New breedlove ff

[jefflester]

Looks like the new Breedlove FF model is now available. I saw this at The Mandolin Store website.

The Mandolin Store (http://www.themandolinstore.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=52)

http://www.themandolinstore.com/ProdImages/FF1.jpg

[JEStanek]

I like the design of this one, all of the Breedloves actually. I also like their natural finishes. I'm not a big fan of their sunbursts. This in a solid color, practically any color would be really cool to me.

Jamie

[Joe Mendel]

Fazio's Music in St. Louis, MO has one too. Very, very nice for the money.

[otterly2k]

I agree with Jamie. I'm a fan of the Breedloves... I like their funky design sense, etc. and the sound of their instruments. But I'm not big on sunbursts in general, and particularly dislike theirs. I'd love to see one of these in a natural or solid finish. AND I'd love to meet one in person and play it.... I bet it sounds and feels great.

[MandoSquirrel]

If anyone has tried one of these, the folks at http://breedloveforum are curious to hear a report/review.

[Lane Pryce]

The mandolin looks great but I like the case better ---- who is the manufacturer of the case? Lp

[MandoCincy]

Hi Elrod,

What is your link for http://breedloveforum supposed to do? If I click it, I get an XML page that seems to want to be an RSS feed.

Anyway - Dennis told me via email earlier this week that he now has two FF's in the satin sunburst in stock, one of them has been there for over a week. He's had them before, but they've always been spoken for and sailed right out the door.

I'd love to hear a review as well - someone out there must have one.

I just picked up a beautiful (very lightly) used Oregon that makes my started Mando seem like a block of wood strung with fishing line.

later!

[Lee]

Interesting take on the F-hole.
Hard to make out in the photo; no points?

[jefflester]

What is your link for http://breedloveforum supposed to do? #If I click it, I get an XML page that seems to want to be an RSS feed.
Looks like an oversight. I found this pretty quickly:
http://breedloveforum.yuku.com/

[otterly2k]

Lee-- there is a little point on the treble side...

[jefflester]

Interesting take on the F-hole.
Hard to make out in the photo; no points?
Better pics:
http://www.breedloveguitars.com/pulse/mandolin/newmando.jpg
http://www.breedloveguitars.com/pulse/mandolin/kim_newmando.jpg

[otterly2k]

see,now... imho... MUCH nicer au naturale!

[hepcat mando]

see,now... imho... MUCH nicer au naturale!
I agree, but then again I have never been a fan of sunburst.

[Steve L]

It just makes me think of what a great looking 2 point Breedlove could make. I've only seen Breedlove's sunburst in photos on the net and hope they look nicer in the real world. I've got a KF that I really like and wish the company well.

[MandoSquirrel]

What is your link for http://breedloveforum supposed to do? If I click it, I get an XML page that seems to want to be an RSS feed.
Looks like an oversight. I found this pretty quickly:
http://breedloveforum.yuku.com/
Sorry about the link, I thought I copied & pasted out of my address bar, but I guess it wasn't all there, I didn't test it.
Thanks, jefflester, for posting the correct link.

[MandoSquirrel]

I've tried a sunburst OF at Guitar Center, it really doesn't look bad, but I agree that the Pics of the FF in Natural definitely look better. Someone posted in the Breedlove forum's old site(Moved inJanuary), http://breedloveguitars.phpbbnow.com/index.php , a pic from a backyard party or something where Kim Breedlove(pictured with the natural FF above) was playing the prototype, but I don't remember who, or if they had any comment on its sound.(I just found the thread, if it works, here's the link, but I see no comment on the mando, other than that Kim is playing it: http://breedloveguitars.phpbbnow.com/viewtopic.php?t=27,) I hope to check through the old posts, or ask if the original poster can chime in on the subject. In the meantime, I keep posting back & forth between here & the Breedlove forum as I find info about it.

Dennis(The Mandolin Store) posted a favorable recommendation for the FF in another thread here about a week or two ago, but no real commentary on it's qualities. His post would be from the 11th or 12th, he gave me permission to quote it at the Breedlove forum.

