Seagull Grand

I'll just start off by saying that I don't actually own this guitar, but I play one a lot live, as I don't yet have an acoustic with a pickup. It's the singer's.
Nice features for a guitar at this price point: solid Cedar top; laminate "wild" cherry back and sides; rosewood fingerboard; silver leaf maple neck. It also has the optional LR Baggs Micro EQ system. The LR Baggs is a nice choice for this guitar, and is nicely minimalist. It's got good tuners, which are nice and small. Because the finish is practically non-existant - just a thin semi-gloss - it's a very natural looking guitar, and the dark back and sides of cherry add to this folky feeling. Couldn't ask for more, though either a pickgaurd or a tougher finish would be very welcome - I'll go into that later.

The reason why I'm writing this is because of the previous reviews about the sound. If you read this, you would be forgiven for thinking that it was some sort of super guitar, especially for such a low price (about $300 US I'm told). Well, for that price, yes it is quite nice, but it's far from a great tone in my opinion.
It's obviously very different from a dreadnaught style guitar, and that's great. It's quite low in volume, but that doesn't really matter I don't think. You'd plug it in for gigs anyway. The sound is quite balanced, but it reminds me of a cardboard box. That may sound a bit harsh, and I do like that it's got a different character from most guitars you can get for the price, but it's still quite boxy to my ears. I play all sorts of music, and it definately responds best to fingerpicking. I use it for quite folky stuff mainly, and it's fine for that, as long as I don't use a pick, or strum too hard. I often play this for lead acoustic work over the top of another acoustic. Trying to get a bit of grunt out of it ends up in the tone just farting out, with an overcompressed feel. Not only that, but transients feel like they're actually distorting, and this is without it being plugged in. Of course, I'm making it sound worse than it is, because I'm comparing it in my head to some lovely Martins I'm tossing up between, which are still not dreadnaughts, but at almost four times the price. At the moment, I own a Cort Earth acoustic, which is a dreadnaught, and is probably worth about the same amount. It's got quite a bit less character, which makes this Grand quite refreshing to play, but the Cort is more reliable across the dynamic range. For the price, certainly a contender, but there's plenty out there.
By the way, plugged in it sounds very good, or rather, much like it does unplugged. The pickup is very good. To tell you the truth, I haven't been able to hear it from an audience perspective much, so I can't comment very well.

I don't know what it was like when it was bought, but it's in great condition now. The action is quite low, and so it's very easy to play, when you consider the short scale length. All the frets are right, with no sticking out edges or badly levelled ones. The neck feels great, and is quite fast. The back is bookmatched so well that it looks like one piece of wood, that just happens to be symmetrical. The only problem I have is that bits of the bridge saddle have cracked under the strings, instead of wearing down normally. This means that there is a buzz on the D and G strings, so obviously the saddle needs replacing, which isn't my call, as I'm not the one to be paying for it. This is partly a durability problem I guess, but I've never seen a saddle chip off in this way, so it's a problem with the material (plastic) that they use. I'd give it a 10, but the saddle is a problem.

This is the main problem. The finish on the top is very pretty, but not remotely protective. There is no pickgaurd either, and as I have fingernails (and most people who use it would be fingerpickers I think) this is a problem, as if you tap the body you'll ding it. The Top of this guitar is covered in small dings. Also, the back finish scratches easily and leaves very light marks, so they are very visible. I don't mind a few dings on my guitar, but it makes the guitar a lot more of a hassle to gig with, especially seeing as it's not my guitar, I always feel nervous holding it in case something happens. I can't imagine this would last long at all in nice condition with a tough gigging schedule.

Can't comment

Look, for the money, this is a perfectly good guitar, but don't think it's a Martin or similar higher priced guitar. I think Seagull make great guitars, but I'd recommend saving up and getting something that will be more reliable and with a better tone.

