Seagull S6 Mahogany Spruce

Great size, beautiful finish. This guitar has been perfect since the day I bought it two years ago.

I change strings every 3 to 5 days as I play at least 2 hours a day and I play hard. I've used extra heavy to extra light, and this guitar produces an awesome sound. I have recorded solo's, chords, and bass lines with this guitar with great success. The all around sound of this guitar is most excellent!!

I have never had to touch a thing, it is as it was the day I bought it and plays like a dream chords easy and has a thin neck and great action. When I test drove it the day I bought it, the action and sound were the selling point. I don't care about looks but only about action and sound and this guitar has them plus looks to boot! Ive been playing 28 years and have owned, do own many different kind of guitars and I am as happy with this one as any.

my kids have proven the durability of this guitar time and time again.

Cant go wrong...but always play one for at least 20 minutes before you buy it warm up and play the heck out of it. If you like it then buy it!!!

There's not that much variation to be found in acoustic guitars as far as features go, at least not in my experience. Personally, I lament the lack of a cutaway to facilitate easier high fret access, but for campfire jam type things, it's not missed.

For what I use it for -- folky chording with light blues licks and flourishes -- the S6 sounds absolutely incredible. You can also get some beautiful sounds by fingerpicking, but the guitar's strengths are geared more towards the sounds it can produce upon strumming full, rich chords all day. I have absolutely no gripes with the sound in this respect, but I will admit I don't use this guitar for intricate and avant garde jazz noodling or the like. Although chords sound gorgeous, single note runs have a tendency to come off a bit "thin," at least to my ears, without support from another instrument (like, say, a voice). With a fresh set of strings in place (I think Elixir Nanowebs bring a little something extra out in this guitar), hammer-on/pull-off folk riffs sound brilliant, and overall, the S6 stands quite well on its own with a shining, singing full-bodied tone that sounds wonderful.

Not that I knew any better at the time, but the action from the factory was set higher than is really comfortable for a beginning guitarist. However, seeing as how I learned this way, I got my finger calluses in place quicker than I would have otherwise and when someone pointed out that the action was high, it was akin to practicing for a martial arts match in weighted clothes. When the weights came off and the action was set lower, I was immediately a better guitarist. Still, as a word to the wise, if playing seems too hard on the fingers, get an experienced tech to look at it and see if anything looks amiss.

Other than the high action, which is truly a matter of preference anyway, the factory setup was flawless. There's no neck warping, no noticeable imperfections, nothing that says "I'm a poorly built guitar made by a fly-by-night company." Which is really all one need ask for.

I don't really dig the accomodations for using this guitar with a strap. There's only one strap button on the tail, and you have to tie the other end of a strap behind the nut. As such, I sit down when playing in live settings... but this isn't really a deal-breaker, as I've always thought acoustic guitar players that stand up with their guitars have a tendency to look goofy, anyway.

The finish is a beautiful natural gloss, and the wood looks spectacular. No complaints here.

Great hardware; the tuners are responsive and keep tune incredibly well. The only time you'll ever lose tuning on the S6 is after its been sitting in its case for an extended period through radical climate changes, but the same could be said for any guitar, regardless of construction standards.

As long as you're not committing musical crime by swinging and smashing it around, it should withstand live playing. Solid instrument.

Never had the need to talk to Seagull.

I've been playing for about 6-7 years now. Don't listen to whoever claimed that beginners would be better served spending more money for something that doesn't sound as good. That's pure crap no matter how you slice it; just saying it out loud makes it sound ridiculous. The sound is the most important aspect of any musical instrument. Everything else is just trimmings. Now, I can understand if Seagull's production values were on par with a pawn shop Stella (like the one my mother used to have in our hall closet when I was a child, with strings an inch and a half off the fretboard) how one could be deterred from playing guitar forever. But Seagull guitars, in my experience, sound and play just as nicely, if not better, than big name acoustic guitar makers like Taylor and Martin. Honestly, I think Martin is still in business simply by virtue of how LONG they've been in business. Their guitars sound nice, it's true, but for my money, this guitar sounds better, and at a FRACTION of the price. This was my first guitar -- barring natural disaster or robbery (at gunpoint or from the IRS), I plan to own it until the day I die. My only gripes are the high action from the factory, which made it harder to play initially, and the lack of a second strap button. Other than this, it's a beautiful sounding guitar, and as luthiers would be apt to tell you, the sound will only get better as the guitar ages.

Dreadnought sized acoustic guitar with spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Satin type of finish. Very simple design...the kind that just seems to work perfectly.

