Folk of the Wood Maintenance and Adjustment Instructions
Breedlove Care & Maintenance of Your Guitar & Mandolin
copyright ©2001 Breedlove Guitars
Humidity • Truss Rod Adjustments • Nylon String Guitar • Breedlove Mandos • Pick-Ups • Set-Ups • Cleaning • Changing Strings
For Questions: Breedlove Guitar Co. 19885 8th St. Tumalo, OR 97701 Phone 541-3 85-8339 Fax 541-385-8183
www.breedloveguitars.com
Or Call Folk of the Wood at (Return to Folk of the Wood HomePage)
Return to Breedlove Mandolin Selections
CARE & FEEDING
Care & Feeding of Your Breedlove Instrument
Congratulations on choosing your Breedlove guitar or mandolin. To preserve the remarkable tone and playability of your
Breedlove, we have some simple suggestions that will help your instrument last a lifetime. Over 200 years of combined
expertise at Breedlove and extensive industry knowledge has contributed to the recommendations found in this care and
feeding guide.
Humidity, Temperature, and Solid Wood Instruments
As with any high quality, solid wood instrument, humidity and temperature are the most vital variables in the health
and well being of your guitar or mandolin. They are capable of being your instruments' closest ally or its most
devastating enemy. Fortunately, humidity and temperature are easily monitored and regulated with just a little
knowledge and a few small investments.
First, establish an environment for the storage of your guitar when not being played. Part of choosing a spot, is to
measure that environment's relative humidity (RH) and temperature in Fahrenheit (F). This can be accomplished by
purchasing a Radio Shack™ Indoor Thermal Hygrometer, Cat. No. 63855 (approx. $30-$40) and stationing it in your
guitar's environment. Your Breedlove guitar was built at approximately 41% to 45% RH, at 70 degree F. If your
hygrometer reads between 40% and 50% RH, you can rest assured that your Breedlove will be comfortable in its new
environment. Bear in mind, RH changes with the weather, so monitor your hygrometer.
If the environment you have chosen is below 40% RH, you will need to invest in a humidifier with variable controls to
establish the most desirable level ofRH. If the environment you have chosen is above 50% RH, you will need to invest
in a dehumidifier with variable controls to achieve optimal RH. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are available at most
department stores for about $125 and, in addition to being essential for the health of your guitar, they're good for you
too.
If your guitar's environment is a suitable one, you can transport the instrument into and out of less than desirable RH
conditions without fear of damaging your guitar. Long trips and sustained touring, however, require a bit of
preventative care. Avoid exposing your instrument to extreme temperatures like those in your car's trunk on a hot day
or the cargo hold of an airplane. Keep the instrument in an environment of 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
While on the road during periods of dry conditions, to maintain acceptable humidity we suggest that you utilize a
simple guitar case humidifier. Please, do not use a sound hole humidifier in your Breedlove guitar. It is very easy to
over-humidify your guitar's body with these devices, which can result in serious damage to your instrument and does
nothing to help maintain proper humidity for your guitar's neck. Keep the neck and the body at the proper humidity
and temperature.
Your guitar will alert you to an RH problem before it poses a serious threat to your instrument. Below we have listed
some telltale symptoms of improper RH. If your Breedlove shows symptoms of being over or under humidified, take
the instrument to a qualified guitar repairman immediately or give our service department a call.
Over-Humidified
• Raised action
• Sluggish tone, low volume
• "Bellying" up of top
• Lateral finish cracks
Under-Humidified
• Lowered action
• Fret buzzing
• Fret ends protruding
• Dips in top
Neck Truss Rods & Adjustments
The truss rod in your guitar or mandolin allows you to counteract the effects of string tension on the neck of your
instrument. String tension pulls the neck forward and tightening the rod pulls the neck backward. A properly adjusted truss
rod equalizes the tension on the neck. Slight adjustments in the truss rod tension will change the amount of bow in the plane
of the fingerboard. Please have a qualified Breedlove Service Technician make any minor adjustments that your instrument
may need. Let your instrument adjust to its new environment before making any adjustments. The instrument is set to
exact specifications and passes several key inspections before approval and shipping to your dealer. The instrument then
adjusts to the new environment over time. A well-trained service technician can help your investment last several lifetimes
while helping you bring out your musical voice.
