Seagull is more than fine. Well built, solid guitars, and I think made in ?Canada.

Anyhow, make sure of a few things:

1. FRESH strings. HIGLY recommend Elixir brand. They are coated, last longer, and sound great. Get REGULAR light gauge.

2. If you are going to learn anything formal, before embarking on a "guitar method" book, learn how to TUNE the guitar (no..not with an electronic tuner).  Then, learn a few of the basic chords, such as the ones DB suggested in his recent post.  And I agree with him, learn these in the primary "folk" guitar position.

Then, stop right there, for a while.  Make sure you can play the chords and switch from one chord to another. Use your fingers to "swish" the strings with the right hand or use a plectrum (pick) for the right hand at first. Just GET THE SOUND out, and mess around. All refinements will come later...Then when you are comfortable with going through the basic chords...PLAY ALONG or try to play along the chords to some songs you know and like.  After that...try a guitar book (there are thousands, millions of them out there)...ask a sales person at your neighborhood music store for advice, especially if that person is also a guitar player.  Yes...lessons are VERY helpful; get a patient, mellow teacher who is well versed in many styles of music. Again, your neighborhood music store should be able to set you up with lessons.

NO..it's never too late. You could be a very hot player in a short time, depending upon:

1. Your aptitude/attitude

2. How hard you are willing to shed (practice).  It is impossible to be good at guitar (or anything, obviously) without a lot of practice.  That will mean, at the minimum picking your guitar up daily, if possible.  Just noodling around does count, but you will also need to run through scales, changes, licks that you have learned at your lesson or in the book you have chosen.  If you have a player or players you like...dial up their web sites. Many teach, offer instructional videos, books or workshops...and are happy to let you know some of the secrets behind their sound.  Usually all gimmicks, electronics etc...are not the answer. The SOUND is produced by the human hands..in this case..yours!

Good Luck,

Gene

P.S. Feel free to Email me if you have more questions.