[Greg Ashton]

I went to try out the new FF on the weekend and bought it on the spot. I've had a KF for 5 years and played it almost daily. I thought that I had played in the KF pretty nicely but the new FF just blows it away - surprising for a mandolin right out of the box. For the past year I'd been considering upgrading to a Collings MT given all that I've read about them here on the cafe. I really prefer the wider nut of the Breedloves so was waiting for a wide nut MT to come along and try out. That problem is solved.

What sold me? Volume, projection, bass and tone. You can feel the bass notes in your chest when you play on the G strings. It is louder than any of the Breedloves I've tried and I do go and check out new ones a few times a year. I was tempted buy a very nice Spirit about 6 months ago but I'm glad I held out. The FF is very dynamic: when picked over the fretboard extension, the sustain is outstanding. Pick closer to the bridge and it's a bit drier and punchier.

I A-B'd the FF with a Collings MT2 for about 45 minutes and decided to go with the Breedlove. (They did have an MT2 varnish that was in a league of it's own but more than twice the price.) By the way, I'm not a bluegrass player so take my preferences accordingly. I play at a Brittish Isles pub session and church.

Anyhow, the sunburst is more acceptable in person. Mine is quite a bit darker than the one pictured above. Given a choice, I would prefer the natural too but that's less important to me than sound. Same goes for the scroll- I never really had scroll envy and would have been just as happy with an A. Now I've got to figure out if it's safe to hang a strap on this scroll since it doesn't curl around as much as some. Lastly, the headstock - well it's also a convenient bottle opener!

Verdict: if they all sound this good, Breedlove have come up with a real contender in the <$2000 range (actually the <$1500 range.)

[Lane Pryce]

Greg is there any nomenclature on the case as to who is manufacturing them for Breedlove? Lp

[RobP]

I dunno.. I think they have kind of a Satanic look about them..

Would still love to try one though

[Greg Ashton]

JLP, there's nothing on or inside the case except for a nice metal plate with the Breedlove logo.

[Lane Pryce]

Thanks Greg. Lp

[tanner]

Same looking semi-scroll as the Weber Gallatin.

[PCypert]

Breedlove has the worst sunbursts I've ever seen. They make me slightly sick when I look at them. I've seen some great deals on some fine playing and sounding Breedloves in the past but couldn't get over that awful sunburst. The natural one looks really sharp.

Paul

[Greg Ashton]

Yes, that one at the top of the page from the mandolin store isn't so photogentic (flash too bright?). Here's mine:

[Lane Pryce]

Fine looking mandolins. That Breedlove guitar is a tad on the sweet side too. Lp

[MountainMan]

I really like it. Typically I prefer a more traditional look but I could actually see myself owning one of those. I agree that the natural top looks better...something about that style just looks a little off with sunburst.

[The Mandolin Store]

I am actually out of these right now but will have a couple more early next week.
Thanks,
Dennis

[omegaman]

Greg is there any nomenclature on the case as to who is manufacturing them for Breedlove? Lp

I enquired:

"All are currently made in the custom shop in Tumalo. Might be an Atlas mando down the road, but just like the atlas guitars, they will proceed very carefully as they want to ensure that quality remains paramount."

[devilstone_the_bard]

Man that natural finish one is a real beauty.

[Walter]

I played one of the new Breedloves 2 weeks ago, and I was really impressed, and surprised with the tone, volume, and chop.

The one I played was just like cripin's photo above. -Very impressive.

[Kevin Briggs]

I owned a Breedlove Spirit at one point, and it was great. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one. The Alpine is one that's always intrigued me, probably because of (gulp) Mickey Cochran.

[John Hill]

I plucked on a couple at Steilberg Strings today and was very impressed with the tone. I've never really heard a Breedlove mando that I've liked, they've just had no bottom end to my ear but this FF changes that. Lots of woof & volume. If I didn't have a new mando on order I'd probably have my MT in the classifieds right now to finance the purchase. And speaking of money, for the price tag I think you'll have to look long & hard to beat the FF's bang for the buck. Plus the sunburst doesn't look as bad in person as it does in a pic but I've always thought Breedlove's looked better natural.

[Pete Braccio]

An oval hole of one of these in natural would hit a couple of sweet spots for me: 1) Non-traditional (funky) design, 2) Affordable, 3) Oval with neck joined at 15th fret, 4) US made, and 5) Larger width neck.

OK, I guess that is more than a couple.

