Well needless to say, my visit to the Breedlove factory was outstanding! I was part of small group from a Portland dealer who arranged for a special "experience." During my visit, I was able to talk extensively with various Breedlove people about the woods I wanted for my 12 string. After speaking with the staff who do the neck and fingerboard work, they said the tone should not really be an issue; the look is what most people seek when selecting a fingerboard wood different than the standard ebony.

I was presented a couple of examples of Indian and Brazilian rosewood boards, and selected the Brazilian because it was not as dark in color and it had much more visible grain variation. (Overall, I was seeking was to get away from the black color as much as possible.) I found the Brazilian rosewood to be a better blend with my Cocobolo back and sides... which is a red/brown color.

Along with the fingerboard, I also had them make the headstock and bridge in Brazilian rosewood... of course, for a few dollars more!!! I also selected my top wood from a "custom stack" of Bear Claw spruce, which I will have them apply a "toner" to make it a bit darker than normal (not quite like cedar but not as white as most spruce). The toner should also help make the unique "bear claw" grain patterns stand out with more dark/light contrast.

On another note, I chose the upgraded Gotoh 510 tuners...with gold buttons vs. the normal ebony colored buttons. Again to get rid of any black color. However, one of the sales staff mentioned that someone at the factory has made a personal observation that the gold buttons... which are metal, slightly affect the tone (negatively) vs. the ebony buttons... which are wood. Well, I know that clamping a capo to the headstock affects the tone, but I have a hard time believing there is much affect of the button material. Oh well, I guess I will just have to suffer... along with my bank account; msrp close to $8500 for my A25 Master Class 12 string. I send in a phone in August... which is when it should be completed.

By the way, Breedlove is planning to complete their move into their new factory building in September. Although some aspects of assembly may move earlier, there should not be any "shuffling" of guitars back and forth... which is good in my opinion.
-Harry