First, let me just say; I don't mean to sound like a complete idiot, but I am a professional guitar repairman. I have worked at most of the major guitar shops in New England. I am also a professional orchestral trombone builder (please don't ask why). I have been working on fretted instruments since 1977.

Besides the countless other guitars I have owned, and the dozens which are currently in my possesion, I have two Seagull Grands; a 1998 and a factory 2nd made in 2000. Both are identical with cedar / lam wild cherry, big leaf necks, yada, yada, yada. Neither has a pickup.

The 1998 is my all-time favorite player. It's the first guitar I've ever caused fret wear just from playing it so much, and I have a light to medium touch. This guitar is very customized. The entire finish has been hand rubbed to a gloss. The headstock is now light maple with a large MOP star at the top (like a Vega). There is an abalone diamond inlaid into the fingerboard. I've installed a customized JLD bridge truss in the body. I also installed a shaped tortoise pickguard, mini gold Grovers with ebony buttons, and ebony / abalone bridge pins. I've compensated the saddle a bit differently. The intonation is superb!

My 2000 Grand is basically stock. I bought it as a backup and because it was only $150. So far, I've only installed a white pearl pickguard on it. However, I will begin operating on this guitar soon.

We all know the sound of a guitar is a personal thing, so I will just say; this guitar's overall tone suits me just fine. Despite its small size, its still a "full-voiced" guitar (for what it is). Its tone constantly brings joy to my ears. What else could I ask of it?

I have used my 98 Grand in many different venues. It's most fun while I'm sitting on my bed or at the computer playing it. At jam sessions, it' has a bit less volume than the dreads, but everyone adjusts accordingly.

Both of the Grands have some differences in materials and ornamentation, but they are basically the same in construction.

The quality is excellent on both instruments. There are some fine luthiers in Canada

In my opinion, commenting on action is about as pointless as talking about tone. Here's what I will say; as with all wooden guitars, action changes slightly with different weather patterns. It's never a problem of any kind because I adjust it.

Oh, I forgot to mention.... One real nice feature that the boys at Seagull were intelligent enough to incorporate, is a double action truss rod. WAY TO GO GUYS!!!

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I got the 2000 Grand for low dough because the neck bolts had come loose and were flopping around behind the label. Not sure why this happened, but I can say my 98 Grand has never had a problem of any kind.

I won't mention the soft cedar top as everyone else who has reviewed this guitar has.

I once sold a young girl a brand new Seagull 12 string in cedar. She brought it home and dropped it hard on the floor. The headstock joint broke completely off. I could see that there were large voids in the hardened glue. Icalled Seagull, and they immediately sent her a new guitar directly to her house via overnight delivery. Need I say more?

I have tons of vintage axes, tons of hand-mades, tons of chicago-built garbage, and everything inbetween, and I have owned thousands of other guitars. MY 1998 SEAGULL GRAND IS MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE!!!

parlor size Seagull Grand in a satin finish....21 frets....14 to the body... white body binding front and back, compensated saddle, GREAT MARTIN like 24.8 scale length, nice comfortable 1.74" (basically a
1 3/4" , ALL other Seagulls seem to be a bigger 1.8 ) nut width. SOLID CEDAR TOP, laminated cherry back and sides. SMALL in size, BIG in tone for the size!

very well balanced sound... it is "fun" to pick up and play... I love to fingerpick this guitar. I have even strummed it hard and it sounds fine. Just a little jangly, but that is to be expected for its smaller size. Has a big sound for a small instrument. I put in a Martin thinline under saddle pickup and it sounds great thru my acoustisonic jr.

haven't found anything wrong, and I am kinda picky! Neck feels like a standard guitar, fretwork is great! Intonated saddle is a nice touch !

cedar top marks easily and so after some hard strumming I noticed I was putting some good scratches on it below the soundhole..... DEFINITELY PUT ON A Larrivee like clear pickguard, shape it how you like it( not much room, you have to trim it!) and you are good to go!

haven't had a reason to contact Seagull....

