Breedlove Crossover OF Sitka Spruce/Maple Mandolin Natural

Features

UNIQUELY BREEDLOVE

In 1973, while on a surf trip, Kim Breedlove visited the town of Paracho, Mexico looking to buy a mandolin. He got the mandolin and a lot more: In that little town bustling with gifted luthiers, Kim realized he wanted to spend his life pursuing the craft of luthiery. For 40 years, mandolins have been Kim’s passion, so as you can imagine, they’re a very special part of the Breedlove collection. Kim has never been one to imitate or follow convention, and as a result, there is nothing ordinary about Breedlove mandolins.

Kim has spent decades applying his creativity and expertise to the traditional mandolin form, and has fine-tuned the 2014 models to deliver balance, tonal clarity, and fullness of sound. These instruments deliver an experience and a sound that is uniquely Breedlove: They offer a contemporary aesthetic, they’re remarkably easy to play, and they embody distinctively crafted sound, all while staying true to the spirit of the mandolin.

BODY SHAPE

The O body is Breedlove’s version of the revered and time-honored teardrop shape. This compact shape has slightly less internal spatial volume than the K and F bodies, yielding very clear, distinct notes. Comfortable and accessible, this is the ideal everyday mando shape. It plays beautifully and delivers on the Breedlove promise of distinctively crafted sound, making it the ideal utilitarian mandolin with a little extra flair found only in Breedlove instruments.

TOP WOOD

Sitka spruce, picea sitchensis, originates in the northwest United States. Sitka spruce has been the primary top wood for American-made instruments for decades. It is strong and light with extended harmonic content, and it nearly equals the power of Adirondack. It offers a strong, focused tone with a solid fundamental -- perfect for flatpicking styles. When compared with European spruce, Sitka delivers warmer, more fundamental sound, largely free of overtones. Sitka takes a slightly longer period of playing time to open up. It has a straight uniform grain and coloration ranges from white to pink to light brown.

BAND AND SIDE WOOD

Maple is great for standing out among other instruments. With a powerful fundamental and even harmonics, it is clear and present, but without pronounced peaks and valleys in the harmonic content.

SET-UP IN BEND, OR

Our comprehensive quality control process provides the player with an instrument that will play perfectly right out of the box. Prior to shipment, every Breedlove instrument undergoes a rigorous 25-to-30-point inspection in Bend, Oregon by our expert U.S. quality control team. We start with a visual inspection: checking aesthetic and structural elements of the body and components for flaws. Next, each guitar is tuned and undergoes a play test, where our craftspeople check nut height, relief, action, and string height. Based on the results of the play test, we then adjust for maximum playability. Finally, each instrument is buffed and polished by hand with painstaking attention to detail. Once the instrument has passed inspection, a signed QC sticker is placed, and the instrument is carefully packed and shipped.

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

Breedlove players around the world can attest: With consistent, proper care, your Breedlove will give you a lifetime of service – and inspiration. New Breedlove instruments, purchased through an authorized Breedlove dealer, are warrantied to be free of defects in materials and workmanship throughout the lifetime of the original owner. In addition to materials and workmanship, Breedlove offers a two-year warranty on tuning machines and electronics packages. Cases and bags are subject to a one-year warranty covering defects in structure and hardware.