Price Paid: US $1350 used
Features: N/A
1996, indian rosewood sitka spruce cutaway guitar. Thin neck. 25.5 scale. It came with a case and Fishman Matrix pu.
Sound: 8
There is a terrific bass response that is typical of Breedloves, especially from such a small guitar. Although the sound is huge when the bass strings are played open, it seems to lose volume and character when you fret notes. It's a subtle difference. Could use some more midrange, but that is my personal taste. Trebles are wonderful. Each note is well defined. However, this guitar suffers from two fatal flaws (in my opinion) in my search for the Holy Grail. One, volume is not so great (11s opened it up a little), and the high e string is a tad harsh. There isn't that round attack found in the other strings. I suppose this may be able to be alleviated with heavier strings, but there are other tradeoffs associated.
As for tonal character, I would say that this guitar sounds like tone. It sounds like round, warm notes. You know how some guitars sound like pianos and others like a piece of wood? This one just sounds like pure music. Almost angelic. Hard to explain.
Action, Fit, & Finish: 9
For the most part, everything is great. Finish is a little too glossy. Your hand does not slide over the finish like dust rolling over a smooth surface. At first glance, it looked like the nut was cut poorly (high b and e looked too close), but it hasn't effected my playing so it may just be a visual illusion. Dammit. I'm confused. Anyway, things are good.
Reliability/Durability: 6
Breedloves are made so lightly. They are like beautiful princesses that need to be caressed and loved in order for them to reward you with beautiful music. Consequently, they aren't the most sturdy of guitars. Mine had a couple of inflections, like dents in the top (unbeknowst to me). Damn online transactions. Seems like someone put strings on this guitar that it couldn't handle. This isn't a guitar where the more pressure you put on it, the louder it gets. It needs to be babied and cooperated with. Lighter or softer strings work well with the top.
Customer Support: N/A
I have mixed feelings. The first email I sent got a reply that was rather cold and referred me to other people. The second, in which I made suggestions, came with a nice reply. They seem really concerned with the satisfaction of their customers.
Overall Rating: 8
The price was right. However, in my quest for perfection, it had to go. The volume, high e, and top problems wore on me. So, I exchanged it (and like $1400) for a Collings OM-1. Phenomenal guitar. I wasn't planning on buying it, but I found myself unable to put it down. But anyway, back to the Breedlove. Tone is very subjective, and while some swear by Breedlove, I found it wasn't quite my taste. I wanted something that sounded more like a guitar (as opposed to angels, as mentioned above). I recommend Breedlove to guitar players who want a different sound from tradition. Plus, they have bass from hell. I can't think of a better guitar for 1350. Well, maybe a Bourgeois or Everett.
Submitted by Master at 11/29/2002 07:48