I love the fact that a travel guitar or kids guitar has laminated back and sides (durability factor) , and the SOLID CEDAR TOP (tone factor)..... and doesn't cost an arm and a leg like some other parlors, and that the neck is basically a FULL scale length (24.8") Very comfortable nut width (1.74") , and the small parlor size body makes it oh so EASY to pick up and play.... anytime... anywhere!
one last thing... I had a great experience at Milano Music, go see Don Pogrant, he will fix you right up! peace love music :)

My new guitar is the Seagull Grand, solid cedar top, laminated wild cherry body, cream binding with a satin finish, I've had it 2 weeks. Many details have been covered in other reviews. This is an acoustic only, no pickup. I really like the satin cedar top but I had a clear pick guard added to protect it from my strumming. The Grand is a plain looking guitar and the more I look at guitars the more I like the models without alot of decoration. I appreciate the simple beauty of nice wood grain.

I am a novice player and haven't developed an ear for what others may consider "good sound". I have made several trips to guitar shops to compare sound and tried 2000 dollar guitars and many less expensive models. The Grand is one of the guitars that I thought sounded very nice especially when the price is considered and it does sound like a smaller guitar, not at all bad just different. The cedar top provides a warm, full sound with plenty of volume. This guitar has me believing that "good sound" doesn't have to mean big dollars.

There were three Grands at the shop to choose from, I looked them over carefully. They are all well made guitars. My decision came down to which had the nicest wood grain. All had very tight bookmatched tops so my choice was determined by the side and back wood grain. The action was fine as is but this shop is also a very good repair center, I don't know if they do any adjustments prior to displaying their guitars. I liked the satin finish from the first time I saw it and I do think you need to take care when handling it. I have another guitar to knock around with, certainly not my Grand, it will be cared for.

Well again I think the Grand needs to be cared for and then should stand up to the challenge of live playing and gigging. It will show marks easily if you are not careful, the finish is thin but looks great. The purchase price includes a nice hard case which I feel it needs, I live in Arizona and have to "water" my guitars every 3 to 4 days.

I have not dealt with Seagull and probably won't. Like I said the shop where I bought it is a very good repair center. When this guitar needs attention I will bring it to them and if there is ever a warrany issue they will help me determine the course of action.

I have only been playing seriously for about 1 1/2 years, I'm now 44. I bought a Guild G37 in 1983 and took lessons off and on but till recently haven't been a serious player. I still have the Guild which I treasure also I bought earlier this past year an Alvarez RD20SC with a hard gloss black finish which is the guitar I'll use for knocking around, not that there is anything wrong with it, it's what I wanted it for. It has an electronic pickup with built in tuner and is a very handy guitar. Now back to my Grand, I love this little guitar. Slim chance it would be lost or stolen but I would replace it. I like the size, it's very comfortable to play, I like the look the cedar is beautiful, I like the sound. I'm proud and happy to have a Seagull, it probably won't be my last one, (I'm so addicted to playing I will have other guitars). I feel Seagulls are very good guitars and a great value.

Made in Canada, 20 frets, solid cedar top, laminated cherry sides and back. Stained maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Satin finish, very thin, no pickguard. Parlor sized guitar, generic tuners with small buttons, plastic bridge pins, synthetic nut and fully compensated saddle (I believe it's not TUSQ, but Graph-Tech sells replacements)... 24.84" scale length, plastic body binding, nice herringbone rosette. It's your basic guitar.

For folk/celtic fingerstyle, it's not bad... it's got a lot of punch for solo lines, but it's not super loud... Because it's a smaller body, it has a very strong fundamental and a very focused sound... not sparkling like an OM-sized guitar, but almost sounding like a nylon-stringed guitar. Compared to the spruce-topped Simon&Patrick equivalent (it's 12-free fretted sibling) it has a warmer, more responsive tone... not as bright, which is good for a small body guitar... sounds as good as a full solid Larrivee, if not better...

