A Used Breedlove Guitar
My fee for doing the “Tramp” plaque, mentioned in another post on this site, was for Jim to find me a used Breedlove guitar. Jim is a fine, fine guitar player that has an incredible knack for finding good used guitars advertised on Kijiji, the site for selling used items of all descript. It took a little while, but one day Jim contacted me and sent me the ad that he’d found. So I checked it out.
I had already fallen in love with another Breedlove – the neck on them just fits my hand perfectly, and the touch and sound are incredible. This used one was an older “Atlas” model in a “Concert” size, and was certainly in excellent condition. After a short discussion, I bought it. That’s unusual, because I normally like to think about a purchase a bit before deciding, but I really liked this particular guitar. There were no frills: for instance the finish was satin as opposed to gloss, with simple dots in the fingerboard. It was plain. I figured that i’d change that.
Two items would be added – a John Pearce armrest and some Lions in the bridge.
A long time ago I heard about the John Pearce armrest – it’s supposed to keep the arm from touching the top of the guitar, thus avoiding the dampening effect that the upper arm often has on the sound being resonated by the guitar. A side benefit is that it can enhance the comfort level of playing the guitar. Here are some pictures of the armrest:
John Pearce Armrest
Note hollowed out back . The red tape is covering glue.
Here’s the Lion’s head that I cut from a pearl blank – he’s quite magnificent and very Regal. Note the strong jaw.
This Lion’s head was a challenge.
Here’s a slideshow of the inlaying process. Click on a picture to start the slideshow, then click on the “Next” & “Prev” at the bottom, to advance or go back. Finally click on any picture to exit the slideshow.
Tracing the Lion's Head
The Pearl Lion's Head - Regal Isn't he ?
Very little powder is needed.
Translucent coloured glue
Lion's Head under glue.
Initial Sanding - 80 grit
Final Sanding - 600 grit in stages
Next I wanted to continue the theme with some more lions on the bridge. I find the manner in which felines move fascinating, so fluid and seemingly effortless, even in the domestic variety. Here are some pictures of the bridge inlay:
Pearl Blank and Pattern
Pearl Lion cut from blank
Pearl Lion facing right
Traced onto bridge
Facing left on bridge
Lions under glue
When sanding it's best to protect the guitar top
Looks pretty
Here’s the finished product – I must say I very much enjoy playing this guitar. The touch is great and the sound is just the way I like it. Also, the electronics, while not the most expensive, at least have a built in tuner which I find is very helpful on many occasions. I can’t tell if the armrest has really enhanced the sound – once the armrest has been glued to the top, it might not take kindly to being removed, so a comparison is a bit difficult – however I can say that it’s quite comfortable. No more red ridge on the upper arm from a sharp corner.
Breedlove “Atlas” Guitar – concert size
Lions facing each other.
Lion-Armrest