Thinking about aquiring a Breedlove Cascade

**SoreFinger** · Oct-04-2008, 8:38am

Has anyone bought one of these, or would I be better off buying something else? I'm not a real experienced player by any stretch of the imagination, but would like a quality instrument.

**devilstone_the_bard** · Oct-04-2008, 9:00am

Keep an eye here on the classifieds. I have 2 instruments from people here on the cafe. One was mailed and the other was a "meet cha half way' delivery / swap.

**MLT** · Oct-04-2008, 9:38am

SoreFinger~

I think that it is a very good choice. i have two Quartz Mandolins from Breedlove and think that they sound, and feel, great. Have you had the opportunity to actually play a Cascade? Were you able to compare it with other models/brands?

IMHO I think that the best way to decide is to try this model and several others...you will know which is the one for you.

**SoreFinger** · Oct-04-2008, 3:00pm

I actually had the honor of playing one, but with my limited time of attempting to play I just don't think I could make a decision one way or another. I do like the way the K models look though, but looks are far and away from telling if it has playability.

**JEStanek** · Oct-04-2008, 3:14pm

I wrote this in your other thread.

Originally Posted by JEStanek

It depends on what you want. Breedloves are very nice instruments that have their own voice and feel. They have a wider neck than typical on mandolins so you may want to try one first. The K bodies with the S shaped F holes have a bit different tone than a typical Bluegrass F5. It's not bad, just different. The Breedlove FF model has been reported to have a more traditional tone.

They're cool instruments. What kind of music or scene do you play in or want to play in.

Jamie

**SoreFinger** · Oct-04-2008, 6:01pm

Right now I'm just trying to learn how to play. I have played guitar for around 2 years, which isn't very long. I really enjoy the mandolin much more than guitar. I never really got the hang of guitar, by that I mean I can play just any chord within reason, know a few lines of some songs, but I'm just not real proficient at it. The mandolin on the other hand I learned a song in 2 days, off the net no less. Wonder why that is? Is it just the size of the instruments? I don't have a clue. Maybe it's the less strings thing?

I'm in the Bluegrass area, so maybe that's the draw.

**MandoSquirrel** · Oct-04-2008, 9:03pm

This past summer I sold a Quartz KO to buy a Cascade. Though I miss the Oval hole sound, I love my Cascade. However, you may have trouble from the Bluegrass Police if you bring it to a bluegrass jam. Both Breedlove's were from the Cafe Classifieds.

**Rob Powell** · Oct-05-2008, 4:38am

Cascades are beautiful instruments both in looks and sound. They aren't much different in looks than a regular KF but much nicer wood and appointments plus I think Kim Breedlove has a bigger hand in making them.

Like Jamie said, they come standard with a slightly wider neck than most. I find that nice but YMMV. I would classify the sound somewhere between an F5 and an Oval. The have sustain more typical of an Oval but the volume more typical of an F5.

All in all, nice instruments that are very versatile and IMHO, reasonably priced. Like MandoSquirrel said, the BG Police may frown at the looks in the beginning but they don't frown too long after hearing one

**Rob Powell** · Oct-05-2008, 4:47am

Originally Posted by SoreFinger

Right now I'm just trying to learn how to play. I have played guitar for around 2 years, which isn't very long. I really enjoy the mandolin much more than guitar. I never really got the hang of guitar, by that I mean I can play just any chord within reason, know a few lines of some songs, but I'm just not real proficient at it. The mandolin on the other hand I learned a song in 2 days, off the net no less. Wonder why that is? Is it just the size of the instruments? I don't have a clue. Maybe it's the less strings thing?

I'm in the Bluegrass area, so maybe that's the draw.

Some people think better in fifths...not WITH fifths...IN fifths

I personally think the mandolin fretboard/positions/scales/chording (and subsequently violin positions) make more sense than guitar and I've been playing guitar for over 40 years. I think the mandolin is easier to learn and play but harder to learn to play well, if that makes any sense.

**SoreFinger** · Oct-05-2008, 6:54am

Most of mandolins in this area are the traditional A or F's, which are nice, but I've never been a conformist, so the Breedlove is just my cup of tea, looks wise. (I have some strange guitars, like a Kramer "Gorky Park".) I appreciate all the suggestions. I'm always open to others ideas. Thanks. Ken

**spenser** · Oct-05-2008, 11:53am

Sorefinger-I sold a Breedlove, to finance another, and then had to purchase another Breedlove shortly thereafter. Although not the Cascade, I love the breedlove FF, it is odd looking, the bluegrass police do give me weird looks, but it is comfortable, nice neck and easy to play. I too failed as a guitar player and have hit stride with mandolin, not sure why, not sure that I need to know other than MAS is almost as bad, or worse than GAS. Buy the Breedlove, you will enjoy it. I have.

**SoreFinger** · Oct-06-2008, 7:02am

I like the Black Gold they make too. Completely different looking compared to the traditional. Too many mandolins, not enough money.

**tailgun** · Oct-06-2008, 8:36am

I love breedlove. You wont be dissapointed. Its a different kind of mandolin but once you go breedlove you wont want to play anything else.

**John Hill** · Oct-08-2008, 3:39pm

I'm an unabashed honk for the Breedlove FF model. Great bang for the buck and a real quality instrument and I think so much more adaptable to more styles of music than other Breedlove models.

**MandoSquirrel** · Oct-08-2008, 11:22pm

In my previous post, I said "you may have trouble from the Bluegrass Police if you bring it to a bluegrass jam". I should clarify; people keep telling me what a good sounding mandolin my Cascade is, & some even say it's a good looker, too, but some just think it looks different. I think a Cascade is a great choice, though I'm a lover of oval holes.
BTW, there are two Alpines in the classifieds now; the next step up in Breedlove F holers, though an "O" body, not "K".