Although the construction seems rugged, the whole setup sucked. Some fret overhang, super-high action at both the saddle and the nut, truss rod set wrong... These were all easily fixed and after some fretboard leveling and fretdressing, saddle and nut-slot adjustments and all, I got the thing set exactly like my Larrivee: 3mm low E, 2mm high E at the 12th. But even with the fully compensated saddle, the intonation sucked. Here's the MAJOR MAJOR problem: normally, to set the scale length, you take the distance from the nut to the 12th fret and double it to find the bridge position. To compensate for intonation (in addition to the slanted saddle), you can take ~0.02" off the fretboard at the nut side (see frets.com for an explanation). When I measured the distance from the nut to the 12th fret and compared it to the 12th fret to saddle distance, the nut-12 distance was LONGER than the 12-saddle distance, which is wrong and BAD. So some filing at the end of the fingerboard later, making the nut-12 distance ~0.02" shorter than the 12-saddle distance, now the intonation works. I don't know if this was isolated, or just poor quality control, or the builder didn't know... I do have good things to say: top wood is beautifully bookmatched, with the narrower grain in the center to offer more strength, and the wider grain at the sides/edges to give more flexibility where it's stiff. Disclaimer- although I rate this section low, I purchased the guitar with the knowledge that I had the skill to fix these problems... if you don't know how to do these things, get your shop to set it up before you purchase it... I got mine at Tom Lee music, which doesn't seem to have an on-site acoustic tech, so they rely totally on factory setups, which, for this guitar, was horrible, but repairable.

Cedar top, with the thin lacquer makes for lots of top dings if you're not careful. I put a clear pickguard on, to help out. Otherwise, the overall construction seems durable.

n/a

just purchased a seagull grand made in "oh canada"... a 2002 model. they are still doing it right. no electonics, solid-cedar-top and if you've read this far, you know the rest. a fine "parlor" guitar, in fact, i'd have to say the best out there... regardless of price... yes, you read right, REGARDLESS of price... (also tried the larrivee marinr 000 series, and after reading all the rave reviews the taylor big baby)... i paid an incredibly inexpensive price (bought mine in toronto)... with the exchange rate... it came to $275 w/HSC (that's american dollars, btw)
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i play many different styles of music. This guitar is best suited for fingerpicking or light strumming. it has a tone all its own. the combination of cedar and cherry (though laminated) produce a sound that has depth and yet rings out. it sounds so good, it's hard to put down... seriously.. the sound overall, is a bright sound... with some serious depth (as aforementioned) thrown in...

i played four of these babies before deciding on this particular unit. fortunateley the dealer had a lot in stock... he claimed that he owns one himself... not sure if that was "puffery" or not... personally, i don't care, but after playing this one for half an hour, i could believe that he does. the guitar itself is very austere in apperaance. no bells, no whistles, nothing but clean plain looks and a beautful tone. the overall appearance is... i would have to say, understated ellegance...

the top of course is solid cedar... a very soft wood (incredible tone). haven't played "out" in about fifteen years (sighs, i am getting old!) the fit and finish are perfect. the finish is soft gloss, no pickguard (you knew all of this already, right?... sheesh). if i were "still" playing gigs... i wouldn't hesitate to use this without a backup... still?... with THAT in mind, this is a guitar of "special use" (in the real world) not a guitar that i would use on every song... hell, it's a fantastic machine, for what it is... if you are looking for a nicely appointed (ok, so you've got to be a bit of a minimalist, lol) incredible sounding, easy to play...guitar that stays in tune... perfect intonation... up and down the fretboard!..
then this is a way to go...

as for whether it will remain as sturdy as it appears, well i can only tell you about my other seagull an S6+ fold model which i've owned for seven years and never had a problem with...

the guitar comes with a 2 year "limited" warranty... i've never had cause to contact seagull re: my other guitar and don't expect i will need to regarding this one.... sooo, having no opinion on this matter ./... hell, i hate to give them anything less than a 10....lol.. but, that would be dishonest.. so?.. will a 9 bother anyone?...

i've been playing longer than i have fingers and toes to count on...i own TOO many guitars...lol.. including... guild, martin, taylor, seagull, fender, gibson, yes peavey... oh god... get me to the looney bin!..lol..(and seriously, too many others to mention)

there is absolutely NOTHING about this guitar (at the price i paid) that i would change...and, as i said... regardless of price this is one guitar that you will play... will put a smile on your face... make you feel wiser than your years (for having found it) and, will bring a lifetime of joy to all that hear you play it!....

