And the winner is...Seagull!!!

[Telarkaster]

I've been shopping for an acoustic for the past few months now, learning a lot in the process. I've been playing guitar for the past 20 years but never had a 6 string acoustic. I have a nylon string classical and a 12 string and a bunch of electrics, but no 6 string.

At first I thought I wanted a dreadnaught. I tried Martin D-18s, 16s, 35s and 28s and loved them all, particularly the D-28. But none of them had a pickup installed and I wanted to hear it first before paying to get it installed. So I tried the Taylors. Nice sound plugged in (especially the 314ce), but it wasn't a Martin and I wanted more for a $2000 guitar.

Armed with this knowledge of what a good guitar sounds and feels like, I figured out what my needs were:

-pickups to play with my band
-something that sounded great plugged AND unplugged
-cutaway to do the odd solo with
-wide enough neck to fingerpick with
-neck that fills my hand
-something that won't break up with medium strumming

I was leaning towards getting the Taylor 314ce when I stumbled across this guitar and fell in love with it immediately:

The Seagull Performer Mini Jumbo cutaway with QII electronics:



Better photos can be found at this site:

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/SEPMJ.htm

It's not a Martin or a Taylor, but then again it didn't cost $2000. The amplified sound is amazing thanks to the under saddle pickup that doesn't have that typical quacky sound, and this gooseneck mic in the soundhole:



The mic can be turned off for high volume situations, or blended in or out of phase (top left knob) the other knobs are bass, treble and volume:



It definitely needs a sound hole cover (3 and 7/8 inches diameter) to reduce feedback with the band. Sounds great through the PA system, sounds like an acoustic should.

I tried the dread version of the Seagull but it didn't sound as lively and the neck wasn't as wide as the Mini Jumbo.



A big thank you to Jakedog for his opinion on Seagull and the QII system, his description of its sound was dead on. I hope he gets his fixed soon. Also thanks to Rick, Stefan, Brent and everyone else I chatted with about Martins and Taylors. One day I will get a D-28 when I have a front porch to sit on and strum acoustically in my retirement, but right now this Seagull meets my exact needs and I couldn't be happier with it. Plus it was made just down the road in my neck of the woods (relatively speaking) at LaPatrie Quebec, so I got to help the local economy.

You know a guitar is good when you can't put it down!

[ye olde fretmonkey]

Godin, La Patrie, Seagull, A & L, S & P, Norman, they're all pretty amazing guitars for not much $$. I like em better than most Asian acoustics in the same price range.

[Telarkaster]

Yes, I knew what I was getting into because my 12 string is a Simon Patrick. They both have cedar solid tops and the sound is nice and warm. The Asian imports in this range felt and sounded like toys in comparison.

[Colt W. Knight]

If your main concern is how they sound plugged in, I think you made a good decesion. Unplugged I can tell a big difference between the major acoustic manufacturers:Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Seagull, Takamine, and etc. However, plugged in, quality acoustics with quality electronics don't show a big difference. You can spend less for an acoustic you plan to play plugged in as opposed to purely acoustic. I don't personally like the plugged in sound, so I'll stick with my Martin. Enjoy that new Seagull.
I remember talking to a Seagull dealer onetime and he said the tuners, headstock profile, and nut were all designed with drop tuning in mind. Does this guitar have any advantages in playing drop tunings as opposed to other manufacturers?

[CatfishStudios]

After two Seagulls, A La Patrie classical, and a Godin tele ... Im convinced this town of La Patrie, Quebec is pumping out jewels that should not be overlooked.

[Jakedog]

Congrats on your new edition, glad I could help out.

I have the exact same guitar, but dread sized. Same deal otherwise though, cutaway, gloss top, QII. I personally would like to find the same model as mine, but with no cutaway. Near as I've been able to tell though, they don't make 'em like that. I guess I'll just have to keep playing mine, and loving it. Dammit.

Let me know what the mic does with a soundhole cover/feedback stopper installed. I have not wanted to try one, as my gut tells me it just wouldn't work if I wanted to use the mic.



Jake

[Rob DiStefano]

+1 Always love them 'Gulls.

[mikespe]

I purchased the Entourage Mini-Jumbo Seagull during GC President's Day sale and I LOVE it! I plan on getting the new Coastline 12 string Seagull sometime in the near future. They are bright for fingerpicking (because of the cedar top) and yet for chord strumming it sounds full. An amazing guitar for an AMAZING price!

Congrats!

[RickG501]

Congratulations!! It is magic when the right player and the right guit find each other! I love jumbo's. I love mine. I proud of you for doing your do diligence and finding the perfect one.

[RickG501]

OOPS Double post

[NEPATelecaster]

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! ANOTHER Seagull to a GOOD home...

Here's mine this past Sat.!



Here's a duo that was there that we let sit in...

[Telarkaster]

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!

[Glenn D.]

