Seagull M6 Gloss - Mahogany & Spruce Acoustic

good gloss finish; most people find they like the slender seagull headstock

i really think that an 8 is a good rating for this guitar if you consider most "high end" production models (taylor/martin/larrivee) at a 9 and reserve a 10 for handmades and boutique makes (coolings/lakewood/olson/mcpherson). For reference, i also own a taylor L1 koa (a dreadnaught body style with koa that ran for about 2500 when on the shelf). The taylor is a better overall guitar; however, when i record, the seagull can match or surpass it in certain applications (singer/songwriter rhythm parts, etc). The sound is very balanced; not huge, but there are no dead spots on the neck. I got a LOT more bass and better mids out of it by setting it up with medium strings (13's), which is something that nearly every guitar manufacturer, taylor included,will recommend for dreads. The quantum pickup system is VERY capable; feedback resistant and comparable to the Fishman ac. matrix pickup (an undersaddle with warmth and depth). I often play in larger venues and with bands and for that I prefer a well eq'd undersaddle sound to a system that claims to sound like a mic (express. system/aura).

i honestly don't know how well it was set up from factory cause I bought it from a little shop where it had sat for a year. everything is quality. i like the smaller tuners. This is an early m6 which featured a solid back (the sides are laminate but don't do much for the sound anyway. Its a 9 cause it does what it claims

i make a point of not posting reviews until ive had the product long enough to really know it. Ive had this guitar for 2 years now and have had no problems, electronic or otherwise

if you're reading this review you've probably already identified your budget to be in the 400-600 range. For that price, this is a great guitar. And since seagull has since introduced newer models in recent years, you should be able to find an m6 used for cheap. This is a great guitar for the money; and one you wont want to discard when you upgrade. It has served as a great complement to my spruce/koa taylor and would probably fit well as a 2nd guitar for someone who has a high end spruce/rosewood. Highly recommended

Great gloss finish. Good to very good tuners. LR Baggs element pickup/controls.

The LR Baggs controls are great and I love the push-down to remove battery feature. Beats the heck out of every other design I have seen.

No tuner.

Solid spruce top.

For the price it is hard to beat. Over the past several years I have spent hours at the stores shopping for acoustic guitars. For less than $500, this was the best sounding/playing guitar I tried.

With that said, the Seagull M6 does not match the playability, sound, and ergos of a Larrivee, Martin, or Taylor. Anyone who says otherwise just have not spent much time with the higher end guitars.

The sound of the Seagull is straightforward, but is on the heavy side (like the guitar). It does not resonate with a lively, cut through the mix sound. Fingerpicked chords sound good, but heavy strumming underscores the less than ideal sound quality--the poor guitar (soundboard) just gets overwhelmed.

If you can afford another $200 to $300, consider a Larrivee L03. If you're strapped for cash and cannot spend more than $500, buy the seagull, swap the strings for Elixr nano webs and have some fun.

My action was set at the high end of the Seagull acceptable scale. After 1 year, I took it back to the dealer and they lowered the action and swapped out the strings for the cost of the strings. Made a boat load of difference. However, it still does not play as easily as a Taylor, Martin, or Larrivee--the guitars I am most familiar with.

The rest of the fit and finish are excellent. Beautiful Sapale and spruce, great gloss finish.

It is built like a tank. A bit on the heavy side, but it will outlast a Taylor, and most other guitars.

My dealer and Seagull have been very attentive to my few gripes. Seagull/Godin return emails quickly. My local dealer (Modern Music Lisle IL) did a great job of setup (after 1 year of playing).

I have been playing off and on for 30 years. When the wife travels, I head to Sam Ash, GC, Tobias Music, Brookdale, Modern Music and play everything and anything in sight.

The Seagull M6 is a great entry level guitar. With some fine tuning of the action and a change of strings, it will serve just about anyone for a lifetime.

However, I got spoiled after spending time with a few $1000+ Taylor, Martin, and Larrivee guitars. They just simply are easier to play and sound much richer. The Seagull top and bracing seem heavy which tends to diminish its ability to resonate and articulate chords. It seems to get overwhelmed, if that makes sense.

Consequently, I would not buy this model again. Great for what it is, but for a little more $$$ you can buy the infinitely better Larrivee L03, which sounds and plays like a $$$$$$$ guitar. Unfortunately my Larrivee dealer did not accept trade-ins.

2006 M6 Gloss, made in LaPatrie,PQ,Canada. Spruce Top, no electronics. Gloss Finish, non-locking tuners, came with TRIC case for $500.00. Purchased at Guitar Gallery, Amherst, NH, December 2005. Considered by many to be a little plain on decoration-no fretboard binding, dot inlays.

I got back into playing a little while back-hadn't touched a guitar in 30+ years. I'm playing mostly "acoustic rock"-Grateful Dead, Eagles, etc., at home, some Irish stuff(dug out my old Wolfe Tones cassettes for the "treasonous" songs),and "gigging" at my church. It's mic'd at church, and my colleagues tell me it's bright and crisp-there's a little "guitar envy" there! I've replaced the original strings with Elixir Polyweb lights, and it sounds wonderful. The only modification was putting a set of those "Hot Rod" bridge pins on it last time I changed strings. I was going to get a set in gold for a little "bling on that thing," but I went with green. They seem to make a small difference in the sound.

I'm not aware of the factory set-up. The tech at GG(Barry?) had it properly set up, checked the intonation prior to it leaving the store. No visible flaws, great F&F. Thank you, Barry! If you're in Southern NH, I'd go to Guitar Gallery over the "supermarkets" in a heartbeat. The price is about the same, but there's no comparison on the service.

I went with Spruce since Cedar tends to be a pretty soft wood. I've been taking it to rehearsals on Tues. eves and services on Sunday-granted, not exactly hard road time, but we're in a small space off to the side, and no problems noted. Strap buttons are solid, and on the advice of my group leader, always have a backup on a gig. We have several guitars stashed in the church's music room for that purpose. The case that came with the package is called the TRIC-made from energy absorbing foam (per Seagull, the material is used by auto manufactureres for car bumpers, and the case comes with a nylon cover. Overall, great package for the price.

