Breedlove Myrtlewood OM/smye

[bobouz]

Since I live on the north Oregon coast, I've long had a curious interest in myrtlewood, which only grows on the southern Oregon coast & a small portion of the northern California coastline. I hadn't purchased a guitar in six years, was very satisfied with the instruments I have, and wasn't really looking for anything. But I do occasionally window shop & wouldn't you know, something came along that managed to push a whole bunch of aesthetic buttons - and was only 90 minutes away!

Breedlove has been building instruments in Oregon since 1990 - many of them utilizing myrtlewood for the back & sides, and sometimes even for the top. But I'd never seen this traditionally styled model before, and for good reason. It was only in production for one year, 2013, as part of a three-instrument Oregon Series. The following year, they revamped their lineup considerably, and this model went away. Also, the stylized 'B' headstock logo (which I find very attractive) went away as well. Seeing this listed in a shop so close to me, I just had to check it out. Turns out it's a fingerpicking winner, so I worked out a trade & brought it home. In this example, the myrtlewood back & sides produce a tone that seems to reside somewhere in between maple & mahogany. Notes bark out like maple, but have a longer mahogany-like resonance. Fingerboard, bridge, & headstock overlay are ebony, the neck is maple, and herringbone trim surrounds the rosette & top binding. The solid spruce top has a gloss finish, while the solid myrtlewood back & sides have a rather shiny satin finish. Having never played a myrtlewood instrument before, gotta now say they’re worth a look!

 

[GGJaguar]

Looks really nice! Of the sustainable tonewoods - myrtle, sycamore and walnut are my least favorite. I still haven't found a guitar with these woods that I like. I know I'm in the minority, however, as I've watched Breedlove and Froggy Bottom guitars made with these woods fly out of shops shortly after their arrival. And Froggy's aren't cheap!

 

[davismanLV]

Oh wow!! That's just beautiful!! I had an all Myrtlewood Oregon Concerto E for a couple of years. Didn't bond with it and sold it on. Still have my blue Myrtlewood/Spruce Oregon Concert. Breedlove makes some absolutely amazing guitars!! Thanks for the photos!!

CONGRATS!!

 

[AcornHouse]

I need to do a video with my Acorn House myrtle small jumbo. I think it’s a great guitar wood.

 

[bobouz]

Still have my blue Myrtlewood/Spruce Oregon Concert. Breedlove makes some absolutely amazing guitars!!

Tom, I didn’t remember that your blue Breedlove featured myrtlewood - very cool! I was already sold on the brand’s quality, having one of their USA mandolins in the house. They no longer make mandolins, so I feel fortunate to have this one in traditional spruce & maple:

 

[rmoretti49]

Congratulations on a great guitar!

I, too, have a made-in-Bend Breedlove with Myrtle
wood back and sides. It is close to parlor sized (Breedlove calls this their Concertina size), yet puts out great bass, which is unusual in a small guitar.

 

[bobouz]

Congratulations on a great guitar!

I, too, have a made-in-Bend Breedlove with Myrtle
wood back and sides. It is close to parlor sized (Breedlove calls this their Concertina size), yet puts out great bass, which is unusual in a small guitar.

Yes likewise, the bass output on this one is surprisingly strong for a smaller-bodied instrument.

 

[davismanLV]

Congratulations on a great guitar!

I, too, have a made-in-Bend Breedlove with Myrtle
wood back and sides. It is close to parlor sized (Breedlove calls this their Concertina size), yet puts out great bass, which is unusual in a small guitar.

Need photos, okay??

 

[kitniyatran]

Several years ago I tried out a Breedlove Northwest Classic,spruce over myrtle a few times. I absolutely loved it but I didn't have over $3000 to buy it but myrtlewood is awesome sounding in my opinion; like was said before, between Maple and mahogany and the best features of both

 

[bobouz]

Need photos, okay??

And how about some memory-jogging refresher photos of your blue Concert model???

 

[adorshki]

I need to do a video with my Acorn House myrtle small jumbo. I think it’s a great guitar wood.

Oh baby all of a sudden I have GAS. What's the scale length and nut width?

 

[davismanLV]

And how about some memory-jogging refresher photos of your blue Concert model???

I'm not a very good photographer and this guitar is soooo reflective!! Sounds amazing. Really QUIET looking Myrtlewood.... perfect for this guitar, which is not quiet at all.

 

[bobouz]

I'm not a very good photographer and this guitar is soooo reflective!! Sounds amazing. Really QUIET looking Myrtlewood.... perfect for this guitar, which is not quiet at all.

That is just soooo cool!

 

[hearth_man]

I need to do a video with my Acorn House myrtle small jumbo. I think it’s a great guitar wood.

That is beautiful! The thing that is so great about the grain is that is ruggedly beautiful and not so delicate. Wonderful work!