Just a clarification on the "US made" bit. I'm not a buy American only kinda guy. I will try to buy from "locals" first, however, since I like to support my "neighbors" if I can. That said, I own and have owned instruments (and just about everything else) built in the four corners of the world.

Pete

[MandoSquirrel]

You just described half of Breedlove's Mandolin models, all that are not F holers fit this description, especially the "K" type bodies, about half of those (probably any if custom requested) in Natural.

[Steve L]

Pete, you should definitely look at a KO Quartz model if you haven't considered one already. I really think the Quartz series is a great bang for your buck purchase in the current market. They turn up used fairly often in the mid $800s or so.

[Pete Braccio]

The K shape do nothing for me. I do like the O shaped mandos that Breedlove make. It's their new F shape that would really make me risk the Wrath of Wife though.

Pete

[Brad Weiss]

I just played one of these at the House of Musical Traditions in MD (NFI!) A nice mando, balanced, not quite as nice a neck as some Breedloves I've played, but an easy player. All around it seemd a very good deal, though I ain't in the market. The highlight was getting in an impromptu choro jam with Glberto who works there, and plays a mean pandeiro!! Obrigado - too much fun!

[PCypert]

We'll have lots more information about this model very soon. The first production instrument will be a Quartz FF with a sunburst finish, much like the prototype you see pictured to the left. Check with your local dealer starting in December, or contact Breedlove for the latest information.

I really want one of these, but does this make it seem like the natural finish isn't in the immediate lineup options? I really can't stand sunbursts (particularly Breedlove's)...please say it's not so. Anyone seen a natural one out (besides the prototype) since release?

Paul

[PCypert]

Sweet. Emailed the guys at the Mandolin Store and asked them to ask the Breedlove guys about the natural finish option. They said they had asked before and Breedlove said just sunburst. Well, they asked again and apparently others have been pushing this as well....so Breedlove said they will be doing some natural FF's!!!! I've got a deposit down for one coming into The Mandolin Store in May! I'm really hoping this is the mandolin I think it's going to be. I've always LOVED the feel of Breedloves in my hands, but they sounded a bit too trebbley for me. If this has added in some whoomph my big hands are in heaven.

paul

[mdlorenz]

I'm contemplating trading my mando in for one of these... wish there was a store around me that had one. From everythign I hear they are great.

[bradeinhorn]

I played two of these that had literally just come into mandolin brothers last week. they hadnt even been tagged. perhaps it was a setup thing, but to be honest, neither really impressed me. I know these serve #a non-traditional mandolin buyer (which i am not), however speaking completely in terms of tone and playability, it just didnt seem to justify the price. Don't recall the tuners, but I found it very hard to get in tune and the neck didnt seem as easy to play as the lower end models. The sound was bland and lacked the brightness of other new breedloves I've played. Aesthetically - while some aspects of the design are interesting- the tailpiece for example, I am just not a fan of that lumpy headstock. Some symetry might work there.

Don't get me wrong, i think breedlove does make some nice entry level instruments like the quartz series, but i don't think i'd recommend the FF to anyone. For me, the case was the best part!

[mdlorenz]

I wonder why such a differing of opinions form all the posters before to bradeinhorn. Possibly just a setup thing? I wonder.

[John Hill]

I wonder why such a differing of opinions form all the posters before to bradeinhorn. Possibly just a setup thing? I wonder.
I'd guess that's it. I've played 2 of the FF's and as I mentioned earlier they have plenty of bark & tone for someone going after the traditional (i.e. Gibson, let's face it) mandolin sound.

[halfamind]

well, that's one mando that could sell me on looks alone! freakin' gorgeous!

[bradeinhorn]

I wonder why such a differing of opinions form all the posters before to bradeinhorn. Possibly just a setup thing? I wonder.
maybe it's a setup thing but i assume it is more due to the reason that halfamind thinks it's "freakin' gorgeous".

reasonable minds may differ. spice of life, all that...

[halfamind]

I should have said "almost sell me"... if the tone's not there, no thank you... but it IS freakin' gorgeous! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Santiago]

I don't think this mando is what a traditionalist is looking for, but for a Bluegrass player looking for innovation it seems to fill the bill. I haven't played one yet myself.

[Jim MacDaniel]

<bump>

Anyone see this sexy red one recently sold by the Mandolin Store?