Haven't had to deal with them at all-other reviewers' experience has varied.

I've answered most of the above previously. My other guitar is what got me back into playing- a $5.00 yard sale special that turned out to be a "Marlboro Gear" without the logo. It had literally never been out of the bag. I had the truss rod adjusted, put new strings on it, and it sits as my 'travel/campfire/beater guitar'-best $5.00 I ever spent.
If the Seagull were ever stolen or lost, I'd definitely look at an M6 as a replacement. My only regret is that I bought mine with no electronics. If I had to replace it, I'd strongly consider an MJM6 with the Quantum II package.

Same as the rest of the reviewers. Basic m6 gloss spruce with no electronics. I bought it less then a year ago.

I'm a newbie when it comes to guitars. I primarily strum and once in a while do some finger picking. I love my guitar. I have it for almost a year and it is finally opening up. Who knew it could sound even better. I have no complaints. The sound is very mellow and responsive. Played some guitars and they were too bright for me although thats just my personal preference.

Action was a little high. I lowered the saddle a little. It did wonders.

so far i dont have a scratch on it. Still pretty early to tell.

a little slow. 2 year warantee havent really needed to use it.

best value most guitar for the dollar. If i didn't want to upgrade i would get this guitar again.

New Canadian made, full sized dread, features are pretty standard. Solid spruce top with laminated mohagony back and sides, the mahogony has "wild" cherry wood sandwiched in it. High gloss finish on the exterior. Mohogany fretboard. Neck is 1.75", I believe, a little wider than some acoustics, and it has a full size dread body but the overall length is about an inch shorter than standard. The wider and shorter neck make this guitar very comfortable for me. 21 frets, with 14 clear. Tusq nut and compensated saddle. Came with decent strings, not sure what they are, I think it was restrung in the shop.

Fantastic sound for the price. I give it a 10 for its segment of the market and knowing that there are high end guitars that sound better. The sound is very mellow but still with some brightness. Has a good booming bottom end, highs are crisp and very clear. I use it for fingerpicking, it is great for that because of the slightly wider neck. Fingerpicking sounds great on it too. My 70's rock songs sound good on it, too, but mellow. Lots of sustain but not that much volume. In another review someone said this is a poor man's Martin, and I think that's a good characterization of its sound.

Canadian hand-made guitar, the thing looks like those guys knew what they were doing. Checked for flaws and didn't find any. Top is bookmatched. Action is a little higher than I like, but not bad. I've been playing it for a few weeks and I'm still up in the air about getting it lowered.

This guitar seems very solid to me. I see that others think it is light, but it feels as heavy as my other acoustics. It looks like good hardware, too. The high gloss finish looks like it will last, it is not like the gloss on cheap laminated guitars. Strap button seems solid.

Never had to deal with them.

I've been playing for about a year and a half since I started again, and in that time I've been through several guitars, mostly starter guitars. Right now I own this one and a Taylor 110 and I'm crazy about both of them. They are opposite ends of the spectrum and owning the two of them really complements each other. This guitar is very sweet and mellow, the Taylor is very bright. My favorite features are the sound, and the size. Before I bought this I compared it to quite a few dreads in its price range, and it compares well with the lower end Martins (like the DX1 and DM). I played a couple of the Seagull S6's, too, and they are a great value, but for just an extra $100 this was worthy improvement. If this were lost or stolen I would get another one of this exact model right away.

21 frets. Made in Canada. Beautiful high gloss finish.

Must have played 10 acoustic guitars at the local guitar store and this was by far the best sounding one for the money.

Excellent craftsmanship. No flaws. Nice low action, just like I like it.

Finish is excellent. Looks like a very well made guitar.

Never had to deal with the company directly.

Unbelievable quality, sound and durability. For the money it's well worth it. Played Martin's and Yamahas and this one sounded so much sweeter. Highly recommended

21 frets (i think) solid top, no preamp. thin neck, tusq nut and saddle. mahogony back and sides, rosewood fretboard. plain round pearl markers. Gloss lacquer finish. Non locking seagull tuners. came with hard case.

Sounded great both in the store and at home. Plays well both soft and loud. loved the sound at the first instance and loving it ever since.

low action makes for easy chord changing. Top has been painstakingly bookmatched. everything looks in order on this guitar.

Finish is hardy and withstands usual knocks and bumps. Haven't played live.

This is my first serious guitar and i bought it on a budget. overall i couldn't be happier with the sound and action. Sure beats spending thrice the amount on more famous brands, I for one can't tell any discernible difference in sound between the seagulls and the lower-mid range of more famous brands.

Made in Canada with 21 fret. 2004. Solid stika spruce top. no electronics. Mahogony back and sides,and neck, rosewood fret board and bridge. Silver tuner heads - in house model. Comfortable neck. came with hard case. As a baseline dreadnought I would say this iis an above average guitar.

I am into slow rock and country and this is one of my best buys. Sound was so good (full and bright and loud)that i bought it immediately at the store over a martin D-15 that i was after. Price wise this axe packs a greater than proportional punch.

nice low action makes this a very fast beast. Seems to have been pretty well set up at the factory. Nicely bookmatched top. Finish has withstood my incessant hammering during hard strumming.

I jam with my band at local gigs and it has served me well thus far. Finish is still pristine though i knocked it about a few times. Had a second strap button fitted and it does its job. Sounded great without backup broadcasted through a standing mic.

Overall this guitar compares well with my gibson dove and hofner dreadnought (can't remember the model) there ain't nothing i can take away from it. No regrets absolutely. Love everything about it. Just wish it came with electronics, but the fishman pickup i installed workes just fine. If you were on a budget, GO GET A SEAGULL. It's real value for money.

Made in Canada, solid spruce top, mahogony back and sides. 21 frets. Silver chrome tuners, seem like an in house kind. Compensated saddle. Tuners work fine though....much like grover or gotoh types. A basic model with no frills (mother of pearl. electronics etc)...well, so are some lower end martins and taylors. so i'll be rating this based on that.

