#Breedlove serial number lookup serial numbers
#Breedlove serial number lookup series

It should also be noted that historically Martins hold their resale values better than the Breedloves. If the modified V neck isn't an issue, you like the incomparable tone, and it's within your budget, then a Martin hog OM is a more satisfying long-term choice. Weird-looking Micarta drop in saddle, no cloth strip covering X-bracing's intersection.įinal Recommendation: IMHO, the Martin OM-18V and OM-18GE remain the standard by which all hog OMs are to be judged. Low points: More expensive than an OM-18V, but I take into account the fact that Breedlove's Custom Shop guitars are fewer and farther in between compared to Martin.

A grade of B for tone compared to the OM-18V (no equal IMHO). The dreadnought is far more popular with Breedlove and Martin dealers than their respective OMs and 000s.įinal Grades: Breedlove receives an A+ for construction, materials, fit and finish, neck profile, and a bold design departure in a crowded (some would say oversaturated) acoustic guitar market.

#Breedlove serial number lookup serial numbers

That's an issue Martin doesn't deal with since their Navajoa, Mexico imported models remain (thank goodness) a small fraction of serial numbers assigned out of good old Nazareth USA.

#Breedlove serial number lookup series

I found most of the Atlases I've played to be overbuilt, overpriced and uninspiring tonewise (all Atlas models have laminated back and sides), but as they say in the online world 'YMMV.' It's sad that the Atlas series dominates a Breedlove dealer's inventory so much that you develop a very distorted or inaccurate picture of Breedlove's company image and reputation. A shame, for there is no comparison between the two. However, they are far better known to the guitar-buying public for their less expensive Korean-made Atlas series. Many of the recent photos and design changes on Breedlove's website are to his credit.Īs of 2006, Breedlove was making about 1,000 Custom Shop guitars per year. Some of you may know David as the former owner of Imagine Guitars and as a gifted photographer. He would only say 'very few' OM-Ms were made compared to other Revivals.

Jayson was responsible for the Revival Series development, a bold departure from Kim Breedlove's radically designed Master Class series.īreedlove's David Ingram in Marketing Communications was gracious to provide me the exact date the serial number was assigned (Breedlove passed 10,000 in 2007) but refused to divulge a production total for standard OM-Ms made in 2006 (Martin produced 118 OM-18Vs that year). The Revival Series are made by a team of 35 craftspeople headed by Master Luthier Jayson Bowerman in Breedlove's Custom Shop, located in Bend, Oregon. The Grover Sta-tite 18:1 tuners turn smoothly and stay in tune -much better than the standard Martin Gotohs - but both lack the seamless finish quality of the more expensive Waverlys. I love the Breedlove Revival neck profile, a very comfortable compromise between Martin's moderate low oval and modified V. You just can't out-Martin a Martin! The very weird looking unslotted drop in Micarta saddle (Revival owners will know what I'm talking about) attenuates the trebles a little too much for my taste but works OK for the mids and bass. Breedlove Revivals have graduated thickness tops - thicker in the middle and thinner on the outside, which in combination with the scalloped braces makes for a very lively and balanced tone across the strings.Īfter nearly a year, my standard OM-M (2006) is slowly losing favor to my recently acquired 'Holy Grail' Martin OM-18V (2004). Deluxe models have Red Spruce (Adi) tops and forward shifted X scalloped braces, nitrocellulose lacquer finish, bone nut and saddle.įor those unfamiliar with the Breedlove Revival Series, it is this forward-thinking company's unique interpretation of the pre-war, 'Golden Era' Martins. Standard models have a Sitka spruce top and forward shiifted scalloped X braces and a handrubbed French Polish finish, Micarta nut and saddle. How do you compare the Breedlove to your ownership of Martin, Taylor, Collings, Santa Cruz, etc.? I would be interested to hear from other UMGF members who own or formerly owned the following mahogany and rosewood Breedlove Revival Series models, Standard and Deluxe: