[Teddy Madison]

OK, so I posted here a few days ago that I was looking at an Epiphone AJ200SCE. Well... I'm going to have a bit more to spend so now I'm looking at the Breedlove AD20SM.

Anyone have any opinions on this one? I love the sound and that's what really matters but I like to get others thoughts as well...

Wayne

[allthumbs]

I have heard good things about Breedloves.
Here are some reviews.
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...D200_SM-1.html

[mcollett]

Hello Wayne,
I bought the AD200 last Christmas. The guitar is very nice and everyone who plays it thinks it has a nice tone too.
The shop I bought my from had a few so I played them all and took the one I liked best.
Here is my only thought that could be called negative. The nut is 1 11/16" wide. If you have bigger hands, like me, it can get a little tight. The only way you can get a 1 3/4" nut is to go to the US made models at about $2500 clams. I e-mailed Breedlove and ask them and that was their response.
So: love the look (understated), the sound and the response from the home office was one working day. I couldn't find a guitar that sounded so light and bright for anywhere near the money. Most others sounded dull to me.
My next accoustic will most likely be a Larrivee model set up for fingerstyle, but that will be a few years away. Figure 2 - 3 x's the cash of the Breedlove but sweet.
ALSO! I would definately look at the AC200 if your looking at fingerpicking with the guitar sitting on your lap like a classical type guitar. The shape feels noticably better.
Best of luck and I know you will like the Breedlove.
Mike in Cincy.

[timba33]

Hi Wayne,

I was looking at the AD20/SM also, and after playing it, and a bunch of others, like the comparable Martin's and washburns (well, same general price range, I guess), I thought it sounded just as good - had some nice tones. But, after spending about 2 hours doodling around with many guitars, I found myself going back and forth between the SM and the next step up, the Breedlove AD20/SR (Solid Rosewood back instead of Mahogony). The AD20/SM had a bit brighter sound than the AD20/SR. The SR sounded fuller and a bit louder. Bought the AD20/SR a month ago. Ended up spending more than my plan, but isn't that what always happens to most of you?

Breedloves seemed to have the best bang for the buck out there in that price range. They may be a bit heavier than others because of that truss system on the inside. Mine seems heavier than the cheapo Rogue I was playing.

As far as this newbie (3 months) is concerned, it sounds great, looks great, stays in tune for weeks, and keeps me playing !!

If you haven't already, Go out and try them and lots of others. Last year my son thought he wanted an Epiphone G400 (SG model), so we went to Guitar center and checked it out. Wasn't as nice as we thought. Dodgy quality and it looked cheap. He ended up with a much nicer Schecter for the same price.

Good luck !
-Tim