Like a lot of successful guitar companies,
Breedlove maintains a guitar line
with a little something for everyone. Last
year, I reviewed an under-$1000 American
Series C20 with solid Sitka and solid
mahogany that blew me away with its value
and playability (July 2010 web exclusive).
But Breedlove still makes beautiful high-end
guitars of the sort that put the company
on the map in the first place, and the
company’s Passport series are a fine example
of how to mix quality, style, and sound in
an affordable instrument.
The walnut-and-redwood Focus SE
reviewed here tends toward the pricier
end of Breedlove’s product spectrum, but
it demonstrates why Breedlove remains
a major player in the high-end acoustic
market and a favorite of players from Jeff
Tweedy to Ed Gerhard and ex-Byrd and
Burrito Brother Chris Hillman. This is an
exceptional and unique guitar.
Walnut and Redwood
With its walnut back and sides and redwood
top, the 25 1/2"-scale Focus SE
has a recipe that’s hard to beat for this
reviewer—and the tonewoods are just
the start. Subtle ornamentation, a bound
ebony fretboard, and ebony tuner buttons
all exude a soft-spoken luxuriousness.
The delicate abalone rosette and redwood
top complement each other perfectly, and
the asymmetrical winged, pinless bridge
almost seems to wink at you when you
look at the guitar. With its compact, cutaway
body and signature headstock, the
Focus SE is unmistakably a Breedlove.
It’s tough for any guitar manufacturers to
move successfully beyond the lines of tradition,
but this guitar gorgeously illustrates
how Breedlove has helped bridge forwardthinking
and old-world styles.
The neck is a fingerstyle-friendly 1 3/4"
at the nut, and the slim, one-piece mahogany
neck has a 16" radius. Our Focus SE
also came with an L.R. Baggs Element
Active undersaddle system with a simple
Volume and Tone control, though it can be
ordered with other electronics, if desired.
Warm and Snappy
From the very first strum, the deep-bodied
Focus SE sounds full and brilliant. And
it begs one to question why more luthiers
don’t take advantage of the walnut-and-redwood
combination. It’s quite loud, projects
extremely well, and is responsive to a
light touch—all of which translates to great
dynamic range. Play it whisper-soft and
you’ll get a crystalline, delicate tone. Dig
in, and the Focus SE rocks without significantly
blurring overtones. That dynamic
range is great news for fingerstylists who
work in alternate tunings. DADGAD
sounded simultaneously dark and brilliant,
thanks to the snappy-but-deep qualities
of the walnut back and sides—which
sound a bit like a cross between rosewood
and mahogany—while the redwood
has the warm detail of cedar. Likewise,
C–G–D–G–B–D tuning became deep
and swampy—almost hypnotic—as it sustained.
There’s plenty of punch and power
for expressive use of the lowest and highest
ranges, and the essential voice of the guitar
remains intact and consistently lovely.
One reason for this Breedlove’s impressive
sustain may be the 91.5 degree neck
angle, which increases tension a touch
without sacrificing playability. The JDL
Bridge Truss also makes it possible to
put a bit more tension on the top. The
combination of the two construction elements
makes the guitar exceptionally lively.
The action on the Focus SE was a little
high right out of the box, but I used the
included hex wrench to crank the neck
relief a hair, back where I like it.
I tested the Focus SE at a solo festival
gig, and I was so confident that it would
handle whatever I threw at it that it was
the only guitar I took with me. I had no
regrets. With an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic
DI in front of a rather shoddy PA, the
guitar still sounded warm and lovely. And
throughout a set in which I employed
three different tunings in brutal heat,
harsh humidity, and a fierce wind, the
Focus SE hung tough, and the pickup
sounded fantastic. If you’re a gigging musician,
that’s what you want—a guitar that’s
versatile, rugged, and sweet sounding in
a multitude of musical and performance
environments. I can’t imagine putting a
guitar through a tougher gigging situation,
and the Focus SE navigated all if it while
sounding great and looking mighty stylish.
The Verdict
The Focus SE is a stellar acoustic in
almost every respect. It’s gig-ready and
at home in a lot of playing situations—
though it really works best as a fingerstyle
machine. The warm-but-snappy tone is
something you can get lost in. The active
pickup system is outstanding and a great
match for the guitar. Factor those gorgeous
looks and the buttery playability,
and this guitar is ready for all comers—even in this rarefied price range. If you’re
ready for a 6-string that’s something out
of the ordinary but playable under every
situation, the Focus SE will not let you
down.
Buy if...
you need a professional, gorgeous
workhouse that plays like a dream,
sounds like an angel, and is ready
for any gigging situation.
Skip if...
your playing style veers away from
fingerstyle-friendly realms and
toward more traditional fare.
Rating...
