My new guitar and string ?s
 

I purchased this Seagull S6 CE-

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2909/321704iu6.jpg

-after trying a whole bunch of guitars including taylors, Martin, Takamines, Gibsons, etc.. At first I was resistant because I wasn't familiar with the name, which sounds goofy imo, nor am I a fan of the headstock. Also, it was a lot less money than I was willing to spend. I was worried it was cheap. However, everytime I picked up a Martin or Taylor, the sales guy (4 different stores) would also bring out the Seagull and it felt and sounded consistently good. Truth be told, they always sounded great- very comparable to my ear compared to even the higher end Taylors. Well, after doing some research, turns out they are pretty nice. They get great reviews everywhere I go and fact is, I suck. So I figured it as a good choice for me.

The question I have is, hw much a difference do strings make? I'm guessing guitars at this level are sold equipped with mediocre strings at best. Should I change up and to what?

PS- after playing the Seagull/acoustic, I now love my old Tele which I wasnt so fond of before.

These are wonderful guitars. I use Martin Marquis lights on mine. The strings do make a big difference, IMO.

Isn't Seagull a Martin guitar. D'addarrio (sp.?) are good also. The set-up to the neck is the most important thing, can you playit without hurting your fingers. Most people don't know they can adjust the neck so the strings are not so high off the neck @ 12th fret. Seagulls are good guitars, good luck.

Seagulls are great sounding guitars, made in LaPetrie(?) Canada. The cutaway is nice w/ the Godin electronics. Try it with D'Addario custom lights (purple pack) and you'll get a great sound. Nice purchase.

It's basically a Godin guitar. Yes-made in Ontario.

Martins can be really nice, but to me anyway, it seems like there are some real clunkers out there. Some I would pick up and love. Others not so much. The Taylor 412s and Gibson Songwriters, the two guitars I was choosing between originally, seemed more consistant.

Ask 100 guitar players and you will get 100 different answers on what guitar string is best. On my acoustic I was using Martin Marquis, acoustic bronze light gauge strings. On the suggestion of a friend I switched over to Dean Markley strings. They feel and sound pretty good.

The Seagulls get great wraps.

I am a convert these days to the coated Elixer strings. Many guitar mfrs are shipping accoustics these with the Elixers aboard due to their incredibly long life- great for guitars going to shops.

They are not the brightest string, but they continue to sound new for many many months, despite the little fibres of coating coming off the strings as they wear. I play my accoustics a lot and I have done back to back comparisons- you may or may not like the sound of Elixers, but there no denying their life span.

But- they are epxensive. Buy them on eaby at about half price.

Stuart

"Light" strings are for pussies.

Yeah, right. 'Light' on acoustic means 12w-54w. Bend that, oh, man of steel :)

what is an acoustic guitar?

The thing I play when my wife can't stand the Telecaster anymore. :)