If you’re curious about Breedlove vs Taylor and how these guitar brands compare, this post is for you!
And if you’re generally interested in posts like this, you may enjoy our Taylor vs Martin article.
However, today we’re focusing on an intriguing pair: Taylor, a globally renowned brand, and Breedlove, a younger yet commendably flourishing counterpart.
Breedlove vs Taylor: History
Established in 1974, the Taylor guitar brand has diligently built a reputable name in acoustic guitars.
The introduction of computer mills in guitar manufacturing attests to their novel approach, which continues to intrigue guitar players worldwide.
The loyalty of many Taylor guitar enthusiasts is a testament to the brand’s unwavering consistency in quality over the years.
Breedlove guitar company was founded by none other than Larry Breedlove and Steve Henderson, once employees of the Taylor brand.
Their shared vision, passion, and years of experience in the guitar industry sowed the seeds for the Breedlove venture, which blossomed from a humble two-person shop.
Unlike Taylor’s embrace of high technology, Breedlove anchors itself in the seasoned knowledge and adept skills of master luthiers.
These craftsmen focus on making each Breedlove guitar a work of art with an ethos similar to Martin guitars’ manufacturing philosophy.
It’s the alluring combination of master artisans, luthiers, and the founders’ dedication that gives Breedlove some of its unique qualities.
Breedlove’s commitment goes beyond just catering to professional strummers.
They ensure their guitar variety resonates with acoustic-electric guitar enthusiasts, beginners, and advanced guitar players.
Breedlove and Taylor are leading acoustic guitar brands from the USA with highly different manufacturing approaches.
Whether you are drawn to Taylor’s innovative prowess or Breedlove’s artisanal approach, one thing is sure – they both resonate with excellence in the world of guitar.
Breedlove vs Taylor: The Ultimate Guitar Showdown
When it comes to choosing a guitar, it can be a daunting task for any guitarist.
From body shape to acoustics, there’s a lot to consider.
Here, we get into the unique attributes of each to help you decide which guitar would suit your style and requirements best.
Let’s dive deep into the Breedlove vs Taylor comparison, exploring their important features, and see which one strikes the right chord for you.
Decoding the Sound
The sound is the soul of a guitar, and how a Breedlove and a Taylor guitar produce sound is quite distinctive.
Taylor guitars are known for their modern and rich tones.
They deliver clear, crisp, and bright sounds akin to a breath of fresh air in acoustics.
Second-generation Expression System® (ES2), a unique all-magnetic expression system, helps amplify the warm acoustic sound naturally.
Thus, the pure sound of the guitar shines through without the interference of pickups when plugged in.
You can get a sense of this sound in the below video.
Unsurprisingly, these guitars have found their place in the hands of renowned contemporary players such as Taylor Swift, Mateus Asato, and Chelsea Wolfe, among others.
In contrast, Breedlove guitars offer a balanced, lush sound that resonates with rich, deep tones.
These guitars employ the technique of Sound Optimization™, where seasoned luthiers finely tune the tonewood to reach the perfect frequency for optimum sound quality.
Listen to the difference in the sound of a Breedlove compared to the Taylor in the video below.
This has led to their popularity among several artists, such as Chris Funk, Jeff Bridges, and Trace Bundy, to name a few.
However, to truly understand which sound resonates with you, you should play the exact guitar model you want to purchase.
Some guitarists, for instance, may prefer the distinct sound of a Martin over both Taylor and Breedlove.
If you want to own a Taylor guitar, you can check out this Taylor 214ce Rosewood Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar from Guitar Center:
Breedlove vs Taylor: A Study in Playability
The level of comfort and action a guitar offers largely depends on its neck’s specs.
The neck design and adjustments can significantly influence playability, making this factor a crucial point in the Breedlove vs Taylor debate.
Taylor is known for its patented NT neck designs.
The neck of a Taylor guitar is meticulously adjusted using computer mills and laser technology to find the sweet spot on the body, ensuring maximum comfort and an ideal playing angle.
This design, coupled with the guitars’ cutaways, also promises resilience and ease of service.
In comparison, Breedlove shines with its slim neck profiles, explicitly designed for easy handling, even for those with smaller hands.
Furthermore, Breedlove uses inlays and a bolt-on neck with a single-action truss rod, making adjusting as per play angles a breeze.
The hand finishing and multiple finish coats given to each Breedlove’s neck ensure a comfortable thickness and grip.
Unveiling the Mystery of Bracing
Bracing, or the arrangement of wooden strips inside the guitar is pivotal in ensuring the guitar’s strength and flexibility without hampering the soundboard vibrations.
Taylor has recently introduced a “revolutionary” “V- class bracing” pattern that allegedly enhances the way the guitar top vibrates, subsequently improving the sound quality.
This pattern significantly differs from the traditional X-Class bracing in most guitar brands, including Gibson.
Meanwhile, Breedlove stands out with its patented JLD bridge truss system in selected models.
This system counteracts the string tension near the bridge, creating a relaxed and stable top.
This innovation has allowed Breedlove to produce thin graduated tops that provide a well-balanced, clear sound and impressive sustain without compromising structural stability.
Breedlove vs Taylor: Delving into the Build
A guitar’s build plays an essential role in its durability, sound quality, and aesthetics.
Taylor was the first to embrace modern technology in its production process, using computer numerically controlled (CNC) mills, lasers, and other precision tools.
This move allowed Taylor guitars to be manufactured with unparalleled precision and consistency, resulting in high build quality.
Furthermore, the adjustable neck angle of Taylor guitars facilitates easy adjustments over time.
Given the precision in their manufacturing, a correctly set up Taylor guitar can go years without requiring a setup, adding to the longevity of these instruments.
In contrast, Breedlove takes a more traditional route in crafting their guitars.
Each Breedlove guitar is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail by experienced luthiers, making them unique.
Breedlove embraces the legacy of guitar making, with craftsmen using centuries-old knowledge to tune each guitar to its best sound.
The Choice of Wood
When it comes to guitar wood choices, both brands have their preferences.
Taylor guitars are known to feature solid spruce tops, rosewood, and mahogany in their line-up.
Some of their higher-end models even incorporate Engelmann spruce.
These tonewoods contribute to Taylor guitars’ distinct, clear, and bright sound.
On the other hand, Breedlove is renowned for using locally sourced Oregon Myrtlewood and other sustainable woods, in line with its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Breedlove also features cedar tops, mahogany, and Oregon-sourced woods in many of their guitars.
Their models often incorporate cutaways and different body styles such as concert, dreadnoughts, concerto, and jumbo.
Check out this Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S CE Cedar-Myrtle Concert Acoustic-Electric from Guitar Center:
A Look at the Electronics
Regarding electronics, both Breedlove and Taylor guitars excel in their respective ways.
As mentioned earlier, Taylor guitars use the ES2 system, which provides an amplified acoustic sound without the interference of pickups.
On the other hand, Breedlove employs LR Baggs electronics in many models.
This inclusion helps amplify the acoustic sound while preserving the natural acoustics of the instrument.
Whether it’s Breedlove or Taylor, both brands bring unique attributes to the table, making this Breedlove vs Taylor face-off an intriguing one.
Your choice ultimately depends on your personal preference, playing style, and the sound you wish to create.
Striking the Right Chord: The Final Showdown of Breedlove vs Taylor
Renowned for their high-quality guitars, these brands have fairly diverse price offerings.
However, Taylor guitars tend to dominate the extreme high end of price.
So, if you’re looking for a very high-end instrument, Taylor may be the better choice for you.
That said, Breedlove has plenty of expensive instruments too.
When dissecting the Breedlove vs Taylor debate, the ultimate judge should be your ear.
Each brand has its distinct tone.
And ideally, I’d recommend playing the exact instrument you end up purchasing to increase the likelihood of finding the perfect instrument for you.
The good news is that you can do just that when ordering your instruments online from either Amazon or Guitar Center since they both have generous return policies.
Now we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Do you have any experience with these brands?
Let us know in the comments below!