I'll tell you...I play a lot of different styles including jazz, rock, blues, etc. This guitar does it all. I've been playing for 21 years and I've played all the big names. I'm impressed with the sound of this guitar because it sounds so even across the spectrum from treble to bass. It's not shrill, and yet it doesn't sound boomy. It doesn't sound overly midrangy either. It's just very, very even which I wanted all these years and have really come to respect in this guitar.

The action on this guitar is fantastic. A bit beefy in a solid-feeling way. I wanted an instrument and that's what I got - NOT a toy. True, it doesn't play like an ancient Guild (or cost as much) nor does it have the feel of a vintage piece, but it does not feel at all cheesey like most newer, more expensive guitars. I'm telling you, I played some expensive newer axes in NYC just the other day and they were so pathetic. My Seagull has a very loving, cared-for-in-the-manufacturing type of feel. I just love it.

It doesn't feel like a tank, but feels solid nonetheless. It is fairly lightweight but doesn't feel wimpy at all. It feels solid.

Like I said, I've played for 21 years and have used almost every brand there is. I am always impressed by any company that can make a great sounding, extremely playable and personally loveable instrument for a completely reasonable price. I'm still surprised it was so cheap.

Well, just a good old guitar. Dont need electricity. Dont need cables. Dont need Windows 95 either. Nothing beats it.

I bought this guitar because of the sound. I'm a beginner player and lord knows if I picked something else, it would never get played. I love the sound alot. It's worth getting to know the guitar over.

I have had some trouble with Seagull before. The first guitar I bought was the Cedar version. After about 2 months, the bridge started ungluing from the soundboard. So first I tried dealing with customer support. They wouldnt help me. Then I brought it back to the dealer and demanded an exchange. He exchanged it with the mahogony spruce model. So far, the bridge had been ok, and it's been about 2 years now. I have seen other Seagulls with the bridge in far worse shape, and I dont get that. They need to work on their glues!
The second problem I had was horrible playing action. I just didnt get it, as a beginner. It buzzed every time I played it, the truss rod wouldnt adjust any further, nothing seemed to help. Even the technician at the guitar shop couldnt figure it out. The best he could do was raise the bridge a little. One day tho, I decided to try heavier strings, Martin Mediums, and voila! Problem solved. I guess the neck just didnt have enough tension on it to maintain it's shape. Now it plays pretty well. Barr chords are still a little rough, maybe because I'm still just a beginner. But the second guitar I get will be the La Patrie Classical model, which is the same company. I love Seagull so much, even with all the difficulities, because it's like your first crappy car, where you get to get under the hood and really tinker with the whole thing and not worry that your going to mess up anything because it's so cheap!
The setup at the factory was crap. The strings they put on it was crap. The wood matched tho, and most of the finishing was fine. It did come with a small dent in the fingerboard on the side, but I doesnt bother the sound or my playing.

So far so good. I added a dab of glue to the corned of the bridge, just in case. It's got a few dings in it from banging it around, but hey, now it's go character! It seems delicate, but with a little care, it seems like it will last. The Cedar model didnt seem like it would last at all tho. I saw a 12 string in a pawn shop once, poor thing. All that tension on that bridge. The bridge was just flopping around all over, not glued to anything anymore, holding on to it's pegs for deer life!

I tried emailing the company with my first problems with the Cedar model, and they said I must have been mistreating the guitar. Yeah right. 2 months and it starts to unglue, my butt! The people there are asses. Too bad they have all that talent to make a wonderful sounding guitar, only to get stuck with a terrible reputation for treating their customers badly. Boo on customer support!

Been playing for 2 years now, and slowing improving every step of the way, because I keep coming back just to hear that beautiful lovely lovely tone.
I own alot of other electronic equipment, and I get so frustrated with it all sometimes because it will crash or need to be rewired hehe... not so with my geeeetar.
If it were stolen or lost, I would deffinatly get another one. Just stay away from cedar! Buy the mahogony and spruce! One guitar technician I brought it to said only shingles should be made from cedar!
I compared to every other guitar in the shop. Non of them held up to it tho in sound.
I kinda wish it had a glossy finish, just so that it would be a little sturdier, but that might change the tone. So I'm ok with it as it is.

this is a S6 mahogany with spruce top.
your basic acoustic with a nice feel on the neck
i'm not going to rate the options, since there really isn't any
except i love mahogany guitars, thus thats a good option

Well, all i can say is this...
i went to many many geeetar stores trying all the acoustics i could.
i was welling to fork out some $$$ for a nice acoustic
so, i must of spent 3 months looking every weekend
i tried many many..........
i finally tried the seagul S6, and instantly fell in love
best dam sounding acoustic out of all of them
taylors, martins, and so on
i tried very expensive taylors and martins and gibson
just wasn't impressed, which suprised me
anyway, i bought the S6 the day i played it....
i tune my guitar down, and use Martin strings, very very good

excellent made guitar
i don't know what Mr. Ken is on
but, this guitar is built very very good
man, he doesn't make sense !!!

