Seagull S6 Guitar Review: Craftsmanship and Tone in Perfect Harmony

Seagull is a renowned Canadian guitar manufacturer known for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and exceptional sound. I played my first Seagull about a decade ago. I must say, the quality and craftsmanship were as good then as it is now. The Seagull S6 guitar, part of their Original Series, has become a staple in the acoustic guitar market. In this review, I will explore the features and qualities that have made the Seagull S6 an enduring favorite among guitarists worldwide.

A Brief Overview of the Seagull Guitar Company

Seagull Guitars is a Canadian company that produces acoustic guitars, mandolins, and ukuleles. The company was founded in 1982 by Robert Godin and a few of his friends in La Patrie, a small village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.

The concept for Seagull Guitars was to take the essential components of the best hand-crafted guitars (such as solid tops and beautiful finishes) and build these features into guitars that could be priced within the reach of working musicians. All Seagull guitars are made in Canada from start to finish, with sustainably sourced wood from their own backyard in a controlled manner.

Seagull guitars are known for their rich, full sound and their comfortable playability. Musicians and reviewers alike praise these guitars and they have won numerous awards. Some of the most popular Seagull models include the S6, the Entourage, and the Maritime.

Here are some additional facts about Seagull Guitars:

• The company’s name comes from the seagulls often seen flying over the village of La Patrie.
• Seagull guitars are made with a variety of woods, including spruce, mahogany, rosewood, and maple.
• The company offers a wide range of models, from budget-friendly options to high-end guitars.
• A variety of musicians use Seagull guitars, including John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.

Design and Construction

The Seagull S6 is a dreadnought-style acoustic guitar with a solid cedar top, laminated wild cherry back and sides, and a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It has a 25.5-inch scale length and 20 frets. The headstock features a tapered design that helps to improve tuning stability. The guitar comes with a gig bag.

Here are some of the specific features of the Seagull S6’s design and construction:

• Solid cedar top: Cedar is a popular tonewood for acoustic guitars because it produces a warm, rich sound. The Seagull S6’s solid cedar top helps to give the guitar its distinctive tonal character.
• Laminated wild cherry back and sides: Wild cherry is a strong and durable wood that provides a good balance of warmth and brightness. The laminated wild cherry back and sides of the Seagull S6 help to project the sound of the guitar and make it sound full and resonant.
• Maple neck: Maple is a strong and lightweight wood that provides a comfortable feel for the player. The maple neck of the Seagull S6 makes it easy to play for long periods of time.
• Rosewood fingerboard: Rosewood is a dense and oily wood that provides a smooth and fast-playing surface. The rosewood fingerboard of the Seagull S6 makes it easy to fret notes and chords.
• Tapered headstock: The tapered headstock of the Seagull S6 helps to improve tuning stability. The tapered design creates a straight pull on each string, which helps to prevent the strings from slipping out of tune.

Overall, the Seagull S6 is a well-designed and well-constructed acoustic guitar. Every Seagull uses high-quality materials and features a comfortable design.

Sound and Performance

When it comes to sound, the Seagull S6 truly shines. The combination of the solid cedar top and wild cherry back and sides produces a distinctive tone characterized by warmth, richness, and excellent midrange projection. The S6 delivers a balanced sound with a remarkable sustain, allowing every note to ring out with clarity and depth.

The following specific examples show how the Seagull S6’s sound and performance benefit different musical styles:

• Fingerstyle: The Seagull S6’s warm, rich sound is perfect for fingerstyle playing. The guitar produces a clear and articulate sound that allows the nuances of the player’s technique to shine.
• Strumming: The Seagull S6 is also a great guitar for strumming. The guitar produces a full and resonant sound that is perfect for accompanying vocals or backing tracks.
• Blues: The Seagull S6’s warm, rich sound is perfect for blues playing. The guitar produces a sound that is both bluesy and articulate, making it a great choice for players who want to explore the full range of blues sounds.
• Country: The Seagull S6 has a sound well-suited for country music. The guitar produces a warm, rich sound that is perfect for accompanying vocals or playing country-style fingerpicking patterns.

Overall, the Seagull S6 is a great guitar for a variety of musical styles. It is well-made, comfortable to play, and produces a warm, rich sound. If you are looking for an acoustic guitar that is versatile and sounds great, the Seagull S6 is a great option.

The video below gives you a taste of the sounds you can expect from the Seagull S6.

