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| Hardware: | |
| Sound: | |
| Value: |  |
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Pros:
- Delivers a lot more than what you pay for
- Quality electronics
- Warm, rich sound
Cons:
- Action might be a bit high
- No tuner or LED display
If you have been used to sticking with the more well known and well-tested acoustic-electric guitar brands like Yamaha, Cordoba or Martin maybe it is time to diversify. There are so many lesser-known brands that create mind-blowingly good quality instruments but do not up their prices like some more known brands. So if you are really into research and can take some time look at “smaller” names like Seagull, an affordable range of Godin, for innovations and quality at a lower price. That is why I think Seagull Artist Mosaic CW Folk Element is one of the best acoustic-electric instruments in its price range (but should probably be in a higher price range).
Build
Seagull takes its time and money to come up with the best combinations of tonewood to achieve the sound they are looking for. That is why in this folk guitar the marriage of solid cedar top and solid mahogany back and sides produces a warm sound that also has very well-balanced tonality. The mahogany integrated set neck with a satin finish which perfectly protects the guitar is extremely comfortable as well. To add even more to the comfort feature Seagull added a cutaway to make playing even easier to access frets.
Hardware
The headstock on Artist Mosaic CW is a lot slimmer than usual headstocks. That is very characteristic of Seagull. For anyone used to the more standard headstock, trust me this one is not going to be a drawback for you. Hardware-wise, this model does not offer something over-the-top and to elaborate. You get compensated Tusq nut and saddle along with a double function truss rod. All of these specs function very well and you will not really have any issue with them. Tusq nut might not be the same as a real bone one but this material has been gaining more and more popular among manufacturers for a while now. Soundwise, Tusq probably comes the closest to the real bone. The Deluxe TRIC case provides protection not just from accidents but more importantly (the one that a lot of people, somehow, overlook) thermal and humidity damage. The thermal regulation, in this case, allows you to travel wherever you want without any change to the guitar tonewood.
Seagull Artist Mosaic Folk Sound
While good quality tonewood is a big and solid step to achieving great sound it definitely is not enough. The combination of right materials is the key to achieving right tonality and sound. That is exactly why Seagull spends a lot of time developing methods to deliver the best quality not only in hardware but in overall sound. AND that is also why the combination of mahogany and cedar generates some of the warmest and richest sound that I have ever heard in its price range. Apart from that, this model is great for fingerpicking and its mellow, full tone allows for experimentation with a lot of different sounds.
Electronics
Seagull knows its guitars from head to toe (or should I say from headstock to strap button). So when it comes to electronics, they chose L.R. Baggs Element system. This is an efficiently and elegantly designed system that allows for a higher sensitivity of pickup transducer for the guitar’s sound. This delivers a more authentic and clear reproduction. Also, the pairing of the Element under-saddle transducer with a pre-contoured endpin preamp allows for the discrete presence of the electronics on the guitar. All in all, this is a good quality system that will find liking among intermediate players. One issue I would take with Seagull is that previously they used to use QII system with chromatic tuner and LED display but with L.R. Baggs Element you do not get that.
Conclusion
Although not a budget guitar the Seagull Artist Mosaic CW Folk Element is still a bargain. This acoustic-electric guitar delivers a lot more than what it should in its price range. Starting from the combination of mahogany and cedar that yield beautiful, warm sound to the electronics this is a well-rounded guitar that will serve you well for years to come.
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