Originally Posted by mikespe

I purchased the Entourage Mini-Jumbo Seagull during GC President's Day sale and I LOVE it! I plan on getting the new Coastline 12 string Seagull sometime in the near future. They are bright for fingerpicking (because of the cedar top) and yet for chord strumming it sounds full. An amazing guitar for an AMAZING price!

Congrats!

I picked up a Coastline 12 at my local shop's anniversary sale this weekend. $100 less than GC. Now I just need to get the LR Baggs I-Beam and Elixir strings installed.

Glenn D.

[mikespe]

Originally Posted by Glenn D.

I picked up a Coastline 12 at my local shop's anniversary sale this weekend. $100 less than GC. Now I just need to get the LR Baggs I-Beam and Elixir strings installed.

Glenn D.

Please post a review once change the strings. I usually just use the D'Addario strings on my 12 (a no name model but has a laminated top).

[Telarkaster]

Update: After two false starts, this thing shined last night with the band. The first time I brought it to the jam last week the 9V battery connection was broken. Took it back to the store and they fixed it in hours. Brought it to a second band practice without a sound hole cover and it squealed like a stuck pig, terrible feedback.

Then, last night with my country band and a new Feedbackbuster sound hole cover, TOTAL BLISS!!! The Seagull sounded heavenly through the PA system, and didn't feedback once. In fact it was so loud it was overpowering the other instruments, it fills the room with a wall of sound through a PA.

As Jakedog mentioned, the bass is really heavy. I had to turn it all the way down on the EQ otherwise the bottom 3 strings would overpower the G, B & E strings. To answer Jake's question about the mic and the soundhole cover: IT SOUNDS GREAT! Not muffled at all. The mic blend doesn't need much to add to the sound, just a quarter turn to the left from the off position in the middle indent.

The acoustic sound really changed the dynamics of the jam, all of a sudden we were playing music instead of 4 guys just making noise and blowing off steam. I'm loving it! And apparently so did my singer-guitarist. I let him try it and he wouldn't let go of it for half the jam, always a good sign...

[lewis]

My instructor bought a similar Seagull for the lead singer in his band.
He showed it to me first.
What impressed me the most was the action. Nearly even string height from the first fret to the last with low action and no buzz.

[mikespe]

Originally Posted by lewis

My instructor bought a similar Seagull for the lead singer in his band.
He showed it to me first.
What impressed me the most was the action. Nearly even string height from the first fret to the last with low action and no buzz.

I agree whole-heartedly on that! The action on Seagull guitars is incredible! It's not quite as easy to play as an electric but much easier on the fingers than many acoustics much more expensive.

[RickG501]

Ok, now I get it. I played an S6 with a spruce top Tuesday. Very, very nice sound. Articulate and powerful, I see what you've been talking about. I couldn't play a performer model, with the gloss top, as they didn't have any. But the S6 is an admirable piece of wood.

+1 for the Seagulls.

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by RickG501

Ok, now I get it. I played an S6 with a spruce top Tuesday. Very, very nice sound. Articulate and powerful, I see what you've been talking about. I couldn't play a performer model, with the gloss top, as they didn't have any. But the S6 is an admirable piece of wood.

+1 for the Seagulls.

Glad you dug it. I have become a HUGE fan of their work. I'm not gonna say they are the best guitars out there, because they are not. But to get something better, you have to spend at LEAST three time as much IMO. And that's worth my money to own one and play it. I'm telling you, I like mine more everytime I pick it up.


Jake
www.myspace.com/gsharper

[Telarkaster]

Originally Posted by Jakedog

I'm not gonna say they are the best guitars out there, because they are not. But to get something better, you have to spend at LEAST three time as much IMO. www.myspace.com/gsharper

Exactly the reasoning I followed.

Jake I was listening to a few of your songs on your myspace site just now, very nice! Recorded with the Seagull?

[RickG501]

"black coffee fit like a favorite pair of shoes", I loved that line!!

Jake, I heard a whole bunch of John Prine and Willis Alan Ramsey in those tunes (reminded me of them). Good Job! The Seagull sounds great too. I'm a fan, count me in. Again GOOD JOB!

[NEPATelecaster]

This thread has got me so fired up for my Seagulls, I had to rest the Mini-Jumbo and play the S6 all nite last nite!



The funny thing is, we weren't booked for this coming weekend, and then got a gig at the place in the previous pics for Friday b/c of a cancellation and a Private houseparty for this Sat. from someone there last nite, all this while we were AT this gig...

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by Telarkaster

Exactly the reasoning I followed.

Jake I was listening to a few of your songs on your myspace site just now, very nice! Recorded with the Seagull?

Sorry guys, not the Gull. I've had the Gull for about a year, that record was done in Sept. '06. It was live radio broadcast on WRUW here in Cleveland.

I was playing my D-35, and my partner was playing my custom studio acoustic. The mando player's hitting a Gibson A-model on those tracks.