This guitar blew me away. Mind you, I've own a gibson J-45 and have played comparative taylor 110s. This guitar sounded SWEET!!! Nice tone midway between overly bright and too darn mellow-just right. Nothing I dislike about this guitar's sound. My 10 year old kid started strumming on it one day and man, he sounded good!!!

Action is low. The way i like it! Nice bookmatched top and no unatural buzzes at the lower frets. No flaws up till now (1 year later) Superb!!!

Played it at church at a mate's wedding. People said it sounded sweet. Finish is hardy. Conked it about a couple of times through my own carelessness. Not a scratch yet!

The shop i bought it from said to bring it back anytime should anything go wrong...thats all i care about.

Overall, this guitar stacks up against my j45 in every way. I am seriously considering getting another seagull further up the line.

S6+ Cedar. 2002 model. Purchased from Daddy's Music in Portland Maine. Paid $325.00. Simply a good sounding acoustic guitar at the time of sale.Satin finish. LUCKY TO SELL IT AFTER 6 MONTHS. I feel bad about sharing the problem

The sound was good. Quite bright and crisp. Good rythm and lead features. Good with soft rock and country style.

Fair in general, no big deal. The finish quickly faded near pick guard. with no abuse at all on it.

totally NO. Even when the new strings were attached, monthly, the tuning and action were out severely. Don't try to bend strings on lead as the intonation will surely go out right away.
Notat all a stage instrument. Truly not dependable.

The company would not respond. Not even to emails.
They simply refered me to the dealer. Got it repaired twice in 3 months. The second time the dealer told me that the guitar required service every 6 months for balancing, at my expense. Hmmm.
I own 4 other acoustics from Guild through Taylors, and have never heard this story.

I've been playing for 29 years with $300. Guild gutars through Martins for $600.
Not only would I not buy one again, I would not even accept one as a gift.
Stay away from this junk.
That's what I should have realized from the dealer's name: Daddy"s Junky Music. Oh was I pissed !!!

2005 model, made in Canada. Rosewood bridge and fingerboard. Hand-finished silver nickle frets. Solid spruce top, laminated mahogany/wild cherry/mahogany back and sides. Solid mahogany neck. Sealed tuners. Gloss laquer finish, not a cheap plastic coating like some other brands use. Tusq nut and saddle. Came with a decent hard case. Superb craftsmanship. This guitar is not about whistles and bells, it's just about quality and tone. Simple but elegant. I gave it an 8 just because I had to pay extra for the case. Other than that it would've been a 10.

My main music focus right now is classic to modern rock, leaning towards the blues end. I'll tell everyone right now, not all Seagulls sound and play the same. These guitars are not production line junk rolling off the conveyor belt at 15 an hour. These guitars are handmade by craftsmen who know what a guitar should sound and feel like. These guitars have their own unique personality and soul. Go out and play a bunch of them yourself and then decide which one is yours. I bought a high end Garrison (G40) just before I bought this Seagull. The Garrison sounded like I had a rag stuffed into the sound hole. It played great, but the instrument was dead. Luckily for me, after 2 weeks with the Garrison the bridge piece started lifting up from the sound board and I returned it. The owner of the music store gave me the option of a refund or just exchanging it for another guitar. I played every Garrison in the store and they all had the same dull, lifeless sound. I played Takamines, Martins (over-rated), Ovations, and Washburns. Then I tried out the Seagulls, WOW! The sound of these instruments are really incredible. Singing highs without getting too chimey, and very well defined lows that resonate throughout the guitar and up the neck. The intonation is perfect all the way up the neck.

Beautiful bookmatching. Flawless wood selection. The gloss laquer finish is fantastic. Tuners are excellent. The fretboard and frets are wonderfull, that's what really got my attention. Don't let the laminated back and sides scare you off, the tone of this guitar is truely amazing! Plus with laminated sides and back you'll have less chance of splitting and warping. I've had solid sides and back and I always had to have a case humidifier and a room humidifier, then I was always worrying about too much moisture getting into the wood,... what a bunch of crap. The only thing I would have liked to see in the finish is the same gloss laquer finish on the neck. The neck has a satin finish. The store who sold me this guitar installed a front strap button, at no charge, on the heal of the neck.

I don't see anything cheap or cheesy in anyway with this guitar. Seems very solid. Tuners are great. Neck is great. Really nice finish. I would take it on the road.

The music store I bought the guitar from said it came with a lifetime warranty. The guy who wrote the review before me said something about a 2-year warranty. I don't know, but I have faith in the Music Center in Twin Falls, Idaho, which is where I bought it. Those people will make it right if anything goes wrong.

Remember grandpa sitting on the porch playing that old relic of a guitar saying "I bought this quitar when me and your gramdma got married". Well this Seagull is going to be one of those guitars. This instrument is truely a work of art, and very under-valued in my opinion. Handmade Martins and Taylors cost thousands of dollars. You can have a handmade Seagull for a lot less and get better tone. Make sure you get a good hard case for it, and when you're not playing it, put it back in its case. This simple act makes a huge difference in the longevity of the instrument. Also keep the guitar clean, for Godssake! I dirty, dusty instrument is going to sound and play like crap. The wood needs to breath and expand and contract with the vibration set up buy your playing. Dirty, greasy, grimey wood is dead wood. Clean your guitar!! Anyway Seagulls are a fantastic value, go out a play one today! I rated this category a 9 just because of the satin finish on the neck and I had to buy the hard case separately.

2002 M6 Gloss model, bought in Dec.'02. Made in Canada. 21 frets (I think). This model has a solid spruce top and laminated mahogany sides & back. It is a standard dreadnaught with no cutaway or electronics. I came with an end strap peg but no heal strap peg (bummer). Neck is mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard. Finish is a light gloss, not too thick and not too light. This feature is what really caught my eye about the guitar. The bridge is a standard through the top saddle. Seagull uses a bolt on neck and a special truss rod that can provide relief and bow (tension) in either direction depending on which way you turn the truss rod nut. It came with nothing, no case, tuner, strap. Got it at a local "mom & pop" music store for $404 plus tax. I give it a six on features cause it is just a dreadnaught. But that is what I was shopping for.

