The Seagull S6 range was one I had been researching, looking at, and pondering purchasing for a while. After months of deliberation - and a couple of months waiting for stock - I went ahead and ordered it, without playing it once. Yup, without previously trying it in a store or whatever. Such is my trust in Thomann, in the thriving online community too, that I gave it a go. And I have never looked back.
Only had it in my presence for a couple of weeks at the time of writing and it's been a wonderful addition to my small collection. My previous guitar was a cheap, cheerful Fender CD60SE, so this Seagull was quite the step up. The overall build quality is actually incredible; it's smooth, no nips or cuts, no signs of shoddy workmanship at all. You could even smell the wood still.
The burnt umber finish is matt and smooth, and will doubtlessly improve with time and age. Some reviews elsewhere stated that the wood is soft. However, I have found that this is not the case at all. I can use my capo with ease, play as tough as I want, and really use it as I want to. The wider nut is taking a bit of time for me to get used to, and that's been a little bit of a challenge, but I'll get there. (For reference: I only play for about 20-30 mins a day, maybe every other day, as I have a small kid to feed, change nappies, get to sleep, and then not awaken with my playing!)
The sound of the guitar is quite mid-heavy, not that I think that's a bad thing. It was the sound I was going for. In terms of sound, I have read that amplified the guitar is quite bass-heavy, which may be the case. If that's so, I don't see that as a negative; and for the few times I do play live (fewer now with COVID part of our lives) I'd tend towards playing into a microphone anyway.
There is only really one small criticism or piece of negativity I have about the guitar, and it doesn't really relate to any one company per se, and it is this: the action is a little high for me. It somehow feels a little hard to play. Could be the string gauge (it is shipped with mediums, so 12/13s, and I am more accustomed to 10/11 custom lights EJ26 Daddario or extra-light 10 Fenders), or it could be that the action needs lowering a tiny amount at the nut or with a small truss rod adjustment. Not sure what it is, but it certainly feels somehow more clunky(?) to play. Hard to describe. It's a personal thing for sure, but one which I do think warrants a tune up at the luthier. So I am a little frustrated with that, as I guess I expected a better setup, and will now have to pay to have it set up in the way I desire. Then again, guitars react to so many things, atmospheric and otherwise, that maybe this would have been necessary anyway. Still, I was left with a mild sour taste after spending a lot on the guitar to then add this cost on too, plus the cost of a decent case. It meant the overall price of the guitar is therefore really 20% more than I budgeted for, which is certainly my problem to an extent. Then again, the setup does feel high and a little stiff, and I do think more could have been done to perhaps remedy that.
Overall though, I absolutely love this guitar and will never get rid of it. Oh, and if you are worried about getting a guitar that's been shipped internationally (from Canada to Germany, and then Germany to Sweden in this case) really do not fear. The box was well-padded, complete with this inflatable airbag to protect the guitar. Was actually kind of cool. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another and already have some ideas for my next order.
