nickhy - Posted - 08/31/2014:  12:00:30

I'm seriously considering a Breedlove OF and have concerns about their bolt on neck joint rather than the dovetail

joint on my KM250  and most other makes.  What do ya'll think of Breedlove and the neck joint?

jazzrambler - Posted - 09/02/2014:  16:32:54

I had one, loved it. I only sold it to buy a Dobro. I reviewed in in the reviews. Can't say anything bad about it. It was a much better mando than I am a player. Years of playing other instruments leads me to no longer worry about bolt on vs. dovetails, especially from a company like Breedlove.

DHopkins - Posted - 09/02/2014:  17:12:15

I own two Breedloves (Quartz FF and Legacy FF). I love them both. The workmanship is impeccable and both have great intonation and playability. I regularly use the Legacy at every gig. The Quartz is a backup.



You can't go wrong with a Breedlove.

(That picture of me is NOT with a Breedlove.  It was part of a hastily-scheduled photo session for the band and I had to use a friend's mandolin since I didn't have mine with me.)

Edited by - DHopkins on 09/02/2014 17:14:48

nickhy - Posted - 09/03/2014:  06:03:05

thanks a lot

kenny boy - Posted - 09/05/2014:  18:05:39

breedlove durable . miss the one I sold too cheap.

TI_USER - Posted - 09/05/2014:  20:10:30

I owned a 2006 Breedlove Quartz OF for 6 years. I really loved that mandolin. It was loud, had a beautiful tone with the flat wound strings I use, and had the easiest playability of any mandolin I've owned.  I wouldn't worry so much about the bolt on neck joint.  They have a proven track record of reliability. I have never heard of a problem related to the neck joint. It's just a different method, which I happen to like better.  Several other makers have used this method with much success.  Breedlove makes a fine instrument. The JBovier that I now have is also one heck of a good mandolin, but I wish I had been able to keep the Breedlove as well.

TI_USER - Posted - 09/06/2014:  03:34:49

I forgot to mention that I have a friend that has several mandolins, including a very good Gibson F5G.  He also has a Breedlove Quartz FF and used that as his main mandolin over the Gibson.  That's how much he likes the Breedlove.

I should also mention that I play in a band with a guy that liked my Bredlove so much that he bought a used Quartz Of, just like mine.  It had nowhere near the tone that mine had, so, just as with any maker, you can get a dud.  My point is, though, that I wouldn't make a decision based on the neck joint method. 

Edited by - TI_USER on 09/06/2014 03:39:32

SteveZ - Posted - 09/06/2014:  06:26:29

There are difference in Breedlove's Crossover series (China import) and the Legacy and Premier (made in USA) models from a build-materials point - laminated back and sides being the big one. Would like to put the import and domestic side-by-side. Would also like to know if the imports first go to Bend, OR for a Breedlove USA quality check and set-up or are drop-shipped directly to the retailer. Sone retailers do very good set-up work, while others are marginal or simply sell "box containing mandolin-like item."





 

Edited by - SteveZ on 09/06/2014 06:27:00

SteveZ - Posted - 09/06/2014:  08:57:09

As a side note, the Breedlove OF at one time was a "made in USA" instrument and priced accordingly.  The China imports, if memory serves me right, started coming over sometime in early 2013 and also priced accordingly.  Don't remember if the OF-USA also had laminate back-sides or if that's something new with the imports.

TI_USER - Posted - 09/07/2014:  05:54:11

quote:

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Originally posted by SteveZ

 

As a side note, the Breedlove OF at one time was a "made in USA" instrument and priced accordingly.  The China imports, if memory serves me right, started coming over sometime in early 2013 and also priced accordingly.  Don't remember if the OF-USA also had laminate back-sides or if that's something new with the imports.

---

The USA made Breedlove mandolins are all solid woods and are all beautifully made.  I heard a sound clip of one of the Crossover OF models made in China. All I can say is that, laminate woods or not, the tone from that clip is excellent.  One thing I don't like about either the US or China made mandolins is the change in the headstock design. That is one of the unique design features that I really liked before.

jazzrambler - Posted - 09/07/2014:  07:12:45

I miss my Breedlove. It was a USA, sounded good. As a personal note, the headstock design always bothered me. I guess I have a need for symmetry. I playing a Kentucky KM-174 now. It's fine for me, but someday I'd like to upgrade.