Generally, a properly adjusted truss rod results in a neck with slight forward relief. To check for proper neck relief, push
down on the low "E" string at the 1st fret and the 14th fret at the same time. The resulting space between the bottom of the
string and the top of the 6th fret should be about 0.010 of an inch or about the thickness of a business card. By using this as
a standard you can adjust to your own playing style.
To adjust your truss rod you will need a small Phillips screwdriver to take the truss rod cover plate off and a %" nut driver
for the brass nut on the end of the truss rod. Extreme caution should be used when making minor adjustments and as
always, consult your trained Breedlove Service Technician before any adjustments are made. ^
Tightening the truss rod, turning the nut clockwise, causes the neck to bow backward lowering the string height; too far and
the strings will buzz.
Loosening the truss rod, turning the nut counterclockwise, causes the neck to bow forward raising the string height; too far
and the guitar is hard to play.
Remember when you are making adjustments to have your strings tuned to concert pitch.
Breedlove Steel String Bracing & the JLD® Bridge Truss
Since 1990 Breedlove Guitar Co. has been using a unique device in our guitars that has allowed us to brace our tops in a
very progressive way, concentrating primarily on the top's acoustic properties. There is a synergy that results from a
graduated top thickness, balanced scalloped bracing, a pinless bridge, and the JLD Bridge Truss System. This has given
our guitars their own distinctive sound, one that is highly dynamic, bringing out a "piano like bass" that results in a
remarkably well-balanced tone for application in a broad variety of musical styles.
On our six string and twelve string guitars we use the JLD Bridge Truss system as a key component in the bracing of the
guitars. This cantilevered truss counterbalances the string tension to create a relaxed top and guarantees structural integrity
of our steel string guitars. A relaxed top maximizes wavelength response.
The bridge truss in your Breedlove guitar is adjusted and final inspected before leaving our factory, and should require very
little attention from that point on. However, the system should be periodically checked for proper adjustment.
Checking your bridge truss for proper adjustment*
1. With the strings off, reach into the body just behind the wood block directly under the bridge and gently grasp
the wooden dowel between your thumb and forefinger.
2 . Make certain that there is no play along the lateral axis (running the length of the guitar.) If there is any
movement here, the truss will need to be tightened. (See step 4) If there is no movement, move on to Step 3.
3 . Now gently roll the dowel between your thumb and forefinger a few degrees counterclockwise, then return it to
the original position. The dowel should feel snug, yet spin with some effort. If the dowel offers excessive
resistance, i.e., the dowel won't turn, the truss needs to be loosened. (See step 4) If the dowel spins with just a
touch of resistance, your bridge truss is perfectly adjusted. String the instrument and play on!
4. If your bridge truss is in need of adjustment, use a 3/16* Alien wrench and tighten (clockwise) or loosen
(counterclockwise) the bolt on the front of the wood block (it is visible through the sound-hole). It is always
best to make these types of adjustments in small increments until the proper conditions are met.
You'll discover that the bridge truss system offers unrivaled body stability and preserves consistent action and playability;
however, the bridge truss is not designed to make adjustments with action or to compensate for over or under
humidification.
The Breedlove Nylon String
Your Breedlove Nylon string guitar is designed with the playability of the modem steel string with the warm tone of the
nylon string guitar. A steel string neck and low string height over a radiused fingerboard allows for fast fretting and
chording and great comfort. Special consideration has been given to the classical player seeking modern comfort and the
steel string player seeking seamless technique transfer. It is fan braced and has the Breedlove graduated top for balance and
sweet tone. It is strung with high-tension strings and balanced with a neck truss rod. All of the Breedlove Nylon string
guitars are available with the 1-3/4" or 1-7/8" nut widths in 14 fret-to-body 25.5" string scale lengths.
