We’ve reviewed the Peppino D’Agostino signature model in a previous issue and been very impressed but what of their even more affordable non-signature models? The Artist series sits at the top of the Seagull range, made from hand selected tonewoods and built by a select few luthiers to ensure the highest quality guitars that the brand produces. The dreadnought body is made of all-solid spruce and mahogany for classic acoustic tone. It’s incredibly easy to use, passing the all-important ‘no need to read the manual’ test, and works very well to produce a realistic and natural acoustic response without the low end thump and breakup issues that can plague similar systems. The Artist Mosaic is a professional acoustic with solid mahogany back and sides, a solid cedar top and a mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and 21 frets. There is a level of detail and crispness to the Artist Mosaic that you normally associate with guitars from the big ‘T’ or ‘M’ brigade, with an authoritative low end thump and a very good dynamic range that makes you play more musically. As I said earlier, affordable solid wood acoustics are all over the market place now, but Seagull has created something that actually comes very close to offering an affordable alternative to the mega-expensive high end acoustics that we all lust after but many of us just could never afford. You can really tell that this guitar has been manufactured with a care and attention to detail that can be found lacking on some other acoustics in this price point where visual flare tends to mask subtle flaws or shortcomings. The body is a large, but not overly so, Dreadnought shape and finished in a semi-gloss coating that really accentuates the high quality grain of the woods on show. Affordable, solid wood acoustics are a lot more common now than they were then but Seagull has a pretty unique claim to separate itself from the sea of other builders, in that its instruments are actually all build and finished in Canada, just like their high end Godin models. The main idea of this review isn’t to make a choice for you, it’s to give you the information you need to decide if the Artist Mosaic is the right guitar for you. Baggs Anthem pickup system, which combines a pickup and a condenser microphone to give you the sound of a mic'd guitar even when plugged in. It features quality construction and superior sound—it’s not hard to see why it’s a player favorite. The Artist series sits at the top of the Seagull range, made from hand selected tonewoods and built by a select few luthiers to ensure the highest quality guitars that the brand produces. Our Mosaic model also features the excellent LR Baggs element pre-amp, mounted on the soundhole with a volume and tone control. And whether or not the Mosaic’s tone suits your tastes or not it definitely falls in the category of good tone. A gorgeous mahogany neck with Richlite fingerboard offers players of all styles wonderful playability and response. The Seagull Artist Mosaic Anthem is a step up in terms of electronics and build quality. Seagull Artist Mosaic at a Glance: Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Guitar. Seagull guitars began in 1982 when Robert Godin (of Godin guitars fame) first started to make acoustic guitars that would offer exceptional value for money – serious instruments that were within reach of ordinary musicians. Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic: Is This The Guitar For You? It comes with the L.R. If you’re just here to single out the best Seagull guitar, their most popular model is the Seagull S6 Original. Everyone has different tastes so this discussion around tone will be as objective as possible. The Artist Mosaic is also available without the pre-amp if you’d rather go all acoustic or fit your own after-market alternative. Fretwork and intonation are also excellent, easily matching guitars at significantly higher price points. Seagull sent us an Artist Mosaic Element acoustic to review. They are actually made in the small Canadian village of LaPatrie were half of the 475 strong population are guitar builders, so you know you’re getting some experienced and passionate people working on these instruments! The Artist Mosaic might not be the most visually outstanding guitar you’ll ever come across (it’s far from ugly of course) but, as far as bang for buck goes, it’s a real winner. Seagull sent us an Artist Mosaic Element acoustic to review. The Artist Mosiac EQ features mahogany back and sides and a solid spruce top for incredibly balanced, full tone. I’ve reviewed it first below, but to sum it up, this is a classic with staying power. Small touches such as the beautifully executed and understated purfling and rosette designs, combined with the offset dots and Seagull inlay at the 12th fret, add to the feeling of quality on display here, matched well with the high quality tuners, nut and bridge. Seagull sources all of its woods from sustainable resources, uses hydropower for its manufacturing facility and even offers a limited lifetime warranty for all of its guitars. Highly Recommended. Obviously this isn’t a $6,000, hand-made acoustic, so it’s not going to compete with the high end guitars from the biggest names on the block, however, at this price point it’s fantastic that you get a guitar that sounds and feels so good to play and comes this close to the far more expensive competition – closer than some competitors will find comfortable, in fact. This gives the guitar a slightly unbalanced look from body to head but it’s in no means an ugly design, just something most people will need to adjust to visually. This is a guitar where no corners have been cut unnecessarily but, with the excellent included, soft/hard hybrid case factored in, it comes in at a higher price point than your average ‘budget-friendly’ acoustic so you’d expect higher quality, given that extra cost. I am providing you with what I’ve learned playing dozens of similar acoustic guitars. I wrote this Seagull Artist Mosaic review based on years of experience as a gigging and touring musician. If you want to get as close to one of these aspirational acoustics as you can, but without spending your life savings in the process, the Seagull Artist Mosaic is a very good alternative. However, there is such thing as good tone and bad tone. So far, so very impressive, but what are the guitars like? The Artist Mosaic certainly feels like a professional instrument with its superb factory set-up and flawless finishing internally and externally. Whether you have mastered the guitar, or are looking to take on a new craft, the Seagull brand has a broad range of instruments available to fit your playing style. The guitar is classic looking in all senses except for the headstock and that may prove divisive for some players due to its tiny proportions, making the neck look larger and more intimidating than it actually is. The neck profile is very comfortable with good string spacing for both chords and lead work and the larger Dreadnought body offers lots of volume and bottom end without becoming intimidating for smaller players. The Artist Mosiac EQ acoustic-electric is yet another beautifully designed instrument from Seagull Guitars. Tonally this is a superb guitar too. This article was originally published in issue #44, To read the article in its entirety, view the digital magazine, Our website uses Cookies - by using this site or closing this message you’re agreeing to our Terms & Conditions, Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy. When you factor in that reliable all-Canadian build, sustainable woods and lifetime warranty this becomes a very interesting proposition indeed. The action is low across the guitar’s range, although not overly so, allowing for easy playability without sacrificing tone or sustain.