The New Era of Breedlove Guitars
The sale of Breedlove and Bedell by Tom Bedell last year signified a pivotal transition that began in 2010 when his Two Old Hippies company acquired Breedlove as a complementary brand to his own acoustic guitars. The new proprietors, Nashville’s Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard, are on a mission to redefine Breedlove’s image as a top-tier brand, distinct from the Bedell line.
To initiate this conversion, they have revamped Breedlove’s entire production lineup, now categorized into three distinct series: Roots, Artisan, and Collector. Notably, they have eliminated overseas manufacturing; every instrument is now crafted in Bend, Oregon, USA.
Exploring the Roots Series
The Roots Series serves as the foundation of the lineup, featuring essential specifications. Artisan represents the next level, while the Collector Series is the premium offering. Pricing for the Roots Series aligns with core offerings from other leading American brands, with higher prices for the more elaborate series. I opted to review the RTC-SRe acoustic-electric model, as the Roots Series is likely to attract the majority of players. The Concert model, a mid-sized acoustic, has long been Breedlove’s signature body style.
Design and Features
According to Pollard, “Our Concert body has become iconic because it simply works for everyone.Its agreeable, incredibly versatile, and delivers a balanced voice that players adore across genres. From fingerstyle to full-band strumming, it’s consistently one of our most popular shapes – and for good reason.”
the Roots Concert SRe under review is the flagship of the Roots Series, featuring a classic combination of solid East Indian rosewood for the back and sides, paired with a solid sitka spruce top. The neck, crafted from Honduran mahogany, showcases a newly designed soft-C profile. Equipped with an L.R. Baggs HiFi pickup and preamp system, it’s ready for both stage and studio use. I had the opportunity to play one at the NAMM Show launch and was captivated by the new guitar, ownership, and business strategy.
Comparative Analysis
For comparison, I had access to an Oregon Concert made entirely of myrtlewood from 2018, and the differences were immediately apparent in feel and sound. The most noticeable update is the new Wave headstock design,which is more balanced than the previous angular shape.Additionally,the logo inlay now features a script capital B,reminiscent of early Breedlove models,rather than the full name.
The feel of the Roots Concert is lighter, with seemingly less binding and possibly lighter bracing. While the Oregon Concert feels robust, the Roots Concert has a more boutique quality.
Playability and Tone
the modern C neck profile is exceptionally comfortable, providing a seamless transition from the bottom to the top. I encountered no sharp fret edges or distractions, and every note resonates beautifully. Whether fingerpicking or strumming with a pick, the factory action is perfectly set, allowing for effortless playability.
In terms of sound, the Roots RTC-SRe is both rich and resonant. While it may not be as loud as the Oregon model, it offers a refined tonal quality.The balance from low to high frequencies is extraordinary, with a delightful articulation that complements its warmth. The sound is complex, with the fundamental note blooming into overtones and sustaining beautifully.
Handcrafted Quality
Each Breedlove guitar is meticulously voiced by hand and comes with a certificate of authenticity detailing its nomenclature: RTC signifies Roots Concert, SR indicates a Sitka spruce top with East Indian rosewood back and sides, and the ‘e’ denotes onboard electronics.
Interestingly, the top resonates at a frequency of 174 Hz, while the back resonates at 218 Hz, with a fundamental frequency of 101 Hz. This means the top’s resonant frequency aligns closely with an open G string, while the back’s slightly higher frequency enhances articulation.
Electronics and Performance
The fundamental frequency, often referred to as “main air” or “main Helmholtz resonance,” is the frequency at which the air inside the guitar resonates, primarily produced by the sound hole. A frequency of 101 Hz falls between the low G and A on the sixth string, indicating a robust low end, especially for a mid-sized guitar.
Notably, the electronics system features an L.R. Baggs HiFi, which utilizes a pair of transducers mounted beneath the bridge plate, as opposed to the conventional piezo under-saddle pickup. While the output may not be as loud or punchy as an undersaddle, it avoids the typical piezo quack, producing a sound more akin to that of a microphone.
Having extensive experience with the HiFi system, I find it less suited for rock band settings but delightful for solo performances in intimate venues. Rolling off a bit of treble yielded the best tone, and percussive players will appreciate the HiFi’s responsiveness to string slapping and tapping on the guitar top.
Final Thoughts
Breedlove is in capable hands. While the guitar’s appearance may not be extravagant, the wood is stunning, and the pin-less African ebony bridge enhances its classic look. Most importantly, the Roots Concert stands out as the finest-playing and sounding guitar Breedlove has produced in over a decade of my acoustic reviews. I eagerly anticipate hearing more feedback and discovering what else is in store as the new era unfolds “from seed to song” at Breedlove.
Watch On
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTACT breedloveguitars.com
PRICE $2,999 with deluxe hardshell case
NUT WIDTH 1.75″, bone
NECK Honduran mahogany, bolt-on, soft C profile
FRETBOARD Ebony, small center dot inlays, 25.5″ scale
FRETS 20
TUNERS Nickel
BODY Solid Indian rosewood back & sides, solid Sitka spruce top, natural finish with vintage toner gloss, black binding
BRIDGE ebony, pinless
ELECTRONICS L.R. Baggs HiFi with volume and tone controls
FACTORY STRINGS elixir PB Nanoweb Light
WEIGHT 4.6 lbs
BUILT USA
PROS Comfortable neck profile, warm yet articulate tone, fine craftsmanship, gorgeous wood
CONS Pickup volume is quiet and may not suit all preferences. Options would be beneficial.
