The American history and development of Folk, Blues and Country has always featured the traditional flat top at its core.
Although music changes and develops the guitar seemingly alters very little.
It would appear there is no appetite for unusual or ground breaking design in the world of acoustic guitars.
The appearance of Ovation guitars in the 1970's or Rainsong in the 1990's, brought about synthetic materials, in truth these were and still are extremely well built instruments.
As eco-conscious as we are, most players still seem to prefer classic designs in wood, based largely on Gibson and Martin.
Breedlove is a USA based custom guitar builder of medium size that may have managed to strike the perfect balance between traditional guitar building and innovatory design.
The company was established 20 years ago and has grown from a two man operation to a manufacturer of guitars and mandolins in two countries across the price scale.
Originally based in Southern California they now operate from a 20,000 square ft facility in Bend, Oregon.
From the outset the company chose not to replicate vintage designs but rather incorporate traditional tonewoods into some fairly radical designs, the most significant being their bridge truss system (originally developed by JLD guitar research and development).
The system suspended from the bridge plate uses a rod that pushes against the tail block and transfers torque and tension from the bridge to the sides of the guitar.
The purpose of this is to remove stress from the top, improve resonance, and to enhance sustain and bass response.
Breedlove now also produce a series of less radical, vintage style acoustics produced both in the USA and Korea at all price levels.
All in all the company seem to be able to combine innovative designs with the traditional very successfully.
This is borne out by the increasing number of artists now playing them e.
g.
Chris Hillman (Byrds, Desert Rose Band), Jeff Tweedy etc.