I'm looking at new guitars, and I'm basically set on Breedlove. From everything I've read and heard no other guitars come close in terms of price and quality. My question is what are some of the main differences between the different guitars? I've seen some of the Atlas series that get really good reviews that are 1/2 for 1/3 of the price of some of the more expensive guitars. I know that the Atlas series is made in Korea, but I apparently Breedlove still oversees the processes pretty well still. As far as my style of playing, it's some fingerpicking, a little jazz, some blues, but mostly medium to heavy strumming and picking with a pick. I'm a worship leader in a contemporary worship team, so I'm basically playing and singing. I usually leave the soloing to my other guitarist. Anyway, any info would be great. Thanks so much.
what are the main differences?
| Author | Comment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 MIKE DARLEY |
what are the main differences? |
Lead | ||
|
Parlor
Posts: 34 September 6, 2007 11:18:40 |
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
MIKE DARLEY |
#1 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 34 September 7, 2007 12:22:49 |
Hello? Anyone? Little help please?
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Greg F |
#2 | |||
|
00
Posts: 185 September 7, 2007 13:49:16 |
Hi Mike
I see your from Florida. Me too. Anyhow.....I understand the production of the Atlas series are overseen well. They are set up and inspected (at least since last year that I know of ) in the custom shop in Oregon. I know that the the Atlas is a nice instrument. These are quality minded people. I think Breedlove put alot of thought into producing a "imported" guitar. While you don't have the options of a custom shop guitar you get a guitar that was desgined and built on the custom shop ideas. You get a lot of bang for your buck. No matter what you choose you'll be happy about your choice I'm sure. If you haven't played one go to GC or whatever and try one. GC carries both Atlas and some custom shop guitars. The one here in Ft. Myers just got in a Myrtlewood.......SWEET. Hope this was some help. Peace Greg F |
|||
|
|
||||
|
MandoSquirrel |
#3 | |||
|
000
Posts: 509 September 7, 2007 14:13:33
Mandolin
moderator 
|
"Ft. Myers just got in a Myrtlewood"
When I was last there, a few weeks ago, they had gotten a second as well. Both are Awesome, but the first one sounds more "open". Welcome to BGMF from another Florida liver. 
Mandolins;
Breedlove Quartz KO(sold! awaiting delivery of Cascade!  ); Victoria,
B&J New York ; cheap Romanian Mandola; Flatiron by Gibson pancake(currently untunable, after "repair"attempt ).
Guitar: Guild D-25NT. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
MIKE DARLEY |
#4 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 34 September 8, 2007 00:43:56 |
Thanks for the replies. How about that? Two guys from Florida. I'm just a little north of you guys, right outside of Tampa. There are two GCs pretty
close to me, which I plan to check out. Here's my question, though. I can technically "afford" a more expensive guitar, but I've heard so
many great things about the Atlas line that I'm not sure if it's worth spending another $1200 to $2000 to get say an SD25 or something like that. I
know that one is made in the US and the other in Korea, and one has the Fishman and the other has the L.R. Baggs. Do those two different pickups make much of
a difference? (I'm sure at this point every guitar aficionado is gasping, but I really don't know the difference. I'd like to learn, though.)
Am I going to have a problem with the Atlas after the 5 year warranty runs out whereas one of the SD will last a lifetime? Also, I don't really play a lot
of technical stuff. I'm basically a strummer and picker. I don't want to be one of those guys (and we've all see them at a local coffee shop or
bookstore or whatever) whose guitar is better than they are. I also, don't want to sell myself short. I'm basically stuck between two thoughts. 1) I
don't want to spend $1200-$2000 needlessly. 2) I don't want to spend $1000 on a guitar and wish a year or two or even five later that I'd put down
the extra money to get something really nice. I'm basically looking for someone to give me a good reason to spend a little more on the guitar. Please
help.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Greg F |
#5 | |||
|
00
Posts: 185 September 8, 2007 09:13:10 |
Ok.......Since money is technically not an issue then go for the gold! Sounds like you play alot so a better guitar is probably your best choice. I play out
alot myself ,mostly on electric but we do an acoustic set so my Breedlove tags along. My biggest issue is making sure nothing happens to it. It would be a
shame to own a great guitar and nobody gets to hear it because of being afraid of it getting damaged or worse yet stolen. I have the LR Baggs. Nice system. I
use a Fishman system in my Martin. I like it also. I think for myself the Fishman is easier to set up for live sound. The Baggs is great to record with since
you can split the signal and get a nice recording. Alot depends on the sound system and who's running it. I think any pickup can sound good if someone
knows how to mix it. I can even get a good mix on my Ovations...gasp....Anyway.....Go for broke....There, I made your mind up for you!!!!!
