• Superb Value and Tons of FUN

  
  As reviewed by Nic on 8/15/2010

  My last guitar was an Epiphone P150 and this is the guitar I decided on after 2 weeks at my local Guitar Center. I went there every day, drove the guys there crazy asking all sorts of silly questions, and demoed everything within my budget ($700). After 2 weeks, the 3 guitars I ultimately narrowed it down to were the Epiphone Masterbilt (Solid Top - 550), Seagull Maritime (All solid wood - 650), and this Breedlove D200/SMP (Solid Top - 300). I did multiple "blind" tests and kept coming back to the Breedlove because of how efficient the design was...and how FUN FUN FUN it is to play! This Atlas Bridge thing where the strings go right into the bridge with no pins is a very simple design, and I think it is partly why the Breedlove has such great volume. I also like the action on this guitar, its quite easy to play and there is no buzzing anywhere on the fretboard. The sound is probably a bit brighter than both the Epiphone Masterbilt and the Seagull Maritime I played but I like this. The Seagull Maritime probably had a slightly better tone than the Breedlove but I was having a hard time getting used to the wider nut on it (My glove size is Large). Another thing I liked about the Breedlove is that there is little (if any) lacquer on the wood. This adds to the volume but may make maintenance/humidification a bit more important. It also lacks a pick-guard which, again, I think adds to the volume and efficiency, and gives it this pure and simple look, which I also like. So I got the Guitar Center 10 year warranty on this thing and after having seen how much time and effort I put into choosing my next guitar, they told me I had up to 2 months to come back and exchange it for something else. However, I play my Breedlove every single day and haven't had the time to go back and demo anything else! The guitar is made in Korea and while I was a bit apprehensive about its origin at first, I can see how the setup and tune that Breedlove does in Oregon makes a world of difference (when comparing to other, foreign made guitars). I would recommend the Breedlove D200/SMP for intermediate players who are looking for an extremely efficient guitar with strong volume. If I had to characterize this guitar in one word, that word would be "FUN".

  17 of 17 people found this review helpful.
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• Just What The Doctor Ordered!

  
  As reviewed by Charles Inman on 12/8/2010

  I've been looking to buy an acoustic guitar with a solid spruce top for some time, but the budget guitars didn't give me the sound I was looking for and when I found the sound it was usually with one of the more expensive brands. After playing two dozen different guitars I saw the section with the Breedloves; I had never heard of this brand and knew nothing about them. Long story short I saw the D200/SMP acoustic...it was a good looking basic guitar...nothing fancy. However when I played it my ears perked up. This guitar has such a rich balanced sound, as well as, really good volume. I couldn't believe my ears...! I compared it side by side with some of the big name brands and was astounded it really held its own. The other thing I fell in love with is its playability...it was easier to play than many of the other guitars I had been checking out...it just felt right. This guitar has a solid Sitka Spruce top with lamanated maple back and sides. This combination of woods really offer an excellent tone. I can't wait to hear how this guitar sounds with age. It has a very basic satin finish with a simple black/white/black rosette...as I said earlier, nonthing fancy. It wasn't the look that sold me, but the sound. Now here's is the negative part of the review. The gig bag is a piece of junk! I will be purchasing a hardshell-case for this guitar very soon. The biggest problem with the gig bag is it is extremely tight fitting and the zipper lays very tightly against the binding of the body...I'm really worried it would scratch the binding up...so I'm not going to use it again. I see the lousy bag as a good thing though, I think this shows that your money is going into the quality of the guitar and not the bag! If you are looking for for a great deal and a fantastic sounding guitar, then the Breedlove D200/SMP may be just what the doctor ordered.

  14 of 14 people found this review helpful.
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• Quality guitar for the money

  
  As reviewed by Michael on 8/19/2010

  I don't normally leave reviews for items I've purchased, but I sorta felt obligated after buying the D200 SMP. This guitar is amazing for the price. I'm usually a bargain shopper when it comes to my guitars; however, after playing this guitar 3 different times at my local GC, I knew I had to buy it brand new. I was back and forth between this and the Taylor 110, which is a very nice sounding guitar, but to my ears, it offered too much treble. The Breedlove on the other hand had just the right mixture I was looking for; a prominent low end and a clear high end. The D200 has a very smooth playability and FEELS like you are playing an acoustic, if that makes sense. The sustain on her is really something for being priced so low; I'm sure that has something to do with the solid spruce top, which was a top selling point for me. It also lends really well to my style of playing, which is mainly folky kind of stuff. This guitar has shown me that you don't have to go broke when looking for a quality acoustic guitar. Yes, this guitar lacks a few of the more common appointments seen on most acoustics, but that is what makes this guitar so great in my eyes. It has a very simple design but a killer sound that you won't find from an Epiphone or Takamine priced the same.

  14 of 14 people found this review helpful.
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