With its slightly smaller body size compared to a classic dreadnaught, the Folk exudes a complex harmonic richness thanks to the tight bottom end, rich velvety mids and bell like highs.
In 1982 Robert Godin produced the first Seagull guitars in the Village of LaPatrie, Quebec. The concept for the Seagull guitar 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 of our guitars are Made In Canada. Being able to say these words and truthfully mean it, is something we are very proud of in this day and age. All of our Seagull guitars are made in Canada from start to finish, by sustainably sourced wood from our own backyard in a controlled manner.
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Sustainability
We are committed to sustainably sourcing all of our wood and continuously strive to reduce our overall environmental impact as a company. By having our facilities powered by hydroelectricity, to using only reclaimed wood and working with forestries that impose strict replanting models, every little positive initiative helps develop a better world of tomorrow. The use of reclaimed logs further helps to decrease the impact of deforestation.
A true passion
It’s in the small village of LaPatrie in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, where for more than a quarter century the crafting of Seagull guitars has been a true passion for the many devoted guitar makers who call LaPatrie home. Today, LaPatrie has a population of about 475 and about half of these people are guitar builders. These folks take a great deal of pride in the guitars they build. From our award winning S6 Original, to our new Burnt Umber colors and to the exquisite sound of our Artist Series guitars, Seagull continues to make believers out of players the world over.
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FAQ
Learn more about our technology, craftsmanship, and services.
Can I use a heavier string gauge other than the Phosphor Bronze Lights you ship the guitars with?
Yes. You can go up or down one gauge, usually without needing to readjust your truss rod, however if you use a much heavier or lighter gauge this will put different amounts of tension on the neck so an adjustment may be needed. When changing string gauge allow some time for the guitar to settle and then if needed have the truss rod adjusted by a qualified technician.
Should I loosen the strings on my Seagull if I'm going to take it with me on vacation?
Yes. It is a good idea to loosen the strings just enough to reduce tension on the neck. This will avoid extra stress which can cause damage to the headstock if the guitar case is dropped.
Can I use Steel strings on my Nylon string guitar?
No. Putting Steel strings on a Nylon string guitar can add extra stress to the guitar top and may cause the bridge to lift. These guitars are braced differently and steel and nylon strings are not interchangeable.
What does "hand-made" really mean?
We recently came across a disposable plastic lighter that was being promoted as a “Limited Edition”. Likewise we find ourselves surrounded by products that are touted as being “handmade” and when it comes to guitars you’ll have a tough time finding one that isn’t described as handmade. Our dictionary defines handmade simply as: “made by hand, not machinery”. If you accept that definition then it’s safe to say there is no such thing as a handmade guitar! In any case our recommendation would be to forget the whole “handmade” thing and focus on more relevant considerations such as: finish material, type of wood used (and whether it is genuine), and most importantly how does it feel and sound to you.
What do you recommend I clean my Seagull with?
Do not use any wax based products on the guitar, especially on the top! This will cause unwanted wax buildup over time which will impede the top from vibrating. Instead use a small amount of soap based guitar polish sprayed on a cloth (never directly on the guitar) and gently wipe off your guitar. For the fingerboard we suggest removing the strings and applying Lemon or Danish oil to a cloth and then working it into your fingerboard. Let the oil soak in for a few minutes and then wipe off the excess. This should be done once a year on rosewood or ebony fingerboards only. Doing so not only cleans, but conditions your fingerboard against cracking and keeps it from losing its luster.
What is "cold-checking"?
Cold-checking refers to that spider web like effect that sometimes occurs in wood finishes that have been subjected to severe temperature changes. It is also common in older instruments where the finish has dried out to the point of becoming brittle. For many years we have worked with our finish supplier to develop a lacquer formula that retains a degree of elasticity and resists cold checking.
I will be visiting Quebec this summer, does Seagull offer factory tours to the public?
Since our factories are located in different parts of Quebec, a complete tour would entail about one thousand kilometers of driving and at least a complete weekend. We are hoping to offer tours in the future but at this point we haven’t worked out the logistics.
When should the truss rod be adjusted?
Your truss rod should be adjusted when your neck develops a bit of a bow in it. The reason for the bow is a combination of the string tension that is constantly applied to the neck along with changes in relative humidity. Humidity is the most important part of this equation. Wood reacts to changes in relative humidity when it absorbs or loses moisture. Absorbing moisture causes the neck to expand which results in a back-bow in this case loosening the truss rod slightly will allow the neck to return to its original form. When a neck dries out it will under bow, which can be treated by slightly tightening the truss rod (Click here for a pdf diagram).
Warning: Over adjusting your truss rod can cause irreparable damage to your guitar and therefore truss rod adjustments should only be handled by a qualified guitar technician.
What is a truss rod?
A truss rod is an adjustable metal rod that sits inside of the neck, underneath the fingerboard. The truss rod is used to adjust for changes in the neck caused by humidity or changing string gauges. Seagull guitars employ an advanced double function truss system.
What strings are recommended for my guitar?
Godin strings are recommended as they are made specifically for our acoustic brands including Seagull. Designed by Robert Godin and the leading American string manufacturer, our strings come in three sizes of high quality phosphor bronze. Seagull guitars are fitted with A6 Lite strings and these are recommended for continued use, but Medium and Extra Lite are also available to fit your desired tone and functionality.
The fret edges are sticking out of the side of the neck. Why? And what should I do?
This is not nearly as big a problem as some people make it out to be. Once again the culprit here is humidity. In the case of the protruding fret edges this is because the fingerboard has dried out slightly and shrunk. The frets are metal (nickel/silver) and do not shrink from a change in humidity. The problem is easily fixed by a good guitar tech with a file.