Hey Mando......That Myrtle I played was probably the same one you did. They only had one at the time I was there. That was maybe 3 weeks ago. We have probably passed each other at one time or another at that place. By the way...what kind of music do you play? You don't hang out with the bluegrass gang at Flamingo Market do you? A friend of mine owns the little bar there. There's some pretty good pickers come play there. Peace Greg |
|||
|
|
||||
|
Michael Tognetti |
#6 | |||
|
000
Posts: 351 September 8, 2007 10:55:18
Gallery & Boutique
moderator
|
If your looking for sound, long-term satisfaction, and possible warranty issues. You may want to look at the Pro Series. It it their latest line of guitars and
they are made at the shop in Tumulo Oregon.
GC does carry this line. Just a thought. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
omegaman41658 |
#7 | |||
|
0M
Posts: 678 September 8, 2007 11:02:45 BGMF Founder "Fame is but a fruit tree" Nick Drake
|
Michael Tognetti wrote: Spot on idea there Michael! Sounds right to me from what I have heard so far that should be the best bet for the long term.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
orygun39 |
#8 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 53 September 8, 2007 13:38:16 |
While we're on this subject, could someone please explain what the new "roots" series is about? What is its niche?
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
MIKE DARLEY |
#9 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 34 September 8, 2007 14:16:33 |
Well, I don't mean to say that money is no object, but it's not like in college when $2500 was what I'd be paying for a car, not a guitar. I do think that Greg is right, though. If I can afford it why not go for it. I'm basically tired of going with a less expensive guitar to save a few bucks only to regret it after a year or so. I've heard that a good guitar ages like fine wine, but in my experience a cheap guitar ages like milk, and, to be honest, I'm tired of cottage cheese. Although, I've heard that this is not the case for the Atlas series, but if I'm going to spend some money I might as well spend the extra to get what I want. Let me ask you guys, how long have you had your Breedloves, and how long can I expect mind to last with proper care? Thanks so much. I really appreciate all of the feedback. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
Michael Tognetti |
#10 | |||
|
000
Posts: 351 September 8, 2007 15:32:44
Gallery & Boutique
moderator
|
Just another thought concerning quality of instrument. Sometime back a musician told me the following. When you play, or are learning to play, you will only
play upto the level of your instrument. This is not to say that some less expensive instruments are not good, but as we all know, quality many times does come
at a price.
Last Edited By: Michael Tognetti September 11, 2007 22:29:17.
Edited 2 times.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
ragtime man |
#11 | |||
|
Concert
Posts: 917 September 8, 2007 19:36:38
Northwest Lounge
moderator |
Michael Tognetti wrote:
I was talking to a Taylor clinician who I also had spend an afternoon fishing with. We were talking about guitar and I told him I was considering a less expensive guitar and a considerably more expensive guitar. He told me to get what I could afford. I mentioned my level of playing didn't suggest I needed the more expensive guitar based on my technique and skill level. He told me to buy the more expensive guitar if I could afford it regardly. When I asked why he said I would advance more rapidly with a better guitar because I wouldn't be fighting the instrument to make it do what I wanted. He also said a good musician can make a poorly made guitar sound better but a well made guitar can make a student advance faster and sound better along the way.
Now to the question of how long have I had my Beedlove and how long will it last. My MasterClass was built in 2000 and I should have it set up again. Actually a set up once a year is not a bad idea. How long will it last? Well longer than I have got I would guess. I am playing a Gibson 46-47 LG-2 that I am guessing has got a long time left and it 60 years old now. Great sound and it just seems to get better with age. It is a great ragtime/blues machine and I often pick it up after my Breedlove or my National Replicon. So I stand by a guitar that is well made will often last more than a life time if taken care of. That reminds me I need to take my Breedlove in for a set up. ragtime man |
|||
|
|
||||
|
omegaman41658 |
#12 | |||
|
0M
Posts: 678 September 9, 2007 00:14:03 BGMF Founder "Fame is but a fruit tree" Nick Drake
|
Initially I bought a S series in 2004, a myrtlewood/spruce SCM25 or something like that. Then the next day I took it back and spent another 800 to upgrade to a
Northwest Master Class that had a seemingly substantial more sound ooomph and of course detail work. I have never looked back on that switch. It was in my gut
from the moment I walked out with the S series to go back and get the same thing more or less with the Master Class appointments. Well, it spoiled me, not only
the sound but the aesthetic beauty of the guitar is enough to die for. Now with regards to longevity, this guitar and all of my Brredloves have shown amazing
durability with their non lacquered finished, stable tops and necks, tough fretwire, move to better tuners (Gotoh Deltas in the Masters I believe) and ebony
fretboards. I have had zero setup issues that I haven't caused myself. I take great care of them all temperature and humidity-wise. I guess I opt to go up
in price for the better grade now that you seem to be opening up to the idea of 'going for it'. I think Breedlove makes great Master Class guits and
those Revivals can't be beat. They are also awesome and light as a feather.
