newbie question for next purchase

[BERT1FLORES]

I currently have a Seagull S6. It is rugged and faithfull but I'm in the market for something better both sonicaly and visualy.

 

Personal research for the monies I want to spend (about $500 range) is pointing to the Zager ZAD-50. A blemished model can be had for $415.

 

Does anyone have any opinions on this model or could possibly point me in a different model direction.

 

My friends think I am good but I know I su ck, could never be in a band. I just play for personal pleasure. My style is a combination of flat picking and finger picking. I hope to find a guitar that is not too trebelie and has a solid bass sound.

 

Thanks in advance

Bert

[whit townsend]

Run Away, Run Away!

Your going backwards from a decent acoustic to an overpriced guitar shaped object. Do a thread search on Zager. I can tell you from experience that the overwhelming negative feedback is accurate, as I have actually played one.

 

What is it you do not like about the S6? Is it a dred or concert model?

What quality is it that you want more of that the s6 is lacking?

Let us know some details and we can point you in the right dircetion.

[Harmonycat]

The Zager is not nearly as good as your Seagull. It is a tuned up $250.00 guitar. That is a lot of money for a $75.00 luthier set up!

 

Unfortunately your Seagull is so good, that you are going to have to spend a significant amount more to get to the next step. They are just such a great value that in order for you to really get a better guitar you will need more than $500.00.

 

My advice is keep the Seagull and start a bank account with the $500.00. Wait until you can add enough to it to buy a mint condition Larrivee second hand.

 

Be patient....it will be worth it!

[denvertrakker]

The Zager is not nearly as good as your Seagull. It is a tuned up $250.00 guitar. That is a lot of money for a $75.00 luthier set up! Unfortunately your Seagull is so good, that you are going to have to spend a significant amount more to get to the next step. They are just such a great value that in order for you to really get a better guitar you will need more than $500.00. My advice is keep the Seagull and start a bank account with the $500.00. Wait until you can add enough to it to but a mint condition Larrivee second hand. Be patient....it will be worth it!

 

What he said.

[BERT1FLORES]

 

Run Away, Run Away! Your going backwards from a decent acoustic to an overpriced guitar shaped object. Do a thread search on Zager. I can tell you from experience that the overwhelming negative feedback is accurate, as I have actually played one. A quick check of these forum threads is provong this to be the case. Thanks for the heads up... What is it you do not like about the S6? Is it a dred or concert model? What quality is it that you want more of that the s6 is lacking? Let us know some details and we can point you in the right dircetion.

 

 

My gull has a cedar top and I'm looking for something with a spruce top.

I also find visualy attractive guitars are inspiring to my play. I like the S6 very much but its not as loud and clear as I would like...I want something with a booming, solid bass and not to brassy on the hi registers.

 

I wonder if a Sigma DR-41 would be for me. I've never heard one and now they are out of buisness. Danny has 3 on his site and wants about $650

for them and they seem to go used on ebay for about $450...I just don't know.

I can wait and do more research to see whats right for me but I still look forward to as much imput as possible.

[missedmyexit]

The Zager is not nearly as good as your Seagull. It is a tuned up $250.00 guitar. That is a lot of money for a $75.00 luthier set up! Unfortunately your Seagull is so good, that you are going to have to spend a significant amount more to get to the next step. They are just such a great value that in order for you to really get a better guitar you will need more than $500.00. My advice is keep the Seagull and start a bank account with the $500.00. Wait until you can add enough to it to but a mint condition Larrivee second hand. Be patient....it will be worth it!

 

+2 Not to pile on but a Seagull is one of the best quality beginner guitars you can get. It's not as flashy as some of the other guitars in that price range but it's quality and sound make up for it.. Zager guitars from all I have seen and read sound like a beginner trap. They do a setup that most guitars need and sell them as EZ Play guitars. It's a lot of words to say they dropped the action (String Height) and tacked on and extra 200 for the effort.

[whit townsend]

Yes, its just a typical lamanated Chinese martin copy. You can get em everyday for $200-$250. You pay $200 for the Zagerizing.

