The Exodus is Complete.
Exodus is now completed. The finished instrument is available for sale exclusively at Willcutt Guitar Shoppe, package-priced at $75,000. The package includes a custom-made Exodus guitar hanger, a collage of original Exodus artwork made by Kim Breedlove, and more.
Exodus was constructed in seven phases. View each phase by clicking the numerals below.
Phase: I II III IV V VI VII
The article below was written shortly before Exodus was fininished. If you have wondered how this project began, read on!Exodus - A Kim Breedlove Private Reserve Instrument
While in his teens, Kim Breedlove could frequently be found hiking in the mountains of San Diego County. A nature lover at heart, Kim had a specific interest in Herpetology, and thought that perhaps one day, he might pursue a career in the study of reptiles and amphibians. And so, when he came upon two separate snake migrations two seasons apart, these experiences left quite an impression. “It was early fall,” says Kim, “and while hiking, I came upon what seemed like a river of snakes – baby garter snakes everywhere, crawling all over each other, and over me. Seeing them all intertwining, intersecting, with all the colors, it was an amazing sight.” The following spring, Kim came upon a second snake migration – this time, a sea of baby Rattlesnakes emerging from a cave – awakening from hibernation, and on the way to find new homes.
Fortunately for guitar and mandolin afficionados around the world, Kim did not end up pursuing a career in Herpetology. But the visions of these snake migrations stuck with him, and he always hoped he could find a way to express this vision artistically. In 2005, that opportunity presented itself. Peter Newport, President of Breedlove Guitar Company, was seeking an opportunity to showcase the very best of what Breedlove has to offer. His goal was to bring together the impeccable craftsmanship, striking design and tonal expertise that Breedlove is known for, in the form of a stunning work of art. Peter’s concept was that Breedlove’s expertise should be showcased in a single instrument, and this instrument would serve as the first in a series of high-concept guitars and mandolins offered as the Kim Breedlove Private Reserve Series. Hand-built entirely by Kim, these would be highly exclusive and very limited in quantity.
In a conversation earlier that year, Kim shared with Peter the vision of the snake migration. After digging further, Pete felt that this vision, this emergence from hibernation, was in part a metaphor, symbolizing a desire for freedom and transendence. From this idea came the concept of the Exodus Guitar.
Specifications for Exodus began to come together in late 2005. One of the primary goals for this instrument was that it should be the most impressive and exquisitely crafted guitar that Breedlove has produced to date. And to meet that goal, Kim has been concerned with pushing the limits in terms of materials and construction. Starting with the tonewood complement, the body is made entirely from a very special billet of Koa. It is affectionately referred to as “Retirement Grade”, and Kim has been saving it for a very special occasion. The neck wood is also from private stock – a gorgeous slab of Cuban Mahogany, procured fifteen years ago. The decision about exactly what type of guitar Exodus should be was also made in late 2005, just as the Breedlove Limited Edition Calendar series was being completed for the following year. One of the last models to emerge in that series was an Auditorium model, another first for Breedlove. It was decided that the serpentine lines of this model would be an excellent platform for Exodus, as well.
Other construction details are equally exquisite. The most striking feature is the extensive inlay work, which depicts snakes emerging from inside the guitar, slithering around the rosette, up the fingerboard and across the headstock. These snakes are inlaid in Pearl - black, gold and white - with dyed veneers adding red, green and orange hues. “There’s also a sprinkle of Abalone in there,” Kim adds. The body, neck and headstock will be bound with Ebony, bordered with black Pearl and flanked by yet more dyed veneer purflings. This theme will be repeated in a back strip. A single snake is inlaid on the inside back of the guitar – inside the soundhole – and this snake begins the migration. Kim was concerned that the light color of a traditional Spruce back brace would compete visually with this detail, and so he instead built the back braces using figured Mahogany.
As the guitar starts to come together, the most common reaction of those who see it is one of stunned anticipation. “Specifications have changed a bit as I have been building, as I am trying at each step to see how far some of these materials can be pushed. But I feel that I’m coming up with something that will be visually even better than our original vision.”