Buying my first acoustic...Seagull??

[eroom]

Hello. I know that this question has been asked a million times, so I'll apologize in advance. (I did use the search feature by the way!). I am in the market for my first acoustic guitar. I've been inspired by watching, and listening to Woodsongs radio hour. I've always been a huge music fan, and figured what the heck, 33 years old isn't too old to learn! So I've been out and about looking at acoustics. The local shop recommends that I buy a Seagull acoustic. My budget is $500. I'd obviously like to purchase the best guitar that I can buy in that price range, but I don't know what in the world I'm looking at! I don't know if the salesman is being honest, or just wants to move some old stock. It seems like a decent guitar, but what do I know. Any advice, or help that anyone has is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[JasmineTea]

I don't recall reading anything negative on here about Seagull.

Seems like a lot of guys like the S6 model.

Bring someone who knows a thing or two about guitars with when you go shopping if you can.

[rab05]

You can't go wrong with a Seagull for your first acoustic. Rich sounds, all the ones I've played in stores are very playable and well setup. The S6 is a solid choice. I'd reccomend trying to get the S^+ so you get the pickup. Seagulls sound great plugged in as well.

[UGB]

Seagull is an excellent choice for that price range, and welcome.

[dangerine49]

Seagulls are great guitars, starter or not. Good bang for the buck. That goes for all of the Godin line of acoustics: Seagull, Norman, Art & Lutherie, Simon & Patrick and La Patrie

[darkest_fugue]

i have a seagull M6 spruce non pickup version that i really like...its got a nice bright sound ...its not really opened up yet though ecause i dont play it as often as id like...the neck is nice i have it string with 10s and the action is decent but for the life of me its a difficult guitar to play...there just seems to be so much tension on the strings they feel like iron bars to press down and i dont know why...playing bar chords is a real chore....its sad really because the guitar has a good sound that would only get better if i played it more....i keep going to my takamine though which sounds as good and although its string with 12s its effortless to play....does anyone have a reason for this or is that just a characteristic of the guitar?

[UGB]

String tension is dictated by scale length, string gauge, and string type/composition. The first place I'd look is to see if your Seagull has a longer scale than your other guitar.

[darkest_fugue]

believe it or not the tak has a longer scale neck so its not that...well i always wanted to build up my hand strength it looks like i have the guitar to do it

[Misha]

If you have 500$ for a Seagull, buy one with the best finish you can get! (M6 + gloss is very nice!)

Also look at Norman, Simon and Patrick and Art & Lutherie. The necks are different.

You can get a gig bag for 25$ (not the best one tough) and a metro-tuner for 30$.

Buy the guitar you like the most not necessarily the one people tell you to buy! (between 2 models of the same quality...)

[mrlucky7]

Like it has been said, you cant go wrong with a Seagull or any of the Godin made guitars. Great quality/price ratio

[PapaTom1]

A Seagull is a very good choice. Not to complicate the issue, but Alvarez also makes a good >$500 guitar.

[eroom]

OK. I'm back from the store. The Seagull guitar, that I'm looking at is the M6 with a gloss finish. Salesman recommends the gloss finish for durability, since I have children. I'm also intrigued by another guitar that they have, the Guild GAD-50. It's last years model, but I can get it for around the same price as the seagull, with a case. To be honest, I like the sound of the Guild better. It has a thicker sound to it, as opposed to the Seagull. The shop also carries a number of Simon and Patrick, and high dollar Martin guitars. I'm driving this salesman crazy! Back and forth, back and forth. Maybe I'm over analyzing this. It's fun though.

[JasmineTea]

Originally posted by eroom OK. Maybe I'm over analyzing this.

Don't worry about over analyzing. Take your time (and his) If you spend $500 on a guitar, it should be something you can live with. Better to get it right the first time.

[knockwood]

I'll second the tip about not worrying about over-analysis. Take your time. I think either - the Seagull or the Guild - would be a great first guitar. I think either would be a damn good guitar even for someone more advanced. If you like the Guild better -sounds better to you and is comfortable to play - go with it. Final decision should not be made on the basis of anyone else's advice. The more you're able to look around & try stuff out, the better. When something feels right, grab it. You'll develop a much more specific sense of what you like in a guitar after you've been playing a little while.

BTW, I can firmly attest that 33 is not too late to start. I started at 34... While I'm not currently selling out Madison Square Garden, I'm at least not getting death threats from my neighbors (anymore).

[PapaTom1]

Guilds have a great reputation. I don't know if this is an issue with you but I believe that particular Guild model (GAD) is made in China. If that isn't an issue, then the Guild would be a good choice.

[leftync]

re: the guy who has difficulty playing bar chords on the M6--

actually the guitar has a short scale. i'll bet the difficulty is related to the wide neck. it's probably a quarter inch or so wider than a Martin or guitar with similar spacing.

[eroom]

Originally posted by PapaTom1 Guilds have a great reputation. I don't know if this is an issue with you but I believe that particular Guild model (GAD) is made in China. If that isn't an issue, then the Guild would be a good choice.

 

 

Are their quality issues with these guitars? I'm assuming there is some stigma associated with guitars manufactured in China?

[cfgsteak]

I am starting at 38, I wish I would have started 4 years ago!!!