This guitar is the poor man's Martin. I played guitars in stores for about 100 miles in a radius from where I live, Martin, Taylor, Alvarez, Takamine, Guild, Fender, Ibanez. None had the sound that Seagull does for the price. This guitar is also quite loud when you strum is agressively. The action came from the factory a little high probably for that reason. I had it lowered and it also fingerpicks well with a set of light gauge strings.

When I played the guitar in the store it was in perfect tune, but in a lower octave and I didn't realize this until I got home. I retuned it to standard and after about 2 hours of playing, I noticed a strange buzzing when playing an A chord. Or plucking the A string. I have taken it back to the store where I bought it several times. I have also taken it to another local store with whom I normally deal. It is not a string buzz. Both shops have adjusted the neck and told me the neck is fine. The intonation is good. And there are no braces loose. After a year and a half of taking this thing in and out of the shop, it still buzzes and I'm still pretty unsatisfied. I contacted the company by email (which apparently is the only way they wish to be contacted as no telephone numbers are posted anywhere on their site) and they told me to take the M6 back to the store where I purchased it, and that the 2 year warranty was still good. The store is currently giving me the run around and the company isn't being any help at all.

Since mine is under 2 years old and has basically never been quite right, I give it a very poor durability rating. I also would note that these are fragile guitars.

What support? Are you kidding?

I really liked the sound and looks of the guitar, AND the price. That's why I bought it. My complaints are that mine is faulty and the company isn't interested in helping me. Another problem for me is that the neck is wide. I thought I would get used to it. Wrong! If it seem uncomfortable the first time you play it. It will always be that way.

This is a 2004 M6 Gloss purchased new for about $470 with a hardshell case. It has a solid spruce top and laminated mahogany/maple sides and back.

This guitar sounds great. The high end sparkles like a twelve string and the lows are tight and clean.

Absolutely beautiful. Flawless high gloss finish. The spruce top has some flaming in it which attracted me immediately. Some might prefer a super tight grain in their tops, but I like a little character in my wood. Fretwork is great. I had the action lowered just a tad, but it was quite playable off the rack.

I had another Seagull with a gloss finish and it held up great for years. It will yellow with age, but laquer does that.

This was my third of four Seagulls that I have owned, so obviously I am a huge fan. They are well built, sound fantastic, look great and the prices are very reasonable. I have had everything from the bottom line S6 to the top line Flame Maple Cutaway and they have all been superb.

Made in Canada (La Patrie, Quebec), Seagull is a part of the Godin guitar family. 21 frets, rosewood fretboard. Mahogany sides and back (with cherry) and dark spruce top. This is a nuthin' fancy dreadnought style body. The shoulders are slender, but something about the headstock gave the Seagull M-6 a graceful symmetry. Beautiful tuners, very smooth. Came with hard case for a grand total of $200 US brand new. I'll never forget my reaction upon first seeing the Seagulls: "Ooh...Hey, a lefty!"

Then I strummed it. WOW! I looked at the price tag again. The guitar was on sale for $135. You read that right. The case was offered for an additional $65. It sings. Every note is discernible. Since buying it 18 months ago I have used it for Dylan, Beatles, Country, fingerpicking, and even "flat-pick flamenco," and it sounds beautiful. The mic picks it up beautifully in performance. What I really enjoy is its responsiveness to different attacks in different positions. This allows greater flexibility in arranging two guitars for one. I just love the way it seems to know what I want from it at any given moment. A gorgeous guitar.

The only problem was that pesky back brace that so many complain about. However, I found out that Guitar Player had already explained this as a result of climatic changes in shipment. It is easily fixed by HAVING A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN glue it for you. The dealer should take care of it, if they're worth dealing with at all. Other than that, it has been flawless. I needed no set-up, and the neck, for which the Godin family is famous, was amazing.

There is one mark on my Seagull from a student who decided to use my case as a footrest just as I was removing the guitar. Outside of that, I play it every day and it rarely needs tuning. When I change the tuning, the other strings hold their tone. I teach full time, and use it for lessons as well as gigs. Still only one mark.

I looked up the Contact page at Godin, the parent company of Seagull. Apparently, the only people they have answering the emails are the design techs themselves, in order to keep costs low (which explains the amazing prices). As a result, they answer what they can in their spare time. Just thought those who wondered what was up would like to know. I haven't needed them.

I have played for over twenty years, and am a guitar teacher. I have never heard a guitar like this under a grand. Not satisfied with copying or emulating Martin or Gibson, or anyone else, Seagull has produced their own sound, and it is truly beautiful. Definitely gives the more expensive companies a lot of work to do. I actually enjoy playing the Seagull over my Rick, which costs ten times as much! How they can keep the prices so low yet create such beautiful looking and sounding guitars is beyond me. If you're a professional, you'll love the sound and feel. If you're a beginner, it's all the guitar you'll really need for a long time, for about fifty bucks more investment over any other decent beginner. A ten all the way.

This guitar was just made. I like to think it was made for me, but I know better. It was made in La Patrie, from native woods and Honduras mahogany. Solid spruce top with lovely finish, mahogany neck, cherry-sandwiched mahogany back and sides, rosebood fretboard. nice trim, though no herringbone or stripe down the back. nice looking wood, though and what looks like perfect workmanship. i love the tuners.

i'll give this a 10, and i expect it to get even better when the top opens up. i bought this guitar because i could get it left-handed, and i liked the short scale and wide fretboard. i have some nerve damage in my right index finger. i played a lot of guitars, including martins and taylors. i found it close in sound to a taylor 310 dreadnaught, a great guitar that costs about twice as much.

everything appears to be top-notch here. this is what gives seagull its great reputation.

not really applicable. i suspect it will hold up, but i probably won't take it out of the house much.it came with a nice hard case, though, just in case.

i don't know, but i always found seagull responsive before i ordered the instrument.

