is this a good acoustic? opinions please.

[guitarkid∞]

i was at guitar center today and was looking at twelve strings for my birthday( its in 6 months, but still )

 

and i came across this:

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Breedlove-Atlas-AC250SM-12String-Concert-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=512417

 

 

feels amazing, sounds very big and great tone.

 

anyone know about these or breedlove in general?

 

its 800, so it cant be terrible.

 

opinions?

 

i really like it, but im just wondering what you guys think.

[Hudman]

I played a few Breedloves. They are nice guitars.

 

Unfortunately, I never played that model before because I'm not a fan of 12 string guitars. I can't remember the last time I played a 12 string.

[DonK]

I've played a few of the Breedlove Atlas 6-string models and have been impressed. I'm with Hud on the 12-string thing, though. I had one many years ago; to me it was a cool novelty, but that's too many strings to keep in tune I know there are a few players like Leo Kottke and Robert Lockwood who've done great things with a 12-string, but most guys seem to just end up strumming them.

[Hudman]

 

I've played a few of the Breedlove Atlas 6-string models and have been impressed. I'm with Hud on the 12-string thing, though. I had one many years ago; to me it was a cool novelty, but that's too many strings to keep in tune I know there are a few players like Leo Kottke and Robert Lockwood who've done great things with a 12-string, but most guys seem to just end up strumming them.

 

 

"Novelty" is the word that came to mind for me too. That's what they are in my hands.

 

Some people love them. Terry Allen Hall is a big 12 string fan.

[guitarkid∞]

i dont know, i mean its a unique sound, at least to me.

 

and chords sound SO full and amazing on it.

 

and melodies and little riffs sound very....different and interesting.

 

im not sure.

 

i definitally like it, but i may end up getting a 6-string in the same price range.

[DonK]

 

i dont know, i mean its a unique sound, at least to me. and chords sound SO full and amazing on it. and melodies and little riffs sound very....different and interesting. im not sure. i definitally like it, but i may end up getting a 6-string in the same price range.

 

 

Your reaction is the same as the one I had that led me to purchase one. You get a big, full, jangly sound that's great for folk accompaniment. It takes a lot of work to pull something more than simple strumming out of a twelve, though. So once I got tired of the jangly folk chord thing - which took about two weeks - I decided that incessantly fiddling with tuning knobs wasn't my cup of tea. I don't want to discourage you from getting a 12, but would just advise you to really think it through before you commit scarce resources to a guitar you might end up playing a lot less than you expect.

[T0MCAT]

I like the Breedlove Atlas series (the six stringers I played anyway). They sound nice, and feel really solid, and that concert cutaway looks really cool.

[guitarkid∞]

thanks donK. ill be thinking about it for a while.

 

maybe just the 6-string version of the same guitar?

 

i gotta try that one out.

[BlackCustom]

I saw this thread and had to pick up my Taylor 355. Well, yes it's jangly and I do a lot of strumming on it. But I do play it, and it often makes it way onto recordings with my other acoustics giving a wonderful conterpoint.

 

I love my 12 string, but I have 7 other guitars (including the bass on order)...

[Cripes]

I own a Breedlove and have played many of them. I've played their 12 string models and thought they were pretty good. I play fingerstyle and found them typical for 12 playability. One thing I don't know is anything about their durability. One thing favorable with Breedlove is their factory installed internal bridge support device, aka Bridge Doctor, making the idea of top bellying controllable on their guitars, generally speaking.

 

Otherwise, if I was to buy a 12 myself I would consider this guitar, a Taylor 355 or any model of a pre-Fender Guild. I haven't read any critiques or testimonials on this forum in the recent past about Breedlove's 12 string guitars. However, for that money and knowing the construction of the guitar I would consider it a pretty safe choice.

[J.]

I wonder if the JLD Bridge system in the Breedlove would help fight the bellied tops that are so common in 12 strings (6 strings too).

[Clif Schlicher]

 

I wonder if the JLD Bridge system in the Breedlove would help fight the bellied tops that are so common in 12 strings (6 strings too).

 

 

No doubt about it. That's what the JLD Bridge Truss System, AKA 'Bridge Doctor" is all about. It will bring a bellied top right back in line, but take it slow. Not only that, it also puts the sound back in the guitar.

 

Some luthiers say that to install one during constuction is a sign of poor design or construction, but in the case of Breedlove the idea is to allow thinner tops and bracing and is an integral part of the design. Makes sense to me.

 

I have played both the Atlas and a couple of true Breedlove 12's. I didn't like the Atlas but the Breedlove..............DROOOOLLLL. But Lord they're proud of 'em! When I can take afford the Breedlove's Extraordinary Experience in Bend, OR, I might go for one.

[kwakatak]

No doubt about it. That's what the JLD Bridge Truss System, AKA 'Bridge Doctor" is all about. It will bring a bellied top right back in line, but take it slow. Not only that, it also puts the sound back in the guitar. Some luthiers say that to install one during constuction is a sign of poor design or construction, but in the case of Breedlove the idea is to allow thinner tops and bracing and is an integral part of the design. Makes sense to me. I have played both the Atlas and a couple of true Breedlove 12's. I didn't like the Atlas but the Breedlove..............DROOOOLLLL. But Lord they're proud of 'em! When I can take afford the Breedlove's Extraordinary Experience in Bend, OR, I might go for one.

 

+1

 

I installed one in my Takamine F-360 precisely because the top was bellying and the bridge was lifting. Even though I overcranked the mounting screw and split the bridge along the grain everything seems to actually be even more solid. The tone is also greatly improved IMO.

 

Just for curiosity's sake I tried out an Atlas AD25/SR+ which turned out to be very similar so I can definitely vouch that the JLD does indeed improve the tone.