Breedlove Mandolins
The Breedlove Mandolins are some of the most dynamic and full voiced mandolins made today. The bodies are slightly
deeper than most mandolins with a higher arch in tops and backs. The tops and backs resonate freely due to the free
floating fingerboard extension, smaller neck and tail blocks, and bolt on neck. They are easy to play with the radiused
fretboard, low string height, string set separation, and 1-3/16" nut width. We designed these fine mandolins with medium-
light string gauge. Light or heavy strings may be used.
When changing strings pay close attention to the bridge placement and orientation on the body. Place a small piece of tape
at each point of the bridge base to make sure that the bridge may return to the correct position. For proper intonation of the
instrument the bridge must be in the correct location. It is also helpful to protect the finish of the instrument with a soft
cloth while changing strings. The strings and any movement of the bridge may scratch the finish. Please call Breedlove if
we may be of assistance during your first string change.
Electronic Pickups for Guitars & Mandolins
For minimum impact acoustically and a great sound, Breedlove recommends the Fishman Matrix Natural under the saddle
pickup. These sound good on our Breedlove guitars. This system is a good place to start and can be complemented with a
condenser microphone, soundboard transducer or magnetic sound-hole pickup.
For mandolins we recommend the Mclntyre MT100 or Featherlight pickups. With phantom power this is a full-bodied
pickup and may also be coupled with a condenser microphone. Be aware that some mandolin pickups require a hole to be
drilled in the top of the soundboard.
Guitar and Mandolin Set Ups
Our guitar factory specs are 3/32" on the bass side and 2/32" on the treble side at the 12th Fret, these measurements may
vary slightly, as long as the guitar does not buzz and it is easy to play. These measurements will provide you and your
technician a way of understanding how you expect the guitar to play. The mandolins have an adjustable bridge and the
factory setup is approximately .065" on the bass strings and .050" on the treble strings as measured at the 12th fret. A
Breedlove Service Technician may recommend the right set up for your style of play and desired tone.
When you have a pickup installed, make sure that you and your guitar tech agree on the setup before work is done. At the
12th fret, measure the string heights, from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret, of the high E and the low E strings.
Cleaning Your Guitar or Mandolin
The fmgerboard of your guitar or mandolin will need occasional cleaning. This will depend on how much you play, your
style of playing and your body chemistry. If the fingerboard becomes gummy you will need to lightly rub it with 0000 steel
wool, clean off any steel wool left over. Then apply mineral oil and finally wipe down with a dry cotton cloth. If the
fingerboard appears dry or cracked first check the humidity conditions. Re-humidify as needed and then wipe down the
fingerboard with mineral oil.
The glossy finished surfaces of your guitar are very hard and durable high-tech films. They can be waxed witha variety of
non-abrasive waxes. Most liquid furniture or automotive wax will do the job. Do not oil these gloss surfaces. "Wipe on,
wipe off'.
The satin finished are very durable and easy to take care of. Do not wax or polish. Just wipe the finish with a soft cotton
polishing cloth after playing to keep it looking clean.
Changing Strings
It is always wise to put a polishing cloth over the body of an instrument while changing strings to protect the finish from
scratchs. With pinless bridges use the provided string guard for removing and replacing strings. If no string guard is
available use a business card with Scotch tape to prevent damage to your finish when pulling the strings through the bridge.
For mandolins, to keep the bridge placement correct, mark the bridge placement with a small piece of Scotch tape or a dry-
erase marker for quick bridge location placement. With tape mark the bass side to keep the proper bridge orientation to the
body. Also use a polishing cloth to protect the top while changing strings and adjusting hardware.
Remember to change strings often and most importantly, enjoy playing your new Breedlove!