Unless I somehow become a star, which is highly unlikely, this will be my last guitar. And that's fine with me.

This guitar was produced in 2002, in La Patrie Canada by the Seagull Company. It has 22 frets, solid Spruce top, 3 layered Mahogany back and sides. It comes with the options of either Godin EPM Quantim (saddle transducer)or the LR Baggs Element (transducer-type)electronics. I opted for the LR Baggs EQ system because it met the requirements I was going to be in need of, and my dealer was accustomed to putting this system in. I can't help comparing the "LR Baggs EQ" to the "LR Baggs I-Beam Duet" that I had on a Seagull Artist series Folk before the M-6. With both hooked up to an amp, I could get more variety of sound response from the Folk and the I-Beam Duet system than what sound I could create the EQ and the M-6 Gloss.
This guitar has a Mahogany neck, and a Rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The M-6 has a high gloss lacquer finish.
This Seagull is basically a dreadnought style with rounded shoulders. It has the Tusq? nut and compensated saddle. I'm not sure what brand the tuners are, but they function like a reasonable non-locking Grover would.
This guitar is 1.8" inches wide at the nut, and has a 24.84" scale length. I bought this one without a case.

For my style of playing (still being developed), which I would describe as basically finger picking and some rhythm-type strumming, this guitar is quite good! It seems to give a really good response from the lower bass to the high trebles. I have owned this instrument for about a year, and it is really developing its own unique voice already. While I have some prejudice for the more mellow sounds of Mahogany, I feel like for the money, the M-6 is one of the most balanced sounds I've heard from this style of guitar.

Action was a bit high on the upper register, but my dealer adjusted it easily. Since the dealer put the pick up in, he made sure it was adjusted properly. My M-6 was truly fine in regard to all of its appointments, but I was careful to examine it before purchasing.

I've not had this long enough to know what kind of durability it will produce, but it seems as if it will hold up. Although I would not want to use any guitar for a gig without a backup, I would come as close to trusting this guitar as any other one.

I've tried twice to contact Seagull. The first time, I received a quick response, and the second I'm still waiting on (several months ago). I've never needed it to be repaired, but if I did, I would take it to my dealer, not the Seagull Company. This guitar has a 2 year warranty.

I've only been playing for about a year. I own a Yari classical, a Alvarez RC 20C classical, and a Fender Fat Strat (Mex). At this point, if my Seagull were lost or stolen I would probably replace it with something else, but not because I am unhappy with it.
I played quite a number of guitars before purchasing this one, and for the money I found nothing that came any where near the sound produced by the Seagulls.
As I'm learning more about what I want in a guitar, I'm finding that I am seeking something with a few different options. If this had a little wider nut width, a florentine cutaway, and the LR Baggs I-Beam Duet electronics...it would be perfect!
I really really like the Seagull instruments, I just wished there was some more options that folks like me could choose from.

I bought my M6 gloss in July or August 2000. I'm giving this a low feature rating because it's a bare-bones, no frills, no nonsense solid-top guitar. The fretboard markers might be inlays, but I don't know. The Seagull Emblem is a decall.

I play medium gauge strings (.013-.056). The sound is balanced and the guitar responds well whether it is driven hard or softly fingerpicked. It does not have the hallmark cheap guitar "washboard" sound. The sound is clear and balanced. It also doesn't sound like nails on a chalkboard when I play hard "chops." (My first acoustic, an Alvarez student guitar, did this.) I like mine with D'Addario phosphor bronze strings. I may try Martin M-150's again, though.

I had to change my picking (plectrum) technique slightly because my Alvarez really projected highs. The Seagull has a more balanced sound. I found that with fingerpicking on the Seagull, I had to use a lighter strike with my thumb, especially when using a capo.

From the factory, my guitar had the action too high. (It was tuned about a half step lower than concert pitch at the store. I noticed the action issues when I tuned it to concert pitch at home.) This made tuning and playing difficult. It feels and plays great after a setup. If you want to buy a Seagull, play a whole bunch of them, because the sound will vary greatly between guitars. Then, once you've picked the one you want, have it set up with the string gauge that you play.

The factory finish was great. But the main selling feature is the neck. I picked the Seagull M6 over a TAYLOR because of the way this neck feels. The neck is very playable.

The rating shown reflects the guitar after the setup. Before the setup, I'd give my particular guitar a 5.

Use common sense and you should be fine. Wipe the strings down and use a guitar polish that won't build up. Don't leave it in the car, the attic, the basement, or the crawlspace, and the guitar should be alright.

Never used them For setups and repairs, I take my guitars to techs that I trust.

The guitar at that time listed for $499. I dickered the guy down to $450 including a hard case. If you buy a Seagull, make sure the price you agree to includes a setup with your string gauge and a hardshell case.

I more or less quit playing for a while. I'm starting back up again, and I still like my Seagull. It doesn't sound quite like a remember it because my fingers aren't in the shape that they were when I bought it. Touch and technique have a lot to do with how it, or any other guitar, sounds.

It is a great intermediate "step up" guitar. If something happened to mine, I don't know if I'd get another Seagull due to the inconsistencies between "identical Seagulls."

Solid spruce top, 3-piece mahogany neck, back & sides mahogany laminate with gloss finish. Dreadnaught shape with slightly narrower, rounded-off upper bout, similar to Gibson J45, rosewood fretboard and bridge, complete with standard Seagull embossed tuners. A no frills guitar with excellent construction that should last a life time.

The sound is clean and crisp with subtle detail, which ideally suites fingerpicking. But compared to a standard shape dreadnaught the narrower upper bout diminishes volume when strumming. If its volume your after, buy a Simon & Patrick, they are also made by Lasido. But if you after something with class that won't cost the earth, try the Seagull.

I bought it used and the set-up is somethings else. Everyone that plays it can't understand how it set-up so low and doesn't buzz, it's as low as my Les Paul. The easiest action on any acoustic I've played. However the couple of frets required a little work with a file to smooth them off, other than that great guitar.

