Seagull Guitars

Blues City Music LLC has terminated its dealership with Godin / Seagull.  I wish them well, but we are going a different direction for 2025.  These guitars are untouched and priced below wholesale, so get them while you can.  Thanks.

Seagull Guitars Home Page

FAQ:

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.

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 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.

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.

What is the difference between Cedar and Spruce?

Cedar tends to produce a warmer sound and ages faster than spruce. Spruce is brighter and ages more over 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.

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.

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.