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Features
Select Pressure Tested Solid Tops
A guitar produces sound as a result of the vibration of its strings. What's not so obvious is the role that the guitar top plays in amplifying these vibrations. In fact, the vibration of the top is one of the most important factors in a guitar's sound. Solid top guitars offer richer sound and wider dynamic range. All Seagull guitars are made with select pressure tested solid tops. Each solid top is pressure tested to ensure its highest level of rigidity and stiffness along with maximum harmonic vibration. This benefits the overall tone, projection and resonance which in turn benefits the player and increases the lifespan of the guitar. The tight, straight grain in this wood produces a unique combination of strength and flexibility. The top is strong enough—in the direction of the grain—to withstand the pull of the strings, while at the same time it's flexible enough—across the grain—to vibrate freely.
The Compound Curved Top
The guitar top is the part of the instrument that most affects the sound. Slightly arching the top above the sound hole resists downward pressure created by the fingerboard and increases the structural integrity of the top and allows for the use of a thinner and more lightly braced top. The compound curve top produces excellent stability in the upper part of the guitar top and the power & projection made possible by leaving the top flat below the sound hole. This area around the bridge is the most active part of the top in regards to vibration.
Sitka Spruce Bracing
The bracing for the new Seagull guitars is quarter-sawn Sitka spruce, scalloped and carved to conform exactly to the curvature of the tops. The strength and lightweight qualities of Sitka Spruce make for ideal bracing material. It provides the strength needed to resist string tension without weighing down the top, allowing it to be more responsive and vibrate freely.
Cedar Or Spruce Top?
Both Cedar and Spruce share the same virtues in terms of better sound and the ability to age. Cedar tends to produce a warmer sound and ages faster than spruce. Spruce is brighter and ages moreover a longer period of time. Visually, cedar is darker in color with a fairly tight grain pattern. Spruce tends to be very blond with a slightly wider grain pattern.
Aging
A solid top vibrates much more freely than a laminated top. This results in richer tone, better dynamic range and better balance of tone. Not only does a solid top sound better initially, over time the vibrations from playing the guitar result in the top vibrating more and more freely. This phenomenon is called 'aging' which means that the more the guitar is played, the better the guitar will sound. It is important to remember in order for a guitar to age it must be played. A guitar left in its case for 5 years will get older, but it will not 'age'.
Bookmatched
A top starts as a single piece of wood, which is sliced open—like a book—and then glued together. This technique is called 'bookmatching' and results in an even grain pattern across the top of the guitar.
Custom Polished Finish
The Custom Polished finish is aesthetically the most beautiful acoustic finish the company has ever produced. The resistance to the common wear and tear of guitar playing that is provided by this finish is applied without sacrificing the incredible sound of these instruments. Unlike “thick” polyester finishes which deaden the natural sound of a solid top, the Custom Polished finish allows the top to breathe and vibrate freely bringing out the true tone of the wood. This in turn promotes the ever important "aging" process, in which the guitar will actually sound better the more it is played over time. Buffed and sanded between each coat, the unparalleled beauty of the Custom Polished finish is reminiscent of the traditional French polish of the 19th century. This finish gives the semi-gloss a gorgeous satin sheen and the high-gloss a lustrous shine as well as accentuating the natural wood grain of the instrument.
Neck Pitch
In order to enjoy all of the advantages of a well-crafted neck, a great deal of care must be given when joining it to the guitar body. The angle of a guitar’s neck attachment—often called 'neck pitch'—plays a crucial role in the instrument’s tone. Simply put; if the neck is too far back the guitar will lose its bass and sound tinny. If the neck angle is too far forward, the guitar will lose its high frequency response and sound muddy. The Seagull neck attachment system insures consistent neck pitch. It also produces the added advantage of a superior neck/body energy transfer because the neck is attached to the body with a clean wood-to-wood connection. There is no glue to impede the vibration between the heel of the neck and the guitar's body.
Double Function Truss System
Most guitars employ an adjustable metal rod inside the neck called a truss rod. The truss rod is typically used to straighten the neck when it becomes slightly bowed from string tension and changes in humidity. In the event of a neck becoming back-bowed the traditional fix is to loosen the truss rod and allow the string tension to pull the neck back to its ideal form. Unfortunately this doesn’t always work which is why we adapted a Double Function truss rod in Seagull necks. The rod bends in both directions, which provides unprecedented control over the neck whether it is under-bowed or over-bowed.
The Seagull Integrated Set Neck
Comfort, sound, and stability, are the three key ingredients that we want in a guitar neck. The Integrated Set Neck system allows for more consistent and stable action while significantly reducing warping and twisting of the neck, largely attributed to changes in climate.
Compensated Seagull Saddle
Seagull guitars feature Tusq nuts and saddles by Graphtech. The fully compensated saddle helps Seagull guitars to play beautifully in-tune all over the neck.
The heel
Did you ever notice that a guitar that sounds perfectly in tune needs to be re-tuned slightly when passed from one player to another? This has to do with the fact that different players place varying amounts of weight and pressure on the neck and this affects tuning. Years ago we discovered that this problem could be alleviated by inserting maple dowels through the heel of the neck. This reinforcement makes the neck several times stronger.
Reverse Headstock
Each Seagull neck starts out as a single piece of Mahogany or Silver Leaf Maple. The wood is cut at a 45 degree angle after which the top piece - the Headstock - is glued back on with the grain reversed. This is an essential step in the Seagull process for creating incredibly stable necks.
Tapered Headstock - Tuning Made Easy
The tapered headstock on Seagull guitars provides straight string pull, which minimizes the neck twisting effect. This insures that it will be easier to get your guitar in tune and keep it that way. This is particularly advantageous for the growing ranks of players who use open tunings.
Proudly Made in Canada
