| The American history and development of Folk, | | | | Southern California they now operate from a |
| Blues and Country has always featured the | | | | 20,000 square ft facility in Bend, Oregon. |
| traditional flat top at its core. Although music | | | | From the outset the company chose not to |
| changes and develops the guitar seemingly alters | | | | replicate vintage designs but rather incorporate |
| very little. | | | | traditional tonewoods into some fairly radical |
| It would appear there is no appetite for unusual | | | | designs, the most significant being their bridge |
| or ground breaking design in the world of acoustic | | | | truss system (originally developed by JLD guitar |
| guitars. | | | | research and development). |
| The appearance of Ovation guitars in the 1970's | | | | The system suspended from the bridge plate |
| or Rainsong in the 1990's, brought aboutsynthetic | | | | uses a rod that pushes against the tail block and |
| materials, in truth these were and still are | | | | transfers torque and tension from the bridge to |
| extremely well built instruments. As eco-conscious | | | | the sides of the guitar. The purpose of this is to |
| as we are, most players still seem to prefer | | | | remove stress from the top, improve resonance, |
| classic designs in wood, based largely on Gibson | | | | and to enhance sustain and bass response. |
| and Martin. | | | | Breedlove now also produce a series of less |
| Breedlove is a USA based custom guitar builder of | | | | radical, vintage style acoustics produced both in |
| medium size that may have managed to strike | | | | the USA and Korea at all price levels. All in all the |
| the perfect balance between traditional guitar | | | | company seem to be able to combine innovative |
| building and innovatory design. | | | | designs with the traditional very successfully. This |
| The company was established 20 years ago and | | | | is borne out by the increasing number of artists |
| has grown from a two man operation to a | | | | now playing them e.g. Chris Hillman (Byrds, Desert |
| manufacturer of guitars and mandolins in two | | | | Rose Band), Jeff Tweedy etc. |
| countries across the price scale. Originally based in | | | | |