See previous reviews for specs. This is the non-electric model parlor-style acoustic guitar. Body starts at the 14th fret! What a great feature! The cedar top produces a superb warm woody tone. Nice looking head stock. Simple yet elegant looking.

Sweet, soft, woody tone. She was built to be finger picked softly.

Excellent construction quality and materials! great neck, beautiful organic look.

Seems stout, yet delicateat the same time. Should last a lifetime.

don't know

Been playing for 36 years, and have owned many acoustics (and electrics). If you're looking for an acoustic that is a big departure from the big loud sound of a dreadnaught, this is your guitar. A very sweet player. I'll never sell it.

2001 Seagul Grand, solid cedar top etc... I love the look of the guitar with except for the headstock which I find unattractive. Great case made by Seagull, I paid an extra 50 bucks or so for that (gladly)

Great resonance and sustain. I usually play a Gibson J-45 so I'm used to a solid bass, but this little guitar is almost as loud when I do a lead run. Very bright, tight and sweet. It encourages me to play with my fingers. Its a nice companion soud-wise to my Gibson, sort of diametrically opposed strenghths, i'd say. I've been neglecting my J-45 since I got it. I just love to hear it ring in a quiet room.

no flaws, actions was fine. I had the opputunity to pick my guitar from 4 exampls at the store where I purchase it. that was very nice beacuse they did have different voices and feeling. I like the flast satin finish (also very different from my (sunburst) which is so finished it dosen't look like wood anymore)

I've been playing for about 20 years. I played for the first fiften on a sh**ty Ibanez that cost more that this one way back then. If only I'd have started out with a good guitar (I had the usual catch 22 - tryin to learn on a crappy instrument) This guitar is a great value.

2001 Seagull Grand. Canadian Made. This is a parlor guitar size (my wife calls it my girly guitar)20 frets I think. Solid Cedar Top. No electronics. Laminate Wild Cherry Back and Sides. Nice seagull mini tuners, knd of a chunky neck but not uncomfortably so, came with nice hard shell case.

I play a lot of blues, jazz, and other fingerstyle stuff. This guitar is awesome. I also have a Taylor 414ce and the Taylor is much nicer, but the seagull is about a quarter of the price. This guitar works nicely for drop tunings as well. Projects well, nice balanced warm sound. The only thing it doesn't deal well with is heavy strumming.

Guitar was in nice shape. The action was a little higher than I like (Taylor comparison again) but still very playable. This was a factory second which as far as I can tell meant that it had extra binding on the back. Everything came ready to play.

This guitar is not something you would want to hammer on (partly cause of sound), it has a thin top, no pick guard, and satin finish. I would play it live, but if you're a knucklehead who abuses their guitar this isn't for you. As for gigging with a back up, unless you beat somebody with it or dropped something heavy on it then it would work great.

Saegull is awesome. Met their rep when I bought the guitar, incredibly helpful, great company.

I've been messing around with guitars for about 15 years, but playing seriously for about 5. I play a Taylor 414ce as my main guitar and bought the Seagull as a learn to play in drop tuning/take camping guitar. This is a solid little perfomer and I love the good craftsmanship, the hard shell case, and the classic look. I also like the warmth of the cedar. I played this compared to the baby taylor and this kicked ass. The baby taylor was nice, but this was much more solid. I wish it would have come with a second peg button, but that's a very small gripe. If you're looking for a great bluesy, fingerstyle guitar for not a lot of bucks it's worth playing for sure.

