[Jakedog]

HUGE seagull fan here. I play one for a living. It 's a great guitar, sounds beautiful, extremely well made, plays like butter, killer electronics, at a fair price.

I wouldn't own a Taylor. I have lots of high end acoustics, and a great appreciation for them. I think if Taylors 500 series and above were $1,000 dollars cheaper a piece, they could be worth the money. But not for what they are asking. There are just too many great sounding well built alternatives out there for more competitive prices. YMMV, but the broomstick necks and $$$ just don't do it for me.

As far as the bright tone, get rid of the damn rat-crap factory elixirs for some real strings, and break one in for a year. Taylors are FINE sounding instruments, and except for the 600 series (maple back and sides have something to do with this I'm sure) are not overly bright. I just don't think they are worth the money they ask. You can get a high end Seagull in the $800-$1500 range that is ever bit the guitar a $4K Taylor is in the sound and build quality departments. No question.

Between a $650 Taylor and a comparably priced Seagull? Well, I'd take some bailing wire and a freight pallet over that sub-$700 Taylor.

High end Taylors are exceptionally nice (although WAY overpriced IMO) instruments. The low end stuff though, you just pay alot for the logo. I have never picked up a 1, 2, or 300 series that was even the least bit enticing, no matter what the price.