Breedlove Atlas Stage Series J350/EF-12 12-String Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar  

I've had several 12s over the years, but I've always been disappointed... not this time. AJ350..Where have you been all my life? I've hated broken G octaves, bad action at fret 12+ and overall lack of depth and balance in the bass and midrange... that being said: WOW! Nice guitar! Just unboxed it and tuned it up... has the lowest action I've ever seen for a factory run guitar. Sticker inside said guitar had been setup once it got in from Korea. Great job! String height across the entire fretboard TO THE SOUNDHOLE was 2/32! Nice.... very nice. Something else (big deal for me) - I had grown so tired of breaking G octave strings on pin based bridges that I had almost given up and permanently kept my former 12 string tuned to D to avoid breakage. Three cheers for Breedlove's pinless bridge - the G octave walked right up to full concert pitch with narry a wimper! YEAH!!! I can't wait to hook this guitar into our church's audio system to hear the LR Baggs pickup. It includes a really sweet tuner you'll enjoy. Lastly... If you think Dreadnot 12s sound anemic.... you're right. The first time you strum this guitar you hear the immediate effect of jumbo architecture - you've finally got the bass and "grunt" you've always wanted in a 12. The sound from this guitar is VERY balanced and gives you everything you've always missed in smaller body 12s. Icing on the cake includes: abalone binding, flamed maple on sides and back, Grover tuners and it comes with its own case - yep! You don't have to buy one after you get it! Nice....  Get this guitar. You won't be disappointed.

This is my second Breedlove guitar I also own a Breedlove Dreadnaught (AD25 SR Plus). I have owned in the past: Ovations, Takamines and a Martin and TO MY EAR the Breadloves have the Better tone as well as Value. To me this J35O EF 12 string sounded better that the other J350's and 250's 12 strings. The jumbo body adds depth to the regular 12 string sound and the overtones produced by the maple inhances the ringing from the octave strings. Simply Angelic sounding. And thats without plugging it in. The LR Baggs electronics compliments this guitar nicely. This is not a your average "Jangley" sounding 12 string. Now your wondering how come the low rating in quality. Again this is my experience yours may differ. My first one was absolutely beautiful, action was good at 3/32 at 12th fret except the frets were not dressed correctly and they cut my fingers. (Yes the guitar was well humidfied!)And other small cosmetic issue not expected on a guitar at this price. 2nd Cosmeticaly a couple of flaws but this time the set up was really bad, but what I could play in 1st position sounded awesome. I did a setup on it and Bang now I see why it is one of the best 12 strings out there.

I never buy 12 strings sight unseen because they are never set up properly. In this case I was in a bind because none of my local stores had any selection. It came in the mail the day before a perofrmance and I brought it along merely for testing purposes to play on one song. After all no musician immediately performs with a brand new guitar with factory strings. It has to be set up first. I used it for 3/4 of the entire show. Perfect intonation and the best action of any 12 string if have ever played. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that it comes pre-loaded with D'Addario strings and not some un-playable stock generic brand that you always find strung to a new guitar.  It sounds as good through the PA as it does ambient. The elctronics are solid, with a 3 band EQ, notch, and built in tuner (I use the boss floor pedal but this is a great feature for non stage performers). The battery compartment is located in the same plate and not in the sound hole which makes it a breeze to change out.  It far exceeds the Taylor 12 string I sold last year.   I congratulate Breedlove on such a fine instrument and plan on exploring the six string models.

Got it for Christmas as a surprise from my wife and now she's jealous I'm holding  on to this extraordinary guitar more than her.  What an incredible piece of craftmenship and beauty.  I  have played for over 35 years and have at least 20 guitars in my collection and I find myself gravitating to this Breedlove as if she is talking to me with some kind of spell.  And what a value for the quality of sound and playability this instrument commands.  I especially enjoy tuning to DADGAD and hammering out Kashmir by Page, and anything by CSNY, my 2 favorites.  Get this, you won't be disappointed!!