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kebmando
May-26-2004, 7:23pm
First time poster, I know the drill...if someone can point me to a related post, I'd gladly appreciate a link, cause I couldn't find one that answered my question.

Anyway I am just starting out on the mandolin, and am not too thrilled with the one I got, so I went out and tried mandolins of several varieties. #At the store there were some Asian-specials like Washburn and such, but the mandos I tried were Webers, Gibsons, and Breedloves, and the Breedloves really kicked me in the nads because they were so loud and really crisp sounding and played very easy. #I'm coming from guitar and I could tell tight away the strings were spaced a little farther apart because it felt much less cramped for me than the Webers and Gibsons. #Kinda like smokind a cigar vs. a cigarette, if that make sense.

Anyway, the mandolin I have now if I can e-bay it I'll probably get enough money for a Cascade, but the only Breedloves at the store was the leass expensive Quartz that came with a BS lunch-bag. #But I worry about buying a Cascade untried over the net because it is lacquered and I know that takes more finish than a Satin finish like a Quartz, so I wonder if the more finish makes the tone of the Cascade less ballsy than the Quartz. #Thought I might get an answer here. #These little mandolins are expensive as crap and I don't want to make a bad choice. #Should I just go with the Quartz I tried and pocket the dough or shell out for a higher doalllar Cascade?

Lane Pryce
May-26-2004, 7:36pm
I had a super Quartz KF and wish to heck I still had it. I could tell no difference between it and the Cascade. I read somewhere on the forum that the only difference between the two were cosmetics. I am sure there is more to it than that. Lp

daikon
May-27-2004, 7:48am
I visited the Breedlove shop a year or so ago. I remember being told that Randy Breedlove does the final tuning of the tops on the mandolins above the Quartz line.

I remember comparing the Quartz OF to the higher end Breedlove A style at a store here in SLC (Local Music) a while back. There was definitly a difference tone, but both sounded good.

cascadepicker
May-27-2004, 10:34am
Kebmando,
#I play a breedlove cascade and I would say go for it,
they are great!!

John Flynn
May-27-2004, 11:11am
The Casacde is definitely a more powerful and balanced mando than the Quartz, lacquer or not. I have also played the next level up from the Cascade (can't remember the name) and it is better still. Just FYI, the Breedloves, even more so than other brands, seem to improve very well with ivory bridge saddle upgrades.

PCypert
May-27-2004, 12:49pm
I'll of course chime in and tell you to talk to Dale. He quoted me a price on a new cascade that topped used ones online. They are definately worth more than just the cosmetics. But the cosmetics on it are nice. Love the black binding.

You know I really don't get commission from Dale. I should really shut up and quit referring people to him. Did it last time and forgot I wanted that used Weber Bitteroot he had and someone else snagged it up. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Paul

John Ely
May-27-2004, 2:02pm
I play a Breedlove Rogue, and it is a great mandolin. It sounds better than the Quartz I started with. I think they only hand voice the Master Class line, which I doesn't include the Cascades. I played a wonderful oval hole Olympic (equivalent to the Cascade) recently. Call Elderly instruments - they'll play mandolins over the phone for you. It is not the ideal way to compare, but it helps.

Amandalyn
May-28-2004, 5:05pm
If you can afford the Cascade, go for it. The price is alot less than you 'de pay for an F- model, and although the shape is different, I'd say the value in tone, playablility is comparable. I have a Cascade and love it. I'd rather play it than some F-models I have owned and tryed. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Walter
May-29-2004, 7:10am
You really can't go wrong with either one. The Cascade will give you a more powerful chop, but both have plenty of volume and great quality.

If you really want to buy new, I'd go with the Quartz. If you're willing to buy used, the price of a Cascade might be a good value.

my $.02