Seagull Maritime SWS Natural SG A/E

The Seagull Maritime SWS series offers the tone and volume of all solid-wood construction at a price that's unheard of for a North American made guitar.  This nicely appointed Dreadnought also features soundhole-mounted Fishman electronics, making it easy to take from campfire to stage.

Made in Canada, this Seagull Maritime SWS features:

• Select pressure-tested Spruce top
• Solid Mahogany back and sides
• Adirondack spruce bracing
• Kerfed headstock construction
• Semi-Gloss natural thin finish
• Honduran Mahogany integrated set neck
• Richlite fingerboard and bridge, 25.5" scale / 1.8" nut / 16" radius
• Tusq compensated bridge saddle and nut
• Dual action truss rod
• Fishman Sonitone electronics

Part of their Solid Wood Series, the Seagull Maritime features some of their highest quality materials. As the name implies, the back and sides are solid mahogany with a nice natural semi-gloss finish. As a tonewood Mahogany is dense and strong, and is known for its warmth and midrange punch. The Dreadnought shape is the classic "Bluegrass" body, and its boxy waist provides additional midrange reinforcement. The booming Dreadnought sound was critical back in the early days, as it was the driving force of Bluegrass bands. With modern amplification that's no longer an issue, but the Dreadnought sound and volume makes it one of the most popular shapes for all types of music.

The Maritime SWS has the characteristic Dreadnought low-to-mid bloom that gives it sonic authority without getting muddy. In addition to its ample volume, there is also plenty of dynamic range, and even under heavy strumming the Maritime stays articulate and uncompressed. For a Dreadnought the Maritime is voiced on the brighter side, which is just fine with us. Single note work is crisp and defined, and if you like intricate flat picking the Maritime provides plenty of detail and shimmer. Capo'd up a couple frets the Maritime loses none of its dynamics and projection, and makes us want to sit down with our favorite Tony Rice albums.

The Fishman Sonitone electronics is a basic two-knob volume and tone affair that is both natural-sounding and discrete. Tucked inside the soundhole for easy access, the Sonitone gets the job done, and with a good acoustic DI/Preamp may be all you ever need. We really like this guitar, and if you yearn for a high quality Dreadnought that won't break the bank, the Seagull Maritime SWS is artfully crafted and thoroughly affordable.