Breedlove Action

[john70]

Greetings All -

As a newcomer to this wonderful instrument, I was recently inspired to invest in a new Mid Mo (M3) and a 2001 Breedlove Cascade for the purpose of practicing on mandos with completely different feels and tones. While I love the sound of both, the "barky" Breedlove tone (IMO) edges that of the M3. However, I'm finding the M3 MUCH easier to finger. I suspect the Mid Mo's narrower fretboard plays a role, but also wonder if the Breedlove action might be too high and/or the frets too worn. It takes a ton of squeeze to prevent those nasty mutes and buzzes - particularly at the nut end.

Are Cascades known for high actions? Would a typical mando require re-fretting after only four years?

Many Thanks,

John

[bjc]

John, I'd just take it to a local luthier and have it set up. It should not need new frets after four years. I've only had one axe refretted and that was a Les Paul that was 30 years old. I am almost willing to bet that a set-up will sure most of the problem for you.

[john70]

OK - Setup complete. Now the poor guy plays like a dream, but seems to have lost some of its rich tone & a little volume. Looking down the strings from the nut end, it also appears that the bridge may be shifted slightly toward the E string. This is particularly noticeable in the string angle between the tailpiece and bridge. Is this "normal" following a professional setup?!?

[hip]

I have a little OO and my bridge is shifted to the E because I found my short fat fingers on that wide radiused fingerboard tend to want to roll the G string towards the edge. But I consider myself still a beginner so technique probably plays a big part in it. I also realized I was working to hard freting. With a string freted and ringing clear there is a lot of daylight under your finger and I was pressing way to hard on the oversized frets.