Seagull Grand

I recently reviewed the Seagull Grand's most basic laminated top version, which is sold as the Art & Lutherie Ami Parlor acoustic guitar. I had no direct experience with Customer Support at that time. I recently needed a new saddle so that I can have a lower saddle for humid weather, and e-mailed "sales@lasido.com" for the price. Mario, at Lasido, responded the next day, and said he would send me a new, fully compensated saddle at no charge. This is great customer support, expecially on an entry level guitar.

When I add great customer support to fine sound, comfort and ease of play, the Ami version of the Seagull Grand may be the best buy in the entry level class of North American made acoustic guitars. If you are visiting Toronto or Montreal, you may be able to buy the Ami for as little as $125 or $150 in U.S. dollars, yet it has 80% or 90% of the sound of a Martin 00-15 which sells for around $600. Then, the bargain price may lure you to the nylon string version, or the Ami with built-in saddle pickup and EQ, and then there is a choice of colors - oops, where did my savings go?

This is the economy version of the Seagull Grand Parlor acoustic, marketed as the Art & Lutherie Ami. Our Canadian neighbors made it in 1997 with 19 frets, and 12 frets at the body joint, the body and top are laminated wild cherry, the neck is maple with a walnut fingerboard and walnut bridge, and a black satin lacquer finish. The tuners are a vintage-looking open style with three per mount, and the neck has a depth and feel similar to current Martins. The scale is 24 3/4 inch, the same as many Gibsons, but slightly shorter than most Martins. I got the custom fitted Seagull soft padded gigbag with backpacker style straps.

I am a very basic guitar player, and enjoy playing with my fingers more that a pick. I am impressed with the balanced sound, with the lowest notes being about the same volume as notes on the high E string. Because the bass output has been greatly reduced to create the balance with the midrange and treble, chords on the bass strings, such as an E chord, seem much brighter and thinner than on a full-size guitar. This brightness is not a flaw, it is the accurate reproduction of each note in the chord. In contrast, a Martin D-28 creates its big, booming chords by greatly boosting the bass notes. The sound is sweet and mellow when played softly and is very nice played loud. I was surprised to hear how loudly the tiny Parlor body can play, putting out about 80% of the volume of a full-size guitar. It has less sustain and harmonics than a large guitar, giving each note a more defined, precise character. It sounds like Bach, whereas full-sized Martins sound like Beethoven. It is a bigger, warmer sound than the more expensive Baby Taylor, and sounds surprisingly similar to the ultra expensive Gibson Nick Lucas replica, that is: loud, crisp, and well balanced.

The Canadian craftspeople of Lasido put this bargain price guitar together with great care. It is made from 100% Canadian wood and laminated wood with a neatness and overall fit and finish similar to a more expensive guitar. An inner brace had a hairline split that seems cosmetic and not of any importance. The top is very thin and light, and the braces are big and beefy. This combination may account for the surprising loudness of this 3/4 size Parlor guitar. A very thin layer of flat black lacquer was neatly applied. The string clearance was set up about like a typical Martin, which means Martin players will think it is perfect, and people who play Taylors will think it is a bit high. I tried to "finetune" the neck relief using the adjustable truss rod, and found that with light stings the neck relief is very similar at any truss rod setting. You are allowed to "finetune" but not greatly alter the factory setup. Several frets (the 5th to 8th) sound dull on the G string. That may change with a different weight of strings, or as the guitar and neck get played in.

This is a very light weight acoustic Parlor guitar. It is designed for playing on your lap at home. It has no strap buttons. It will last for a lifetime if it is treated as a very fragile musical instrument. It will last a day if used as a baseball bat or golf club. It is so inexpensive ($200 to $250 average) that you can replace it after you break it.

The warranty card did not state a time limit. Lasido (Seagull, Art & Lutherie, Norman, Godin, etc.) has the reputation for always being happy to fix an actual factory defect. Most "support" issues arise after customer neglect, abuse, or stupidity, which are not warranty problems. My particular A & L Ami Parlor Acoustic is a display that is marked "FS" which may mean "Factory Second". My guitar plays and sounds great,so Lasido did their job well.

I also play a Martin Sigma which is a inexpensive copy of the D-28. I played the Grand, the Baby Taylor, and the Martin Backpacker before I bought the Seagull A & L Ami. The Ami has a warmer sound than the Baby Taylor. It is a Seagull Grand, except the neck joins at the 12th fret instead of the 14th fret & the Seagull Grand has a solid Cedar top, and the Ami has a wild cherry laminate top. The Cedar top version seemed to have a brighter treble, and a more complex sound with more personality. Lasido sells the Ami laminated top version of the Grand for $75 less. If something happened to my Ami, I would buy another or cough up the extra $75 for the cedar top version. If I win the lottery, I would consider the $400 Larrivee Parlor, which is all solid wood, with a spruce top. The Larrivee costs twice the price of the Ami, which is why the Ami is an outstanding bargain among Parlor sized acoustics.

This is a Parlor(3/4)size dreadnought. Cedar top,Cherrywood back and sides,mahogany(Honduran)neck,rosewood board(25" scale), Excellent tuners! Rating is based on the EXCELLENT QUALITY of tone woods here!

This little box SHINES! Great for blues! Warm rich tone! Louder than it looks!

GOOD ACTION! FUN TO PLAY! NO Polyurathane(spelling?)!!!! It's like playing a tree(natural!)

Must be carfull! No thick plastic coating here! Hard shell case only!

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I LOVE THIS GUITAR!!!!!!!!!!!! It even smells good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Grand has a solid Cedar top with laminated Cherry sides and back. The parlor size body is comfortable to play while sitting in any chair in the house. The neck is full scale and I believe it is made of Mahogany. The neck has a very good feel to it. There is no pickgaurd, and combined with the soft cedar top, disaster is eminent if you play with a pick. I have resently added a clear Herco pickgaurd.

The tone and volume is incredible from this small guitar. It has a unique sound. My wife thinks it sounds a bit like a mandolin. I like the sound a lot! I am rating the sound high considering the $300 price and the small size.

The action was comfortable, and the satin finish looks great. I can smell finishing stain from the neck when I play the guitar.

I expect this guitar to last my lifetime. I'm 46. After that the family can fight over it.

I sent the waranty card to the company in LaPatri, Canada. I didn't get a reply stating that they got it. Since I was mailing out of the country, I emailed them a month later just to satisfy my curiosity. I received a prompt email back saying "If you mailed it, we got it." I didn't like that. I still don't know if they got my waranty card.

I think this is an excellent value for $300.