Auditorium

I'm familiar with Breedlove Dreadnought and Concert size guitars but haven't had a chance to try their Auditorium design. Any input on whether their A20's are a perfect blend of features or too much of a compromise? If you had the option of a custom built Auditorium vs having two less expensive (C20 & D20) models which would you choose?

Somebody here has an A body. I wanna say it is NW Harry. Harry you there? Any advice for jotter?

I don't know what a perfect blend would be....but I am more than pleased with my A20.....(I'm also pleased with my Passsport 200 - but each has a very individual voice)

Hi Jotter! Yes the O-Man is right again... I have both a Breedlove A25 (masterclass) and C20 (custom American Series). I would attach a photo but I forgot how. Anyone want to offer the instructions how I can do it (and suggested hosting website)?

As for your question, "...whether their A20's are a perfect blend of features or too much of a compromise?" here are my thoughts about the differences between these two body sizes:

1. Sound: choice of woods is important of course; both of mine have rosewood species body/sides, and spruce species tops. They also both have rosewood fingerboards. The auditorium is a 12-string, standard tuning, and the concert is "Nashville" tuned (so less bass is heard). I find the tones/notes to be distinct (I do mostly fingerpicking), Overall, I am surprised that the 12-string does not project (both are "deep" body) as much bass as I was hoping for. When I play my friend's jumbo 12-string (another custom Breedlove), it REALLY produces a much greater bass sound. Note: when I had standard tuning with my 6-string, I was VERY pleased with its full sound... including the bass.

2. Natural Volume: there is more with the auditorium, but it is not significant vs. the concert. You would find a significant difference between a dreadnaught and a concert... IMO.

3. Comfort: both fit my body fine when sitting or standing, but I do fine the concert body allows me to move about more easily. Not a big difference but noticeable. (I am a BIT overweight so my pot belly may be bigger than yours!)

4. Cost: no difference (I think).

5. Beauty: Always in the eyes of the beholder, but the auditorium's shape is more distinctive than a dreadnaught or concert.

6. Electronics: both have L.R. Baggs (auditorium: Dual Element; concert: Anthem) piezo and internal mics; both sound great. I am very happy with the Anthem as it resists feedback much better vs. the Dual Source. When recording with dual external mics, the auditorium's larger lower bout surface allows for better bass sound than the concert.

Bottom Line: I like the auditorium size better than a dreadnaught. I also like auditorium's unique/different appearance vs. the dreadnaught and concert. For an everyday guitar, I would choose the concert because I can move it around easier, but for impressing an audience, I would select the auditorium.

-NW Harry

Thanks for the detailed response!