Seagull neck too thick?

[redpoint]

I've had a Seagull for a year and a half. It's a really great guitar - I love the sound and look of the cedar top, but the one issue is that neck is a bit thick for me, especially when trying to do some chords where my thumb wraps around the low E string. I've been looking at installing a pickup, but given the neck width, I'm reluctant to invest money in a permanent pickup on a guitar that I'm not completely convinced about.

 

I started looking around for other quality budget acoustics with thinner necks: and the Yamaha FG730S caught my eye ($300)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-FG730S-Solid-Top-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=519049

 

And the Walden D550 ($265)

http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/natura/D550.html

 

Both have thin necks and sound and play pretty good. Am I just foolish for wanting to swap for another acoustic of roughly the same quality? It seems like usually people trade up to a nicer acoustic...

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

[DonK]

What you swap for won't much matter if you don't find it comfortable to play. The Seagull has a wide neck (1.8" nut width), but I wouldn't call it thick. Ultimately, you have to decide what's comfortable for you, but don't confuse width with thickness; they're very different characteristics.

[Cldplytkmn]

wellllll... seagull is offering a thin neck version of their guitars now... down to 1.72 inches at the nut rather than 1.8... it might not look like a big difference, but i'm certain you'd feel it. It'd be worth trying to track one down to try out.

[KATMAN]

Personally,I'd keep the Seagull and save up for another guitar.While a strummers dream,the Seagull isn't,especially for those of us with smaller hands.I've played Seagulls and found that while I didn't like their necks for strumming,they were perfect for fingerpicking. I don't know if you fingerpick,but it would be a great oppertunity for you to learn since you have a guitar that is sutiable for that.

[TimZ]

I have two Seagulls, the M6MJCWQII with the 1.8 nut and the S6 Grand with the 1.72 and the difference in the neck is quite noticable. I have medium man hands and when I get out my '83 Guild G37 with the 1 11/16 nut it seems so easy to play but the Seagulls are also short scale which I find better for my size hands and finger length. While true it's more of a reach string to string I still like the combo of wide nut, short scale. Another point I posted on another thread, I have moist skin and rather soft calluses (even though I play several times a week) so after playing awhile my calluses collapse and the extra string spacing helps. So just a few things to consider. TimZ.....

[BigRed51]

 

And the Walden D550 ($265) http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/natura/D550.html Both have thin necks and sound and play pretty good. Am I just foolish for wanting to swap for another acoustic of roughly the same quality? It seems like usually people trade up to a nicer acoustic... Any advice would be appreciated!

 

 

For me, the best word to describe the Seagull necks is cumbersome ... and I too am a "thumb reacher!"

 

Walden guitars are a great value. I have never played a D550, but I have played a D710, and have seen a couple of used ones on the market recently for under $250 with HSC. You didn't mention which model Seagull you have, but I can assure you that in my opinion, a D710 would be a huge upgrade in both tone, projection, and playability over any Seagull I have played, starting with the S6 and including some of the artist series. I have not played one of their "slim neck" models, as I have yet to see one in the local stores. The D710 has a solid rosewood back, solid spruce top, and laminated sides. If you're interested, try googling Walden D710. I know one of the ads was on the AGF forum classifieds ... can't remember where I saw the other one.

 

In the 'new' market, you may want to explore the Washburn D10S ... it sells for substantially less than a Seagull S6, and has (for my style and taste) considerably better tone and projection .. for a laminated guitar. It is the Number One Selling Acoustic Guitar in the World, and was acknowledged by Acoustic Guitar magazine as the best guitar under $500. In addition, it has a limited lifetime warranty compared to Seagull which has one year on some parts, 2 years on others.

 

In my opinion. and for my taste and style, either the D710 or the D10S would be a "trade up to a nicer acoustic."

[johbren]

Well let me put in my .02 I use to like the thin profile neck of some guitars like taylor and tacomas and my Walden g2070 has a neck identical to the taylors. it has a 1.75 wide neck. now for some reason as I advance into playing I like the seagull neck better. It fills up my palm better and gives me more control I guess you could say. However I play finger style. If you are a strummer then a 1.68 wide neck and smaller profile would be good for you. If you play finger style the wider the better.Ive noticed when I grab either of my classicals my accuracy is better and they have 2.0 in wide necks and are a thick profile. IN your case I would keep the Seagull and look for a Walden I got a b stock g2070 all solid wood and it rivals my buddys taylor 314. You can find them cheap on ebay if you are patient.

[guit30]

I think Seagull necks are cumbersome too, my Alvarez RD20S has a very Taylor like neck

Jim

[Cripes]

I played a Taylor 914CE today. What can I say *drool*

 

The Seagull I have has a fairly stocky neck but I think it's fine for the strumming/flatpicking work I do. But, if you find it too inhibiting then trade it. I would. When I finally learned I didn't need to crowd my fingers onto a narrow neck I sold everything I had that cramped me that way.

[guit30]

incredible guitar

[TonyS300AD]

I got a Walden D560CE and it is a really nice guitar. The sound is great wit or without an amp, and I love the satin finish on it. It really wasn't to expensive either compared to what other guitars were for the same features. Just my 2 cents if its any help at all.

[redpoint]

Yeah, thanks for the advice, everyone. I went back to the music store today, played a Walden D550CE, and thought, it was a bit better than the S6 I have, but not great enough to switch. But then they pointed me to a Blueridge BR-140, with a 1 3/4 nut (they said that this is now an option instead of the standard 1 11/16), and I think I've definitely found the guitar I want for the long term. It sounded really nice, by which I mean, my seagull sounds a bit muddier, though my strings are a bit older, I think. The Blueridge had a good thin neck, and I didn't even mind the funny looking pickguard. It felt a lot lighter than the Seagull I have, or even the Walden D550 (without electronics). I'm not sure if I like that or not. It does feel a bit more fragile, but maybe that's just me.

 

But, it's definitely something to step up to. Now to save up for it!

[guit30]

Blueridge Br-140s are great solid wood guitars, interesting they went to a wider nut, with a thin neck like that, you can afford to

Jim