Breedlove Guitars AD20/SR

This is a pretty standard acoustic guitar, but seems to offer a great value for the money. The finish is great, the tuners are high quality, the trim work on the body and in the neck is really nice, and the overall feel of the guitar is one of quality. I hate that they use the strange shape on the head and wish they had stuck with a standard design, but it's of minimal concern overall.

I play a little bit of everything from really basic tunes with power chords to folk with full rich chords and finger picking styles. The guitar accomodates any style of playing I have been able to play on it. The sound is full with good, but not overwhelming base. It has good crisp mids and highs without any of the tinny sound I was hearing out of guitars in the same price range. I definitely think this is the best sound I could get out of anything less than $1500 in the shop.

The guitar was as well set up as they ever seem to be. I've adjusted the action down, but I've done that on every guitar I've purchased. I've read complaints about the location of the adjustments on these Breedlove guitars, but can't say I agree. The adjustment is inside the sound hole toward the back under the bridge/saddle. This does make it a little less convenient to adjust, but it works just as well and seems like the smarter design since it seems to me that it would keep the body of the guitar nice and straight at the bridge/saddle where most guitars tend to pull in towards the sound hole and bubble out behind the bridge/saddle over time. I guess only time will tell.

It's hard to judge this on a new guitar, but the overall feel of the guitar is good. It really does seem sturdy and well built. I don't care much for the pick gaurd.

I have no idea since I haven't had to contact them.

It seems like this guitar is a pretty good bargain. I was able to get an exceptionally nice hard case also made by Breedlove for $100 and that makes this set up an awfully nice set up for the price. Like I said, I really didn't like any of the other guitars in the price range including some slightly more expensive Martins, Taylors, and a used Gibson. I had to look at guitars more than double the price to find any that sounded and felt any better.

Its a 2004 AD20/SR Plus. Solid Rosewood sides and back. Solid Spruce Top. No Electronics. Lots of abalone trim. Finish is great, doesn't look like it is dipped in plastic. Nicely bound body AND neck. Rosewood on body and headstock match very well. Gold plated tuners. Looks like a very expensive guitar.

Has a very balanced but loud sound. Very pleasing. Everyone I have played it for says "Wow! nice sound". It projects extremely well in a large room, stands out played in a group of acoustics. When I bought it, I compared it to a number of sub $2000 models in a sound room. I was prepared to spend up to $2000 but this guitar sounded (to me)and played better than all of the rest. The salesman steered me to this by letting me pick my $2000 guitar and then handed me this and said "see what you think". After playing it, I thought he was trying to sell me up another $500. Then he showed me the price tag.

Setup is perfect as delivered. I play mostly fingerstyle and this was setup at an almost even height down the entire neck. Came with Daddario EXP's and sounded great. Intonation is right on. Has a string through bridge, which I have no previous experience with. A few people have noted that they pull up/off easier than most. I assume that Breedlove, having used this bridge style on their more expensive guitars, has figured out how to make that work.
Finish is nice, even the inside is smooth and has at least a layer of sealer on it. I have found no flaws.

It seems to be a very well built, solid guitar. Hardware is great. I don't play out much, but intend to use it in my travels. I am sure it will last.

Haven't had any reason to contact them yet.

I have been playing poorly about 30 years. I have been through a number of acoustics and told my wife this was the last one I needed to buy. Seriously, I have quit looking at new acoustic guitars, this is exactly what I have always been looking for. This replaced a Martin D1 and a Larrivee-D03. I would buy this guitar again in a heartbeat, in fact have been looking at the concert model AC-200 as a "support" guitar. But I really don't need it.