My Seagull Grand Parlour guitar was made in Canada in 1998. The Grand has a solid cedar soundboard, a mahogany neck,(new models have maple necks), rosewood fretboard and bridge, a compensated Micarta saddle, and a laminated cherry body. The cherry laminate uses three layers of solid cherry. The nut is 1 11/16th inches across, with a 24.84 inch scale, 14 frets to the body, and 21 frets total. The Grand's neck is about the same size, shape, and scale as the full sized necks on the Martin 000-18 and 000-28 acoustics, but the body is that of a compact 0-size parlor guitar. The use of a bolt-on neck provides a precise neck angle for optimum tone. The tuners are sealed chrome units. The body and neck are stained a dark, reddish brown. No strap buttons were installed. No electronics were included. No pickguard is installed at the factory, but dealers will supply one on request. Otherwise, the Grand has all the features you expect on an acoustic guitar. Owners can also purchase their choice of a fitted wooden hardshell case, or a fitted backpacker style gigbag.

The tone is richer, warmer, and louder than many small guitars - perhaps due to the use of a solid cedar soundboard and the 4 1/8th inch body depth. When playing individual notes, each note is clear and distinct, from the low bass to the upper treble. When playing melody lines, the transition from bass, to midrange, to treble is smooth and seamless. The bass is tight, not boomy. When playing chords with a pick, the midrange dominates, giving chords a bright, percussive punch. Cedar produces a treble with a rich, warm character. The treble is focused on the fundamentals of the notes, with less harmonics than a spruce top guitar. When using fingers instead of a pick, chords take on a warmer, more subtle tone. The Grand sounds nice at soft, or moderate levels, but under hard flat picking, can become compressed and harsher sounding - a reminder that it is a small guitar, not a dreadnought.

I bought the guitar when it was three years old and then adjusted the action myself. The Seagull factory action is a bit higher than I prefer, but it is easy to adjust the truss rod and shave a bit off the bottom of the saddle. The nut grooves seem exactly right. The 24.84 inch scale is a bit easier to play than the 25.4 scale used on some guitars. The cedar top was nicely bookmatched. The ends of the frets were well polished and smooth. The workmanship was equal to that on most $1,000 guitars. The satin lacquer was carefully applied, and allows the grain of the cedar to be seen perfectly. The thin lacquer is designed to allow the soundboard to vibrate freely, unlike the thick poly coat used by some other companies. The combination of high quality cedar, attractive staining of the neck and body, and the skillful application of lacquer make the Grand look more expensive than it is. The Grand normally sells for under $400. It looks very nice sitting next to much more expensive guitars.

The Grand is an 0-size parlour acoustic. It is very carefully made with high quality materials. The Grand should match any other wood acoustic guitar in durability. I am rating its durability compared with other small, $400 guitars, not a solid wood electric.

My Grand is used. A new Grand has a two year warranty. LaSiDo has always been helpful when I e-mail them for information. When I needed an extra Seagull compensated saddle, LaSiDo mailed one to me at no charge. My Seagull is not likely to need any repairs, but Seagull has a dealer near my home who is well qualified to make any necessary repairs.

I own three LaSiDo parlour guitars,(including a cherry top, a nylon string, and the Grand) a Seagull Folk, and two LaSiDo Flame Maple Dreadnoughts. I enjoy the Grand's combination of a full-sized neck, a 24.84 inch scale, and a compact body. The small body is much more comfortable to play than a Dreadnought. The Grand has outstanding tone for its size. I like the Baby Taylor very much, but the Grand has deeper, tighter bass, and fuller, louder tone than the Baby. The Grand is good enough to be someone's only guitar. The only small guitar that I have heard with tone this good is the Martin OM-15, which sells for around $650. The Grand is not my most expensive guitar. It may become the guitar I play the most. The Grand is hard to put down and easy to pick up.