Accoustic guitar reccomendation

[Mickmeister]

Time for me to buy a guitar. I've been borrowing my brother's Seagull S-6 for the past six months, but he's getting back into playing so it has to go back. I kind of like the S-6, but I was wondering if there might be something else out there that I should be considering - in that general price range.

I mostly finger pick, and I like the warm sound of the Segull's cedar top (though I haven't heard any spruce tops to compare it with). I also think I prefer a wide spacing between strings, to give my klunky fingers room to work. I also want it equipped with electronics. Any ideas?

[cotten]

In it's price bracket, the S-6 is highly regarded. Perhaps even in a couple of brackets higher! But are there others you ought to consider? Definitely! All of 'em!

cotten

[JohnW63]

I like a Walden with a cedar top in that price range. The S-6 didn't call me, when I played it, but a cedar topped Walden did.

[cke]

I really respect and like the Seagulls (and other Godin guitars) Hard to beat in the price range. The Coastlines and others are worth a look too.

For alternatives you might look at the Eastman's of 200 300 400 lines etc. Very nice well made and good playing/sounding instruments by a real lutherie shop. I think they are better than the Blueridge and Recording King brands, but those are good guitars too.

A used Larrivee -03 model might be found for + or - 800. They are solid wood and high end guitars at a bargain price.

FWIW I find the Seagulls to sound a bit brighter than the above mentioned alternatives. Best is to play them yourself as much as possible.

[JasonEDH]

Hey Mick:
I went from the S6 to a well-cared for used Seagull Maritime SWS CW semi-gloss with Spruce top and Hog back and sides....and love it. Good luck, and have fun choosing.

[AZLiberty]

In that price range the best buys are probably the Seagulls or Breedlove Atlas Series.

[akafloyd]

Play them all!!

[Bigdog55]

Seagull S6 lefty was my first guitar, how about u buy off your brother and let him buy his next guitar. Especially if he is an older brother. Otherwise I would seek a Taylor GA5 cedar top through outlets allowing you to pay over time without interest or equal payments spread out, see sweetwater.com , music 123, musicians friend, etc. u can always find a deal if your patient, ask for your parents help along these lines, but do try out the guitars you are considering, Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, larivee, once u step up, u will fall in love and do anything necessary to acquire . My next guitar after seagull was a Taylor GA3, what a difference, now my pride and joy, first solid wood guitar, look at Martin 00-15 or 000-15, all mahagony , seems u like warm sounds, both guitars can be had for under 900.

[Judson]

You can find a really nice used Seagull S-6 on Craiglist pretty much anywhere, anytime for around $300 ... finding one with Quantum I electronics is a little bit harder and will cost maybe $50 more. Mostly I see Seagull Entourage Rustic models with QI on CL, but occasionally an S-6 Original or a Coastline shows up.

Of course, for $300 there are a LOT of used (and even new) alternative acoustic/electric choices. Some good, some not so good.

For my money, there is no better playing, sounding "acoustic" in that price range than the Seagull S-6 Original.

Especially if you like the sound of cedar and you appreciate an extra wide nut width ...



.

[jeepnstein]

You won't find a nicer guitar in that price range than another Seagull. Once you go above $800 or so the situation changes a wee bit. I won't give up my Seagull, ever.

[BoneDigger]

If you want something similar to the Seagull, but perhaps with a little more variety, look at the other Godin line of guitars. The Seagull S6 is a very nice little guitar for the price. As someone noted earlier, if you have say $600-800 you can skip up to another level. But still, nothing wrong with the Seagull. I like my Blueridge better than any Eastman I have played, but I think either one would be a good deal in the 600-800 range.

Todd

[SalFromChatham]

USED Martin 15 series

[Mickmeister]

Okay, I went shopping. I tried out six accoustics, including the Seagull S-6 for comparison (because it's the only one I was familiar with). The ones I liked best were the S-6 and the Martin 000x1ae. At least I THINK it was an 000x1ae - it was a cutaway, and all the ones I've seen online have no cutaway. Do they make this model in a cutaway, or is it possible the store has mis-labeled it? (The tag also said CSTXSER.)

Another question: The Martin had noticable string buzz when fingerpicked - I think it was from the strings vibrating against the fretboard as opposed to something funky going on with the nut or internal stuff. I couldn't reproduce that problem on the Seagull. Could this be a setup issue that might be fixable?

[cedarkoa599]

I love Taylors either with Cedar or Sinker tops and Cocobolo or Koa for back and sides.
Good luck.
Post pics when you get your new baby!

[Jim Owen]

Hi,

Your question about the string buzz on the Martin might be something to think on. Did the action seem pretty low? If indeed you got buzz whilst fingerpicking, this would be something to attend to. A good set up should get you buzzless.

It's often maddeningly hard to find exactly where the buzz comes from. Could even be a loose tuning machine nut.