New 12 string Seagull Concert Hall

Thanks for all the info on the art and lutherie guitars.  I cannot find any specs on them except neck width and length. My concern is the width of the body.

I don't know if I could ever go with a 12-string on a CH body.  The CHs are already very low on the low-end tones; just a tad less bottom end than the old Folk bodies had.  Add to that the amount of high octave strings on a 12-string and that's gonna be one very bright guitar. 

I honestly don't think my ears could take it.  For me, for a 12-string, it's gotta be a dread.  I could probably go with a GA or MJ, but that's the smallest body I think I could handle for a 12-string.

Try before you buy if at all possible! 

I keep my 12's tuned a full step down, then capo on 2nd fret. Other than lesser string tension, I have been told that this can also increase bass response... 🤔

Did you listen to the demo on the A&L website?

We Seagull/Godin aficionados used to discuss this over on the old AGC. The consensus then was that the hierarchy, if you will, was A&L, Norman, S&P, and Seagull, lower to higher end. Wood quality, we theorized, would go up from the A&L to the Seagull line - given the prices, features, and the fact that most/all of the A&L's of the time were stained/painted on top.

I have noticed that the S&P and Norman websites have not been updated in quite awhile, whereas the Seagull and A&L websites have been. Also, there are now high-end Godin acoustics available. This leads me to conclude, without much evidence, that Godin is concentrating their future marketing on A&L (entry-level), Seagull (entry through performance-worthy), and Godin (performance worthy).

Perhaps the gloss finish (Seagull) is more expensive/labor intensive to apply, as well as the sunburst staining? Perhaps better-quality wood for the top on the Seagull? Better tuning machines? All speculation - but the construction quality/tone is likely to be the same.

In terms of cost - if you can get the Seagull for $550, the most-inexpensive A&L on Reverb was $499 - so, almost a wash, if you like the sunburst/gloss better. I truly believe that the playing experience would be the same.