I am the new owner of a Breedlove Premier 00 mandolin. This is a 2014 carved, arched top, solid woods and USA built mandolin. I wanted an oval hole A style and found this for under $550. Additionally, I picked up a gorgeous Breedlove HSC on clearance. The Two Old Hippies organization has been such a help. Not only did they sell me this deluxe case for $59, but they send me the case candy and bridge tool I asked for as a gift. Great service and communication. Very professional and responsive. Here's the clincher: after I set up the action and intonation by adjusting the truss rod and the bridge, this mandolin plays and sounds great. The thickness of the body 1-13/16" (slightly thicker than most A Style USA mandolins) is similar to the Weber Gallatin A5 I owned that was also made since the Two Hippies acquisition. This mandolin is very similar and in my opinion stands up to the Weber Gallatin in quality, tone and set up. Yes, the are discontinued which affects value, which is exactly why I was drawn to it. Now that I have a Breedlove, I am so impressed with the great fretboard free of any buzzes that plays pitch true all the way up the neck on each course! I have the action med-low and it is comfortable. The 1-3/16" nut width, radiused board, fit and finish, tone woods quality, high quality tuners, soft to touch satin finish and cool modern looks (which I didn't realize how much I would like in person!) have made me a big Breedlove fan. I switched off with my Martin 0M-21 guitar at my gig Thursday and enjoyed singing with this resonant oval hole mandolin as my accompaniment. A USA made Breedlove is a great value for a domestic mandolin and will give you everything in tone, volume and playability of the other moderately priced ($1999-2500) USA mandolins I have owned.
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