Acoustic Guitar Review: Seagull S6

As mentioned in my review of the Ibanez AEG10BK acoustic/electric thin body guitar, a guitar player's first instrument is typically one accompanied by fond memories and a unique history. For my father, one of his firsts included the S6 model from Canada-based Seagull Guitars, a subset of Godin Guitars. The mere fact of my father's having owned and played this fine acoustic instrument for well over ten years speaks to its quality and durability as being far superior to several other names on the market.

Historically speaking, Seagull was birthed in the small town of La Patrie, located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. The company was founded and established in 1982 by Robert Godin and has since become widely known for crafting and distributing solid top guitars as opposed to the more popular laminated tops. Additionally, the vast majority of Seagull guitar tuning knobs are placed especially in alignment with the nut. This form of unique craftsmanship is said to ensure a more stable tuning process.

Interestingly, the Seagull series S6 guitar has been the recipient of several acoustic instrumental awards, a testimony to its quality craftsmanship and unique acoustic sound.

The body of the S6 boasts a solid cedar top, according to Seagull's official website (www.seagullguitars.com), as well as sides fashioned from wild cherry wood. With a Rosewood fingerboard and bridge and a Silver Leaf Maple neck, the pure, clean, smooth and simple beauty of the S6 design is unmatched in the majority of non-laminated acoustic guitars. Without this lamination feature, the S6 is able to retain its natural wood grain look and feel. The surface of the guitar has instead been coated in a special semi-gloss lacquer.

In terms of electronics, the majority of fine acoustic/electric Seagull model guitars are typically outfitted with the one-of-a-kind Godin Quantum I electronics package (which includes a specialized transducer located under the saddle) or the Godin Quantum II electronics package. The Quantum II package, located on several of the more recent S6 series, incorporates the use of both a transducer and a small microphone, a feature which allows both of these electronic amplification devices to be blended together in an effort to create a more pure acoustic sound through an electronic amplification system.

Speaking from personal experience and usage of the S6 on several occasions, this Quantum II system does indeed provide for a crisper, cleaner sound when the S6 is plugged into a sound system. Much like the more recent Expression System employed by Taylor Guitars on the majority of their higher end models, the Quantum II allows for the instrument to retain its original acoustic sound without the slightest interference of distortion or unwanted "fuzziness."

According to Seagull's official website, the exact body measurements of the S6 are as follows:

a. Nut Width: 1.8 inches

b. Upper bout: 11.38 inches

c. Lower bout: 15.87 inches

d. Waist: 10.54 inches

e. Body Length: 19.8 inches

f. Body depth: 4.9 inches

g. Fingerboard radius: 16 inches

h. 14:1 ratio tuning machines

Since my father's acquisition of the Seagull S6 several years ago, the set retail price and market value of the guitar has gone down significantly. The S6 can typically be purchased from a local Seagull dealer for between $400 and $800. This is one fine piece of acoustic instrumentation well worth adding to your collection.