Playability and Comfort

The Seagull S6’s playability is exceptional, making it an inviting choice for guitarists of all levels. The comfortable neck profile and smooth fretboard allow for effortless chord transitions and quick finger movements. The guitar’s setup, combined with low action, provides a comfortable playing experience, reducing hand fatigue during long practice sessions or performances.

Here are some specific details about the Seagull S6’s playability and comfort:

• Neck profile: The Seagull S6 has a comfortable C-shaped neck profile. This neck profile is a good compromise between a more rounded profile, which is comfortable for fingerpicking, and a more tapered profile, which is comfortable for strumming.
• Fretboard: The Seagull S6 has a rosewood fretboard. Rosewood is a dense and oily wood that provides a smooth and fast-playing surface. The well-placed frats make it easy to fret notes and chords.
• Action: The action is the height of the strings above the fretboard. The action on the Seagull S6 is low, making it easy to fret notes and chords. A low action can also make it easier to play fast passages.
• Nut and saddle: The nut and saddle are the two pieces of wood that the strings rest on at the headstock and bridge, respectively. The nut and saddle on the Seagull S6 use TUSQ, a synthetic material known for its durability and stability. TUSQ nuts and saddles can help to improve the intonation of a guitar, which is the accuracy of the notes that are produced when the strings are fretted.

Overall, the Seagull S6 is a very comfortable guitar to play. The neck is comfortable, the fretboard is smooth, and the action is low. This makes the guitar easy to play for long periods of time, even for players with small hands.

Value and Longevity

The Seagull S6 is a great value for the price. As mentioned earlier, all Seagulls use high-quality materials and feature a comfortable design. The guitar produces a warm, rich sound that is well-suited for a variety of musical styles.

The Seagull S6 is also a very durable guitar. It is made with a solid cedar top, laminated wild cherry back and sides, and a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. These woods are all known for their durability and resistance to warping and cracking. The guitar also comes with a gigbag, which helps to protect it from damage when it is not in use.

With proper care, the Seagull S6 can last for many years. The guitar should be stored in a cool, dry place and should be cleaned and humidified regularly. If the guitar is properly cared for, it should sound great for many years to come.

Here are some specific details about the Seagull S6’s value and longevity:

• Price: The Seagull S6 is a very affordable guitar. It can be purchased for around $800, which is a great price for a guitar of its quality.
• Materials: The Seagull S6 is made with high-quality materials. The solid cedar top, laminated wild cherry back and sides, and maple neck with rosewood fingerboard are all known for their durability and resistance to warping and cracking.
• Construction: The Seagull S6 is well-constructed. The guitar is made with careful attention to detail and is designed to last.
• Care: The Seagull S6 is a relatively low-maintenance guitar. It should be stored in a cool, dry place and should be cleaned and humidified regularly.

Overall, the Seagull S6 is a great value for the price. It is a well-made, durable guitar that can last for many years with proper care.

Seagull S6 Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Solid cedar top combined with wild cherry back and sides produces a warm and rich tone with excellent sustain.
2. Handcrafted in Canada with attention to detail, ensuring high-quality construction and craftsmanship.
3. Comfortable and smooth playing experience with a well-designed neck profile.

Cons:

1. The neck width may be wider compared to other acoustic guitars, which can be less comfortable for players with smaller hands.
2. The stock strings may not be of the highest quality and may require replacing for improved sound and playability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I feel the Seagull S6 guitar exemplifies Seagull’s commitment to producing high-quality instruments with exceptional sound and craftsmanship. With its solid cedar top, wild cherry back and sides, comfortable playability, and balanced tone, the S6 stands out as a versatile and reliable choice for guitarists of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner searching for your first quality instrument or an experienced player in need of a dependable companion for your musical journey, the Seagull S6 delivers a superb playing experience that will inspire creativity and bring joy to your music-making.

Further Reading on charlestonclassicalguitar.org: If you have further questions, then I can help point you in the right direction. Hopefully, you can now make an informed decision on whether this guitar is right for you. Next, check out my other guides:

• How to Tune an Acoustic Guitar Easily with an Electronic Tuner
• Cleaning Your Guitar, A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for other options for a beginner acoustic guitar? Check out our post on 10 Of The Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars.

Editorial Process:

My reviews are made by a team of one, myself, before being written and come from real-world experience. Read our editorial process here.

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Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.