NUD: Breedlove Masterclass Koa Tenor

darylcrisp · Jul 29, 2013

I've been looking for one of these since acquiring one of the Sitka/sapele American series tenors(awesome tenor btw).
The Masterclass koa does not disappoint. Projective, smooth, rich tone. Beautiful sustain and wonderful playability due to the radius neck and large fretwire. I could have picked a better background, but hopefully you can see the detail and matched beauty of the details.
BWB purfling everywhere, koa binding, ebony fretboard, bridge,gloss headstock overlay, bone nut/compensated saddle. Low buzz free action.
Waverly open back tuners-double carbon rod neck, koa fretboard binding. Miter joints are perfect.

Immediately put some PhD low G strings and it rocks!

A great feeling neck profile and the whole instrument sits/feels perfectly balanced.

played a few luthier and higher end Ukes, i'm firmly impressed with the Breedloves.

d
Psalms 103

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kvehe · Jul 29, 2013

Lovely! Beautiful! Congratulations!

mds725 · Jul 29, 2013

OMG! That thing is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations!

sonomajazz · Jul 29, 2013

D
Call me when you're ready to pass this on to your west coast buddy!

SJ

Jon Moody · Jul 29, 2013

Beautiful uke you've got there!

darylcrisp · Jul 29, 2013

these pics really don't do justice-i'll do a better set of photos this week.

and while it has the looks , the tone/playability is what sold me on this brand. they play and sound simply great.
they come with brown Worth strings-which to my ears just don't fit with my playing style. Worth CH clear or preferably the PhD string sets sound much better.

d

darylcrisp · Jul 29, 2013

sonomajazz said:
D
Call me when you're ready to pass this on to your west coast buddy!

SJ

i think this is a keeper. barring unforeseen incidents, this has probably stopped all

UAS....................
Mim had one, i'd advise grabbing it up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1_gjcx7wOo

d

frets alot · Jul 29, 2013

Wow.....stunningly beautiful. Congratulations.

darylcrisp · Jul 30, 2013

and a few more:
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consitter · Jul 30, 2013

Beautiful uke. Is that a satin or gloss finish? Somehow you've managed to take pics with absolutely no glare, so I can't tell.

dkcrown · Jul 30, 2013

Nice looking uke daryl. Looks a little Collings-esque.

Skitzic · Jul 30, 2013

Very pretty! I love the subtle binding.

Conga rats!

coolkayaker1 · Jul 30, 2013

Lovely! Beautiful! Congratulations!

ukeeku · Jul 30, 2013

Where did you get it?

Radio Flyer · Jul 30, 2013

i didn't know breedlove made ukuleles, that one is VERY nice!

darylcrisp · Jul 30, 2013

consitter said:
Beautiful uke. Is that a satin or gloss finish? Somehow you've managed to take pics with absolutely no glare, so I can't tell.

gloss body, satin finish neck(which is a main objective for me)

darylcrisp · Jul 30, 2013

Radio Flyer said:
i didn't know breedlove made ukuleles, that one is VERY nice!

they make great Ukes!
build quality is right on the level of Collings-they have a different tone-I call it a modern tone, but for the fingerstyle I play they are perfect. bell like notes everywhere, correct intonation, just a great feel to hold. very loud if you want that, can be soft and quiet but very precise notes. I love the frets-size and playability. exc customer service as well.

the Sitka/sapele American series tenor is a great value. I've seen a few used for around $700-800. new I think you can find them around $1000. same quality of precision as the masterclass, the Sitka/sapele does have a slight tonal difference-still very very nice.
d

darylcrisp · Jul 30, 2013

dkcrown said:
Nice looking uke daryl. Looks a little Collings-esque.

definitely in the same quality of build as Collings. I've played a few Collings and loved the weight and look, but I don't care for the smaller frets. I also prefer the voicing of the Breedlove better for my style of play. The fretwire on the Breedlove is larger and just works better/smoother for me. I do believe the Breedlove are more projective if need be, and otherwise both IMO are on the same level of craftsmanship and playability qualities. The Breedlove can acquire a very low buzz free action spec, I assume due to the quality of build, fretwork, and neck set angle.
d

darylcrisp · Jul 30, 2013

ukeeku said:
Where did you get it?

Zzounds.
I looked around and only found 4 available. Mim did have one of each model(American and Masterclass). Was going to buy from her but the Americanmusicalsupply/Zzounds offered up a financial plan that worked for my budget. If I had the cash I would have definitely purchased from Mim. The prices are the same pretty much all over- all of them offered the same price in the end.
It came boxed and had never been opened-I requested pictures initially but they don't do that-don't open the boxes-so its not a mom/pop style shop. you do have a 30 day return without restocking fee.

there's a lot of nice choices in this price range out there. I've played a lot of different higher end ukes lately and the Breedlove knocked my socks off-its that good. Love my American series and now the Koa brings a different tonal aspect.

d

darylcrisp · Jul 30, 2013

will leave you with a few more eye candy shots

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NUD: Breedlove Masterclass Koa Tenor

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