I've had my guitar for quite a while
5 yrs or so
still plays great

i play hard, very hard
the guitar is very durable

don't know

i have bought and sold many guitars
this is the only one i've kept
and have no desire to sell

a few months ago i was trying expensive acoustics again
couldn't find one i like

i don't understand it

maybe the strings are dead on all the guitars at the stores

who knows

I will admit, i did find one guitar i liked more than my S6
it was a JUMBO BODY Taylor
don't know the model name, it was used at a pawn shop
they wanted a $1,000, so i didn't get it

1997? Made in La Patrie, Canada
Dreadnought shape, wider than average neck, narrow headstock
Solid spruce top, 3-ply laminated mahogany back & sides
No pickups
Thin satin lacquer finish

This guitar from the start had a pretty good bass and punchy sound typical of mahogany/spruce guitars.

Over time it has developed a well defined bass, although not too boomy, and a clear rich sound. It's kind of airy and woody sounding. Other guitars in this price range tend to sound boxy or just dull. It works well for full strumming, which is what I do, but the string to string clarity is a bit lacking. However, for the money, I don't think you can get a better sounding guitar, except for maybe a Big Baby Taylor which doesn't have as much bass.

The sound is similar to the lower model cherry/spruce S6 but it has more bottom end due to the mahogany back & sides.

The sound of the solid top really has opened up over time. I get a lot of comments on the good sound of this instrument.

Compared to a Taylor 310, the Taylor has a definitely sweeter sound (clearer highs) but my Seagull holds its own. I definitely think the Seagull is a standout in it's price range, and can compete with guitars twice the price.

The action was ok when I first got it, but I had it set up by a good luthier and after that the action has been great. Very low and easy to play barre chords, but handles heavy strumming without buzz. The fretwork is fine, not problems at all. No problems with the tuners, I wail on this thing and it stays in tune. I rarely break strings, so I think the bridge and nut are ok. The only thing wrong I can think of is that one of the side fret markers is misaligned.

I think I got lucky with the top. The top on my guitar had a very light creamy color when I bought it (ever seen an Engelmann spruce top?) which has since mellowed to a yellow color. The grain is pretty much all the same color with a very slight bearclaw visible. More recent guitars I've seen in stores seem to have a lower grade of wood for the top.

The neck on this guitar is particularly nice. It is a little wider than your standard acoustic neck, probably closer to 1 7/8". This makes the playability rather good, especially for the beginner. The neck has a nice profile which although it is fat, it sits well in the palm of my hand.

The finish is pretty thin and seems to be wearing. The finish around the bottom of the soundhole has chipped off from my pick hitting it and is now bare wood. However, I believe the thin lacquer finish contributes greatly to the sound of this instrument.

The guitar didn't come with a front strap button, I had to have it installed. The guitar is pretty light, but seems pretty sturdy, as I bang it on stuff (accidentally) all the time. I play this guitar without a backup weekly at church. I've played it out once or twice a week for about three years now and it's still holding up.

Never dealt with the company.

I have been playing guitar for about 5 years, and bass for longer. I play guitar in church about twice a week. I own several basses, an electric guitar, and another Seagull S6 (cherry/cedar).

If it were stolen, I probably wouldn't purchase another one since I can afford better guitars now. I would really miss it, since it was such a trusty first guitar.

I definitely think that anyone purchasing an acoustic guitar in the $350-$450 price range should have Seagull at the top of their list. The only other guitar I have seen that can compare is the Big Baby Taylor which would have a different sound (it has a smaller body). I have recommended Seagull to many beginning guitar students. The wider than average neck makes it a good guitar for beginners.

Round shoulder dreadnought. 1998 model. Standard size 1 11/16" nut. Satin finish. No pickup. Very light.

The sound is surprisingly OK. Nice response Bass and Treble, no middle (good). Very airy sound. Use light strings or be ready to see it self destruct.

Abominable. Neck needed major truss rod adjustment, to the limit. Bridge saddle needed extensive filing. Fingerboard and bridge woods were so dry they soaked in four applications of lemon oil before assuming a decent sheen. Fingerboard may have been so dry as to help warp the neck. Pickguard has begun a journey across the face of the guitar. Fret dressing is poor. On the positive side, (other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the show?) once the set up, which should have been done at the factory and wasn't, was done, it works pretty well.