And its a screwy set up on top of that. Frets are filed down to next to nothing in order to get the action super low, with extra light strings. Sure its easy to press the strings, but hit it hard and its buzz city. Plus in a few yrs when you wear some grooves in the frets, theres no where to go to redress them, they've already been filed away.

 

If its more bass your after, check out a Blueridge Dred. or a Washburn Jumbo if you must have a new guitar now. I agree with Harmonycat tho. Save your money and make a significant move up later with $1000 or so to work with.

[whit townsend]

 

Same deal, just more money down the drain.

For that kind of money you could get an Epiphone Masterbuilt, a Blueridge, a Guild GAD, or a low end Martin or Taylor. All are 2-3x the guitar the Sigma is.

[BERT1FLORES]

Thanks all...I know what its like to own a good box.

I once lost to a pawn shop a Martin SP 000-16 TR. That was several years ago and I still feel sick about it. Ultimately, if I wait and save I can spend a pretty coin on something outstanding but no more 2.5k guitars for me.

Im liking the MMV very much. Anyone have a opinion to this guitar in the link?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Martin-MMV-Solid-Top-Dreadnought-Rosewood-Sitka-Acoustic-Guitar-103121034-i1173142.gc

 

I'll research this new Epi masterbuilts next...thanks for the lead.

[whit townsend]

Havn't played the MMV, but I'm sure its nice. Looks like a good deal on a solid wood rosewood Martin dred. Whats the diff vs a 28? Is it the bracing, bling, finish, or some combination?

[phil_harmonic]

For $700 or so you can look around and try and find a used Taylor GA3 which is a great guitar. People like the Larry's too. Your gull is a good axe so I'd wait until I could really upgrade before replacing it.

 

Good luck

[guitarist21]

Epiphone Masterbilt

[outdoorgb]

I'm playing, or attempting to play, a Larrivee OM03 and just purchased Seagull Mini Jumbo Rustic (budget git). Two days after getting the Seagull I replaced the Godin strings with Diaddario lights. Huge difference to me.

 

Just saying the obvious and am sure you have fiddled with new strings. Additionally, if you get the chance to go play new guitars, take your Seagull along and compare the sounds.

 

Have fun...

[BERT1FLORES]

All need not worry, Seagull is not for sale. Its to good of a beater.

Very solid.

 

Looking very hard at the Epi DR-500R and am about to research the

Larrivee's.

[cheeseadiddle]

 

I'm playing, or attempting to play, a Larrivee OM03 and just purchased Seagull Mini Jumbo Rustic (budget git). Two days after getting the Seagull I replaced the Godin strings with Diaddario lights. Huge difference to me. Just saying the obvious and am sure you have fiddled with new strings. Additionally, if you get the chance to go play new guitars, take your Seagull along and compare the sounds. Have fun...

 

 

Next time try the Martin SP Phos Bronze on your Seagull. I just put some on my S6 and they sound much better than the D'Addarios did.

[BERT1FLORES]

Martin makes a fine set of strings and I am due for a new set.

I think tomarrow I'm going to head down to my loacal Guitar center

for the big sale on the 7th and pick up a new Epi DR-500R and a new

set of strings for my gull at the same time...now thats something

to look forward to.

[Harmonycat]

Well Bert....you are getting some very solid feedback. I have owned three Sigmas. The DR-41 is a pretty good guitar...it is the best of the Sigmas.

But it is not going to be any better than your Seagull.

Frankly, despite that fact that a Masterbilt MAY be better than your Seagull, it MAY NOT be. Put new strings on your Seagull and take it with you when you go guitar shopping.

 

It will provide a known benchmark for your ears and will sound as good as it can. You might find that it will take quite a guitar to be SIGNIFICANTLY better than it when it is at it's best. The Martin SP lights are a good choice.

 

I hope there are Larrivees where you are going....

 

I just played a Larrivee SD-60 and an OM03, a Guild GAD-50 and GAD Jumbo, an S&P Showcase Rosewood, a Martin D-16, three Seagulls, a Gibson and an A&L Ami Cedar less than an hour ago.