* AD20/SR Plus made in Korea 2003
* 20 Frets * Solid Sitka Spruce Top
* Acoustic -with LR Baggs iBeam Active electronics added.
* Solid Indian Rosewood back & sides & pinless bridge.
* Mohogany neck with dovetail joint (barely visible)
* Finish is high gloss but thin- you can see the grain ridges
* Dreadnaught style.
* Tuners are Grover gold
* Neck is fairly narrow and thin- a pleasure to play

* The sound is phenominal due to the solid rosewood back & sides & the trussed bridge.
* The sound is very balanced. The LR Baggs iBeam active pickup I had installed is very natural sounding. It is a great fingerpicking setup. I will record with this guitar.
* No dislikes, really.

* The setup was low & perfect- no additional setup needed. I will
adjust the action lower as it has raised up a little.
* No visible flaws.

* I've been playing it at home & at the beach (Virginia Beach)
It is standing up well to gigging at the beach.
* The finish is good enough to last.

* Unknown

* I've been playing since 1966. See my other gear under Louis
for a Breedlove AC25SR Plus. It was such a great sounding guitar
that I bought this one too. These guitars are so great that I'm sure
they WILL retain their value or appreciate like their US counterparts they were designed from.
The Koreans are very good guitar builders & I love democracy.

2004 Breedlove Atlas model AD25/SR PLUS Description:

The AD25/SR PLUS is a solid sitka spruce top and solid Rosewood back dreadnought It is a complete package with an attractive aesthetic of broad appeal. It is a bold acoustic electric Dreadnought ready to wow your audience. Of the Breedlove Atlas Series Dreadnought Guitars this is to be the finest in quality and workmanship, with tasteful aesthetic enhancements.
Retail $ 999.00, Case not included.

Each Atlas Series Instrument has been designed and engineered by Kim Breedlove,

We have used many of the design principles from our custom shop including Breedlove scalloped bracing, pinless bridge and JLD Bridge Truss System.

The body shapes are similar to the custom shop offerings for deep body styles with non cutaways and soft cutaways.

The bridge, fingerboard and peghead overlay on each model are made from Indian Rosewood.

The playability has been changed to a slightly narrower nut width 1-11/16?, but each has the same low string height for fast comfortable playing.

D?Addario EXP11 light gauge coated strings are comfortable, last a long time and have a full sound.

Fishman Classic IV Pickups are on all cutaway models. These are easy to use, reliable and sound great.

Each Atlas Series instrument has passed the strict quality assurance process in Bend, Oregon, USA.

We have reached the price points by creating a high quality system to produce these exact models and specifications.

For questions, custom instruments, or to join us for the next Breedlove Extraordinary Experience, please contact us.

Great sounding all around acoustic.You can play country,rock,blues and bluegrass on it.I play a little of everything,so a good all around acoustic.You can really hear a note with a hammer on.I had a Martin where the same hammer on note was dead.Now I can play the song and hear it like the recording of the song.You can flat pick or finger pick on it.

Action was great and the set up low.The action is set at E Bass string 3/64 at the 14th fret and 2/64 Treble E at the 14 fret.The bridge has a pinless bridge which is great.The finish had no flaws I could see.The rosewood is real pretty,and the abalone around top sets off the spruce top. One of the best guitars in this price range to have solid woods and abalone! Just Great!

This guitar is made very solid. Professional all the way.This guitar can withstand live playing.The hardware is top of line and the finish is as good as you can get.No backup needed with this guitar!

I called a couple times before I bought the guitar and after. Each time the people there were helpful/friendly.Warranty is 5 Years,but they will take care of you down the line. Thay are one of the better companies.

I was looking for a dreadnought acoustic guitar with the Abalone trim.With a solid top and back. This was the best deal I could fine. And from Breedlove! I have a Martin SPL 16TR which I compaired it to. I like the Breedlove better,easier to play. Nicer feel to the neck.I would say it sounds as good as the 16,maybe better.It is new,so as the wood ages. It will only get better.I'm selling the Martin which costs twice as much. And keeping the Breedlove! I would replace it were stolen or lost.

If I ever get a cutaway. It would be a Breedlove just like it.