This guitar wouldn't stand up to a stiff breeze. It can't wait to fall apart. It's built like a cigar box, and is about as sturdy and about as heavy. It's weakness is, however, also it's strength. Its' light construction is why it has that nice open airy sound.

N/A

I'm a good player and have been at it for 30+ years. I hesitate to recommend this guitar even for a beginner, because its' good point, the sound, would be lost on a beginner, and its' bad points, cheesy construction and poor set up, would be an obstacle for the beginner. A better player would, in my opinion, be better served by spending a little more for a more solid Takamine or Guild, even if the sound might not be as nice. If you're confident around truss rods and files, you can get good sound for little money.

Brand new Artist Model with solid Spruce top and Mahagony back. This top of the line Seagull is equipped with a cut-away at the 14th fret and an active LR Baggs "Acoustic Timbre" pickup system. The finish is a beautifully hand polished nitro cellouse finish. The Artist series are reportedly crafted by hand by the most experienced builders and this attention to detail shows in a finished product which is a borderline work of art. There are 2 special inlays to denote the artist series one being a bird at the 12th fret and the other a abalone and mother of pearl "Seagull" on the headstock. Mine came with a decent case for an additional $45.

I was on a mission for an out of the ordinary acoustic from the beginning. While I LOVE Taylors, Tacomas, and Martin guitars, the Seagull blew me away with its top notch sound and beautiful looks. The sound is really its own. First of all, there is that nice low end timbre that only the best acoustics have with a sweet and airy treble quality that is never harsh. This instrument is smooth and balanced yet it projects its sound like a good Taylor. The sustain and overtones have a clear and complex character which impressed my on my first play. Most importantly, the player and lay back or dig in and the instrument will follow you. I would put the tone of this instrument right up there with the best acoustic yet best of all it has a sound all its own.

Perfect finish, inlay work, fret work and top and back. Impressive at this price range. The back and sides have a 3-d look to it due to the properly applied nitro finish. One of the best finish instruments I have ever laid my eyes on...show quality and craftmanship at its finest.

I don't want to find out how durable this guitar is ..it is too damn nice to drop. I added the front strap button on the neck heel and it has worked well. Otherwise, I expect this guitar to age very well for the rest of MY life cause it is a keeper. The nice nitro finish might be easier to scratch up but you can't have your cake and eat it too can you?

I looked at every brand of Acoustic including Taylor, Tacome, Martin, Gibson and Guild. I really liked the Taylors, Tacomas and a particullarly good gounding Guild model. I took a friend on his advice and tried a Seagull having not heard of them. All of the Seagull models I tried sounded very nice but each having their own character like a hand made instrument should. The Artist series solidified my choice with the extra attention to detail ...truly a work of art in my eyes. I am a very happy camper....

Simple but high-quality dreadnought made in Quebec, Canada 1999. Solid Spruce top, mahogany sides and back (laminated I think), rosewood fretboard, satin finish, decent tuners. Everything a steel-string acoustic should be. Sound comparable to Martins and Taylors costing 2+ times as much but not a household name and possibly some Canadian subsidies keep price low ($380 incl. hardshell case and delivery).

Incredible unamplified sound for the price. I tried several other models under $500 (Yamaha, Fender, Takamine, etc.), but nothing sounded as good as the Seagull (Takamine was best of the others). It even compared favorably to higher priced models, such as the all-Mahogany Martin D-15, which played very nicely but had a dull, flat tone. The closest in sound was a $1000 Taylor I tried, though some $700-800 Guild and Gibsons were close. Of all of the Seagull models, I preferred the brighter tone of the Mahogany Spruce model, which really sounded like a much more expensive guitar. Great range of volume--depending upon strumming/picking force and you can hear each string clearly at any volume. The D-15 did not put out this kind of volume or clear tone. For the money, the Seagull is absolutely the best guitar around.

I got the guitar mail order from Palm Beach Music--cheapest Seagull prices around--and was a bit concerned about the setup. But I unpacked it, was surprised to find it in tune, and started playing. The action was nice, on the low side, but no buzzes unless strumming hard. No flaws whatsoever.

The natural wood is beautiful but the finish is very thin, especially on the top--which probably accounts for the wonderful sound. This may mean the top is more susceptible to scratching than guitars with more finish but, if that's the price for the sound, it is worth it.

2-yr warranty is comforting but I haven't had to deal with them and don't expect to.

I used to play electric with an amateur band 10-20 yrs ago but had gotten busy with other things since them. Recently I wanted to get back into it didn't want or need the hassle or volume of amps, etc., so I looked at acoustics. The only unusual thing for me is the wide neck, compared to my Strat and other acoustics, like the D-15. It is more of a classical style neck which will take some getting used to for me but so far, I love it.