's own Rick Fielding (pause for fond memories) and they were great. I was looking for something to keep in Canada for when I'm visiting 'home' and did the whole deal by email and telephone. I could have been buying a pig in a poke but the staff there were great, posted my purchase to my Mum's place and said that I could bring it back to the store if I didn't approve of it.

I love it, and highly recommend the store. They apparently do a lot of international trade and send 2 or 3 guitars to the UK every week. I'm not surprised - I paid, in dollars, pretty close to what I'd expect to pay in pounds for that guitar and hard case.

siân

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 05 - 02:27 PM

hi, i want to bay a new guitar can u give me some hins or advice for buying a new guitar .

bay :)

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 02:10 PM

One or the other, Sandy. One or t'other.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 02:02 PM

Hey Cluin,
You beat me to the same point. Don't great minds think alike, or is it that fools seldome differ? LOL :-}
      Sandy

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 02:01 PM

We cross-posted, Sandy, Great minds, eh?

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 01:58 PM

Also wood grown in a cooler climate with a shorter growing season has narrower tree rings, which mean a finer grain when quarter sawn, so I also find the comment on Canadian wood a puzzle.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 01:58 PM

When you are talking about guitar tops, the slower growing season is a plus. When spruce cedar, etc. have their growth rigs closer together, the strength/weight ratio is better for guitar tops. The best spruce for many years was Engleman spruce grown in high altitudes in the Alps (before it became scarce and ultra expensive).

For backs, sides, and necks, the tropical hardwoods are traditionally favoured, each species contributing its own particular strengths to the guitar's tone. Mahogany was considered to contribute to a more mellower sound than Rosewood, etc. (as with cedar to spruce). Plus certain sizes of guitar bodies worked better with certain woods (cedar/mahogany with smaller guitars, spruce/rosewood with dreadnoughts/jumbos, etc.) All of this is just general rule-of-thumb though and by far, the biggest contributing factor is the lutherie involved. Consider the Pallet Guitar by Bob Taylor, a fine guitar built by Bob Taylor & Co. out of scrap wood from discarded pallets in the parking lot. Excellent wood of course makes an excellent guitar, but it can also make a shitty one in the hands of a hack.

I've mentioned Glen Reid before (*grin*)... He was recently making guitars using tamarack and there was nothing lacking in the tone of his instruments at all. Glen uses mostly Canadian-grown woods, if I'm not mistaken.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: *daylia*
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 12:52 PM

Good luck and congrats too, Marduk!

Funny thing, Steve - I was just thinking yesterday that a second acoustic guitar to leave at my studio would save me a lot of time and energy hauling this one back and forth for teaching. I'll let you know when the Happy $$$$ Season is behind us - thanks!

It is not so much a matter of Canadian-made Guitars as it is where the wood was grown.

Because of its short/long/short growth cycle most Canadian-made Guitars manufactored from wood harvested in Canada....are considered inferior to those guitars made from wood contracted from the southern-climates...ie. closer to the equater with a long/long/long year cycle

Interesting comment, GUEST! The first couple years Yamaha made pianos for sale in Canada, the pianos warped and deteriorated in short order. They'd been built of Asian woods, and just couldn't stand up to Canadian climate conditions. So Yamaha started using Canadian woods instead - and now Yamaha pianos are among the finest sold in Canada.

I imagine it would been the same for guitars, no?

daylia

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Mooh
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 10:53 AM

I'm not sure how much work Ted Thompson is doing but I did a setup on a mahogany one this morning. One of the nicest guitars I've played in a very long time, maybe ever. Fit and finish were top notch of course, but the sound is heavenly! It's not for sale, not that I can afford one right now, but I've told the owner to consider me first if he decides to sell.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Marduk
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 10:45 AM

Hi guys, me just join in the party.
just bought an art & luthrie electric acoustic today!
wish me luck!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,stevie sinn
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 07:34 PM

Daylia, I see you found an axe that your pleased with and thats wonderful. If you're interested I happen to have a Norman B10 for sale right now. Its a mid seventies model and is in wonderful condition. Excellent lockable hardshell case included.Plays like a dream,I LOVE this guitar but over the years many have passed thru my hands and this one has to go. I buy them,play them, love them and then leave them. Im in Ontario about 2 hours from Barrie. If your looking for a second guitar ( or third or fourth, whatever your collection consists of now) this is a beauty. I bought it cheap and I'm letting it go cheap ..... Im not in it to make money, just to constantly change. I cant afford to keep them all. Interested or know anyone that is email me [e-mail].
Thanx and happy playing !!!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: *daylia*
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 01:13 PM

I am so pleased with the Seagull I bought last year, inspired by the all wonderful advice on this thread - so thank you all so much again. My new baby has a wonderful resonance, it's comfortable to play, great workmanship .... and it's so pretty, too! I've received a lot of compliments on it :-)

Since that time I've had the opportunity to play on a Larrivee or two - impressive! It must be hard to find one second-hand.
Maybe someday when I'm rich ....

BTW, one of my little students bought a half-size Simon and Patrick last fall, and she is very pleased with it. It does have a very nice tone, and an easy, comfortable action too.

daylia

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Big Mick
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 03:32 PM

Well ... I have had both a Seagull and a Larrivee. I have found them both to be superior values for the buck. In fact, regardless of the price, I have never owned instruments that were better built, nor have any others had the sound quality and playability of these. My Seagull, as I have mentioned before, got ate by United Airlines and I miss it today. My Larrivee D-05 is a helluva pickers instrument, and has great tone. I have heard Jed Marums Larrivee, and it simply is the a wonderful instrument.

I think that the value in these guit's is amazing.

