12-strings: Breedlove Pursuit vs. D’Angelico Fulton

[Elroy Bean]

After listening to both examples I felt the Breedlove was the more pleasant sounding of the two. It had a warmth to the tone that seemed lacking in the D'Angelico. Better looking, too.

[Acoustic Eel]

Elroy Bean, thanks for taking the time to listen to the sound samples and posting your opinion.

Both guitars have Sitka spruce tops. The Breedlove's back and sides are made out of mahogany; the D’Angelico’s are laminated Rosewood.

I researched how these materials effect the sound and read:

"So to some they prefer the softer highs and the more-meaty midrange sound of mahogany and might find Rosewood too crisp and resonant for their ears. On the other hand to some people’s ears Rosewood sounds distinctive and well-rounded and they might find the sound of Mahogany too 'muddy.'"

In 2008, somebody posted on this forum:

"Mahogany is Perry Como, Rosewood is Sinatra."

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by Acoustic Eel

Elroy Bean, thanks for taking the time to listen to the sound samples and posting your opinion.

Both guitars have Sitka spruce tops. The Breedlove's back and sides are made out of mahogany; the D’Angelico’s are laminated Rosewood.

I researched how these materials effect the sound and read:

"So to some they prefer the softer highs and the more-meaty midrange sound of mahogany and might find Rosewood too crisp and resonant for their ears. On the other hand to some people’s ears Rosewood sounds distinctive and well-rounded and they might find the sound of Mahogany too 'muddy.'"

In 2008, somebody posted on this forum:

"Mahogany is Perry Como, Rosewood is Sinatra."

Yes, but laminate Rosewood or laminate Mahogany is neither Como or Sinatra - not even up to Dean Martin level . Both these guitars have lam b&s or it would state solid. Mostly just a difference aesthetically. Speaking of aesthetics, not a fan of the D'Angelico headstock.

[Uncle Clownmeat]

Regarding the mahogany back and sides, I once put new strings on a friend's Fender Hellcat concert 12-string guitar. Its body was made out of mahogany. I've been playing for twenty-seven years, and that was the dullest guitar I've ever heard. It sounded like there were Yosemite Sam mudflaps on the strings.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

No vote.
There are two 12-string guitars in Alvarez's Artist Series, a dreadnought and a jumbo...Game over.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

No vote.
There are two 12-string guitars in Alvarez's Artist Series, a dreadnought and a jumbo...Game over.

I've played one of those and still think Breedlove has superior sound. Game on.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I've played one of those and still think Breedlove has superior sound. Game on.

I defer to your experience as I have played none of the guitars in question (hence my 'no vote'). I'm just a fan of Alvarez Artist guitars, and think they are worth a look whenever the price category in question is "under $1K".

I did play a D'Angelico Premiere (not the 12-string, but the mahogany top dread) last weekend at my local GC, and it was a major stinker. Just horrible. If I had spend $500 for that guitar as a distance buy, I would have been horrified upon receiving and playing it. Of course, YMMV.

[Acoustic Eel]

Ed in Ohio and Roylor4, thanks for sharing you first-hand experiences with D'Angelico guitars. Roylor's mentioning the laminated back and sides helped me understand the following price difference:

D'Angelico Premier Fulton 12-String: Back & sides: Rosewood Laminated - $500
D'Angelico Excel Fulton 12-String: Back & sides: Solid Rosewood - $1,000

And Paul Zoom, I appreciate your suggestion of getting a cheap amplifier. I have since come across an acoustic guitar combo amp that I could eventually afford.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Acoustic Eel

Paul Zoom, I play alone at home most of the time. But a friend of mine wants me to accompany him at paying gigs where people are there primarily to eat and drink. I'm not sure if I could even hear myself playing a concert-size Breedlove in such noisy places. We won't be using amplifiers or microphones. That's why I'm considering the grand auditorium D'Angelico, even though I never heard of that brand until a couple days ago. I can't find any other auditorium 12-strings that cheap. Even though I'm fairly tall and have long arms, dreadnoughts feel too large for me.

As you may have already discovered the late John D'Angelico was probably the most revered arch top guitar builder in the world-well in America at least, and his guitars are hugely sought after, commanding enormous sums. The Korean models are excellent and do his name justice. Yes, I'm biased.
Good luck in your search.

[griff599]

I've played them both ( BL and DA) and liked them both. I am a big fan of Breedlove but, I was going to purchase the DA just because it was different. But I stumbled upon a crazy deal on a Blueridge and couldn't pass it up. But the Blueridge would also fit your budget. But i don't think you can go wrong with either one.

[Acoustic Eel]

Thanks for your input, Griff599. I don't think Blueridge makes any 12-strings smaller than a dreadnought, which is what I need.

The D’Angelico has the ugliest headstock ever. That's not a personal preference -- several scientific experiments prove it. That and the fact she has Rosewood back and sides instead of mahogany make my decision difficult.

The Breedlove is winning the poll 8 to 1.

[Johnny K]

Originally Posted by roylor4

...not a fan of the D'Angelico headstock.

I hear that more about the Breedlove headstock.

[ManyMartinMan]

Originally Posted by Johnny K

I hear that more about the Breedlove headstock.

Which one............ they have several.

[ManyMartinMan]

Oops. Duplicate

[ManyMartinMan]

Originally Posted by Johnny K

I hear that more about the Breedlove headstock.

???