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Bought A Breedlove Pursuit

Michael Jewels

Michael Jewels

Supporting Member
Nov 29, 2000
11,468
9,939
Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
#1
Hello, everybody.
I bought a Breedlove Pursuit yesterday.
This thing is so nice. Display model that has been in the Sam Ash, Queens store since last summer; it doesn't have a mark on it.

I also went to the Manhattan store, and played a Breedlove Solo bass, but I liked the Pursuit more.

And, while it's a 32 inch scale instrument, it doesn't feel so.
My Fender T-Bucket bass on the orher hand does feel like a shorter scale bass as soon as you pick it up.

Too soon to give a review; I want to wait at least a few days to become familiar with it.

I am going to change the strings; what do you recommend?
I believe the strings on there now are phosfor bronze.

Mike
 
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#3
Here are proof of purchase pictures.
Breedlove_1.jpg

Breedlove_1.jpg

For an instrument that's been on the rack the better part of a year, it doesn't have a mark on it. Seriously, look at the back! :thumbsup:
Breedlove_3.jpg

Breedlove_4.jpg

One odd thing about these new Breedloves: They don't have the EQ and tuner on the side of the instrument anymore; they just have a small volume wheel inside the sound hole. This, will prevent me from using a feedback reducer, which I usually have on my Fender T-Bucket. Another thing is it looks as though the battery is in a little pouch under the fingerboard. Now, I think I'll have to take the strings off in order to change it.
Why did Breedlove do this?

Still, it's got a very nice feel to it.

Strings?

Mike
 
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#4
Michael Jewels said:
One odd thing about these new Breedloves: They don't have the EQ and tuner on the side of the instrument anymore; they just have a small volume wheel inside the sound hole. This, will prevent me from using a feedback reducer, which I usually have on my Fender T-Bucket. Another thing is it looks as though the battery is in a little pouch under the fingerboard. Now, I think I'll have to take the strings off in order to change it.
Why did Breedlove do this?

Still, it's got a very nice feel to it.

Strings?

Mike
Click to expand...

That's a little odd. Just a volume control? I occasionally find myself wanting to adjust volume, and use my left hand to do it; that could get a little busy down there! Still, nice bass.

Oh, I run LaBella 760N Tapes on two ABGs.
 
#5
Yes, MD, I noticed this last year when this bass came in; I believe it was in the summer.

Instead of the usual little control center which houses the battery and the EQ, the new Breedloves have 1 or 2 little wheels that almost can't be seen, except by the player.

My Pursuit has one wheel for volume, but no tuner, which is not a big deal to me. I'm actually getting quite used to using the clip on tuners as I feel they're faster and more accurate. As for EQ, I run all my basses and amps flat, and EQ using my Empress Para EQ, which I love.

I also played a Breedlove Solo bass in the Manhattan store, and it had 2 little wheels; I assume volume and tone, but it also had no EQ.

I e-mailed Breedlove about this, but haven't gotten a response yet.

And, L.R. Bags, the manufacturer of the pickup that's in this bass supplied an installation manual to guide a luthier in installing the pickup and battery pouch, which is in the body under about the 20th fret.

The bass has a very nice sound, but I guess it's a little less user friendly, and a little easier to assemble.

I think the fretboard is 1.75" at the nut, which I love.

As I said, I'm going to wait until I'm more familiar with it until I even think of writing a review.

I just like it a lot.

Thanks for the string recommendation.

The action is a little high, so I may have it set up, and the strings I like put on.

How do they lower the action on an acoustic bass?

Shave the bridge saddles?

Thanks for the reply.

Mike :thumbsup:
 
#6
I just bought this new Breedlove Fretless. Very nice bass. But unfortunately I can't review. I changed out the stock strings for a little lighter gauge pressure wound GHS strings. As I was tuning it up the bridge cracked! I suspect the slots for the string balls could have been better made, bit tight. Even the stock strings took some doing to get them out. Well it's been shipped to Breedlove since it's under warranty.

3ECC416C-B304-405C-9A13-B872D58553F4.jpeg
9427356D-F518-49F5-A4BB-8DF182582A2F.jpeg
 
#7
^^^
Whoa... That ain't right. Glad it's under warranty.

