This 1996 Breedlove C15 sports some really nice appointments, and has been
nicely played-in. A Western Red Cedar Top is paired with Koa on the back and
sides, and a Koa rosette and peghead overlay tie things together nicely. This
is all complemented by a Master Class binding of Rosewood (note the tapered
tail stripe and bound neck), accented crisply with top, side and back purfling.
This C15 also has a somewhat rare upgrade - an extended fingerboard that is
contoured to follow the soundhole, rather than the normal square end. The
fingerboard itself is blank. The top edge of the fingerboard binding is slightly
rounded, giving it a nicely finished appearance that also happens to make
it very comfortable to play. The neck is finished with a higher, thicker gloss
finish than Breedlove is currently using, and to my knowledge this was not
common in 1996 either. But the result is a really sleek, fast neck - very
cool!
This instrument is in excellent condition. There are three dings in the headstock,
on the front side edges. Also, there is a rough patch of finish on the side,
right on top of the lower bass side bout, and also a small section on the
top of the guitar - basically the area where your arm would sit. There's no
visible sign - just a patch you can feel that's a little rough, the likely
result of friction over the guitar's lifetime, or possibly from someone putting
it away after a perspiration-inducing session without wiping it first. I expect
that this could be buffed smooth pretty easily - there's an automotive finishing
compound that's excellent for this sort of thing. I might have a go myself
if I get time this week. Contact me for more information on this.
This is a decked-out Breedlove, and yet the combination of features makes
for a crisp and very tastefully appointed guitar. Includes a Fishman Matrix
Natural 1 pick-up and neck strap button, both installed. Also includes the
original Breedlove hardshell case, which shows a few cosmetic scrapes and
some mildly tarnished buckles, but is structurally rock-solid (I would never
ship a guitar in anything less.)
