Blueridge vs. Martin (again)

I've been looking for the right Martin 000-15s but have yet to find and play one that grabs me.
A local shop has a slothead/12-fret Blueridge that is a really nice sounding and playing instrument.
I feel guilty for preferring a Chinese-made acoustic over the similar version of the Martin.
Should I keep looking for the right Martin or buy the Blueridge?

I feel guilty for preferring a Chinese-made acoustic over the similar version of the Martin.

Only you can decide for yourself, but I've stopped feeling guilty about where a good guitar is made. A good guitar is a good guitar. I feel that way about my Squier Affinity Tele. I'd feel that way about a Taylor (if I owned one).

Play a few Martins and ask yourself if it's worth waiting for the "right" one to come your way. Maybe the "right" one has just found you.

A 000-15 is my "one that got away" guitar...it was really a great instrument that I still think about daily, two years later.

Martin

If I'm correct Blueridges are Matin copies (sort of).
I don't believe the Chinese are great guitar builders.

Martin

As far as I'm aware from what I've read about them, Blueridges are supposed to be like less expensive Martin copies. But that's not really important.

The main factors in your choice should be :-

Are you definite that you really want a Martin? If it has to have that label then you should just keep looking until you find one that grabs you.

If it's a cost thing then consider holding off until you've got enough for the Martin of your dreams.

If you've seen a Blueridge that really grabs you then you should buy it cos it could overcome your desire for a Martin and you may decide that you don't need the Martin name at all.

I'm that way with my guitar choices and I think a lot of us are. We're brand snobs. In my case, if it doesn't have Fender, Martin, Gibson, Guild on the headstock then I'm not really interested in it. Stupid? Yes, probably but I think it's either in your make up or not.

When I got my tele 12 years ago I had a choice of a MIJ Fender fotflame or a custom made tele clone made by a very well respected luthier in town. It was a first class instrument and I did like it but eventually I bought the Fender cos of the headstock name! Probably a wrong decision based on the care and attention that I knew would have gone into making it but it was logical to me at the time.

Don't underestimate the Blueridge.

Let's put it this way...for the price range of a Blueridge...Martin does not have a product made from the same all-solid wood materials. You have to spend 2 to 3X on a Martin but by then though you will most likely have higher grade materials and high workmanship, Made in USA and higher resale value. It all depends on where you place your value and budget.

Blueridge guitars are great if you only consider price point. I have played many of the models, including the one they say is Brazilian rosewood. I have been recently told that it is not Brazilian, but a closely related species. They play well and sound pretty good. As Brian stated, it's hard to find a solid wood version of the same guitar in a Martin for less than two to three times the money. That being said.......friends of mine that have examined and repaired many Blueridge guitars have told me that no matter what the outside looks like, the workmanship on the inside is typical Chinese craftsmanship. They have had problems. A search of this forum and the Martin forum will be enlightening.

I dunno, I'm reluctant and scared to play a guitar made in China. I really believe they may have something in the lacquer or wood that you make contact with that will get you years later. I won't even pick one up at GC.
This is no joke. I think about the pet food that would have killed my dog and cat, the toothpaste with anti freeze in it that can put holes in your liver, the tires that blow out the side for no reason, the undergarments that have cause skin rashes, the glue guns that start on fire. All this stuff came from over there and it scares me.
I'd go Seagull if I needed something on a budget. I have toured the Martin Factory with the ladyfriend who is a chemist/occupational safety engineer, she was very impressed. They are worth the extra$$ even if you have to save up for one and wait awhile

Well. There is nothing like a Martin. I've played the Blueridges and they're pretty darn good, but they're never gonna be a Martin.

I went to look at some D16RGTs a month or so ago, I'd decided I wanted a rosewood dreadnaught. Found one I liked at a smaller shop, then went to another the shop, played theirs, but the one at the first place sounded better. Then I started playing some other solid wood guitars Taylor, Seagulls, Takamine. Then I picked up a Korean made solid wood dread by Olympia(imported by Tacoma) now orphaned by Fender. I couldn't put it down. It was a cannon, it had sat there for 2 1/2 years. I'd played it a couple of years ago and wasn't impressed much, but now it had opened up and had massive tone. I bought it instead of the Martin, I just couldn't in good concience, let anyone else discover this gem. Out the door with case & tax $625. Now it will never be a Martin, but there's not a Martin I've come across for under 2 grand that will touch it, IMHO.

Now in all fairness, I already own another solid wood, mahogany backed guitar imported by Tacoma called an Orpheum (Indonesia), so I've got a little bit of experience with what quality of instruments Tacoma was importing. So, the country of mfr. was not scary to me.

So, there ya go. Moral of the story, take one home that you love and don't want to leave. Pedigree is not the only thing to look for if you're looking for a player.

Just my .02 (that's all I've got left):grin:

On the other hand...I have 2 Martins....a Martin DM that I paid $650 for in 1999 which has a ply back and sides with a solid top...and a Martin D-18 Andy Griffith which is a top line custom shop built version worth much more. I have to say that despite the difference in the tone woods and cosmetics, the Martin DM holds it's own as a bluegrass box.... It has less volume but not by a huge amount...and has a real nice tone. I like having it as a beater that I don't have to worry about outside. The moral of the story is that even the low end Martins sound very good...and like a Martin.

Thanks for all of the replies
There's nothing wrong with the Blueridge guitars I sampled but FWIW I've decided to be a little more patient and save a lot more money for the right Martin.

Excellent decision Lewis! I have a Martin D16gt, bought the girlfriend an O0015, and now have an OM18v in order. The D16GT imho, fares well against the higher end d18 martin hogs tone and volume wise for about 1/2 the $$.
Martins are like pringles, you can't have just one.
Once you take that Martin factory tour, play some high end stuff in the pickin' parlor and check out the museum, you won't go back to anything less

Why wait to take the factory tour...do it right now from the comfort of your own PC.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=102063&pgvar=tours&autop=1


Johnny's right the D-16GT will stand it's ground with a D-18 for less dough.

The factory has a very cool atmosphere. The employees will tell you that they are treated very well, everyone is very meticulous when doing detail type work, theres no rapid fire assembly line like you see in an auto plant.
The lady who carves out the dovetail joints was incredible
The place is spotless, employees are not exposed to toxic laquers, glues etc.
They are a model for other companies to follow, makes me try even harder to support companies like this in order to keep our American way of life going.
Sometimes it means spending a bit more $$ but it all comes back to you by supporting fair wages, benefits and working conditions. Oh well that ends my patriotic spiel.
The other thing is if you buy new, they are great about the lifetime warranty if you need a neck reset etc. When I was there one guy came in to get his D15 adjusted, drove all the way from New Jersey. A tech came out to the lobby and set up the guitar for him in minutes, no charge and he even jammed a few tunes with the guy.

"Johnny's right the D-16GT will stand it's ground with a D-18 for less dough."

About the D16-it, It has a micarta fingerboard and bridge, which is a material that knife handles are made of. Sone purists diss it but for functionality, I actually prefer it over Ebony. Feels like Ebony, results in good tone, helps keep the neck stable and no fret sprout since humidity and temp don't effect it.