American Breedloves and old Gibsons: opinions?

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hey!

What can you tell me about US-made Breedloves? There are a couple of used A-style ones I've spotted online here and there: a Premier OF ($1k) and a Quartz OF ($850). Both look to be in good shape.

There are also some old A-style Gibson beaters around in the $1k-to-$1.6k range. They all boast mucho mojo, of course.

Though I gig occasionally, I mainly want an A-style axe with hearty bark for jams and parties and busking. (Busking is the biggest challenge: you have to outshout traffic.)

For what it's worth, I'm mainly an electric and flattop guitar guy, but I've been learning mando and dobro and have started pulling them out at gigs and jams. They seem to be well received, which has fueled my hunger for power.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[almeriastrings]

The Breedlove mandolins would be my preference in that role. They stand up well to environmental changes compared to most vintage instruments (that can be really 'sensitive') and they have very good fret-work and intonation.

[multidon]

FWIW Breedlove used three different names for their entry level USA made mandolin models. Quartz is the earliest branding, followed by American I think, then they called them the Premier series before they eventually ceased production. They are all essentially the same mandolin. There have been color variations mostly. Early on they were available in either dark sunburst or natural blond. Towards the end of production they eliminated both colors and only produced them in a lighter burst, which I never liked and called orangeburst. But I don't know what they actually called it. Amberburst? Anyways, the same mandolin designs in any case, no matter what they are called.

They used to be very popular with guitarists because of the radius fretboard, large frets, wide nut, and of course the Breedlove name recognition. You would think the value on the USA ones would have gone up, but counterintuitively they seem to have gone down. I guess it's because people think they can get the same thing brand new with the Crossovers. They are wrong. I have played the Crossover FF and the only thing I can say good about it is that it's very shiny. Other than that, the old USA Breedloves blow it away. If you can find a used BL USA it would be a bargain, and perfect for what you want to do IMHO. Don't get too hung up on the exact name of the series, you can't go wrong, just go by sound and condition.

[mandroid]

Door #3..
Consider , for the sake of Volume, the National RM1,
a metal resonator in a generally A shaped wooden body,
that many have come to like for those situations..
Wood softens the sound, compared to the brass bodies in that type..

[Br1ck]

Old Gibsons happen to be fueling my MAS right now but won't be as loud as you would seem to want, but I've played a few lately that tweaked my tone buds.

[CES]

Scott Avett has pointed out that when you're busking or street playing, your biggest hurdle is just grabbing people's attention, and the banjo is great for that. So, door #3 is awesome...I have one, and really like it. And, it's freaking LOUD! Door number 4 might be a banjo-mando (or banjolin).

Pastrami on rye arguments aside, I agree that I'd go American made Breedlove for your applications, unless I could go to Gruhn's and play a bunch of Gibson As until I found the one that Sirened me...

[DHopkins]

I have a pair of Breedloves, a Quartz FF and Legacy FF. Both were made in Bend, OR. I use the Legacy the most with the Quartz as a backup. The Quartz is a natural finish. I love both of them. The workmanship is impeccable. Both have excellent intonation and playability. As almeriastrings said, they are resistant to climate changes. I have found that the G strings seems to be the most vulnerable on both though it is only a very minor inconvenience.

Both came with pickups. The Quartz has a Schertler and the Legacy has K&K. Both are wide nut. Both sound excellent. The Legacy has Gibson Sam Bush strings on it. I'm experimenting with the Quartz. It has Black Diamond "Black" strings (and actually, they sound pretty good).

Needless to say, I am an American Breedlove fan but I have to admit I've never played the foreign-made Breedloves.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Thanks, gang. That helps!

[Marcus CA]

Coming late to the party, I'll add that the Breedloves you mentioned have f-holes, whereas the old Gibson A's have oval holes. That difference gives the Breedloves more bark and projection, but less resonance. I have a 1921 Gibson A that has the mucho mojo that you described, but before and since I bought it, I played a few that had less and none that had more. Unfortunately, I don't play it that much --- although I love it when I do --- because its flat fingerboard aggravates my left elbow tendonitis (even when I wear a brace) after 1/2 an hour.

Since you mentioned going up to $1.6K in your Gibson pricing, you can also look at used Breedlove FF's (which I think have a little more volume than the OF's, and generally go for less than the next two mandos I'll mention), used Weber Gallatins, and possibly used Collings MT's.

[Bill Kammerzell]

Loved my Premier OF. Really sorry I ever sold it. Just sold the Silverangel. Will be looking for another Premier OF. In the under 1500.00 range in US made, I think that Breedlove Premier OF was the best value around for a mandolin. Well made, terrific volume and sustain. Clean sound across all the strings. Just loved it!

[Charlie Bernstein]

After all the info I got here and elsewhere, I found and landed this for $1,200:

https://reverb.com/item/1595967-redl...014-spruce-top

Happy! It's more mando than I need, but that just means I won't end up with less than I want. Thanks for all the good advice. It helped.

Now excuse me while I go camp out by the mailbox. . . .

[Steve Ostrander]

Dang, the Breedlove appreciation party is over? I wanted to put my .02 in for my American FF with K&K twin. It's my go-to mando for gigs. Sounds great and never waivers from climate change. I also think that the Crossover series are very underwhelming. Wouldn't be my choice in that price range.

Thanks to multidon for explaining the model name changes. Good to know.

[Bill Kammerzell]

After all the info I got here and elsewhere, I found and landed this for $1,200:

https://reverb.com/item/1595967-redl...014-spruce-top

Happy! It's more mando than I need, but that just means I won't end up with less than I want. Thanks for all the good advice. It helped.

Now excuse me while I go camp out by the mailbox. . . .

Lol! Well, how does it sound? I wondered who got this? I was watching this and lurking in the shadows waiting for my Silverangel Econo A to sell. Out of nowhere it disappeared on April 29th I think? So two hours later the Silverangel sells. So you got it? Lol! Anyway, tell us how you like it? These are nice from what I hear, and the price looks like a steal. Anyway, I ended up with a great mandolin in my JBovier A5. So all is well. Can't wait to hear about this Steve Smith build you got. Glad a fine gentleman like you ended up with it.

[William Smith]

Coming late to the party, I'll add that the Breedloves you mentioned have f-holes, whereas the old Gibson A's have oval holes. That difference gives the Breedloves more bark and projection, but less resonance. I have a 1921 Gibson A that has the mucho mojo that you described, but before and since I bought it, I played a few that had less and none that had more. Unfortunately, I don't play it that much --- although I love it when I do --- because its flat fingerboard aggravates my left elbow tendonitis (even when I wear a brace) after 1/2 an hour.

Since you mentioned going up to $1.6K in your Gibson pricing, you can also look at used Breedlove FF's (which I think have a little more volume than the OF's, and generally go for less than the next two mandos I'll mention), used Weber Gallatins, and possibly used Collings MT's.

A lot of Gibson A's from the 30's are F-holed and some stand out big time, I wouldn't discredit those ones. If ya had the talent get one and modify it and you would have something old/kool/full of the mojo!

[Russ Donahue]

Congratulations. They have a great rep. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts as you become accustomed to the instrument.

[Big Joe]

You got a great mandolin made by a great guy! Congratulations.

[lflngpicker]

You can't go wrong. For tone and playability, the Breedlove would be the choice. For equally good tone, plus more volume and vintage mojo, the Gibson A every time. I own a teens Gibson A and it has a woody bark! They can need a bit of work unless you find a nice VG+ or better.