View Full Version : Breedlove bracing (kinda long)
mandobob
Oct-04-2004, 9:29am
To my untrained eye, the braces in my Quartz OO look meaty.
(again, IMHO) Compared to my Martin guitar, they look
proportionately bigger. I LIKE my Breedlove, but I wonder if I could get it to push more air.
In general, do folks alter the braces?
My mandolin budget is at it's full adult size; I will never be able to justify spending much more on a 'good' mandolin. So, it's use or lose time; the Quartz cost me $500ish, I have around $300 more to invest (301.72 with what I have in my poket now).
Shave the braces? Sell the Quartz and a buy an $800 (fillin the blank)?
Thanks.
Well mandobob, it's an oval hole, not generally known for packing the punch and power of an F-hole. You can't get much better than a Breedlove in that price catagory. Maybe you should swap yours for an F-hole Quartz.
Don't touch the bracing.
mandobob
Oct-04-2004, 11:40am
Good advice. I actually had and sold the Quartz OF when I got this one; I prefer the oval hole tone.
mrbook
Oct-04-2004, 2:36pm
Is there something wrong with the sound, or do you have that urge to tinker (beats practicing) that sometimes gets us into trouble?
Mando Medic
Oct-04-2004, 9:57pm
Don't shave the braces! The OO is pretty well near it's limit for brace tuning. I did one and regretted it. If you what more horsepower, buy and older Old Wave or a teens gibson. Kenc
mandobob
Oct-05-2004, 8:00am
Mr. Mando Medic; warning heeded, thanks.
Mr. Book; I am a confessed tinkerer. I am having a tough time getting thru my head the gap (canyon? blackhole?) of mando dollars spent.
My limited experience (many PAC rims, teens Gibson Army/Navy, Martin A, (2) Breedloves, and a Freshwater) is that at a few hundred dollars I can get an acceptable sound and function (IMHO!!!!), and that after about 1000, the money is spent on appointments.
I like the Breedlove, I just think I should get more volume.
(did I mention this is all MHO?)
Mando Medic
Oct-05-2004, 9:01pm
Let me suggest that you try different strings. What are you using and what have you tried? Kenc
mandobob
Oct-06-2004, 8:07am
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Doc, I hang my head thinking that this could be the problem;
Martin .010s
I've avoided the 011s for fear of neck trouble.
Prognosis?
Well there y'go. Try a set of D'Addario J74's. The neck will handle it. I'm not saying these are the best strings, but they are are a benchmark for comparison purposes.
mandobob
Oct-06-2004, 10:04am
Ah, simplicity! Will do guys, it's time for a restring anyway.
I started using those 10s on my old Army Navy, and then again on a 50's Martin A out of caution.
Mando Medic
Oct-06-2004, 7:58pm
Martin should stick to making great guitars in my opinion. Their strings are always suspect. I agree that it's time for J-74 strings. They came with J-74's so if the bridge and truss rod have not been tampered with, it should be set up. You will notice an immediate tone improvement, plus inntonation if the bride is in the right place. If you're not sure about that, let us know and we'll talk you through it. Sight down the neck after the new strings are on and see if the neck is near straight or some dip in it. Sight from theheadstock at the nut on the bass side and look down the edge of the fingerboard to the bridge. Keep us posted and good luck. Kenc
mandobob
Oct-07-2004, 11:24am
Will do and thanks!
Mando Medic
Oct-07-2004, 8:00pm
Did I say "IF THE BRIDE IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE"? The mind is a terrible thing to misplace. I did mean to say "BRIDGE". Pardon me, my bloopers showing. Kenc
Chip Booth
Oct-10-2004, 1:23pm
I have owned 2 breedloves Quartz models and I know that the factory ships with J74s on them cause I asked them http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif The neck will take themn just fine. I have played about 3 or 4 OO models and thought they all had good volume, in fact when I brought mine home after buying it the first my wife said was "That thing's loud!"