Dean Accoustic vs. Seagull???

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mikeh

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Anybody play/own a Dean Accoustic

I just saw a used accoustic/electric (I for the life of me can't recall the model) which had Fishman Electronics. The were asking $479 - which seems high for a Dean - but perhaps the Fishman justifies the price. It was a grey "swirl" and perhaps was part of the "exotica'??? line.

I don't know that much about good tuners, etc - but I do know that this axe played well and sounded better than a Fendor, Takamine, & Applause (the other guitars in the same price range at that store). Do Dean hold their value? Do Deans come with Fishman electronics, or could this have been an after market upgrade?

Also, in the $400 - $500 range, what are some decent Seagull models (they seem to be a highly recommended guitar - or whatever else you may choose to suggest (I see Larivee mentioned often). I prefer an accoustic/electric - but I would buy an accoustic and mic it if I find the right axe. I just tried an S6 (which was about $170 used) but it just did not seem all the special.

I know I need to trust my ears, but with so many guitars and so little time, recommendations will save me some frustration I'm sure. This is for recording, no live applications.

Thanks in advance for your time and expertise.
 
I have a Seagull S6. It's really an excellent playing and sounding guitar. For $170, I'd say go for it. But as you noted, it's really all up to the individual and what you like.

Was there something that turned you off about the S6 compared to anything else? (maybe old strings?)

One thing I like to do is to play the Martins/Taylors/Etc. and then things in my price range. But one problem I find is that the strings (age/guage) can really sway my opinion right or wrong. Sometimes the guitar is in tune with itself, but not with A440 - that can sound odd.

With the Seagulls, they do not have the extra nice finish/inlays, perfectly grained tops, etc. Sound wise: as good as it gets. Looks: can vary (I do like mine though).

I put some K&K True Western pickups in mine last week - simply amazing compared to the under bridge piezo deals.

One other thing - you might want avoid Ebay (even though I love it) for acoustic guitars. There's probably enough variation in acoustics that you might love this one and hate the next.

Good luck!
 
Oh, I forgot to mention....

Dean has some of the nicest looking electric guitars out there. The one acoustic I played was certainly ok. Not my Seagull though. And certainly not a Martin/Taylor.
 
Thanks for your response. The S6 just did not seem to have much brightness of tone - while I'm sure the strings play into that, they did not some to be overly old or dirty, etc. A couple of the frets seemed a little rough. The axe dd not appear that played, so I suspect that's the way the frets were out of the box.

I've heard so many good things about Seagull - including the S^ that perhaps I was simply expecting too much.
 
I tried a dean exotica once after seeing the gorgeous pics in the MF catalog. I didn't really care for it, just sounded lifeless and boxy. I didn't get to try out the electronics, but unplugged it just didn't do it for me.
 
I'd pass on both the Seagull and the Dean and instead look for a Larrivee 01 model or one of their Parlors. Buffalo Bros has a used OM-01 right now for $399, and I think the mahogany Parlors are around $400 as well. The Parlors I have played are sweeet.

Or I'd look at the Breedlove Atlas series. I think the have one for around $400, athough I haven't played one of these.
 
I own an older Seagull SM (cheaper guitar - spruce top, mahogany sides and back), and also 3 year old Dean Performer DSE.

The Dean looks really nice, and sounds OK. Its a mini jumbo style acoustic electric with cutaway. The intonation is fabulous, and it plays better than the Seagull.

However, the Seagull definately sounds fuller and better to me. I dont think I would buy the Dean again, given the choice.

Cheers.
 
Every dean guitar I have played looks great but sounds horrible. I played a few seagulls at a store once when I was looking for my acoustic. They were much better than any of the deans I have ever played, but they didn't really blow me away. In my quest for a great sounding acoustic, I ended up buying a really old beat up alvarez that I found at an old guy's shop because it sounded better than any of the guitars I had played, and was way below my price limit.
 
i think i'm gonna pull the trigger on a carvin cobalt this summer. for 1000 canadian, i will get the top of the line jumbo. They have dreadnots in the 400 price range. I can't comment on them first-hand but i have read some good reviews comparing them to mid-lline martins and taylors. maybe others can comment on them? www.carvin.com/cobalt
 
I play a Dean Exotica and have noticed that it can sound a bit on the boomy side and if not carefull with placement by a PA there can be a lot of feedback. I love mine and have never had a problem with it while plugged in. However, during acoustic recording I haven't had great luck with it. A friend of mine said it was because they have such a heavy gloss finish on it but I don't know anything about that.
 
I've got a Seagull S6-CW (cutaway) that I've loved for nearly 10 years now. It was $580 when I bought it. It has a satin "honey burst" finish. Plays like a dream, and has aged well. It plays and sounds better than my friend's martin.
 
minofifa said:
i think i'm gonna pull the trigger on a carvin cobalt this summer. for 1000 canadian, i will get the top of the line jumbo. They have dreadnots in the 400 price range. I can't comment on them first-hand but i have read some good reviews comparing them to mid-lline martins and taylors. maybe others can comment on them? www.carvin.com/cobalt
Click to expand...
They call it the "Cobalt" line and don't even offer one with a blue finish???
 
I have got the cobalt c750s and it is beautiful. The action is as low has you can go. It almost plays like an electric. The sound is amazing too but I think the factory strings are a little too bright. This is the one for around 600 canadian so I can only imagine what the jumbo's sound like.
 
i've had a dean artist cse for like 6 years now. i wouldn't trade it for anything as far as looks go. the pickup & eq is pretty sweet. & it sounds good enough for me to gig & record with.
 
I just thought of something else to consider... With any of the solid top acoustics, they definately sound better with age. You might see if you can try out some older examples and see if that helps you decide what direction to take.

I noticed my 6 year old Seagull has a fuller tone than the new one's at the store. I'd be willing to bet money that it's due to the aging process.
 
Thanks to everyone for your comments. I'm in the process of selling some drum gear, which should generate something in the $400 -$700 range.

I will then start hitting all the stores. I find it's hard enough to compare several guitars all in one store - trying to do it over several days/weeks at numerous stores seems daunting.

Hopefully, there will be that one guitar that calls out to me!!!
 
defiantly go for the seagull. I hava an old one that sounds real nice i can't reacl the model and i don't feel like goin to my room to look
 
I play all dean guitars...I have three....they all sound great and are a steal for the price...the acoustic I have is a Dean exotica del sol...sounds incredible on recordings....electrics I have are and EVO premium and hardtail. Id go with the Dean just cause I love that company...Ive played a few seaguls as well...they to are nice...but im set in my ways.
 
I just started working for Dean guitars as a "set-up" technician.
I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the quality of the acoustics. I can get a discount, of course..... I'm in big trouble! I want one of everything!!
 
I've owned two Dean acoustics in the past 5 years. The first Dean acoustic I purchased was a Tradition S12 (one of their 12-strings). That was a big mistake. While it had a great sound I would have matched with any Guild jumbo, every time I changed the strings, even using the same make and guage, I would have to adjust the neck to get the correct intonation. That gets to be a nuisance if you play enough to have to change every few weeks--unless you're one of those musicians successful enough to have a full-time guitar tech on retainer.
So I traded it for a Dean 6-string, figuring that surely as massive as the necks are on the Tradition line, I wouldn't have the problem with a 6-string. The 6-strings aren't any better. The great tone I've found in Dean's (at least the ones with solid tops) is the only thing that keeps me from ranking them as another cheap Korean-made POS.

For my next guitar purchase, I'm saving my pennies for a Guild Jumbo.
 
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