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Telarkaster · May 6th, 2008, 07:27 PM

Thanks guys! When I bought the Seagull I got a Dean Markley soundhole cover but when I got home I discovered to my dismay that it was too big. Dean Markley makes them for 4 inch sound holes, mine is 3 7/8ths. I returned it and I tried with out without a soundhole cover with my bluesband on Saturday. It was a disaster: our drummer is heavy handed (very talented but Bonhamesque) and we were simply too loud for an electric acoustic with no soundhole cover.

Jake, I just came back from the music store with a Feedbackbuster soundhole cover. It just barely fits, I had to squeeze it in there. The mic sounds different with it, a bit darker and less airy. To be honest it sounds better without the mic with the sound hole cover on. That's ok because the under saddle pickup sounds just fine alone. It's still prone to feedback with the mic activated and the sound hole cover on, but much less so.

I could only turn my amp up so loud at home to try it out, the real test will be later this week at the jam. The new drummer in my country band (the guy who replaced me so I could go back on guitar) plays with brushes so I'm optimistic that it'll work out ok. I got the Seagull to play with the country band anyway so I'll report back after this Thursday's jam.

For light acoustic performances (no drums, just another guitar), I can see how no sound hole cover would be needed and how the gooseneck mic would sound great. Recording with it might be interesting (perhaps easier than setting up mics in the room) but I haven't experimented with it yet.

Catfish, I have to go there and find out what they put in the water...

Colt, you're dead on, I could hear a big difference between the different brands, and the Martins were my favourite. However I tried a D-35 at the same store that I got the Seagull and the 'Gull held its own. The D-35 didn't feel as comfortable and didn't sound good enough to justify the $1000+ difference in price. Don't get me wrong, the D-35 sounded better, nothing compares to a Martin. It was nice, but I went with the Seagull for the same reasons I bought my other guitars: the neck and the sound. The mini jumbo has a wider neck that makes me feel right at home after playing a classical after all these years. You're also right in that my primary concern was how it sounded plugged in. I'll get that D-28 one day...

As for Seagulls and drop tuning, I've never heard that. I did make sure to play it in dropped D in the store before buying it, the only alternative tuning I use. It tuned down and back up again with no problems, but I'm not prepared to state that they are designed for dropped tuning.

Mikespe, great description of the Mini Jumbo's attributes: cedar top that fingerpicks and strums well.

Rick, it certainly was fun as well as educational! I highly suggest to everyone shopping for an acoustic to try as many as possible, and ignore the price and the brand name. When your ears and hands find something you like, then open your eyes and find out why you liked it. Then you can look for those qualities in other guitars. I had no intention at all of getting a Seagull but I tried it just for fun and was smitten.

Nepa, those are great photos, they make me want to log off the computer and go back to play my guitar!

May 6th, 2008, 07:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Telarkaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal Quebec Canada Posts: 1,518	Thanks guys! When I bought the Seagull I got a Dean Markley soundhole cover but when I got home I discovered to my dismay that it was too big. Dean Markley makes them for 4 inch sound holes, mine is 3 7/8ths. I returned it and I tried with out without a soundhole cover with my bluesband on Saturday. It was a disaster: our drummer is heavy handed (very talented but Bonhamesque) and we were simply too loud for an electric acoustic with no soundhole cover. Jake, I just came back from the music store with a Feedbackbuster soundhole cover. It just barely fits, I had to squeeze it in there. The mic sounds different with it, a bit darker and less airy. To be honest it sounds better without the mic with the sound hole cover on. That's ok because the under saddle pickup sounds just fine alone. It's still prone to feedback with the mic activated and the sound hole cover on, but much less so. I could only turn my amp up so loud at home to try it out, the real test will be later this week at the jam. The new drummer in my country band (the guy who replaced me so I could go back on guitar) plays with brushes so I'm optimistic that it'll work out ok. I got the Seagull to play with the country band anyway so I'll report back after this Thursday's jam. For light acoustic performances (no drums, just another guitar), I can see how no sound hole cover would be needed and how the gooseneck mic would sound great. Recording with it might be interesting (perhaps easier than setting up mics in the room) but I haven't experimented with it yet. Catfish, I have to go there and find out what they put in the water... Colt, you're dead on, I could hear a big difference between the different brands, and the Martins were my favourite. However I tried a D-35 at the same store that I got the Seagull and the 'Gull held its own. The D-35 didn't feel as comfortable and didn't sound good enough to justify the $1000+ difference in price. Don't get me wrong, the D-35 sounded better, nothing compares to a Martin. It was nice, but I went with the Seagull for the same reasons I bought my other guitars: the neck and the sound. The mini jumbo has a wider neck that makes me feel right at home after playing a classical after all these years. You're also right in that my primary concern was how it sounded plugged in. I'll get that D-28 one day... As for Seagulls and drop tuning, I've never heard that. I did make sure to play it in dropped D in the store before buying it, the only alternative tuning I use. It tuned down and back up again with no problems, but I'm not prepared to state that they are designed for dropped tuning. Mikespe, great description of the Mini Jumbo's attributes: cedar top that fingerpicks and strums well. Rick, it certainly was fun as well as educational! I highly suggest to everyone shopping for an acoustic to try as many as possible, and ignore the price and the brand name. When your ears and hands find something you like, then open your eyes and find out why you liked it. Then you can look for those qualities in other guitars. I had no intention at all of getting a Seagull but I tried it just for fun and was smitten. Nepa, those are great photos, they make me want to log off the computer and go back to play my guitar!