If you sift through acoustic guitar forums often, you may see a name that you’re not all too familiar with – the Seagull S6. While the company is certainly no Fender guitars in terms of popularity, they have a unique character all their own.
It’s not very often that you see an inexpensive guitar that is both produced in North America and sounds amazing. The high-quality materials and craftsmanship alone set this guitar apart from others in the same price range. Let’s find out what makes this guitar such an excellent choice for acoustic lovers, shall we?
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Crystal Clear Sound
- High-Quality Wood Saddle
- Superior Canadian Materials
- Stays In Tune
Cons
- Neck Might Be Too Thick For Some
- Cedar Top is Prone To Scratching
Top Features
Wood Construction
The build of the Seagull S6 is what sets it apart from other acoustic guitars in many ways.
The first time you see it, it may not strike you as totally unique, though when you hold it in your hands, you’re able to feel the craftsmanship of the solid cedar top that gives it such a gorgeous tone.
On the sides and the back, you have a darker Canadian Wild Cherry, a type of wood that you don’t often see in guitars within the price range. In terms of the look and aesthetic of the S6, guitarists love the simplicity and natural finish. Overall, the guitar looks great in just about any situation!
Sound
Pair the Seagull S6 with other high-end guitars, and you’ll be blown away by how well the sound matches up. It’s no wonder professional guitarists are abandoning the myth that you need to blow a grand for a quality sound!
There’s a little bit of everything in the S6’s tone for everyone. You get a full-flavored, resonant sound, as well as a little bit of that country-folk twang to help it cut through. Many folk guitarists love the sound of the cedar top, as it helps even the softest of sounds stay sustained.
If there are any negative comments about the S6’s tone, it’s that it can be a bit too bright for some people’s taste. That may depend on the type of strings that you use though!
Saddle and Nut
The Seagull S6 comes with a high-quality Graph Tech Compensated Tesq that has a lot to do with the guitar’s tone. It’s not often that you see this type of material on guitars in this price range. As for the saddle, you get a gorgeous, cherry wood that that not only looks great, but holds your strings securely as well.
The nut is 45mm, meaning electric players may have to get used to the wider size at first. The most important thing is that they are all high-quality parts that come together to create a unique tone.
Thick Neck
The neck on the S6 is a little bit thicker than what you would typically find on a steel-string acoustic guitar. For those guitarists who are used to playing electrics, or for those with small hands, this might make playing a bit harder to get used to. With a little practice though, you’ll be comfortable in no time! Classical guitar players, however, will feel right at home!
With that said, a thick neck can make fingerpicking a lot more accurate, which is why many folk guitarists love the S6!
Headstock
The headstock on the S6 is smaller than your typical steel-string headstock and comes in an ice-lolly shape. This helps to keep the strings straighter, meaning they’ll stay in tune for longer by reducing drag. There’s nothing worse than having to retune your guitar over and over during a live performance.
With the tapered headstock, you get better open tuning playability, as well as better tuning overall. While the look of the slim neck might throw people off, we think it gives the guitar a unique quality.
Why Get the Seagull S6?
The Seagull S6 is an excellent all-around acoustic guitar for intermediate to advanced players. If you’re just starting out, we would probably recommend going for something a little bit cheaper. Even with that said, the small price is not that much to pay for a guitar that has so many great features!
Conclusion
The Seagull S6 is a guitar with great value!
For a price that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, the S6 provides crystal-clear sound, a high-quality build, and a feel that will motivate you to play more everyday! We would highly recommend it for fingerstyle players with larger hands.
Looking for some other great steel-string guitars? Check out some of our favorites here!