I will be in Mississippi next month to make the new record, and the Gull will find it's way onto a few of those tracks. My partner will be playing his new S-6 on the entire record. I don't tend to record too much with my Seagull. It's an absolutely fabulous live guitar, but I like my custom piece much better for recording. I never plug in to record, I just don't dig the sound, so everything gets mic'd. For that application, some of my other guitars are just better sounding instruments. For real though, I have not played a single live date without that Seagull since the day I bought it.

BTW, thanks tons for the kind words and compliments on my songs. It means alot. More coming soon!



Jake

[Telarkaster]

Originally Posted by Jakedog

I like my custom piece much better for recording. I never plug in to record, I just don't dig the sound, so everything gets mic'd.

Don't blame you, I was talking to a sound engineer and he said that nothing sounds like a mic'd Martin, they have the widest spectrum of frequencies, highs and lows. The Seagull is great, but it's not a D-35!

[Dennis68]

Congrats! They're very nice guitars!

[Colo Springs E]

Can't say I'm surprised, especially given all your criteria (particularly the plugged-in sound being important to you). Seagulls are great guitars, I've owned probably 4-5 over the years.

Enjoy!

[greggorypeccary]

So everyone is catching on to Seagull now huh? I got my S6 back in '87. I'll tell you they age nicely. Be sure it sees the beach, bonfires & bars!

I tried that Mini-Jumbo model last weekend - nice. I might pick one up if I get back into doing some acoustic solo/duo things that I'm currently plotting.

Enjoy the new axe!

[NEPATelecaster]

Just had my Mini-Jumbo out for her first Outside gig (well under a tent thingy)

Went well, it was rainy all afternoon and I could see my breath at times, but she sounded great.

[sorefingers]

I just traded a Godin electric guitar ,that I hadn't been using much for this 20th anniversary model .I must say I like it..It has a cedar top and maple back and sides and a reall nice finish.It's has a great sound and action..
It's hard to get a picture without reflection in it

[NEPATelecaster]

Originally Posted by sorefingers

I just traded a Godin electric guitar ,that I hadn't been using much for this 20th anniversary model .I must say I like it..It has a cedar top and maple back and sides and a reall nice finish.It's has a great sound and action..
It's hard to get a picture without reflection in it

you're a man of my own heart, a Godin/Seagull lover whose FIRST post is on our own beloved Telecaster Forum.

Welcome!

[Telarkaster]

Nice guitar Sorefingers, welcome to the TDPRI!

[T-bone Tone]

The S6 is one of the best acoustics out there. 11 years ago, I was in LA and determined to buy a nice Martin or Gibson on my credit card before I flew home. I tried a good half dozen at a certain large guitar shop, but none of them seemed anywhere near good enough for the money. I wandered across the street to a tiny, corner guitar shop. Tried a cedar S60, and it's probably the most astute buy I have made in my life. I like a wide fingerboard, and love the headstock design which gives a nice, straight pull on the strings. Lovely made, well cut nut, too.

Mine is now dinged and gouged - cedar is a soft-ish wood, and can take bashes that would crack a spruce top, and, boy, has my guitar took some punishment over the years!! - and has a lovely sound.

Great slide guitar, too. You can hear some of my Seagull on myspace.com/silversalamander

[LarryLion]

Everyone

Pity that Godin (Lasido/Seagull's parent) has LOUSY product support and attitude. If it wasn't for the fact that my guitar has sentimental value (gift from my late father), I'd dump it. Anyone want to hear my story?

Larry Lion

[RiverDog]

Nice Seagull. She looks beautiful! I'd love to try one of those out.

Sigh...someday.

[mudbean]

Beauty, eh? Congrats!

mud

[Sonar]

I gotta thank Telarkaster & Jakedog for this post.

One of the Seagull Performer Mini Jumbo GT models with the Quantum II electronics showed up on the wall of a local pawnshop...and this post showed me the way.

It will need a complete setup, but it's a jewel.


AND...you gotta love a guitar that comes with a new-fangled case design that can double as a beer cooler!

[Greenwood]

Amazing price and sound for the Seagulls.

I've spent hours playing every acoustic possible in several guitar stores from $100 to $3000 and none are as comfortable, and few sound as good as my $400 Seagull.

[Telarkaster]

Originally Posted by Sonar

I gotta thank Telarkaster & Jakedog for this post.

One of the Seagull Performer Mini Jumbo GT models with the Quantum II electronics showed up on the wall of a local pawnshop...and this post showed me the way.

It will need a complete setup, but it's a jewel.


AND...you gotta love a guitar that comes with a new-fangled case design that can double as a beer cooler!

No problem, you're welcome and congratulations!

Those are weird cases, aren't they? Enjoy your Seagull!

[tele12]

Can't beat Seagulls for the price.

[Steinar G]

I've played Seagulls for the last 10+ years and love them. My current #1 is a small bodied 'folk' style, and it's the best recording guitar I've ever played, I've even had people renting it for session work. I still can't understand how it's possible to offer such a great guitar at $375 (or thereabout, I bought it from Elderly 3-4 years ago so I don't remember the exact price).