Breedlove vs Phoenix for a begginner

[Mark53]

I have been playing guitar for about 30 years now would like to learn to play the mandolin. I am sure that some of the skills are transferable but it's hard to try out an instrument when you can't play it.

I know what I like in a guitar and it took many years of playing for my tastes to form. This brings me to the mandolin question.

I know I would have a hard time with a low end student model. They don't feel right and I can hear the difference in tone just by strumming the open strings. I also have some what traditional tastes and prefer the look of the F style.

The F models seem expensive due to the scroll work and less for their tone. The two models I have looked at are the Breedlove Cascade and the Phoenix Bluegrass.

There is $1,000 difference between them ( Breedlove being the less expensive). Would either of these be overkill for a beginner? Help!

[evanreilly]

If you go for the Phoenix, you'll never need another mandolin!

[JimD]

I'm with Evan. When I got my Phoenix, I never looked back. I never use my Gibson any more.

By the way, if you are anywhere near Rhode Island, stop by the Newport Guitar Festival (next weekend). Rolfe Gerhardt of Phoenix will be there as a featured luthier and I will be giving a performance on the Phoenix Neoclassical. (forgive the shameless self-plug)

[holdenzdad]

In my opinion, they are completely different instruments - it really depends on what you are interested in playing and how the individual instruments sound to you - the Breedlove line has a tendency to be somewhat nontraditional in both appearance and sometimes sound - the Phoenix I played recently had more volume and a more traditional tone...before making a decision, you could play a higher end Breedlove like the Oregon - the one I just got in has a beautifully warm tone...if you want more information on the Phoenix, Dale Cater is a good fellow to talk too...good luck in your decision,

Steven

[Lee]

Nice to hear you appreciate fine instruments. True, you'll never need another mandolin if you get the Phoenix. But you might want another if/when your taste in mandolins changes. You might want to consider re-sale value in your decision. A new mandolin drops about 30% when you take it off the showroom floor.

[mad dawg]

I wish I had that budget for my first mandolin. (Heck, I wish I had that budget for a new mandolin now! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif )

[Asha]

Interesting, when I purchased my Breedlove Oregon 5+ years ago I was told that would be the last mandolin I'd ever have to buy! So far, that is true...

[Rob Powell]

For a guitar player, the Breedlove offers a slightly wider neck which I think you will find more comfortable and familiar. Personally, I'm saving my money for a Breedlove right now. The KF or KO have a nice look and not a lot of difference in the sound between an OF (A Style and slightly less expensive) and KF.I played them against a couple or more expensive Webers and found them more playable and personally liked the tone better. Cosmetically, the Webers were more appealing as they were more traditional F Style but I can't play or hear cosmetics :-)

[cbdds]

I too played guitar for about 30 years before getting the mandolin bug. I started out with a cheap Fender but this lasted for about 4 months before my first attack of MAS. I looked around did some research and ended up buying a used Phoenix Bluegrass. It is a fine instrument and plays great. The sound is awesome and frankly I think it sounds as good or better than some more expensive ones I've heard and played. I even got to play a 1923 Gibson Loar and to be honest, I don't think it played any better than my Phoenix. Maybe a more sophisticated ear would be able to tell, but for me and my money, the Phoenix is the way to go.

[Jingles]

I went with a Breedlove Cascade for my first mandolin. I have to say I'm more than satisfied with the way it sounds and the way it plays. I don't think buying a quality mandolin is overkill as long as you use it. If it's going to collect dust in the closet then you might want to reconsider. But as many members have pointed out, in other posts, mandolin playing in addictive.

[Mark53]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am new to this forum and have been made to feel very welcome.

You are all right about MAS. It is becoming a powerful compulsion.

Since my original post a new wrinkel has developed. I was in Mandolin Bros on Saturday (I live six blocks away ), and tried out a Gibson F-5G wide neck with block position markers ( basically the Sam Bush neck).

It had what Stan Jay called the traditional Gibson sound. It was a beauty. He then mentioned the Collings MF which seems to be highly thought of.

My decision may come down to these two. It looks like my Martin OM-18GE may have to go along with the Fender relic nocaster and Deluxe reverb reissue.

Any opinions?

[Bowzette]

I traded a Cascade i bought from Dale back to Dale for a used Phoenix. The Phoenix was a lot more money and lot more mandolin in terms of tone. I much prefer the Phoenix. However the Cascade is probalbly $1000 less expensive and the quality of workmanship and materials very good. the neck on the Cascade may be easier to play initially if you are use to the guitar. However, Dale has ordered the Phoenix manolins with a wider neck-1 3/16, the same as the Cascade. I don't think the used Cascades have held their value as well as the used Phoenix which is good if you are buying used and painful if you are buying new. I suggest you talk with Dale 903-569-6507.