You seem like you know what you are doing and it sounds like you will be getting a great guitar because you are taking your time and doing some shopping.

[darkest_fugue]

my guitar does indeed have a very wide neck on it for a steel string but i was never a guy that had a big neck preferance...i have 8 guitars and they have all sorts of different necks....wide necks skinny necks im pretty good at finding my way around them but i dont know really....the string tension on my seagull just seems really stiff...maybe i just need to work out with it more but my other acoustics play really easy compared to it...i will stick with it though id really like to play it long enough to hear the wood open up and see how the sound improves

[knockwood]

Originally posted by eroom Are their quality issues with these guitars? I'm assuming there is some stigma associated with guitars manufactured in China?

 

 

Forget about the stigma and concentrate on what you hear. Made in China/Made in Pennsylvania/Made on Jupiter... Only important thing is how it plays and how it sounds. If you liked the guitar earlier today, why should this change because you subsequently found out where it was made? In your search, try to remain objective and focus on quality and your comfort with the instrument.

 

Here's a look at what some owners have to say about them here on HC's Product Review Database:

 

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Guild/GAD_50-1.html

 

And here:

 

http://www.music123.com/Guild-GAD50-i129664.music?t=4

 

A lot of companies are making guitars in China now in order to remain competetive while offering quality appointments that would add up to several times the cost on an instrument manufactured with American or Canadian labor. For example, the GAD-50 is an all solid wood guitar with rosewood back & sides, a sitka top, scalloped braces, a dovetail neck joint, mahogany bindings, bone nut & saddle... And you're looking at it in the neighborhood of $500 to $600 retail (!!!)... This kind of array for that kind of money simply does not happen on this continent. The closest you'd come to an exception is Seagull (subtract all solid wood, scalloped braces, bone, switch rosewood to mahogany), but you've said yourself that you preferred the Guild... To hell with stigma.

[eroom]

Originally posted by knockwood Forget about the stigma and concentrate on what you hear. Made in China/Made in Pennsylvania/Made on Jupiter... Only important thing is how it plays and how it sounds. If you liked the guitar earlier today, why should this change because you subsequently found out where it was made? In your search, try to remain objective and focus on quality and your comfort with the instrument. Here's a look at what some owners have to say about them here on HC's Product Review Database: http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Guild/GAD_50-1.html And here: http://www.music123.com/Guild-GAD50-i129664.music?t=4 A lot of companies are making guitars in China now in order to remain competetive while offering quality appointments that would add up to several times the cost on an instrument manufactured with American or Canadian labor. For example, the GAD-50 is an all solid wood guitar with rosewood back & sides, a sitka top, scalloped braces, a dovetail neck joint, mahogany bindings, bone nut & saddle... And you're looking at it in the neighborhood of $500 to $600 retail (!!!)... This kind of array for that kind of money simply does not happen on this continent. The closest you'd come to an exception is Seagull (subtract all solid wood, scalloped braces, bone, switch rosewood to mahogany), but you've said yourself that you preferred the Guild... To hell with stigma.

Wow thanks for the reassurance. My gut tells me to go with the Guild. I think I'll go and break the bank tomorrow. All said and done with tax, it will run me right around $600. It's a little more than the seagull, but what the heck, I like it better! Thanks.

[knockwood]

I don't mean to tell you what to get, man. This is only one guy's opinion. If you're happy with it and you do decide to buy it, $600 is a very good price for it new. This model comes with a hard case included - shouldn't cost any extra dough.

JT's earlier suggestion was great: best if you can hit the store with a friend who knows something about guitars. Remember your choices are not relegated to Guild or Seagull. Whichever way you go, have fun! You're starting something that will enrich your life unbelievably if you stick with it.

[eroom]

I was leaning in the direction of the Guild, but I was somewhat frightened by the whole China bit. I honestly think it has a bigger, more rich sound compared to the Seagull. They are both fine guitars. The case is indeed included with the Guild. The only minus with the guild, is the lack of a pick guard. I don't want to scratch it all up when I'm hacking away on it!

[knockwood]

May look like there isn't one, but the model should actually come with a clear pick guard. A lot of people aren't crazy about the look of them, but if you decide down the road to have it switched out for a more traditional guard, this is a relatively easy bit of work. Still, when/if you get to that point I'd recommend having it done by a pro since it is work that'll be done on a prominently visible portion of your guitar. Plus it will require heating the current pick guard to loosen the bonding agent - a procedure that could also impact the bracing if not done carefully. In the mean time, the clear pick guard will protect your guitar's top from wild pick scratches.

You will develop a million questions. There are a lot of smarties who frequent this forum & who will happily give you excellent advice (I am not one of these smarties - I'm just having an uncharacteristically lucid moment right now). There is also this site, which is a great source of info on how to treat your guitar:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/OwnerManual/manmain.html

On the model, I should admit that I own a rosewood Guild dreadnaught and absolutely love it to death - it's the guitar I learned to play on - and I am thus extremely biased.

[JasmineTea]

I think the Guild looks a lot better than the Seagull. Mahogany trim? Bone nut and saddle? Ebony bridge pins? Scalloped bracing?

I played a GAD jf30 that sounded nice, played nice too.

HERE'S the website if anyone's interested.