Michael Jewels said:
Thanks for the string recommendation.

The action is a little high, so I may have it set up, and the strings I like put on.

How do they lower the action on an acoustic bass?

Shave the bridge saddles?

Thanks for the reply.

Mike :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

You're welcome. I actually find higher action to be a good thing, it's the only way to get the strings moving and the top vibrating in order to produce a good tone and volume. Of course, that's just me.

Yes, they shave the saddle. At least I think that's part of it.
 
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#8
I'd say Breedlove owes you a repair and some ice cream, ClassicJazz!
I wonder how an instrument gets past quality control to come apart like that?

I'm sure Breedlove will fix that for you.
I'm still wondering what made them eliminate the EQs and tuners on their latest basses?
I checked: my fretboard at the nut is 1.68, not 1.75.
I love it just the same. Now, to get familiar with it. :hyper:
Mike ;)
 
#9
Michael Jewels said:
I'd say Breedlove owes you a repair and some ice cream, ClassicJazz!
I wonder how an instrument gets past quality control to come apart like that?

I'm sure Breedlove will fix that for you.
I'm still wondering what made them eliminate the EQs and tuners on their latest basses?
I checked: my fretboard at the nut is 1.68, not 1.75.
I love it just the same. Now, to get familiar with it. :hyper:
Mike ;)
Click to expand...

Well just heard back. They are sending me a new bass rather then trying to repair it. Hats off to Breedlove.
 
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#11
The no-hatch rig is fairly common on abgs. People tend to use them unamped more often, and are more likely to just plug in and set levels at the amp when they do use juice. One of my abgs has no wires at all...it is, however, the size of a compact SUV. A lot of us like tapes of various brands on abgs, for a thumpier upright sound.
 
#12
A woman from Breedlove got back to me, and said that most of their instruments are now made as I described them; without the tuner and EQ center as had been done previously.

I played my pursuit last nght, and I am in love with this neck.
I also like the tone of the stock strings.
I may wait a while before I have it set up and/or change the strings.

I know I talk constantly about the Empress Para EQ I bought a few months back, but apparently I'm getting used to it. Some of the tones I'm getting from the Breedlove through the Empress are delicious. :hyper:

More later.
Mike
 
#13
My Breedlove is the (now discontinued) Atlas Solo fretless.

Superb instrument.

I went with D'Addario tapes just based on availability. I had to rout out the bridge holes a touch in order for them to fit, but it only took a couple of minutes.
 
#14
Hello, my ABG friends.

Just a follow up on my Breedlove Pursuit.
Still love this thing, and I've dialed in a tone I like with my Empress Para EQ.

I haven't changed the strings yet, but time will decide that. They still sound good.

Before tonight, I hadn't played my Breedlove for about 10 days. One thing I do with all my basses about every other practice session, is check to see if it's still in tune.

Checked the Breedlove with my clip-on tuner...all four strings were right on the money.

I'm pleased.

Mike. ;)
 
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#15
Congrats on your Pursuit of bass excellence! I just ordered mine yesterday and am researching string options to set it up for BEAD tuning. Would be surprised if the stock EXPPBB170's will support that unless they are actually the short scale strings. Any recco's?
Jack
 
#16
I like the sound of the phosphor-bronze strings that are on there now, and don't really want to change the tone yet.
I can't recommend any strings, as I'm fairly new to the acoustic bass guitar scene, and am still learning.

The action on my bass is higher than I like, but a few people have mentioned that's a good thing on acoustics, as it gets the whole instrument vibrating.

I'm open to suggestions too.

Mike
 
#17
I am also new to bass - trying to figure out what works for me. I have a Fender Dimension 5-string that is just to heavy and stylistically off for the folk music I generally play in our trio. Recently I picked up a Cordoba Mini II bass (22-7/8 scale) that came strung with D'addario EXPPBB190GS designed for the Taylor GS Mini-e bass. Right out of the box, I down tuned it to BEAD. Had to back off the truss rod, but so far it holds and plays well enough to use for practice. Very excited about Breedlove Pursuit.
 

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