Looking At Two Mahogany 6 Strings
 

I am looking to get a new 6 string. I love the warm tones of my Ibanez AC240E-OPN but I have it setup in a Nashville tuning and want to keep that way. That leaves me desiring a mahogany for songwriting, so that's what I'm going with. I pretty much have it narrowed down to these two. I am a little frustrated at Breedlove even though I love their guitars (my 12-string is beautiful). They describe this one I am considering as a mahogany everywhere on their website but noticing the odd spec of being a solid top mahogany (sapele). I emailed them and after their response to my request for clarification and them saying they are the same thing, I called them and I ask them directly. Is this a sapele guitar and she said yes. Sapele is a tighter grain wood that produces a higher tone. Some people say they are the same but I have both and they are different. ANYWAY... what irritates me is if it is a sapele guitar, why are they saying all over their website that it's a mahogany except in one place where they mention sapele. Clearly they see a difference or they wouldn't use both terms. I don't know. Just bugs me :confused: . I have listed them both with company recordings of each. Which do you like? The Breedlove Pursuit Concert Mahogany or the Ibanez AE245 Mahogany?

I was looking at these Martin 000RS1, but I didn't want to spend that much this year. Played great, sounded excellent. Not as robust as their 000-15M, but less than half the price. Sapele, yes, but looks and again, sounds good. Maybe you can find a used one online. Although I bought a used Guild D-120ce all hog, and I like it (gloss finish) nothing to my ears sounds richer than an all hog guitar with a satin finish.

I find Breedloves to be a little on the quiet side, but that might be because my style of play (flesh only finger style) with generally a soft attack, may not bring out the best in them.

Happy hunting.

Yeah, I am going to stick with these two I think. I do LOVE my Martin though.

Wow, hard choice, they both look and sound excellent in those clips.
I couldn't pick.

I know! :ha: I'm thinking of ordering both and sending back one.

The Breedlove Concert Pursuit Mahogany guitars I saw and played last year did not look like Sapele. If anything, they looked like Khaya. I like Sapele as a tonewood, but that's neither here nor there.

My problem with the Breedlove is that the glossy finish is too thick and the guitar sounds muffled. Mahogany guitars should be light in weight. The Breedlove with its finish and electronics is heavy. Or, it's heavier than I like.

I've owned an open pore Ibanez (AC240) and I would choose the one you're looking at sight unseen over the Breedlove.

*I'd get rid of that pick guard.

Breedlove does make a Koa version of this, which could be what you played but it's twice the price. I am leaning towards the Ibanez but I'm not 100% there yet.

Well out of the 252 views there's been a whopping 9 votes :lol: Twice the votes for the Breedlove as for the Ibanez. Hmmm interesting. I'm guessing the non-cutaway body and no pickguard may have lent a hand to that.

I wonder if it would screw up the finish if the pickguard was removed from the Ibanez if I wind up going that route.

If you do it right away there won't be a tanline.

I've taken off two pick guards. My Larrivee that was used, no issues other than tan lines which after 10 years are fading. Recently I took the guard off my J-45. The finish didn't cure enough when the factory put the guard on. So when I took it off there is a slight ripple in some areas that can be seen at a certain angle. I can't see it when I play it though.

If this is an option, it's absolutely the route I would take. Guitars sound different in the hand than on videos.

That's not too encouraging :ha: I emailed Ibanez to find out if they finish the guitar before or after the pickguard is put on. Even some Martins were done after. If it sounds good I may leave it but allowed cure time from Ibanez is the key. Being brand new it's a gamble.


It MAY be an option... I'm not sure yet but if it is I will certainly do it.

The Ibanez is taking a spanking in the vote count despite it's beautiful neck inlay.

Personally I think the Breedlove sounds head and shoulders better than the Ibanez. I have played a few of the pursuits and they blew me away at the price. I think they are hard to beat at that price. The pursuit zircote was pretty incredible, I just wanted a bigger guitar.

I just wish they offered this in a natural satin finish.

Another Breedlove clip.