 

A Guild GAD-50 is generally viewed as very similar in quality as a Masterbilt. I've played both many times, but not in this session.They are about the same price give or take $50.00.

The GAD-50 was a nice guitar, but it did not outshine the Seagulls I played that were a couple or hundred less.

 

I doubt that a Masterbilt, although really nice will be that much better.

 

A Larrivee???? That is a whole other story. If I were looking to add a couple of guitars to my stable and only had one Seagull...a Spruce Masterbilt and a Larrivee would be nice additions.

 

If I could only buy one......Hold out for the Larry!!!

 

And that is the best advice I can give you.

 

BTW: The MMV is a hell of a guitar also and would be a step up if you have $1299.00 plus tax.......Just remember that you can buy a Larrivee for that much too!

[lauren]

this reviewed in Acoustic Guitar magazine...don't think i have the copy.

 

 

 

Thanks all...I know what its like to own a good box. I once lost to a pawn shop a Martin SP 000-16 TR. That was several years ago and I still feel sick about it. Ultimately, if I wait and save I can spend a pretty coin on something outstanding but no more 2.5k guitars for me. Im liking the MMV very much. Anyone have a opinion to this guitar in the link? http://www.guitarcenter.com/Martin-MMV-Solid-Top-Dreadnought-Rosewood-Sitka-Acoustic-Guitar-103121034-i1173142.gc I'll research this new Epi masterbuilts next...thanks for the lead.

 

[BERT1FLORES]

Very insightfull post Harmonycat. To take the S6 into the store with new strings is a very good idea.

 

Talked to a salesman at GC on the phone and he said they have the Masterbuilt DR-500R listed as $499 but on the web site its listed as $599.

Guitar-a-thon starts tomarrow at 10am and runs thru this Sunday, so

the price should come down even more and then I have a post card I got in the mail that states I can get another 10% off already discounted prices by handing over the post card. That said, if I can secure a DR-500R for real cheap then its a done deal.

 

If by chance the MMV with discounts and 10% off the discounted price can get me out the door for an even 1k then I'll do that...I doubt it though.

The salesman also mentioned Parkwoods being better with deep discounts

so I'll give them a look over too. Heck who knows what I'll get but its going to be fun. This is almost like shopping for a new car.

[outdoorgb]

 

Next time try the Martin SP Phos Bronze on your Seagull. I just put some on my S6 and they sound much better than the D'Addarios did.

 

 

 

Oh great...now you're making me stop at the git store on the way home...I better buy just strings or it's your fault:cool:

[Harmonycat]

Very insightfull post Harmonycat. To take the S6 into the store with new strings is a very good idea. Talked to a salesman at GC on the phone and he said they have the Masterbuilt DR-500R listed as $499 but on the web site its listed as $599. Guitar-a-thon starts tomarrow at 10am and runs thru this Sunday, so the price should come down even more and then I have a post card I got in the mail that states I can get another 10% off already discounted prices by handing over the post card. That said, if I can secure a DR-500R for real cheap then its a done deal. If by chance the MMV with discounts and 10% off the discounted price can get me out the door for an even 1k then I'll do that...I doubt it though. The salesman also mentioned Parkwoods being better with deep discounts so I'll give them a look over too. Heck who knows what I'll get but its going to be fun. This is almost like shopping for a new car.

 

Well now you've gone and done it Bert...We expect a full report on what you heard, observed, and learned during the shopping trip.....

[cheeseadiddle]

 

Oh great...now you're making me stop at the git store on the way home...I better buy just strings or it's your fault:cool:

 

 

I just picked up two more sets when I got done with my lesson. Another spare set of Custom Lights and a set of Extra Lights for my GF's Takamine. Gonna try a set on it tonight.

[totamus]

Let me jump on the bandwagon, stay away from Zager, it is not a good deal. He depends on those who are not very experienced to make his money. I hate to say it, but I would stay away from Sigma as well. Sigmas were imported by Martin, but never has anywhere near the depth. Nice enough guitars, but there are many better guitars for the money. Look at Guild GADs, and Blueridge. EPI Masterbilts get a lot of love here too, but I have no direct experience with them.