#31
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The S6 is *almost* perfect for me...
Hi,
This is a great thread, thanks for the discussion thus far! I have been playing for about six months and am auditioning quite a few guitars recently in search of my first. This will be my only acoustic for the foreseeable future, so I don't want to rush my decision. I have come to like the wider nut of the Seagull guitars, with the 1.8" nut of the S6 being my favorite. I love almost everything about the S6, but the overall size of the guitar body seems to be an issue. I am about 5'7" tall with a short-to-average torso and almost always play sitting down, which makes the S6 quite a handful. I can actually feel the guitar move when my left hand releases the neck to change chords. I think it is actually the depth of the body (4.9") that is the biggest hurdle, as other dreadnoughts with similar bout dimensions but a shallower depth don't pose as much of a problem as the S6. I would love to try the S6 Folk, but I have not been able to find one in person. If the S6 Folk provides a much better fit for me, I am willing to forgo a bit of volume/sound for improved playing comfort. tl;dr: I am short and the S6 is a big, deep guitar. With all that being said, I am wondering if I'm prematurely judging the depth issue with the S6, or if the shoe truly doesn't fit. Is the fit of a guitar something that you grow into, or is your first instinct usually right in this case? Is there anything I can do or adjust in terms of playing style or how I hold the guitar to make the S6 more comfortable, or am I better off trying to find an S6 Folk or other wide-nut acoustic? Thanks, sleepy
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Playing Since: August 11th, 2011 Current Guitar: Seagull Maritime Cedar GT (used) "The road of life is rocky and you may stumble too. So while you point your finger, someone else is judging you." --Bob Marley |
#32
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As dreadnoughts go, the S-6 and other Seagull dreads are actually slightly smaller in the upper bout and shorter in overall body length than the average dreadnought (Martin, Taylor, etc.) and Seagull dreads are short scale to boot. Still, I would imagine that you'd perhaps be more comfortable with the "Folk" size Seagull, but you might miss the tone and volume of the S-6 dread. Definitely a trade-off.
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"Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them!" --- Oliver Wendell Holmes Hear my original music at: https://www.reverbnation.com/judsonhair Last edited by Judson; 03-07-2012 at 03:10 PM. |
#33
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This is what I'm afraid of. I don't want to go ahead and get the S6, thinking I'll grow into or get used to it, and then be uncomfortable playing it when that doesn't happen. Conversely, I don't want to get the Folk (or other smaller-bodied) guitar and compromise on tone when the S6 might just need some break-in time. I realize that ultimately these are questions that only I can answer, but I appreciate any and all input. I guess I'll just have to go camp out in my local music stores and log some serious playing time with the S6! sleepy
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Playing Since: August 11th, 2011 Current Guitar: Seagull Maritime Cedar GT (used) "The road of life is rocky and you may stumble too. So while you point your finger, someone else is judging you." --Bob Marley |
#34
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Well, sleepyEDB. I am from Europe and I tried to converse your USA measurements in our measurements.
It seems you are near 1,69 metres in hight. If so, than there shouldn't be any problems for you with any dreadnoughts. Many much smaller people could play dreadnoughts without problems. For example, Paul Simon. And women, without any problems. You said you play only for few months so it seems you use wrong technique for playing guitar. But, dreadnought is big guitar and you must hold it in hands - it is true for everybody regardless the height. |
#35
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Gosh I guess I don't really have the typical "the dread feels too big" for me issue. I used to feel that way only because other people commented that my guitar looked too big. I am a very petite lady with not a long torso or arms, not the biggest hands, and not the smallest set of sisters upstairs (if you get my drift). The S6 is a dream to play.
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#36
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I really like the tone of the S6 too, but I just cant get past that headstock.
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Free speech...its' not for everybody |
#37
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Perhaps you need to try a smaller body type... like an OM or Grand Performance shape. I much prefer these now.
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Merrill | Martin | Collings | Gibson For Sale: 2023 Collings D2H 1 3/4 Nut, Adi Bracing, NTB -- $4100 shipped |
#38
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Yes, headstock on Seagull S6 don't look impressive and many people told me that. Maybe it doesn't look serious or maybe it looks little cheap. But, because of that people are even more surprised when they hear its sound. Seriously, many people after or during some parties came to me and said that S6 have great sound.
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#39
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i reckon theyre sexy with the pointy headstock . |
#40
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I always thought the Seagull S6 headstock looked kind of distinctive and have no problems in my perception of it. And I never catch myself thinking about the headstock too much when I'm playing.
And, too, my expectations of this sub-$400 guitar aren't such that I'm very critical about that kind of thing. |
#41
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#42
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I like the headstock shape as well. According to Godin, the shape of it does serve the purpose of keeping the strings in a more direct straight line pull. I'm sure some of this has to be behind the tone of the guitar some...
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Bryan |
#43
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I think Seagulls are all about "function over form". They're probably one of the plainest-looking, most bling-free guitars ever, as far as their basic models are concerned. I like that
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An Alvarez and a couple Seagulls |
#44
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Seagull's are usually built pretty solid. High action is usually the worst you have to worry about. I'd probably return it if you've got all of those problems. |
#45
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@sleepy, if you're new to playing guitar it is most likely just an unfamiliarity with the instrument. The S6 is actually a pretty comfortable guitar as far as dreadnoughts go. Unless you are getting a lot of pain/discomfort you will adjust. If you really don't like the dreadnought there is a folk size model, though I haven't played it. |