Musicians are always curious about the differences in build styles of various brands and the resulting assortment of sounds and playing experiences. Breedlove has mastered the playing dynamics and full room sound of the acoustic 12-string. It is one of Breedlove’s “Best At” instruments.
How do we create a 12-string that's easier to play than most other instruments? With several unique design and construction innovations.
- Breedlove installs our Breedlove Bridge Truss System in every 12-string. The end block in the guitar leverages pressure on the back of the Delta Bridge pulling it forward and down – relieving much of the pressure on the instrument top. In other words, the enormous pull of the strings from the nut to the bridge saddle are countered by the Breedlove Bridge Truss lessening the amount of force. This accomplishes several dynamics:
1. It reduces the amount of tension in the strings making it easier to press the strings against the frets. You can play bar chords on the Breedlove Legacy 12-string far more easily than any other brand.
2. With reduced string tension there is no need to tune the guitar down to a “D” as is recommended by some other makers.
3. With this reduced pull on the soundboard, the tone top will resonate longer building that beautiful crescendo of sound that is the role of a 12-string.
- The asymmetrical shape of the headstock allows all 12 of the strings to approach the nut at a straight angle. This avoids the variability in tension that results when the strings come off the tuning pegs at different angles.
- The neck profile is thinner in the back making the 1 7/8 inch nut width far more comfortable to play. Other brands either build too narrow a nut width making it difficult to pick and play fingerstyle or design the necks too fat to add extra strength, making the instrument harder to play.
- The pinless Delta pinless bridge make string changes more manageable. Restringing a guitar with 12 pins can be tedious, and you never need worry about losing or breaking a pin with the Legacy 12-string.
- Breedlove’s Legacy 12-string is crafted with a salvaged Sitka spruce top. The unique strength to weight ratio of the Sitka used enables the top to stand up to furious strumming and pick playing while still being responsive to fingerstyle licks. But we go the extra mile. The tops are sanded slightly thinner on the bass side accommodating the lower energy bass tones for amazing balance with the higher energy treble tones.
- The back and sides are crafted with highly figured Western bigleaf maple. This very dense wood is ideal for creating the profound energy expected from a high-performance 12-string.
- Finally, the Legacy 12-string is built on the Breedlove Auditorium platform. This larger body, especially in the lower bout, provides more volume for the air to move and the big sound to be generated.
The Breedlove Legacy 12-string is a masterful instrument, easier to play, easier to change strings, and easier to fill the room with sound.
Artist who play: Ed Roland (Collective Soul): See & hear the instrument in action with their new music video for “AYTA”