Last Edited By: omegaman41658 September 9, 2007 00:19:18.
Edited 1 time.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
MandoSquirrel |
#13 | |||
|
000
Posts: 509 September 9, 2007 13:29:13
Mandolin
moderator
|
Greg F wrote: I'm sure your's was the first Myrtle, it was the better, & I'd love to have it, but don't have $4000 to spend! I gave up on Flamingo Island & flea markets in general a few years ago; too crowded, too little merchandise of any quality; yeah, there's some
there, but you have to sift through so much dross to find it! MIKE DARLEY: I agree with Greg F: "...go for the gold! Sounds like you play alot so a better guitar is probably your best choice." Always get the best instrument you can almost afford; there is enough difference between the Atli & upper models to notice, great as the Atli are for the price.
Mandolins;
Breedlove Quartz KO(sold! awaiting delivery of Cascade! ); Victoria,
B&J New York ; cheap Romanian Mandola; Flatiron by Gibson pancake(currently untunable, after "repair"attempt ).
Guitar: Guild D-25NT.
Last Edited By: MandoSquirrel September 9, 2007 13:37:05.
Edited 1 time.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
MIKE DARLEY |
#14 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 34 September 9, 2007 20:07:09 |
So, I had a little bit of a bad experience at the GC in Tampa today. I went in to check out the Breedloves, and all I could find were a couple of Atlases.
When the sales guy came by I told him I was looking for a higher end Breedlove, specifically with the dual Element pickup, and he said he didn't have any.
I could tell he didn't seem interested in helping me. I'm 26, and I'm told I look little younger, so I'm sure he figured I just wanted to come
in and play all of the expensive guitars that I couldn't afford. Well, anyway I kept playing a little and the saw performances three in a glass case.
Apparently either the guy lied because he didn't want to go through the trouble of taking them out or just didn't know his stock. I think it was
just that he didn't think I was serious about buying. I got a little annoyed by this so I just left. I definitely won't buy from him. Not being
willing to help someone based on their age is just bad business.
Also, I called another GC near here and they don't have any of the Pro series. I know they are a new line. Are there just not a lot in distribution yet? |
|||
|
|
||||
|
MIKE DARLEY |
#15 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 34 September 9, 2007 20:07:11 |
Okay, so I called back and talked to someone else and they said that they can order one, but they they don't have any in stock. Actually, he said that
they might have one, but maybe not, he wasn't sure if it was the pro series, but that it might be such and such a price. The guys there don't seem
very knowledgeable...at least not about Breedloves. Anway, I think I'm going to try the other GC near me my next day off.
Last Edited By: MIKE DARLEY September 9, 2007 20:19:51.
Edited 1 time.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
omegaman41658 |
#16 | |||
|
0M
Posts: 678 September 9, 2007 22:21:23 BGMF Founder "Fame is but a fruit tree" Nick Drake
|
MIKE! There's a beauty of a Northwest on our Buy Sell forum. Go get it.
It is priced right and it is stunning. You will never look back my friend. Billy seems like a super dude too. PM him for some scoop.
Northwest |
|||
|
|
||||
|
ragtime man |
#17 | |||
|
Concert
Posts: 917 September 10, 2007 09:34:55
Northwest Lounge
moderator |
BillyLyons wrote: You sure fit right in with this group. One more guitar please.
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
powerandwisdom |
#18 | |||
|
Gatekeeper Concert
Posts: 996 September 10, 2007 10:03:17
Guitar & Technique
moderator
|
ragtime man wrote: Amen brother.
Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a
fire. -William Butler Yeats
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
MIKE DARLEY |
#19 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 34 September 10, 2007 11:12:11 |
powerandwisdom wrote: I just point to all of the decor stuff around that house that we paid too much for. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
orygun39 |
#20 | |||
|
Parlor
Posts: 53 September 10, 2007 11:23:54 |
Neal, check her shoe closet....'nuff said!
|
|||
|
|
||||
The second had ebony tuner buttons & looked less "maple-like". On
the other hand, it's now been about 4 weeks since I was there, as I bought my Guild from Real Guitars, downtown Ft Myers 4 weeks ago tomorrow!
Never have
checked out "The Fleas". I have been going to the Lee Civic Center, first Sunday afternoon "Basically Bluegrass Concert & Pick In", of
the Acoustic Music Society, though.
