Breedlove Guitars
Breedlove Guitars is an American company based in Bend, Oregon that specializes in custom, fingerstyle guitars.
History and background
Breedlove Guitars was established in 1990 by luthiers Larry Breedlove and Steve Henderson, while working at Taylor Guitars. After moving to Oregon, Breedlove and Henderson began specializing in custom, fingerstyle six and twelve string guitars. In 1991 the first Breedlove guitar model appeared, after experiments with the JLD bridge truss system and various bracing techniques. At the 1992 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade, Breedlove and Henderson unveiled five models and three body types. [1] Around 1994, Larry's brother, Kim Breedlove, joined Larry and Steve as a master craftsman. Breedlove strives to be environmentally conscious, and is "dedicated to selecting alternatives to endangered rainforest woods."[2] Breedlove has since expanded to include mandolins and ukuleles.
Breedlove innovations include sound profiling technology, which has been implemented to twenty five guitar models, including the Parlor, Concerto, and Dreadnought. This technology involves an analysis of the sound board to ensure specific thickness reaches the desired frequency and that the ideal match of top and back is a weight that results in a precise sound meeting a high clarity standard. Other innovations include the use of smaller sound hole studies to produce guitars with extreme clarity and resonance.[3]
Models
Guitar models currently include the Exotic Series, Masterclass Series, Legacy Series, Premier Series, Oregon Series, Stage Series, Studio Series, Solo Series, Passport Series, Pursuit Series, and Discovery Series, as well as 12-string models and Bass models, and Limited edition and Signature Models. The Voice series, reviewed by Guitar Player in 2012, was praised for the quality of construction and various innovative elements, including a "Tru-Voice Electronics System" which, according to Dave Hunter, "for live performance ... comes closer to a seamless acoustic-to-amplified transition than virtually any other flat-top I've played."[4]
Mandolin models currently include the Master Class, Premier Mandolins and American Series.
Ukulele models currently include Tenor ukulele, and the American Tenor ukulele.
See also
Notes
- ↑ "Breedlove at AMS". American Musical Supply. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
- ↑ "History". breedlovemusic.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04.
- ↑ "Breedlove at AMS". American Musical Supply. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
- ↑ Hunter, Dave (October 2012). "Breedlove Voice Series CM, Concert, and Auditorium Acoustic Guitars". Guitar Player. pp. 122–26.
References
- Gerken, Teja. "Breedlove Guitars Profile". Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
- Paul, Gayla Drake. "Breedlove American Series C20 Acoustic Guitar Review". Premier Guitar.
External links
- Official website
- Larry Breedlove talks about the love of his craft NAMM Oral History Interview (2012)
- Kim Breedlove reflects on his role in building the business NAMM Oral History Interview (2012)
- Crazy Pete Newport NAMM Oral History Interview (2010)