Mick

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 11:49 PM

It is not so much a matter of Canadian-made Guitars as it is where the wood was grown.

Because of its short/long/short growth cycle most Canadian-made Guitars manufactored from wood harvested in Canada....are considered inferior to those guitars made from wood contracted from the southern-climates...ie. closer to the equater with a long/long/long year cycle.

Much like the pasta spaghetti...the closer to the clime...the better.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,M Klein
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 01:09 AM

Larrivee is still a Canadian company. They have two shops: one in Vancouver that builds all the the satin finish guitars and one in California that builds the high finish guitars. They sound amazing too!

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Sky-Coyote
Date: 24 Aug 04 - 04:12 PM

Hello Everyone,
I can appreciate that not every one can afford a Larrivee L-10 or the Brazilian Rosewood custom models but you can save and get a superior Larivee guitar that is affordable dollar for dollar compared to other instruments and even more so if you can find a second hand deal. I wish I could convey how much love and detail go into Larrivee Guitars as we all want the world to know that we want to give you the tools to make you music.
Thanks, Sky-Coyote the Jazzin' Hobo

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Aug 04 - 03:48 PM

Of course it's raging personal opinion, but every single Larrivee I've ever played has been surpassed by every single Seagull I've played...

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Sky-Coyote
Date: 24 Aug 04 - 03:37 PM

Hello Everyone,
Has an employee and a player of Larrivee guitars I can say without a doubt that here in Canada we build the finest guitars with the best materials. I have worked at the shop for 6 years and have seen and heard some incredible guitars for all styles of music and technique. Our revamped parlor guitars and LR-3 models are my personal favourites. The innovative designs and technology that our company founder created is second to none. The Canadian competition can only offer a pale comparison to our product simply because Larrivee is in part the originator and stalwart of the Canadian Guitar business. All of us at the shop work very hard to produce the BEST guitars you can buy. You can not buy better unless you have the fortune to find a Luthier who can spend the time, money and expertise that we do and you will pay double or triple the price.
Buy Canadian, Sky-Coyote the Jazzin' Hobo.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Willie-O
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:02 PM

imagine finding this old thread again...
nothing new to report except I still have the O-18. Put it up for sale for several months, no offers (what fools these mortals be) so I took it home and found that since it had been away:

1. it had been restrung with D'Addario's which I liked better than Elixirs
   
2. I had gotten obsessed with learning jazz styles, and this is a great jazz guitar!
   

I'm keepin it.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,evan
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 12:25 AM

I've been playing my La Patrie for about 10 years and continue to find it remarkable. The woods are superior, the sound is fantastic, and the price is about 1/2 of what you'd expect to pay. I ordered the top of the line La Patrie complete with electronics and haven't had a moment of regret. Good luck with your search and have a good time.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: black walnut
Date: 15 May 04 - 08:58 AM

If I had LOTS of money, I'd definitely get Grit to make me a Laskin covered in stars (the guitar he made for James Keelaghan is stellar) or maybe a garden or glow-in-the-dark fish. Click: Grit .

If I had less money, I'd buy myself a Simon & Patrick from the 12th Fret, like the one I bought for my daughter. Or a Larivee like JeffM's...his Larivee plays like sugar on a hot day. Whatever I'd get, I'd get it from the 12th Fret. The 12th Fret is a GREAT store. GREAT. GREAT. GREAT. Click:Twelfth Fret .

But I don't have any money, so I'll just borrow my daughter's Simon & Patrick. Or strum my ancient beat up old nylon string Yamaha. (Sorry, no photo available at this time.)

~b.w. (in Torana Canada eh)

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 May 04 - 09:33 AM

DO be careful to try a range of Seagulls. The sound is very variable from instrument to instrument. If you play hard the B strings tend to go out of tune.

I'm right off Garrisons, having recently seen one with a large crack in the side - reason? When wood dries out, it shrinks. On a Garrison the fibreglass frame does not. Result - wood pulled itself apart. Also some sound only average.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From:
Date: 14 May 04 - 05:38 AM

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 09:18 PM

Big Mick

I have to admit I haven't given some of the newer stuff a chance but what I have hasn't been all that bad. Fact of the matter is, even lower end stuff like the cheapie Epiphones, Squires, and Yamahas really aren't all that bad either compared with the low end stuff of days gone by. Most everything today comes with a spruce top at least and doesn't have a painted on pickguard!

What I see lacking in some of the Seagulls, Larivees, Takamines, etc. is a lack of character and soulfullness in sound. It's probably a state of mind to a degree, but I get real heady about all that heritage when I'm playing my old D-18 or one of my '60s Gibsons.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 04:47 PM

I was just watching Roger Whittaker being interviewed on TV. He was holding a Seagull 12 string.

Subject: RE: Canadian-made Guitars - opinions please?
From: Big Mick
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 06:54 PM

I find myself agreeing with Martin Gibson a great deal of the time. But not this time. If ever there was a golden age of lutherie, this is it. There are many guitars out there that are every bit the equal of anything Martin is putting out now. Same for Gibson. If you are talking vintage stuff, I have no argument. But I must tell you that the Larrivee D-05 I play will run with anything put out by Martin or Gibson of the same vintage. Collings is another, and on and on. In fact, and I will catch a load of shite on this one, I believe that most of the Seagulls put out are (dollar for dollar) a much better deal than Martin and have a sound that is very comparable. Would I like to own a Martin D-28? I would love to, as they are fine instruments. Are they building better instruments than the Canadian made Larrivee's? Nope. Is there low end model any better than the Seagull? Nope, not in sound or action. And the Seagull costs less.

Just my opinion.

Mick