Very well constructed guitar with good tuners. The gloss finish should hold up much better that the satin. I've had it for about 2 years and the only thing that doesn't look the same as when I bought it are the frets, there a little worn. Never gigged with it, but if I did, I wouldn't take a back-up.

NONE EXISTANT. E-mailed them for info a few times, never reply. Perhaps if I sent it in French they may reply.

I've few guitars; Gibson Les Paul, Lowden O12 and a Strat Plus, but this is one I play the most. It hasn't got the volume or warmth of the Lowden, and has no pick-up so it isn't used live. But it's the easiest to play of all my guitars, and fits me like an old pair of shoes. A great all round guitar that didn't break the bank. If it was lost or stolen I wouldn't replace it, I've tried others and they are not the same.
Shame about the customer service though

2001, Made in Canada.

for everything else...see below

Overall a pretty conservative looking guitar...just the way I like it.
Build quality is great except for a tiny gap between the bracing.

Paid $500 with hardshell case

I used to work right across from a music store. Every lunch hour I would go and in and play several guitars. This is the one I picked. For the price there is nothing that compares to the tone this guitar produces.

Build quality is great except for a tiny gap between the bracing.

I lent this guitar to an X-girlfriend, and it returned with several deep scratches. Apparently it was dropped several times in her keeping. Still plays, sounds, and with the exceptions of the scratches, looks great.

I have been playing for 3 years. I am saving up for a Martin (pre 74 D-28) and have several other guitars. But for now and for the fore-seeable future, when I go out to play, this is the guitar Ill have with me.

I reccomend this guitar to everyone.
I have forced several of my friends to buy one
(and they love me for it)

Solid spruce top, 3-ply mahogany neck, back Sides(two mahogany sandwhiching cherry layer). Gloss finish. Dreadnaught with slightly
narrower upper bout. It is not a feature ricih guitar, but is what
was looking for.

This guitar has a GREAT sound. It is full bodied, with a nice low end to it while at the same time presenting good detail. I can hear the individual notes while chording. For finger picking, it rings out strong and clear. It can play pretty loaud as well, at least loud enough for me.

Sound wise, this is better than most of the other guitars I looked at, Taylor, Martin, Takamine.

From the factory this guitar was perfect for me. Nice low action, no buzzing and a very straight neck. The other Seagulls I played were set up well also, but a bit higher. I think this one had the best action in the store.

Finish is perfect, no flaws I can see and I'm "picky".

So far so good, guitar is holding up great, but it's still new. Time will tell. I have 2 little ones at home, so I'm glad this has the more durable gloss finish as I think that will help in this area. The cedar tops seem pretty fragile.

No contact with company yet. Warranty looks pretty good.

I've been playing on/off for 15 years. I recently got rid of my last electric guitar as I plan to focus more on acoustics. I wanted to get a really nice acoustic without breaking the bank. This is the one. I was actually looking for a cutaway and possibly electronics, but after playing many guitars from many brands, I decided that sound and feel of the guitar is more important than fancy decorative touches, or having a cutaway.

I think Seagull makes excellent guitars, especially for the price. As with any brand though, you need to try them all out to get the cream of the crop. I think this guitar is better than many of the Taylors and Martins I played. Does not mean that Seagull is better than Martin or Taylor, just that this particular guitar is better than a lot of other guitars, a real gem. Instead of comparing brands, I say compare individual guitars regardless of brand. I couldn't be happier

Love the slightly wider neck. Easier for finger playing!

ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFUL! I've never heard a 6-string acoustic like it! You will NOT be disapointed by this guitar. I've come to rely on Seagull and I don't believe I'll ever stray from the wonderful acoustic sound that this instrument puts out. I have the s12+ 12 string and now the m6 6-string and both are tremendous weapons to play in front of an audience with.

Everything on the Seagulls are hand made and are top quality. The finish is spotless and the wood is perfectly pieced together to make an outstanding sound.

I have had my 12 string seagull for over 4 years now and have never had any problems with it. I just bought my seagull 6 string and it looks to promise the same type of performance and durability that I have always got from my 12 string.

Very quick in responding to emails and answering my questions. I've never had to send it in for repairs.

I have been playing for almost 9 years now. I own an electric gibson les paul, a peavy amp, pro-tech foot pedels, and of course my seagull s12+ 12-string and my seagull m6 6-string. I certainly believe that I have the best quality guitars that money can buy. My Les Paul is brilliant and may only be bested by a Paul Reed Smith guitar. However, as far as I'm concerned, I don't think anything beats the acoustic sound of a Seagull. I would recommend it to anyone...this guitar practically plays itself!

My brand new Seagull M6 Gloss was made in La Patrie Canada. It has 14 frets to the body, 21 to the soundhole, a solid spruce top, Laminate Mahogany side and back (sandwiched around a Cherry laminate) Mahogany neck, Indian Rosewood fret board. It's a dreadnought. It came with a great case.

I am mainly a fingerpicker, and with it's wide fretboard the M6 does really nicely in this regard. My first impulse was "Wow!" when I heard the tone.

The factory set-up is wonderful the action is very low, a great thing for a fingerpicker like me. It has NO flaws, no visible glue, everything fits everything else. The finish is very well done.

I've had it for five days and it seems to be holding up well...

I've never tried to deal with the company. The warranty is this: for one year the dealer will fix any problems himself, after that he'll send it to the factory.

It's great. If I had to replace it, I'd get the same guitar. It plays better than a lot of guitars I've played.

Made in Canada in 1999--then called SM6. Solid spruce top, mahogany neck, back. Sides 3-ply (two mahogany around cherry layer). Acoustic. Gloss. Dreadnaught with slightly narrower upper bout. Standard rosewood fretboard, very attractive. Excellent tuners with Seagull logo (not sure if they make them themselves). Bought used in original hardshell case: tough outside, plush inside, beautiful fit for instrument. No rating here since this category is so relative (has all the features I bargained for but is not a Strat with tremelo etc. etc.).

