Oh my word... if you're on the hunt for a Breedlove twelve-string, prick your
ears up right now, because this is a very special one. Here's a fantastic
Breedlove C20-12, with top-notch appointments and a fantastic tone. First,
there's a gorgeous Redwood top to take in. It's definitely what you'll notice
first when you open the plush hardshell case that keeps this beauty safe and
sound. The Redwood is framed by a Herringbone top purfling, and a rich Masterclass
Bloodwood binding. Frankly, I couldn't imagine this guitar being bound with
anything BUT Bloodwood - a perfect boundary between the rich Redwood top and
warm Mahogany back and sides. The overall effect is opulence in crimson -
a work of art, but an inviting one.
And if this is indeed one of the best-looking Breedlove 12-strings I've ever
seen (it is), you might expect that it is also one of the best-sounding Breedlove
twelve strings I've seen. And it
is.
Breedlove's concert body size never fails to amaze - I am always taken aback
at the amount of sound that comes out of such a modestly sized guitar. While
this particular instrument is not the loudest Breedlove twelve I've had the
pleasure of playing (that honour must go to the Breedlove jumbo twelve string),
but it is the warmest, most harmonically complex twelve I've put my hands
on. That's due in no small part to that Redwood top - even warmer and more
open than Cedar in most cases, Redwood is as distinctive tonally as it is
visually. String-to-string balance is excellent. Bass notes ring strongly,
and trebles shimmer alone or in chorus, giving a very full, very satisfying
overall sound. Just super!
This guitar was originally built as a special/custom-order piece. The customer
was ultimately not able to complete the deal, however, and the instrument
was returned to Breedlove by the ordering dealer.
