Alvarez MD80 vs Blueridge BR-140

[guit30]

I'm thinking about upgrading to a solid wood guitar from my RD20s, Both of these guitars are Chinese total solid wood instruments with Spruce tops and mahogany sides and back.

pics

 

Br-140

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/BlueridgeBR140HistoricSeriesDreadnoughtAcousticGuitar?sku=515160&src=3WFRWXX

 

MD80

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/AlvarezMD80MasterworksSeriesDreadnoughtAcousticGuitar?sku=518840&src=3WFRWXX

 

 

-American solid woods too expensive plus I'm leaning towards Alvarez for more than one reason, I can get a good deal on a MD80, but curious about other suggestions too

Any opinions appreciated

Jim

[Jlliu59]

The MF price for that alvarez is around the same price of a D-15 from Martin

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MartinD15CustomSpruceandMahoganyAcousticGuitar?sku=514700

 

The D15 is solid wood

[Peter Guzinya]

 

Originally posted by Jlliu59 The MF price for that alvarez is around the same price of a D-15 from Martin http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MartinD15CustomSpruceandMahoganyAcousticGuitar?sku=514700 The D15 is solid wood

+1.

 

I really like my D-15 custom. A great value, relatively speaking.

[guit30]

I can get a used Alvarez MD80 for $300 anytime from an authorized Alvarez outlet. I had a Martin D-16GT in 2000 that was hard for me to play and sold it after a couple of years

Thanks

Jim

[Peter Guzinya]

If your budget is $300 and not $630 then don't think about the Martin.

[reholli]

 

Originally posted by Peter Guzinya If your budget is $300 and not $630 then don't think about the Martin.

 

 

...or the Blueridge which would be $200 outside that $300 which is what the thread starter apparently really wants to spend.

 

I'd think about the Martin...

[guit30]

Don't think you get it, I don't like Martins under a grand, I already had one and didn't like it. The cheapest Martin I like is a D-18 which is definitely out of budget

Jim

[Jlliu59]

Martins under a grand typically have a drier sound than higher end martins.

 

Is this what you don't like?

 

On the other hand, i would say there's still a bit of a plastic like sound in some of the blueridge guitars I've played. It's sort of a compression in the low mids. Even though the low mids come out nicely, the guitar seems to choke a bit, and as you play louder the higher mids come forward.

 

I don't have as much experience with the alvarez guitars, but to my memory, they seemed to be a little drier too.

 

With that said, it's still a matter of preference. Some people really love lower end martins....others love ovations. Go figure

[Jlliu59]

Seems like you're just trying to justify getting the alvarez to yourself. I say, just get it. you know it's a good deal. Alvarez makes a decent guitar. If you don't like it, you'll just have to sell it later.

[DonK]

All this Martin talk is giving me G.A.S., especially since I saw a gorgeous, minty used D-17 today for $999 at a local store.

[reholli]

 

Originally posted by guit30 Don't think you get it, I don't like Martins under a grand, I already had one and didn't like it. The cheapest Martin I like is a D-18 which is definitely out of budget Jim

 

 

In my case, to clarify, I meant literally that I would think about the Martin, not that you should...I got your point about your Martin preferences.

 

My point was that it just seems as if you actually have your mind mostly made up already on spending $300 on the Alvarez you can get at that price, eliminating the need to discuss anything higher-priced.

[guit30]

Sorry, just my opinion, think I'm keeping what I have, not to offend anyone

Jim

[guit30]

If I had $700 to spend, I would get a Taylor 210, love the neck and bright sound. Has anybody played either an Alvarez MD80 or Blueridge Br-140? That is the original question, I have not played either model. The RD20S gets better reviews in the HGR section. I played a BR-160 once that was very nice, but just something I didn't like about it.

Jim

[recordingtrack1]

As you know, I just bought a MD 80 a few weeks ago. I am learning to love it. It really is a nice guitar and it is solid Mahogany back and sides with I believe Engleman Spruce top. I ain't real sure at this moment. I know it's not Sitka.

 

Anyway, I really like the Blueridges, both 140 and 160 as well. I have buddies that run a music store and I spend a lot of time playing on their store models so I get a chance to sample a lot of guitars, Blueridge included.

 

IMO, the Alvarez definitely feels better than the Blueridge(s). The neck has a better feel and the fretwork is clearly better. They also have an Epiphone franschise and I must admit I am rather impressed with their Masterbilt Acoustics. Much better guitars than I thought they would be when I first heard this was happening. I don't care for Washburns that much and the Fender Acoustics are not all that either. i'm 50/50 on Taks. some are good and some are not so good. It is the same I guess with any of them but is especially true with Assembly line instruments.

 

I have to admit that I like the tone on the Blueridge(s) a little better than my Alvarez but it is ever so slight IMO. They have a little more solid bass sound.

 

When I first bought my Alvarez, I was just spoiled to my Taylor and it just didn't have that punch that my Jumbo had. I am learning how to work with it now, instead of against it and making some good progress I think.

 

Also, I would like t say that despite all the dirt I read dished on Taylors in these posts, I really like them. I haven't played one yet that I didn't like.

 

Anyway, I am real pleased with my Alvarez. That's about it.

 

RT1

[guit30]

Recording track,

Thanks for your feedback, did you get the MD80 from Millers Music off Ebay? Also, have yo ever played any other Alvarez's to compare the MD80 with

Thanks

Jim

[recordingtrack1]

Yes I did and though it was risky, I was majorly relieved when I got it. I only paid $202.00 plus shipping. It lists new for 859 butt MF has it for around $600.00. It has two cracks in the top but both are well repaired and in all indications have no bearing on the sound or stability of the guitar. I bought it so I would have a guitar that I could play HARD and not worry about scratches, dings, etc. It certainly fits that bill. My particular model has no electronics. The guys in my church love it.

 

The down side of course is that it is stamped inside, "Almost Perfect" so it clearly is a reject. But the value of what I got for what I paid is incredible. I truly believe you won't go wrong.

 

Anyway, I owned a DY55 Yairi for YEARRRRRRRRS! It was a really nice guitar and I enjoyed it immensely, though it was plywood on the back and sides.

 

I truly believe that the MD 80 is every bit the guitar that the Yairi was (is--I just don't own it anymore) and is even more stable.

 

check them out.

 

RT1

[guit30]

RT1,

Thanks for the feedback, you got a steal, I have a RD20S that is a solid top with laminate sides and back. I love it, but would like an all solid wood guitar, Miller's Music is a good place, they are associated with Alvarez. I just have not played a MD series, went to my Alvarez dealer and they didn't have any, mostly artist and regent series They have a used folk size Pf90S for 307 that is solid top and bottom, and plays like a dream, but it is a bit small for the sound i want. I may just limit my bid to 200, probably won't get it , there are 24 hours left and it is already up to 157

Jim

PS- 714's are awesome ;cedar?