Looking for your opinion on this Breedlove

[Rabid1]

The mando is pictured below. It's a prototype American Series FO with k&k pickup. Hard case included. Price: $750

There seems to be very little info out there about this Breedlove, especially since it's a prototype.

I guess I'd like your opinions on this. Is it a good mandolin? Is the price right? FYI, this will be my first mandolin, I'm an old guitar picker.

Thanks to you all, I love this forum!

Rick

[darrylicshon]

I dont like the scroll

[stevedenver]

first, based on market, provided its in working order and no issues, proper neck angle, string break, neck width acceptable, etc
seems with a K and K its a good price. I would characterize it as a more than decent mando for a starter, at least, and it may be wonderful.

as a first mando, I think you would be happy. Breedloves I have played have nice fret work.

I have played breedloves in GC from time to time. They are thinnish to my ear, ie a bit trebly and a not too much mid or bass, but play nicely and intonate fine. The O may be more bassy. It appears to be a rather 'plane jane' type of model and the neck joints at the 12th fret, normal for an o style. this will mean more old time and celtic sound not so much BG. As a very plain model ie no binding or inlay and as best I can tell, satin finish, its indeed Spartan.
I would think it would be a fine starter. I don think you would find better value, provided you like an O style hole. Os are described, rightfully imho, as a bit tubby in sound. with a shorter neck, you will find comparatively to an Fs longer neck, quicker note decay, ie less sustain.

I would not buy it if you cannot examine and return it, period. You must be able to determine if its is intonated well, is to your liking sound-wise and in feel. You are close to 1000, and you may do better used, ie an Eastman or even a weber A.

you didn't ask, but I kinda like the design. FWIW, as for resale, I think it would be a bit more difficult, as , above post, not everyone is cool with the looks.

I know its hard when youre starting to know what to do. if you haven't played a few, I would -even if you have to pay a bit more later.

[pheffernan]

I guess I'd like your opinions on this. Is it a good mandolin? Is the price right? FYI, this will be my first mandolin, I'm an old guitar picker.

Getting beyond aesthetics, which are a matter of personal taste, I would say that the Breedlove is a good mandolin, especially with its wider nut and bigger frets for a migrating guitarist. And the price of $750 is a good one, as used Breedlove F models usually go for $1000 and up and one would be hard pressed to name another trusted American builder who could give you a solid wood F model at that price point. The only question then becomes intended application, as this mandolin with its nontraditional styling and oval hole might not make for the ideal instrument to take to your traditional bluegrass jam.

[Rabid1]

stevedenver & pheffernan, Thank you for taking the time to offer your informative opinions! I'm more inclined to play (real) country & bluegrass than anything else. The non-tradional style of this mandolin is what is giving me pause. Perhaps I'd be better served by a Kentucky or Loar?

[pheffernan]

I'm more inclined to play (real) country & bluegrass than anything else. The non-tradional style of this mandolin is what is giving me pause. Perhaps I'd be better served by a Kentucky or Loar?

If you're drawn to bluegrass, then I would at the very least recommend something with f-holes.

[multidon]

That instrument is very similar to my go to instrument. I like mine very much indeed. I play lots of Old Time and some Celtic and it kills for both. Nice, well rounded, lovely tone and plenty loud too. Very consistent up and down the neck and comfortable to play to boot.

I am a bit puzzled by the prototype label. If it is a prototype how did the seller get hold of it? The biggest differences I see from stock are a contrasting truss rod cover and a strange custom looking tailpiece instead of the standard one. Usually in excellent condition these go for 1000 or a bit more so 750 seems a steal. If I had the opportunity I would definitely jump on it. The pickup adds more value.

I hope the comments about the scroll and the non traditional looks are tongue in cheek. As a Breedlove owner comments like this drive me nuts. There are plenty of makers out there that do not follow the Loar aesthetic formula. Whether a scroll has a button or not, whether the finish is sunburst or something else, what the headstock is shaped like, whether someone has audacity to use an inlay of something other than a vine or a flowerpot...none of this makes one iota's worth of difference to the tone and playability. I happen to like and embrace the different looks. I wish more folks worried about things that truly matter in a mandolin and that they would stop dwelling on purely cosmetic issues. Why does every mandolin have to look like a Cremona brown sunburst 1924 Gibson F5?

[Rabid1]

Thanks Don! Good perspective. I am not really concerned that much about aesthetics, but much more about playability & sound.

I'm not sure about how the seller got the prototype, but he owns a cleaning business in Bend, Oregon, where they are made. I suspect he has a personal relationship with someone in Breedlove. I will certainly ask him if I buy his mandolin.

Dang! This mandolin buying process is confusing

[Markus]

If you want to bluegrass jam, get an f hole Breedlove. If not, this one aint a bad price.

Mine plays easy and has satisfied me (of model, a style f hole) and with the addition of a tonegard is plenty loud for a loud jam.

[JEStanek]

That price is good if the mandolin is in good shape. At least with the quartz models, the oval holes, in general, were better received than the f holed ones. This mandolin breaks tradition for looks. If you like it, great. If not, pass on it. You should be able to resell it for about what you put into it.

I wouldn't use an oval hole mandolin for a bluegrass jam. I mainly play oval holed mandolins - I just don't play grass.

Jamie

[RichardF]

Is the F hole tradition in Bluegrass a rule or a tradition? I play a Breedlove Quartz OF for Classical, Celtic and MOR but not Bluegrass. It's really good. Play what sounds right to you. Perfect your tone, tempo and tuning. That's all there is to it. "All!!!????". Ha! Ha! That will take up a few years of your life.

[Markus]

Richard, f hole mandolins do much better projecting the sound out so you can be heard over the banjo and fiddle and thus are favored in bluegrass.

[almeriastrings]

Kim Breedlove was usually directly involved in the building of the prototypes. I have a guitar he released after using it at one of the NAMM shows... it is hands down a fantastic instrument and is my 'go to' next to my 1950 D-28..... my guess is this could be a very fine mandolin. As for oval holes not being "bluegrass enough" Bill managed to record the original of 'Big Mon' using one...

Food for thought.

[RichardF]

Richard, f hole mandolins do much better projecting the sound out so you can be heard over the banjo and fiddle and thus are favored in bluegrass.

Good point.

[Rabid1]

Thanks to all who helped me! Now...drum roll please, I just won this Kentucky KM-380 on eBay for $200 + Shipping. The info gleaned from this thread was actually the driving force in my decision. While I'm sure the Breedlove is a fine instrument, I decided to go more traditional, and I couldn't pass up this deal on the Kentucky, which included HSC, Strings & strap. I'm pretty sure it's been setup, but will take to my luthier to make sure it's right.

Can anyone identify the year of manufacture?

Thanks again guys!

[pheffernan]

Can anyone identify the year of manufacture?

I'd guess 2001 based on the number on the label.

[yankees1]

stevedenver & pheffernan, Thank you for taking the time to offer your informative opinions! I'm more inclined to play (real) country & bluegrass than anything else. The non-tradional style of this mandolin is what is giving me pause. Perhaps I'd be better served by a Kentucky or Loar?

You would probably be better off to look for a F hole model

[steve V. johnson]

The FF models sell used, often with pickups, for around $1k, and the oval variation of this one is pretty rare, especially in
the natural finish. It's priced well below market, so if you like it, I'd say it's a good value.

stv