2016 Breedlove Journey Concert LTD #13 of 50 – Brazilian Rosewood – COA/Build Sheet/CITES

Offered here is an exceptional 2016 Breedlove Journey Concert LTD, serial #19359, #13 of only 50 produced, handcrafted in Bend, Oregon.

This is an extraordinarily limited American-made Breedlove built around a spectacular set of Brazilian rosewood, and this particular guitar is accompanied by an unusually comprehensive collection of original factory and Brazilian rosewood documentation.

I purchased this guitar because of its rarity and specifications, but after receiving it, two things immediately stood out: the Brazilian rosewood is even more impressive in person than it appeared in the photographs, and the sound is unlike any other acoustic guitar I have owned.

The Brazilian Rosewood

The Brazilian rosewood on #13 is simply gorgeous.

The back displays dramatic dark, almost ink-like figuring against rich reddish and chocolate-brown coloration. The sides are equally attractive, with long, dark grain lines visible beneath the high-gloss finish.

And Breedlove didn’t stop with the body. According to the original factory build sheet, this guitar also received a Brazilian rosewood peghead overlay.

The build sheet specifically documents:

Back: Traditional Brazilian Rosewood – Concert/OM/Parlor
Sides: Traditional Brazilian Rosewood – Auditorium/Dread/000
Peghead Overlay: Brazilian Rosewood with .020” black underlayment

For anyone specifically searching for a documented Brazilian rosewood Breedlove, this is a particularly interesting example.

The Sound

This is where the guitar really surprised me.

I’ve owned and played many high-quality acoustic guitars, and this guitar has a voice unlike any other I’ve owned.

It takes remarkably little effort to make music with it. A light touch is enough to get the top moving, and individual notes seem to bloom after they are played.

The sustain is exceptional.

There is richness and depth underneath the notes without sacrificing clarity or definition. Fingerpicked notes have excellent separation, while chords develop a full, complex character that seems to hang in the air.

It is extremely responsive dynamically—there is no need to fight the guitar to get sound out of it.

This is one of those instruments that encourages you to keep playing because it responds so readily to what you put into it.

There was a time i happened to run in to a Bedell/Breedlove representative at my local guitar shop that was showcasing a guitar like this one and I was amazed. He went on to say how this concert guitar will be able to keep up with the volume and clairity of a Dreadnought. How right he was...

Actual Breedlove Factory Build Sheet

One of the things that makes #13 particularly special is that its original Breedlove production/build sheet is included.

This isn’t simply a generic specification sheet for the model. It identifies the individual instrument:

Instrument Serial #: 19359
Model: Journey
Production Order #: 27684
Limited Edition: 13 of 50

The build sheet documents the materials and components Breedlove actually used to construct this guitar and even records its progression through the factory.

The reverse contains handwritten initials and dates for various stages of construction, finishing and final assembly, including selection, rosette work, bending, bracing, body construction, binding/scraping, neck work, spraying and sanding, assembly, fretting, string-up, setup/dial-in and final inspection.

The records show construction beginning during December 2015, with final assembly and inspection completed in February 2016.

It’s a fascinating piece of documentation that provides considerably more information about this individual guitar than is normally available.

Factory Specifications for #13

According to the original Breedlove build sheet:

Model: Journey Concert LTD
Serial Number: 19359
Production Order: 27684
Limited Edition: #13 of 50
Made In: Bend, Oregon, USA

Body Style: Concert
Cutaway: None
Scale Length: 25.5”
Nut Width: 1 3/4”

Top: Select 2A Sitka Spruce
Back: Traditional Brazilian Rosewood
Sides: Traditional Brazilian Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Asymmetrical C-shape
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Ebony Delta
Peghead Overlay: Brazilian Rosewood with black underlayment

Fingerboard Inlays: 3mm offset dots
Inlay Material: Atlante MOP
Fingerboard Positions: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17 and 19

Nut: Bone
Saddle: Bone
Tuners: Gotoh 381 Gold with Black Buttons
Strap Buttons: Gold

Purfling: Herringbone
Rosette: Herringbone
Heel Cap: Ivoroid
Tail Strip: Ivoroid

Top Bracing Pattern: Simplified Forward X
Back Bracing: Sitka Spruce

Top Finish: Gloss
Back/Sides Finish: Gloss – Stained
Neck Finish: Semi-Gloss Mahogany Stain

Electronics: LR Baggs Anthem with Tru-Mic/Element and Large Control

The factory build sheet even specifies the original strings as EXP16 coated phosphor-bronze light gauge. I have a new set of Elixir PB light on it.

Extraordinary Documentation & Provenance

For a limited-production Brazilian rosewood guitar, documentation matters, and #13 comes with an unusually extensive package.

Included with the guitar are the original Breedlove factory production/build sheet, Breedlove Certificate of Authenticity, Breedlove Brazilian rosewood documentation, CITES documentation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife paperwork, associated import/export documentation, original Breedlove literature, and LR Baggs Anthem documentation.

The guitar itself also carries its original signed Breedlove interior label, handwritten:

13 of 50
Journey Concert LTD
Sitka Spruce
Brazilian Rosewood

The COA likewise identifies the guitar as Journey Concert LTD #13, creating an excellent chain of documentation between the physical instrument, serial number, limited-edition number and factory paperwork.

All documentation shown in the photographs will accompany the guitar.

LR Baggs Anthem Electronics

Breedlove equipped the guitar at the factory with the highly regarded LR Baggs Anthem system, combining an Element undersaddle pickup with the Tru-Mic system.

The original Breedlove build sheet specifically documents the Anthem installation, and the original Anthem literature is included.

This gives the guitar excellent versatility for someone who wants an exceptional acoustic instrument that can also be used professionally amplified without modifying a collectible guitar.

Condition

This Journey Concert LTD is in Excellent condition.

This guitar has been played however, it has obviously been cared for, and the high-gloss finish beautifully showcases both the Sitka spruce top and remarkable Brazilian rosewood back and sides.

The guitar plays wonderfully and is exceptionally responsive. The action and overall playability make it very easy to play, and its sustain is one of its most impressive characteristics.

Please examine all of the photographs closely, as they are part of the description and show the actual guitar being offered. If you want any additional photos please message me.

Why This One Is Special

There were only 50 Journey Concert LTD guitars produced.

But rarity alone isn’t what makes #13 compelling.

It’s the combination of the beautiful Brazilian rosewood, excellent condition, remarkable sound and responsiveness, factory LR Baggs Anthem electronics, original Breedlove build sheet, signed #13-of-50 label, COA and extensive Brazilian rosewood/CITES documentation that sets this example apart. This documentation allows you the "piece of mind" to travel with this guitar.

Some rare guitars are primarily collector pieces. This one has been played and begs to be played.

It takes very little effort to bring the guitar to life, and the extraordinary sustain and responsiveness make it difficult to put down.

If you’ve been looking for a special American-made Breedlove—or specifically for a limited-production, fully documented Brazilian rosewood instrument—Journey Concert LTD #13 of 50 deserves serious consideration.

Original Deluxe Breedlove Concert/OM case and all the pictured documintation is included with your purchase.

Thank you for looking