Let's say that there was this guy... Bob, we'll call him. Let's also say he
decided one day to order himself a Breedlove Cascade mandolin, but with some
upgrades. He liked natural finishes, but wanted something that looked a little
settled-in. So he ordered an upgraded aged-toner finish. He also liked gold
hardware, so he got the Monteleone tailpiece and tuning machines in gold finish.
Finally, he also decided an Ivoroid binding with a single strip of black purfling
would look better on this instrument than the standard black binding. That
was a great choice on Bob's part. Finally, Bob wanted this mandolin to sound
as good as it possibly could, so he paid yet more to have Masterclass voicing
performed by Kim Breedlove.
Bob sure sounds like he knows what he's doing, eh? But I am afraid Bob is
a figment of my imagination. But the story of how this mandolin truly came
to be is actually quite interesting all by itself. So I'll share!
This Cascade mandolin actually started out life as a Breedlove Rogue. As such,
it was personally voiced by Kim Breedlove, as are all Masterclass mandolins.
But after construction and assembly of the body, the new guy in the bindery
department had a little trouble getting the Walnut binding right, and in redressing
the binding slot after his first attempt, ended up making the slot a little
too wide for the binding. Plan B was enacted. Here is the thought process..
let's try some Ivoroid binding, and a classy little strip of purfling in there
instead. Works like a treat, and looks super. Great! But wait... now is this
a Rogue? Well, mostly. Let's get that Rogue neck on there next. Oh oh... that
walnut neck binding looks a bit odd next to the Ivoroid binding on the body.
Ok, no problem... we'll save that Rogue neck for another Rogue, and go with
a standard Cascade neck and this instrument can be a nicely upgraded Cascade
custom. But wait - the neck and the body are from different batches of Maple,
and are little bit off in color. Shoot! Well, no problem... work in a little
bit of aged toner, and we've got a beautiful Cascade Custom, with the stunning
tone that only Masterclass voicing delivers. Boy, Bob sure is going to be
happy.
And that's the story of how this mandolin came to be. But the truth is, it
doesn't need a story - it does not need a single thing. All it needs is to
be played and appreciated, and to play it will be to love it. It's awesome!
One of the best-sounding Breedlove mandolins I've ever heard. Actually, one
of the best-sounding mandolins I've heard, period. It somehow feels both new
and well-loved all at the same time, although it is mint and practically unplayed.
This instrument came straight from Breedlove to Imagine Guitars, and is covered
by a one year Tried and True Breedlove Warranty. Includes TKL premier hardshell
case as pictured.
