Need help identifying type of Breedlove guitar

xwordguy · #1 09-17-2016, 10:57 AM

I sent a message to the Breedlove folks (see below), but I have no idea if they're inclined to answer this kind of question. If anyone here can help I would appreciate it

-----------

Hello,

I was wondering if you could help me out. I came into possession of a very nice Breedlove guitar. I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of model it is (says Calendar I, but I think that applies to several?), and, what it might be worth (even ballpark), with my philosophical understanding that it's worth what someone else is willing to pay. There seems to be a big range in value of Breedlove guitars, especially with newer models. If I ever do have to sell it, I'd like to at least have some idea.

Serial No: 6589
Model: Calendar 1
#10 of 15

I can send pictures if that would help, but did not want to do so without being asked.

Body type - dreadnought
No cutaway or electronics
Diamond-shaped inlays on neck
Headstock has a slant/curve on top
Individual gold tuners with fancy capital S
The "B" inlay is placed under the top two tuners, above the other four
Brazilian rosewood back and sides
Spruce top
Very nice soundhole inlay
Regular bridge, not the one that looks like a big moustache

Mint condition, not a mark. I think it was purchased in 2005 and then stored away by the owner, until I bought it this year. That's all I know

Great sound, of course. A very nice guitar.

Any idea what I have here?

Thanks,
Kevin

robj144 · #2 09-17-2016, 11:00 AM

Can you post pics here?

xwordguy · #3 09-17-2016, 12:06 PM

Here is the label and the front view:

The rest can be seen at this URL:

http://www.cruciverb.com/guitars/breedlove.html

Rosewood99 · #4 09-17-2016, 12:44 PM

They are pretty good at calling you back.

jseth · #5 09-17-2016, 04:54 PM

Very pretty guitar! The Calendar Series guitars are not your run-of-the-mill production items, and Brazilian rosewood is fairly rare (as well as VERY pricey)... I'd say you got a great guitar! Looks exceptionally clean...

Can't tell from your pictures exactly what shape the guitar is... Breedlove favors the Concert model (which is pretty much like most folks Grand Concert/OM/OOO size), but they build all sorts of different models along with the Concert model. Kind of looks like yours may be a dreadnought, or perhaps an Auditorium size, but I can't tell from the perspective of the photo.

Lovely bloodwood binding, too! I really like the headstock is gloss black, and I'm a fan of the "old" logo (the one you have) as opposed to the newer Breedlove, fully spelled. Does your guitar employ the JLD truss on the bridge? (Look inside the guitar and see if there's some sort of contraption in there!).

Signed by Kim Breedlove is also a plus...

As for what it's worth? No telling. Breedloves aren't really "on the radar" of many guitarists, for some reason... because of that, they are frequently difficult to sell, certainly for any sort of good price for the seller. I'd guess yours was priced upwards of $7.5k when it was new; you would probably have a difficult time getting $4k for it used.

I would just CALL Breedlove on the phone, during normal West Coast business hours; I'm sure they'll help you or find someone who can! Their customer service is second-to-none...

Enjoy that new beauty of yours!

Amite · #6 09-17-2016, 08:23 PM

According to Imagine Guitars' website, about 5k new at the time of release.

http://www.imagineguitars.com/breedl...rces/calendar/

I wish I had the funds for a Breedlove.

Amite · #7 09-17-2016, 08:29 PM

double post

wooglins · #8 09-17-2016, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amite

According to Imagine Guitars' website, about 5k new at the time of release.

http://www.imagineguitars.com/breedl...rces/calendar/

I wish I had the funds for a Breedlove.

Calendar 1 in 2096 was a 12 fret, the picture shows a 14 fret.

I believe they did these over multiple years sorta like Taylot ltds

xwordguy · #9 09-18-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooglins

Calendar 1 in 2006 was a 12 fret, the picture shows a 14 fret.

Right. A bit more investigation, using the serial number, tells me this is either 2003 or 2004 (maybe the build started in '03, ended in '04?).

But I have not been able to find any online examples of this particular guitar, with all of the main features mentioned. No official Breedlove description, no images. Nothing that says this guitar is a "______ ______" with an original price of "$____".

Which makes it tougher to sell, should that day unfortunately come.

-Kevin

xwordguy · #10 09-24-2016, 05:41 AM

For anyone who was even remotely interested.

Here's what a kind fellow at Breedlove had to say about the guitar:

(his first reply and my original, my follow-up, his second reply)

==========

Hi Kevin,

So it looks like you have a Diamond B, Calendar 1 guitar. The body shape is a Dreadnought. The guitar was completed in February of 2004, it has an Adirondack top, and East Indian Rosewood back and sides with bloodwood binding and a bone nut and saddle and an abalone rosette. It cost approximately $xxxx in 2004.

----------
Hello,

I was wondering if you could help me out. I came into possession of a very nice Breedlove guitar. I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of model it is (says Calendar I, but I think that applies to several?), and, what it might be worth (even ballpark), with my philosophical understanding that it's worth what someone else is willing to pay. There seems to be a big range in value, especially with newer models. If I ever do have to sell it, I'd like to at least have some idea.

Serial No: 6589
Model: Calendar I
#10 of 15

==========

Hi Kevin,

It was my pleasure to help you learn more about your guitar. Kim does sign all of the labels, but in 2004 it is very likely he had a hand in making your guitar, as well as assisting in the design. No one luthier works on any guitar. We have many experts and we prefer to use each luthier to their strength so we get the best guitars possible.

Unfortunately we probably won't make all of our info available online, mostly due to the inconsistency of record keeping over the years. In the early years the company focused on making great guitars and paperwork tended to fall to the wayside.

Best wishes, I hope you enjoy that beautiful guitar!

RS
----------------

Hello and thank you!

Fantastic that you were able to get that kind of information so quickly. I really appreciate your time and effort.

If I had one more question I suppose it would be "who actually made the guitar?" Kim's signature is on it, but he may have simply signed the label, as does Bob Taylor and others. It doesn't really matter, I suppose, as it's a great piece of workmanship, and my hat is tipped to whoever happened to work on it.

Oh, and just a thought ... do you think this kind of info would ever be available online one day? (just put in the serial number, and voila) Or would that likely be subject to abusive behaviour (data mining, etc)?

Thanks,
Kevin