Blueridge gutars

[sshan25]

I saw an ad for a local outfit that was selling the new Chinese made all solid wood models starting at $399. Supposedly they've ratcheted up the quality quite a bit & they do look nice. I went to HC, The Martin forum and Acoustic Guitar mag forum and all the reviews were good. Any of you guys had any experience with Blueridge? I import from China, so I know the Chinese can make nice stuff if they're taught & supervised correctly. BTW the one I'm thinking of is the BR-140 (mahagony/ spruce).

[caster]

Acoustic Guitar Magazine recently test drove one, and it got good reviews. I would definitely consider one. The price can't be touched.

[blondeonblonde]

AT Mccabes in Cal.--
It looks the part, but sounded pretty blah IMHO, I'm always open minded to cheaper guitars, once in a while there is a cheap or "inferior" instrument that sounds amazing. The new Harmony "Soveriegn?" guitar sounds amazing to me for the money, but it's a loud Stella like Country blues/Folk sound-
The Blueridge I played was a Martin/Boutique D-28 nick, and it was very fancy looking, but sounded unlike a good Martin.
Of course Martins sometimes sound unlike good Martins, for what its worth-----------

[sshan25]

I bought one. It is the best under $400 guitar I have ever heard. It's better than any laminate Martin, Taylor 110 or Gibson Working Man that I've played. Epiphone, Ibanez, Dean, Takimine? Not even close. Is it a vintage Martin? Of course not. But considering what the unplayable piece of crap Ventura cost when I was a kid starting to play in the early '70s, this guitar is an amazing value. It probably costs less in adjusted dollars than most student guitars from back then. BTW, This guitar sounds better than a lot of the newer higher end Martins that I've compared it to. It has a definite "opened up" sound right out of the box.

[Bob Mc]

Cort is making really nice (for the price) acoustics too. Carvin is marketing them as their own Cobolt series.
They make a sweet 000 size one that I played and missed by buying by a day. Well made, maybe a little 'closed' sounding; like they might open up as they get older.
Heard great things about the Blueridge guitars too, I haven't played one yet.

[Barrett]

I have a cheesy Blueridge that I payed $150 dollars for that had some slight cosmetic water damage from a fire I believe. It is a model number BR-Q from Saga for what it's worth. Laminated top, the sides and back look strange, like photos of wood.
I put a bone bridge on it. It is a very quiet guitar with an unremarkable sound, but is great because I don't have to worry about it much. In fact I have gently stirred campfires with it for comedic effect (no damage done).
The funny thing? This guitar is the benchmark by which I judge other guitars action. It is the most playable guitar, even with medium strings on it that I have encountered.
The action is better than many Martins, Breedloves, Taylors and Santa Cruz's that I've played.
I do take ok care of it, humidity-wise in the winter.
I've seen the new Blueridges, a bit fancy for my taste but I've heard good things about them. From my personal experience I have only good things to say about the brand. Best -b

[sshan25]

Case in point. A lot of the flatpickers on various bluegrass websites are using these as road guitars. Their vintage Martins are too valuable to take out nowadays. A lot of those guys are guitar snobs of the first order. For some reason they seem to love the Blueridges. I think it's the partly the price but most of these guys wouldn't play a poor sounding box. I challenge anyone out there to pick up a new Blueridge and it's new Martin equivalent and tell me there's a thousand dollars worth of extra tone there. Look, I own 3 Martins. They're fantastic guitars. There is also no question that the Martin finishing is superior. Martins are a great investment. I am under no illusion as to which is the superior instrument. Judged strictly on sound, the BR is closer to a $1500 guitar than a $500 one. It is the ultimate beater acoustic IMO.

[Bob Mc]

I have a chance to get a 160 for a great price; was wondering if you got yours yet and could review it.

[sshan25]

I haven't gotten a 160 yet, but based on the 140, you can't touch them at the price.