Members billybilly Posted February 16, 2013 Members Share Posted February 16, 2013 There is a bit on the net about this but some first hand information is welcomed.Story... I couldn't bond with the neck on my Seagull so I have been trying every acoustic in Brisbane Australia (home). I decided I may have to shell out some cash for a real Martin and the sales guy hands me this Blueridge BR-160A (solid wood all around, Adirondack spruce top), holy {censored}, this thing was a cannon! More Martin than Martin. I pretty much decided I was going to buy it and asked him to give me his best price. $1500 he says, seems a bit much for a Chinese guitar, so I leave the shop and do my research. I can get the same guitar sent over from the US for $900 with shipping and hardshell case included. I can get the Sitka version with hardshell case and shipping for $750. So, question is, how much of an impact would the Adirondack top have in comparison to the Sitka as it will save me $150 bills? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted February 16, 2013 Members Share Posted February 16, 2013 Every Adi top guitar I've played was outstanding. I think it would be worth the $150 bucks.Can you get Eastman down under? My friend has an Adi topped Eastman OM20 that is a Martin dreadnaught slayer. Its louder and more balanced that my D28 standard, and his HD28 and D16 Custom. The thing is just phenomenal. They go for $1000-1100 here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billybilly Posted February 16, 2013 Author Members Share Posted February 16, 2013 Pine Apple Slim wrote: Every Adi top guitar I've played was outstanding. I think it would be worth the $150 bucks. Can you get Eastman down under? My friend has an Adi topped Eastman OM20 that is a Martin dreadnaught slayer. Its louder and more balanced that my D28 standard, and his HD28 and D16 Custom. The thing is just phenomenal. They go for $1000-1100 here. Yes I can and the price difference isn't so profound ($1250). I was looking them up on the net last night coincidently. Unfortunately, nobody in the city has them but like you have mentioned, they have a great reputation. I'll keep an eye out for one. I going to Canada for 6 weeks shortly too and may have a chance to try one, which is very important. Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members masterbuilt Posted February 17, 2013 Members Share Posted February 17, 2013 Adirondack spruce is, or maybe should be, "was" better. The Adirondack spruce of the vintage era was much stiffer wood than Sitka spruce and was a better choice for guitar tops for that reason. Due to heavy deforestation, it was not available in good supply for a number of years. The old growth wood was far superior to Sitka spruce, but I am not sure if the new growth wood has the stiffness of the old growth timber and that would make a huge difference with little gain over Sitka spruce to justify the expense. Slow-growth produces closer grain and a stiffer timber. That close straight grain makes for a better top, stronger, and it can be made thinner. Notice that most Sitka spruce tops are pretty thick compared to those old vintage dream guitars. Like I said, though, I am not willing to say that today's Adirondack spruce is anywhere near as good as it used to be. I know that doesn't help this debate in regard to new-builds, unless it is with old timber. But, that explains the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.