Seagull S6 Original Scale

JMYMusic · #1 07-22-2019, 08:19 PM

I’ve had my Seagull S6 original for about two months and have become curious about the specifications for this instrument. The Seagull site shows the scale to be 25.5 but when I measure it, it is 24.75. I am measuring from where the fretboard meets the nut to the middle of the 12th fret. My measurement is 12 3/8 inches X 2 = 24.75. Do some makers measure this differently?

phavriluk · #2 07-22-2019, 08:58 PM

Welcome to the happy world of 'short scale' guitars.

dhalbert · #3 07-22-2019, 09:04 PM

Is yours new or used? It used to be 24.84". See https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=461261

catfish · #4 07-23-2019, 01:10 AM

Initially Seagull S6 were short scale, then in 2012 they started to make them long scale, that's why the web-site mentions 25.5".

It is possible that they re-introduced short scale only for 'S6 Original' model.

Wellington · #5 07-23-2019, 07:42 AM

As far as I knew they've always been short scale, mine was but it was probably pre 2012 I guess

personatech · #6 07-23-2019, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.loseth

As far as I knew they've always been short scale, mine was but it was probably pre 2012 I guess

Nope. My 2018 S6 Original is 25.5" scale. The Entourage series, however, is 24.84."

<EDIT>I just measured mine (given some of the comments below) - it's just a shade less than 25.5"</EDIT>

Paddy1951 · #7 07-23-2019, 08:21 AM

Currently, there are a number of versions of the S6, the original Seagull dread.

The one that has all of the day one specs is the S6 Classic.

I think marketing by other companies influenced Godin/Seagull to change there original scale length/nutwidth specs.

I have always though of the S6 as a Gibson J influenced guitar. Round shouldered, short scale, narrow nutwidth. Not so much anymore.

Personally, I think they should stay with those specs. They worked.

Mr.Woody · #8 07-23-2019, 09:03 AM

Wow, it never even occurred to me what scale mine is, though mine is from 1992. It being short scale makes so much sense when i think about its playability and timbre. I checked a couple years ago and saw the spec as 25.5 on the website and didn't even question it. I just checked mine and it's almost 12 7/16" from nut to 12th which would line up with the old 24.84" scale.

JMYMusic · #9 07-23-2019, 09:04 AM

When I return home later, I’ll check the label, as I believe the serial number allows dating of the guitar. I bought it as a new instrument at my local Guitar Center in May 2019. Original box and protective packing. I know the label says S6 Original and the back and sides have the darker stain they started using a couple of years ago.

personatech · #10 07-23-2019, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMYMusic

I’ve had my Seagull S6 original for about two months and have become curious about the specifications for this instrument. The Seagull site shows the scale to be 25.5 but when I measure it, it is 24.75. I am measuring from where the fretboard meets the nut to the middle of the 12th fret. My measurement is 12 3/8 inches X 2 = 24.75. Do some makers measure this differently?

What are you using to take the measurement? I'd double-check that, if anything!

catfish · #11 07-23-2019, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy1951

I have always though of the S6 as a Gibson J influenced guitar. Round shouldered, short scale, narrow nutwidth. Not so much anymore.

Visually, yes, there is a similarity with Gibson round shoulders models, but the tone is not Gibsonesque, to my ears.

The original S6 had a wide chunky neck, narrow necks were adopted later on as an option.

Paddy1951 · #12 07-23-2019, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catfish

Visually, yes, there is a similarity with Gibson round shoulders models, but the tone is not Gibsonesque, to my ears.

The original S6 had a wide chunky neck, narrow necks were adopted later on as an option.

No, the original cedar topped S6 guitars kind of had their own sound.

I have a spruce topped version. Out of the box, a bit bright.

With some experimenting- bone saddle, African blackwood pins and especially, mellower string choices, it is more middle of the road. Still not Gibson in your face, but headed that direction.

The "thump" is definitely there.

YMMV

catfish · #13 07-23-2019, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy1951

No, the original cedar topped S6 guitars kind of had their own sound.

I have a spruce topped version. Out of the box, a bit bright.

With some experimenting- bone saddle, African blackwood pins and especially, mellower string choices, it is more middle of the road. Still not Gibson in your face, but headed that direction.

The "thump" is definitely there.

YMMV

I also have a spruce-topped short scale dread, Seagull M6 Gloss made in 2004. Even with a bone saddle, while being an excellent instrument, it has its own tone and nothing reminds me of a Gibson - I own a J-45 Standard as well.

C-ville Brent · #14 07-23-2019, 11:10 AM

I have a Seagull S6 Spruce Sunburst GT. The distance from the nut to saddle is 24 7/8" (using good tape measure and old eyes with glasses). Nut width seems just shy of 1 3/4". It's about a year old - enjoyable guitar.

JMYMusic · #15 07-23-2019, 11:31 AM

Just double checked and my measurements are accurate.

My serial number has 12 digits and according to one website, this numbering system does not allow you to determine date of manufacture. Godin started using it in 2008 and my guitar is the 6,132nd one made since they changed to the 12-digit system. It also shows that the guitar is not a factory second.

I'm a beginner and this is my first guitar, so I don't know how the larger scale would affect me. My hands are on the larger side and so far, I don't seem to be having any issues getting my chords to ring clearly.

I guess this is mainly a point of curiosity and I am going to email Godin to get their take on it.