Excellent for fingerpicking, fine for strumming, though narrower upper bout perhaps diminishes volume a tiny bit along with boominess, compared to standard dreadnaught. You want LOUD buy a Martin (and a pickup). Very good clarity/balance from bass to high treble. Rich woody sound, and yes, Virginia, it DOES improve with age. Only complaint: seems to lose more sustain with capo than some other guitars. I'll be a cheapskate and give it 9 instead of 10, but I feel guilty about it.

Very well set up, though not sure if by factory or previous owner. Came with standard Seagull compensated saddle. No flaws whatever. Quite a beautiful guitar!

More durable than other Seagulls due to gloss rather than satin finish and spruce rather than softer cedar top. Finish is gorgeous, obviously done with love (and eight layers of lacquer). Would not need backup on gig unless the Who regroup and invite me on tour as lead guitarist.

Very responsive to emails. Have had no need for repair.

Have played 38 years (began as an infant prodigy!) with many long lulls. Have played daily again past year and a half. Have an Epiphone dreadnaught, with four other guitars broken or donated over the years--this is far superior to any of them. Although I love the appearance and sound of the guitar, if it were lost/stolen I would buy one with a cutaway--that is my only reservation, or rather preference--I'm finally learning to play lines in octaves! Despite my tight-fisted 9 rating on "Sound," I'd have to give this a 10 overall. At purchase price it was a STEAL; at regular price it is a great bargain relative to guitars in same price range. Three cheers for Canada!

2000 model, Made in Canada, Dreadnaught with Solid spruce top,Laminate Mahogany sides and back, Schaller tunners, Rosewood fingerboard, Herringbone ring around soundhole, Bare bones!!!

Sound is pretty good, rich sound. I tend to play Bluegrass folk and rock. Stays in tune. The sound is pretty not boomy by any standard. I believe they make the boughts small to prevent boominess. I've found the sound projection is not as good as I would like. Have noticed the second string has some intunation problems. If you want to check this out on a guitar tune it up and strum an A chord. If all of the other chords sound ok but the A sounds flat you'll know what I'm talking about. It's common on the smaller neck scale guitars.

This is where I was a little disappointed. I noticed a few months after puchasing it that not everything lines up quite right. The line where the back is glued together does not match up where the binding meets up under the neck. That's just attention to detail but it does matter.
Neck is straight finish is nice. wood is very pretty.
Action was a little high and need a neck adjustment.

Very rigid guitar. A little heavy ( I have a larger martin that is a lot lighter)Great tuners, The finish is thin which is why I like it. I think it would be a great gig guitar. I got it for camping and taking on the road(vacation).

I have delt with Seagull in the past. I had an older sm-6 gloss with a lose brace. The guitar was over two years old at the time and they wouldn't give me the time of day.
They do have a two year pretty much unlimited warranty. It basically goes like this, You can walk out of the store and brake your guitar walk back in and they will replace it. You do have to go to the dealer you bought the guitar from.

I'd have to say this guitar rates above average all the way around. I've been playing for about 15 years. I currently own a Martin DR and a Yamaha Pacifica electric.
I score this guitar better than averege.I think this guitar speaks for itself. Don't listen to those who say it's a so called Canadian made Martin. You get what you pay for. I like this guitar better than it's cousins Norman or Art&Luthurie.
It will serve it's purpose greatly. I think it would be a great first guitar for a student or someone who is dedicated to getting better. Me, I'll use it for camping and parties.

Made in Canada, by North Americans that obviously take a ton of pride in their work. Solid spruce top, some sort of mahogany sides and back ("some sort" meaning that I think it is laminates of some kind). Unlike the body of the guitar, the neck is satin finish.

Oh man. I was in a guitar store and played these Seagulls along with a ton of Martins and some Tacomas. Now I don't have a "trained ear" (I guess) compared to maybe more sophisticated players, but truth be known I preferred a Seagull to many of the Martins there. This M6 has a very balanced and beatiful tone. The guitar is a joy to play.
I own a $1,000 Takamine EF325SRC that I use at church (good electronics), but sorry, it does not even come close to the sound of this Seagull. Not close. I also owned a Tacoma Roadking for awhile; and although that, too, was a great sounding box, this Seagull might even sound better.

Read the other reviews... the guitar is basic in appointments, but perfectly executed. Its flawlessly put together. Came in (bought on Ebay) needing no adjustments whatsoever.
The neck is a TAD thick for my preferences, but I've gotten used to it.

The hardware seems solid. I leave the guitar hanging on the wall; thing stays in tune like a rock.

I've been playing for 30 years. I own lots of other guitars; have owned Tacomas, Takamines, a Guild, etc.
I am selling this one to my sister, cause she is looking for a killer deal. I am going to buy another one....exactly like it. So, yes, I would (and will) buy one again.

2000 Model. Hand Made in Canada. 14 Frets. This is a solid spruce top with mahogany back, sides and neck. Finish is gloss.

For the price the sound is excellent. It does'nt sound as good as the infamous Martin D-28 but it definitely holds it own. The volume is about average. It has a bright sound that is very full. I love the sound of this guitar. Some of the higher frets buzz a little if you bang on it but it can be corrected with a setup. It really sounds like a 1000.00 guitar. Honestly. It has a tight, very solid sound, not tinny or shallow like most of the guitars in this price range. It really speaks to me.

The factory set up was very good. Seagull usually sets up their guitars very low but that is how I like them. Action is good however there is a slight buzz on some of the strings. Construction is excellent. Seagull has very high standards on their guitars and it definitely shows. I cannot find any flaws with the construction or finish and believe me I have looked carefully. I admire the beauty of the guitar. It is very simple but the simplicity is what makes it shine. Top quality woods. They are bookmatched to a T. Seagull has it to a science. Completely satified with the construction.

Everything seems to be built with quality. But, really only time will tell if it is going to go the distance.I really don't forsee any problems with the reliability.