For Questions: Breedlove Guitar Co. 19885 8th St. Tumalo, OR 97701 Phone 541-3 85-8339 Fax 541-385-8183
www.breedloveguitars.com
Or Call Folk of the Wood at 888-209-8434 (Return to Folk of the Wood HomePage)
Return to Breedlove Mandolin Selections
Return to Breedlove Guitar Selections
Go to Top of Page
Older Files on Care & Feeding:
Care and feeding of your Breedlove guitar
Congratulations on choosing your breedlove guitar. In doing so you have taken the next evolutionary step in the world of hand crafted acoustic guitars, and embarked upon a relationship, that with the proper nurturing is sure to be fruitful for a life time. To capture the famous breedlove sound our luthiers build guitars like nobody else in the world. To preserve this remarkable tone and playability, we have some simple suggestions regarding the care and maintenance of your breedlove guitar.
Humidity and your guitar
As with any high quality, solid wood instrument, humidity is the most vital variable in the health and well being of your guitar. It is capable of being your guitars closest ally or its most devastating enemy. Fortunately , humidity is easily monitored and regulated with just a little knowledge and a few small investments.
First, establish an environment for the storage of your guitar when not being played. We urge you to avoid rooms with several outside walls and to store the instrument in its case. Part of choosing a spot, is to measure that environments relative humidity (RH). This can be accomplished by purchasing a Radio Shack indoor thermal hygrometer, cat no 63855 and stationing it in your guitars environment. Your breedlove guitar was built at approximately 41% to 45% at room temperature. If your hygrometer reads between 40%and 50% rh you can rest assured that your breedlove will be comfortable in its new environment. Bear in mind rh changers with the weather so monitor your hygrometer.
If the environment you have chosen is below 40% rh you will need to invest in a humidifier with variable controls to establish the most desirable level of rh if the environment you have chosen is above 50% rh you will need to invest in a dehumidifier with variable controls to achieve optimal rh. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are available at most department stores for about 125$ and in addition to being essential for the health of your guitar they r good for you too.
If your guitars environment is a suitable one, you can transport the instrument into and out of less than desirable RH conditions without fear of damaging your guitar. Long trips and sustained touring, however, require a bit of preventative care. Avoid exposing your instrument to extreme temperatures like those in your cars trunk on a hot day or the cargo hold of an airplane. While on the road during periods of dry conditions, to maintain acceptable humidity we suggest that you utilize a simple guitar case humidifier. Please, do not use a sound hole humidifier in your breedlove guitar. It is very easy to over-humidify your guitars body with these devices, which can result in serious damage to your instrument and does nothing to help maintain proper humidity for your guitars neck.
Your guitar will alert you to an RH problem before it poses a serious threat to your instrument. Below we have listed some telltale symptoms of improper RH. If your Breedlove shows symptoms of being over humidified, take the instrument to a qualified guitar repairman immediately or give our service department a call.
OVER HUMIDIFIED UNDER HUMIDIFIED
o Raised action o Lowered action
o Sluggish tone, low volume o Fret buzzing
o "Bellying" up of top o Fret ends protruding
o Lateral finish cracks o Dips in top and back
TRUSS ROD
The truss rod in your guitar allows you to counteract the effects of string tension on the neck of your guitar. String tension pulls the neck forward and tightening the rod pulls the neck backward. A properly adjusted truss rod equalizes the tension on the neck. With the adjustments to the rod you can control the amount of bow in the plane of the fingerboard to fit your playing needs. Please feel free to experiment with the rod, by doing so you will learn to compensate for seasonal changes and adjust for different string gauges.
Generally, a properly adjusted truss rod results in a neck with slight forward relief. To check for proper neck relief, push down on the low "E" string at the first fret and the fourteenth fret at the same time. The resulting space between the bottom of the string and the top of the sixth fret should be about .01 of an inch or about the thickness of a business card. By using this as a standard you can adjust to your own playing style.
