Price Paid: US $1525
Features: 9
The guitar was made for me in 1997 at Breedlove's shop in Bend Oregon. I say "made for me" because I had played another SD/W in a shop and fell in love with it. But, it had a finish blemish on the back, so I figured if I was going to pay that much for it, I wanted wone without any blemishes. So, I had the shop order one for me. Breedlove made it from their order. The SD/W is a dreadnought...solid spruce top, solid walnut back and sides. The neck is mahogany. Fretboard is ebony as is the bridge. It has a beautiful gloss finish. And the neck is ergonomically off-set for easy playing. It came with a high-quality hard case.
Sound: 10
The sound is why I bought this guitar! I had a Martin D-16 M, and didn't really think I was in the market for a new guitar, until I played the Breedlove. Its tone blew me away...big rich, round bass..like the voice of God. But, its mids maybe even better. All the way across the strings I would describe the tone as real rich and round. It made the Martin sound thin. Even the trebles sounded thin compared to the Breedlove. I took a friend with me to the store and had him play them both side by side while I listened, just to be sure I wasn't fooling myself. I play mostly folk, folk-rock, bluegrass and traditional Irish music. I'm a flatpicker and strummer. This guitar suits my style just great. I've had it for three years now, and have never yet tired of the sound.
Action, Fit, & Finish: 8
I think perhaps the factory set-up is just a little on the stiff and high side. It plays a little bit stiffer than the Martin did after I'd had the Martin set-up, with the action lowered by a luthier, but I've gotten used to it, as it was never terribly stiff, just a little on the stiff side. But, I haven't want to mess with the set-up for fear of changing the tone and projection which I love. The top is beautifully bookmatched, as is the back. There were and are no flaws on this guitar...the wood is all very nice quality.
Reliability/Durability: 10
I have no worries about its reliability or durability. This thing is built to last. Breedlove uses the JLD bridge doctor standard on all their guitars, which in addition to transferring resonance and vibration from the top into the sides and back of the guitar, resulting in the Breedlove tone, also supports the top. It will never cave in.
Customer Support: 9
I've talked with the people at Breedlove by phone and e-mail on several occasions and they were always very friendly, prompt and helpful.
Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing guitar for a little over 30 years, and in that time have owned and played an Ephiphone, a Guild, and a couple of Martins. But, this is by far my favorite. If it were lost, or stolen, I'd definitely be looking to get another Breedlove walnut dreadnought.
Submitted by David at 09/03/2000 14:17
Price Paid: US $1,200
Features: 9
Dreadnaught style guitar made in 1996, Bend, Oregon. Breedlove's "S" series guitars with less fancy appointments but otherwise the same as their more pricey models - thanks so much to Breedlove for making this series!
"W" designation is for walnut sides and back with nice Sitka Spruce top. Bridge truss device is key to the sound of this guitar - a cantilevered system that acts to keep the stress of the string tension from "bellying" the top and also transmits the vibrations from the bridge directly to the back and sides for a stronger, more clear sound. This really makes a very big difference in the sound; I tried this guitar against a lot of the competitors for the same $ and more and none of them could match the warm, sweet sound and very strong projection of the Breedlove.
Sound: 8
As I mentioned, the sound is warm, sweet and projects very strongly. I do not care for the crisp, brilliant sound of most of the competition. I may be a minority here, but I find top-end sizzle to get annoying after a while; the Breedlove is silk without the sizzle.
I like it, but this sound on their "D" series is markedly different than on their "fingerpicking" style guitars that are voiced for a more delicate sound.
This guitar is definitely a plus for flatpickers; though I do like to do some fingerpicking with it. Dealer I bought off of commented that this sounds like a good Martin from the 60's; nice and warm. Seems appropriate. Give these guitars a try, especially the more affordable "S" series. The projection, if nothing else, is incredible; maybe it's the Bridge Doctor (the bridge truss system)is the key?
I give it an honest "8" for sound only because it pleases my ear but will likely not meet fingerstyle player's needs. Breedlove's site says "Bluegrass players beware!" and this is the truth as this guitar will likely prove irresistible to you.
Action, Fit, & Finish: 10
Action is really nice; top is very nicely done; Grover mini-tuners are superb;came with an L.R. Baggs ribbon transducer and mic system that can be blended - though I am not a big fan of amplifying accoustics this way, it still sounds as good as you can get with this method;save some $'s and live without Koa, etc. great player.
Reliability/Durability: 9
Breedlove says that this is a heavy-duty guitar and so far it sure seems that way. It is really solid feeling and substatial; would put my money on this guitar (I did!) over the competition.
Customer Support: N/A
No idea. Webpage is neat.
Overall Rating: 9
Been playing for 15 years most of which has been spent on electrics as I always got frustrated with accoustic's "buzz" and noise when playing; notes did not stand out on most I could afford and I really hated the thin, buzzy sound as compared to electrics which can get really deep and spacious with the right amplification.
This guitar meets my standard: I pick it up as much if not MORE than my electrics and I enjoy it and it makes me smile to play. I have owned at least one accoustic most of the time so this is not a sudden conversion!
Hope that you check this company out; at the very least try adding a Bridge Doctor to your existing accoustic - it is supposedly easy and inexpensive.
Submitted by Scott at 01/29/2000 23:14