I have been playing for about 7 years. This is the only acoustic I own. If it was stolen I would definitely buy another.For the price,sound, construction, and looks, it can't be beat. If you look at any guitar at this price range you will not find anything that sounds better or is built with more quality. You have to remember that Seagulls are handmade in Canada, not made in Korea, China, Mexico, or Taiwan.

My Seagull M6 Gloss acoustic is a Year 2000 model made in La Patrie, Quebec, Canada, by the same folks who make Simon & Patrick, Norman, Art & Lutherie and La Patrie acoustic guitars and Godin electric guitars. It is Dreadnought size, with a slightly slimmer upper bout. It has 14 frets above the body and 21 frets total. The frets are a medium width nickel silver. The top is bookmatched solid spruce, with an ultra thin high gloss finish of eight coats of lacquer. The M6 is also available for $50 less with a satin lacquer finish. I did not get the LR Baggs electronics which are available for all Seagull models. The sides and back are made of a special laminate with two layers of solid Mahogany around a single layer of solid Cherry. The neck is Mahogany, and the fingerboard and bridge are Rosewood. The nut is 1.8 inches (1 13/16 inces) wide. The scale is 24.84 inches. The tuners are a high ratio (15:1) sealed design with the Seagull emblem and small, contoured "butterbean" style chrome buttons. The saddle is Micarta, a synthetic material, shaped to provide precise tuning compensation for each string. The top, body and peghead have a high gloss lacquer finish and the neck has a satin semi-gloss finish. My M6 came in Seagull's custom fitted wooden case.

One of the greatest influences in acoustic guitars is the Martin D-18 Mahogany sound. Many players prefer Mahogany's sweet, clear voice to the warmer, darker voice of Rosewood. The Seagull M6 Gloss is clearly patterned on the D-18. The upper bout is slightly slimmer, which reduces the tendency toward boomy bass. A layer of Cherry has been added to the Mahogany body to slightly brighten the treble. The result is a guitar that sounds good played softly with fingerpicking, or louder under medium flatpicking. The Bass is deep and solid, without boominess. The treble is clear and bright, without the tin like "twang" of a Gibson. Each string can be clearly heard. The M6 has excellent sustain and full, woody resonance. Chords have layers of harmonics, complexity and shimmer. The M6 is the rare dreadnought that has enough balance and clarity on individual notes to play melody, or fingerpick, yet still produces full, rich chords when flatpicking. It blends the best characteristics of a Dreadnought and a 000-size acoustic. Its overall personality is somewhere between the sometimes overly warm Martin sound and the sometimes overly bright Taylor sound. The sound of the M6 Gloss is ideal for the person who wants to play both melody and chords, fingerstyle and with picks, and wants to do it ALL with just ONE guitar. Today, I compared the M6 with two smaller and cheaper Seagulls that I have. There was a strong family resemblance in their sound. The "Seagull" sound causes each string to be clearly heard, provides a sweetness of tone, and a "musical", "singing" voice. The Seagull "singing" quality is something I have not heard in any other brand of guitar selling for under $500. The 1.8 inch wide nut is slightly wider than most Martins, which aids fingerpicking. The 24.84 inch scale makes chording a bit easier. Martin uses the 1.8 inch nut and 24.84 scale on the $3,000 Eric Clapton 000-28EC model. The Seagull M6 is a "ten" not just in its price range, it is a "ten" compared to a Martin or a Taylor. Its "playability" and sound can hold its own even when compared with a fine guitar, such as the 000-size Eric Clapton Martin.

I installed 12-53 Phosphor Bronze strings as Seagull suggests, and the action was perfect. The neck was set up to be very flat, with low action; exactly right for fingerpicking and medium flatpicking. The top and body have Seagull's ultra thin, eight coat high gloss lacquer finish which provides a clear view of the grain of the Spruce top, which includes both lateral silking and some "butterfly" wing patterns. These variations might upset some folks; I think they show off the unique character of the wood. The frets were perfectly polished, and the entire guitar shows the highest level of workmanship. My other three Seagulls are much plainer looking, a style that I like. The high gloss finish of the M6 Gloss makes it look much more expensive than it is, and this polished look should appeal to people who play in public. The neck has a duller, satin finish, which is noticeable to the player, but not to an audience. It has an attractive Rosette and dark tortise color pickguard. Our friends in Canada should be very proud of the excellent guitars being made in La Patrie, Quebec.

It is as sturdy as a light weight solid top acoustic guitar can be. The strap button is firmly attached. The high gloss finish provides some protection for the wood. The very well made plywood case gives it good protection for travel by car. All solid top acoustic guitars are somewhat fragile. This guitar will outlast me if I remember to provide the care that every fine acoustic instrument deserves.

LaSiDo provides an informative website at www.seagullguitars.com and answers e-mail within two or three business days. Their customer service rep offered me some very good advice regarding another Seagull that I have. When I needed a new saddle for a Seagull, they mailed me one at no charge. My new Seagull has a two year factory warranty. Seagull has a reputation for being very supportive and helpful, even for customers whose guitar is not covered by warranty.

I have recently begun playing guitar again after a thirty year break. I am learning songs from my misspent youth, (Dylan, Beatles, etc.) so I am mostly strumming basic chords at the top five frets. I have learned that a good guitar both sounds better and plays more easily than a not so good guitar. A nice sounding guitar encourages me to play more, even when I get frustrated with my clumsy fingers. I have a small Seagull Ami Parlor guitar, with a Robert Johnson bluesy sound, a Seagull Parlor with Nylon strings for a classical sound, a Seagull Folk, which has exceptional balance, and now the M6 Gloss, which is best suited for flat picking and chords, although it sounds good in any style of playing. I was looking at Martins in the $800 to $2,000 range. The M6 plays as easily as the Martins, and sounds as good or better than most of the Martins I played. The fact that the M6 sells for $315 to $400 at elderly.com and pbmusic.com makes it a "best buy" compared with a Martin D-16GT at $800. If you like the sound of spruce and mahogany guitars, you need to try the M6 from Seagull.