Breedlove atlas series AD20/SM.(Gear)

Publication: Guitar Player

Publication Date: 01-SEP-04

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Miller Freeman Publications

Kim Breedlove has built an enviable reputation for his innovative, snazzy-looking 6-and 12-string flat-tops, nylon-string concert guitars, and mandolins. His non-traditional body shapes--and penchant for exotic and alternative woods--attract progressive players, and his forward-thinking designs yield bold, punchy tones and massive sustain. A boutique Breedlove typically costs between $2,500 and $8,000, so, until recently, only the well-heeled could afford one.

But that has changed with the company's new Atlas Series--a line of Korean-made steel-strings. Boasting solid-wood construction, and featuring many of Breedlove's key designs, these guitars are priced within the grasp of working stiffs like you and me. To see how these imports perform, we tested an AD20/SM--a versatile, wide-body dread-nought that should have equal appeal to pickers and writers.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

With its solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, the AD20/SM is made from the same materials as a venerable Martin D-18. However, the similarities end there. Measuring 4 3/4" deep, the body is a tad shallower than a typical dreadnought, but its lower bout stretches to...

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