To adjust your truss rod you will need a small Phillips screwdriver to take the truss rod cover plate off and a 1/4" nut driver for the brass nut on the end of the truss rod.
Tightening the truss rod, turning the nut clockwise, causes the neck to bow backward lowering the string height; too far and the strings will buzz.
Loosening the truss rod, turning the nut counterclockwise, causes the neck to bow forward raising the string height; too far and the guitar is hard to play.
Remember when you are making adjustments to have your strings tuned to concert pitch.
For further tips on adjusting truss rods: Adjusting Your Truss Rod
THE JLD BRIDGE TRUSS
Since 1990 Breedlove Guitars has been using a unique device in our guitars that has allowed us to brace our tops in a very progressive way, concentrating primarily on the tops acoustic properties. This has given our guitars their own distinctive sound, one that is highly dynamic, bringing out a "piano like bass" that results in a remarkably well balanced tone.
These guitars are excellent finger style guitars and excel in alternate tunings.
In 1997 we introduced our first traditional x braced guitar. This was in response to those players that like our modern styling , playability, alternative woods and exceptional craftsmanship, but wanted a traditional sound. After all not everyone plays finger style. Our x braced guitars benefit from all that we have learned in using the bridge truss. They have a graduated top thickness and advanced scalloped braces, yet they have that high lonesome quality you want in a band situation. Blue Grass with an attitude as one of our customers described it.
BRIDGE TRUSSED GUITARS
This cantilevered truss counterbalances the string tension to create a relaxed top and guarantees structural integrity. A relaxed top is one that does not inhibit wave length vibrations. This means we are free to brace the top for optimal sound transmission.
The bridge truss in your breedlove guitar is adjusted before leaving our factory, and should require very little attention from that point on.
However, the system shuld be periodically checked for proper adjustment.
CHECKING YOUR BRIDGE TRUSS FOR PROPER ADJUSTMENT
1. With the strings off, reach into the body just behind the wood block directly under the bridge and gently grasp the wooden dowel between your thumb and forefinger.
2. Make certain that there is no play along the lateral axis (running the length of the guitar) if there is any movement here, the truss will need to be tightened. If there is no movement.
3. Now gently roll the dowel between your thumb and forefinger a few degrees counter clockwise, then return it to the original position. The dowel should feel snug yet spin with some effort. If the dowel offers excessive resistance i.e. the dowel wont turn the truss needs to be loosened. If the dowel spins with just a touch of resistance your bridge truss is perfectly adjusted. String the instrument and play on.
4. If your bridge truss is in need of adjustment use a 3/16th allen wrench and tighten (clockwise) or loosen (counterclockwise) the bolt on the front of the wood block (it is visible through the sound hole). It is always best to make these types of adjustments in small increments until the proper conditions are met.
Youll discover that the bridge truss system offers unrivaled body stability and preserves consistent action and playability however the bridge truss is not designed to compensate for over or under humidification.
CLEANING YOUR GUITAR
The fingerboard of your guitar will need occasional cleaning. This will depend on how much you play your style of playing and your body chemistry. If the fingerboard becomes gummy you will need to lightly rub it with 0000 steel wool and mineral oil. Then wipe down with a dry cotton cloth. If the fingerboard appears dry or cracked first check the humidity conditions. Re-humidify as needed and then wipe down the fingerboard with mineral oil.
The gloss finish surfaces of your guitar are very hard and durable high tech films. Most liquid furniture or automotive wax will do the job. Do not oil these gloss surfaces. Wipe on, Wipe off.
CHANGE STRINGS OFTEN AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, SMILE WHILE YOU PLAY!!
For Questions: Breedlove Guitar Co. 19885 8th St. Tumalo, OR 97701 Phone 541-3 85-8339 Fax 541-385-8183
www.breedloveguitars.com
Or Call Folk of the Wood at (Return to Folk of the Wood HomePage)
Return to Breedlove Mandolin Selections
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