Expertly Handcrafted in Tumalo, Oregon

In the 1980’s Steve Henderson and Larry Breedlove befriended each other while working together at Taylor Guitars. In 1990 the decision was made to venture out on their own, and together they strived to build some of the nicest guitars in the world. Relocating to Oregon, the pair began building guitars, two a week, while at first, also contracting warranty repair work from the guitar company they had recently left. In order to make a living wage, their guitar production slowly rose to 3 a week. As the staff grew, their production numbers did too, though to this day they remain a small company in terms of what other companies are doing.

Combining very unique and characteristic aesthetics, from the offset headstock and the intricate inlay work, to some of the more adventurous body shapes, with unparalleled attention to tone the Breedlove Co. has succeeded in reaching their original goal, as these guitars certainly are some of the finest anywhere.

Through the years a few personnel changes occurred in the make-up of the company, as Larry’s brother, Kim Breedlove, moved to Oregon to join the force. Today, being the complete head of production, artistic designer, and master luthier, Kim Breedlove spent many years honing his craft. Working closely for years with Greg Deering, and then following Geoff Stelling when he moved from California to West Virginia, Breedlove spent years learning the finer points of building and inlay. As a master luthier for Stelling, he was responsible for designing and building the now-limited number of high-end Stelling mandolins.

Today, Larry Breedlove again works for his original employer in California, and Henderson is working on other projects. With the small staff based in a beautiful mountainous region of Oregon, rich with trout streams and beautiful drives, Kim Breedlove and company have taken this company to new heights with their beautiful guitars and mandolins.

One whack on even their least expensive mandolin will make any picker’s eyes widen. Then as one moves up the line to something like the McKenzie, a mandolin hand voiced and X-braced by Kim himself, it becomes apparent that these guys are on to something incredibly special. We have literally had people bring in some VERY high dollar mandos and put them head to head with just a basic Breedlove piece, and watched in amazement as the Breedlove outplayed, and offered superior tone and projection for much less of a price. With options like their unique K-shape, or O-shape, F-holes or an oval soundhole, different finishes, and electronic options like a Schertler or McIntire pickup, a player can get the right mando for ANY application. Features like the radius fretboard (like the great old Lyon and Healy mandolins), and all solid hand-carved fine tonewoods add up to make them some of the most desirable instruments available.

Their guitars are no different - remarkable in balance, feel, beauty and tone, they are definitely not a copy of any guitar you’ve ever played. Very unique and highly original in design and construction, their characteristic warm and full-bodied voice is just the right fit for fingerpickers, singer-songwriters, bluegrassers, acoustic rockers, and (the most popular variety) living room pickers. Sporting such design features as the JLD Bridge Truss system (giving prolonged stability so the luthiers have the ability to brace their guitars more optimally for a full voice), and a repositioned soundhole, Breedlove pioneers new approaches, and makes use of recent developments in building practices.

We believe the finest guitars in the world are being built today – with years and years of hindsight, insight, information, as well as improved skills and technology, it only makes sense. Breedlove and their guitars stand testament to this fact as they are a big leader and building some of the finest instruments to date.

In the phrase “musical instrument” the real key word is “instrument” - meaning a guitar, mandolin, banjo or whatever must be made firstly to sound great, but it must function, play in tune, be easy to work with and do work on, be built to last, and easy to milk for maximum performance. Like all of the instruments we carry Breedlove fits this description, but as all of these instruments come through our doors we scrutinize them. They are inspected, tested and graded, and only the finest of instruments will go on our wall. Many people have different ideas on how a guitar should be set up, playability-wise, and most of our guitars are set up different ways, to accommodate the wealth of different guitar lovers that come in here, but when you find the guitar you love, we will set it up however you desire at no cost to you.

Exciting us even more about Breedlove has been the addition of the Atlas series to their lineup. When they recently began offering new inexpensive guitars (starting under $400) with an amazing high dollar sound and feel, we were just left scratching our heads at how it was possible. Truly remarkable for the money, these guitars should be a great thing for the music world. In years to come we’re going to see more and more people playing their great stuff, and with their entry into the inexpensive market, anyone can take home the right one for a great price. Play one and see for yourself.

Website: http://www.breedloveguitars.com