guitar test : Yamaha FG730s vs Seagull S6 sound samples

Here are pictures and sound samples comparing two very popular acoustic guitars in the 400€ price range.
The guitars were both fitted with brand new sets of Martin bronze 80/20.
3 different players played the guitars in the same settings, and were recorded with a zoom H2.
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More sound samples are available here :
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More information is available here :
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Here are some detailed guitar specs :
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Seagull S6 original
Top : Solid Cedar
Back & Sides : Wild Cherry
Neck : Silver Leaf Maple
Fingerboard & Bridge : Rosewood
Finish : Semi-Gloss
Nut width 1.8 in
Body Depth 4.9 in
Strings Scale 24.84 in
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Yamaha FG730s
Top : Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides : Rosewood
Neck : Nato
Fingerboard & Bridge : Rosewood
Finish : Glossy
Nut width 1.6875 in
Body Depth 4.625 in
Strings Scale 25.5625 in

Note : None of the people involved in creating this video are in any way linked to any guitar manufacturer. We are not telling you what do buy or which is better. We recorded samples in a very objective manner, in order to produce useful, unbiased information. This took time and effort. If you're not satisfied with this free information we are generously providing, go to your local guitar shop and make your own comparison, we won't be offended in any way. You can post your feedback here to share your opinion. Please refrain from trolling, insulting or aggressive comments.

[MikeB]

Both are lovely guitars...gorgeous tone for instruments that are very reasonably priced.

[twidget]

Have owned both a Yamaha and a Seagull and I think this sound test proves it. The Seagull is much more guitar than the Yamaha could ever hope to be. I spent about a month every Sunday, playing different acoustics. It finally came down to a Seagull, Taylor and Breedlove. The Breedlove wasn't really in the running, the Taylor was actually funnest of the bunch to play... but the Seagull sounded, perfect. As perfect a sounding acoustic as I've heard/owned. I realize a S6 isn't in the stratosphere of some big money guitars, but its built in a town of about 500 people, where half of them make guitars. Its in their blood. My Takamine, when it gets back from warranty service, will most likely get traded in for an new amp, unless it sounds as sweet as it did before the crack (doubtful). Then I might keep it as another playing option.

[colinadequate]

ive been an amateur guitar player for many years but i feel like ive improved so much with my seagull s6, it feels like the highest quality instrument. This brand of guitar has me for life

[aeidein]

The Seagull Entourage/S6 ($300/$400) and Yamaha FG700S/730S ($200/$300) are all great guitars; I personally prefer the Seagull cedar, so I picked up an Entourage. Thanks for this precise and insightful comparison.

[juncamacho]

It's all about the wood, The FG 730S has Rosewood Back and Side. The tone of the wood gets better in time just like wine. I have a Martin and FG 370s and I enjoy playing the FG  because of the sound quality.

[kenberry]

Guess I'm getting old as I really could hardly tell the difference However I'm going for the Seagull as this will improve with age, unlike me..

[lorenzino]

Hi ! I've enjoyed the fact that the same songs are played with the two guitars : we can hear more the different sounds. I got a Seagull since 1993, so the very first Seagulls ; at that time, it was a L.R.Baggs preamp instead of the Quantum1 that we can find nowadays. A great guitar. CIAO BYE !

[watsonvillian]

What it came down to me on these two models was the nut width. For a person with smaller hands like me who wants a great sounds the FG is the model to go with. Even the slim neck Seagull's are somewhat uncomfortable to me. They sound beautiful though. Very bright and great for finger picking. The Yamaha though fits smaller hands well, and makes chord progression easy. I love their sound of mine. Just got it.

[MintStiles]

This is the first video of the 730S that actually sounds like the one I have.  Great recording job.  Also keep in mind not all 730S were made in same place.  They sound very different.

[carlwilson]

You can not go wrong with either guitar. I just bought a Yamaha FG720S only because there are few Seagull guitars near me. Would have loved to compare the two before buying. I do not remember the model number but I played a Seagull Single Cut Les Paul with Seymour Duncan pickups that played and sounded great. Seagull makes a great guitar at a great price.

[MintStiles]

Seagulls are more for those with a softer touch. It's not my sounds, but it's really good for specific styles.

[raumfahrerralf]

I understand your comment. This is meant as a comparison, not a competition. To be fair "versus" is an appropriate word :
"versus : as compared to or as one of two choices; in contrast with: traveling by plane versus traveling by train."

[raumfahrerralf]

@DoorMat444 thanks. Indeed the guitars sound very similar and although there is a slight difference it is hard to say which is which on a blind-test. It is even harder to say one is better than the other.

[UgleNorsk]

The Seagulls sound so rich and sweet. I'm very happy with it.

[hotfuzz]

I've had the Seagull S6 over a year now, and it has never disappointed me. Many people believe that the Yamaha is better for strumming chords, but i beg to differ. If you have decent strings, the S6 sounds incredible. The fingerpicking is beautiful and it is easier, in my opinion, because of the wider string spacing. The cedar/cherry combo is a unique sound that you can use for any situation. Alternate tunings sound so amazing its hard to even describe. You get 3X more for what you pay.

[ishta]

I have a seagull S6 that was made in 1988. The rosette is bland and no binding on the neck. So it is 28 years old. It also has an LR Baggs pickup and EQ that Baggs doesn't make anymore. I have a Gibson J-45 also as well as a really old Ovation Balladeer and a all solid Takamine with the Cool Tube electronics. I liked the sound better than the Gibson J-45 which for the longest time was the guitar that was No 1. The Gibson is the youngest at 2011, the Tak is late 90's and the Ovation is older maybe late 70's.

Why do I like the Seagull. it has the reliability of the Ovation pickup system, almost as good as a fretboard as Takamine and has the roundness but drier tone of the Gibson. I am a jazz player and I have been using it instead of my archtops on some pieces. The Takamine is the best for solo open chord voicings but the ringiness gets lost with an ensemble.

[deathfisaro]

2 days ago I went to a music store and found FG730s on sale for $299 (regular $399 which is the same price S6). Since FG720s was on my list of guitars to check out and FG730s was offered at the same price so I played it and quite liked it (thinking 700 or 720? Just get the 730, better bang for the buck in my opinion).
Then I played the S6, made up my mind and bought the S6.

Now that I got to play a stock S6, the difference at the shop may have come from how differently aged the guitars were.

[artvillarino]

I had a jumbo guitar with cedar top and mahogany back and sides which I sold for a few hundred bucks; it’s sounds good in finger style playing but it sucks in strumming so I replaced it with a guitar with a spruce top and rosewood back and side which sounds a lot better than my previous guitar.

[futurevideo]

I agree with you the Seagull is more country, the Yamaha is more classical. Both are really different for different music, depends the guitarist likes, it's not one better over the other. Good to have both.

[jcvillaruz]

@iStyleZ415 I do agree to this statement, I did try the 700s and 730s and 700s is a lot more friendly user with rich tone, however the 730s has a really clean warm tone. In fact, I placed an order and decided to go with Fg730s my personal preference and I like the Tobacco finish personally. Overall both GUitars are great for the price I would pay $50 more for both. Let's just all have fun and enjoy these guitars!!