Members guit30 Posted February 1, 2006 Members Posted February 1, 2006 Does anyone here play Blueridge or think they are serious guitars, Martin fans seem to like to collect them. I hate the tiny headstocks, did love a Br-160 I played, but the Br-60 seemed tinny, bone saddles and nuts do not always make for better sound. I don't know, handling them, just doesn't feel like quality?Any ideas??
Members brooksblues Posted February 1, 2006 Members Posted February 1, 2006 A while ago when I was searching for a new guitar, some people had told me about BlueRidge guitars. They told me this little bluegrass hall that had them for sale and they said they were alot like Martins. I went in there and played them for a while and each and every one I played including the most expensive models this place had, felt fake and they didnt have a nice sound to them at all. I thought they were extremly light and had no character to them at all. I then moved on and found a nice actual Martin that plays much better then the Blueridge.
Members Cldplytkmn Posted February 1, 2006 Members Posted February 1, 2006 i haven't played every model or anything, but judging off the ones i've played, i think you can do better.
Members grek3030 Posted February 1, 2006 Members Posted February 1, 2006 I own the BR180 now, a good sounding guitar, $795 bought it new, I think it's worth the money but there is something lacking in it. The thick finish does seem to hurt the sound. I also had a 280 breifly with solid Brazillian back & sides..., the best sounding guitar I ever owned.
Members Andrewrg Posted February 1, 2006 Members Posted February 1, 2006 I currently own a 280.Great sounding guitar-not quite up to Martin standards but pretty damn close. D28J40CEO5OM21BR280Les Paul CustomLes Paul`57 GT,Murphy agedLite Ash TeleIbanez AF105NTCapek F4 mandoPavlu F5 mando Gibson F4 mando,1916Samick uke
Members guit30 Posted February 2, 2006 Author Members Posted February 2, 2006 Andrew, your BR 280 isn't on your guitar list in your sig
Members Tony Burns Posted February 2, 2006 Members Posted February 2, 2006 Ive played them , and in all honesty - they look better than they sound ! Im not sure why a Martin owner would want one - unless they were looking for a kick around beater or something that looks great and they dont care about the sound !
Members Andrewrg Posted February 2, 2006 Members Posted February 2, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 Andrew, your BR 280 isn't on your guitar list in your sig Yes it is,fifth down!
Members guit30 Posted February 3, 2006 Author Members Posted February 3, 2006 Sorry bout That, I see it, didn't see Blueridge, you have one of the most expensive models, I have only played a BR-160, How does it compare to your D-28?, I am looking for 1 decent acoustic better than my Alvarez RD20S, I can't afford over $500 for a guitar, don't see a Blueridge being that, here is a Br 240, couldn't find a BR 280 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Acoustic?sku=515163
Members sdelsolray Posted February 3, 2006 Members Posted February 3, 2006 The 1 11/16" nut width is a deal killer for me. I think they sound pretty good for the price. The build is pretty good too. The finish and appearance, though, is kinda cheesy.
Members Cldplytkmn Posted February 3, 2006 Members Posted February 3, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 Cld, love your new sig its my new mantra.
Members Andrewrg Posted February 3, 2006 Members Posted February 3, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 Sorry bout That, I see it, didn't see Blueridge, you have one of the most expensive models, I have only played a BR-160, How does it compare to your D-28?, I am looking for 1 decent acoustic better than my Alvarez RD20S, I can't afford over $500 for a guitar, don't see a Blueridge being that,here is a Br 240, couldn't find a BR 280 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Acoustic?sku=515163 Its difficult to do a fair comparison between the Martin and Blueridge-one is 22 years old and the other is nearly new.The BR is more bassy-the bracing is forward shifted and scalloped,and lacks the top end sparkle of the straight braced Martin which has more of an overall tonal balance.I like the Blueridge although I must confess that I was mostly motivated to buy it because of the Brazilian rosewood build,rather than its tone properties!The fact that it is a good sounding guitar came as a pleasant surprise.
Members guit30 Posted February 3, 2006 Author Members Posted February 3, 2006 Looks like your model has been d/ced because of lack of Brazilian Rosewood. Do you like the neck and the light weight of the guitar?JimPS-thought the fretwork on the BR-160 was really nice
Members guit30 Posted February 3, 2006 Author Members Posted February 3, 2006 Check out this company, remind you of anything http://foggymountainguitars.com/
Members Tony Burns Posted February 3, 2006 Members Posted February 3, 2006 I played the Brazilian rosewood model at elderlys , really think it lacked soul - it might look nice , but its wood doesnt make it any more special than its Indian rosewood brother- i also think it only has a one year warranty ( as per the tag on the one at Elderlys )For the money I rather buy a simalar Martin model used. im not sure about the quality of its construction , blueridge guitars have no track record as far as Im concerned !
Members broplucker Posted February 3, 2006 Members Posted February 3, 2006 I have a BR-163 that I have had for a couple of years. It is a fine sounding guitar and has held up very well. It does not sound as good as my D2R Martin, but this D2R is exceptional. I would not criticize Blueridge based on mine. Riley
Members guit30 Posted February 4, 2006 Author Members Posted February 4, 2006 might do a trial run on a BR-43 from MF, cause I can always send it back, looking for an inexpensive 000Jim
Members kongholiday Posted February 4, 2006 Members Posted February 4, 2006 I have a br-43 which I have really enjoyed. I had a big baby taylor before the blueridge and I like the blueridge better. For the money I really like this guitar. I got it about $75 off the musicians friend price b/c selectrebate.com had it cheaper and MF price matched it for me. It's pretty loud for its size, and has a nice action. I've had it about 2 mos or so and no complaints so far.
Members gonzoid Posted February 5, 2006 Members Posted February 5, 2006 I have tried a BR-183 in the local store. I was surprised how good it sounded.Quite a bit like a decent Martin 000, actually. One of the disadvantages of the 3rd world maufactured instruments is less consistency. Perhaps I caught a good one. Then again, the 183 was consistently well reviewed on Harmony Central and in the trade rags... I think the expectations, current mood, or preconceived notions of the individual may influence our judegement, esp. when it comes to subtleties. When people talk about subtleties, such as a guitar lacking soul, I tend to discount that. Could you tell it apart from a mid-range Martin in a double blind test? I doubt it.
Members Andrewrg Posted February 5, 2006 Members Posted February 5, 2006 Originally posted by Tony Burns I played the Brazilian rosewood model at elderlys , really think it lacked soul - it might look nice , but its wood doesnt make it any more special than its Indian rosewood brother- i also think it only has a one year warranty ( as per the tag on the one at Elderlys )For the money I rather buy a simalar Martin model used. im not sure about the quality of its construction , blueridge guitars have no track record as far as Im concerned ! I agree that Brazilian rosewood isnt particularly special,but you try getting a BRW Martin without selling your house!As for track record,well,Martin didnt have one in 1833.And what,exactly are you looking for in a track record?No guitar builder is infallible;they have all produced dogs.Give Blueridge time,and credit for producing a good guitar for very little money.The build quality on the several Blueridges I have encountered is just fine,and a damn sight better than many,recent Gibsons especially.
Members Tony Burns Posted February 5, 2006 Members Posted February 5, 2006 Andrew i see your point , but Brazilian Rosewood was extremely common with practically every maker from about 1900 on ( some sooner ) , i have 3 older Brazilian rosewood guitars , and as a whole they are exceptional guitars - but I feel they are exceptional not because of the Brazilian rosewood but because of the old world Craftsmanship - which not too many new guitar companies follow , They use extensive Automated production techniques and cut all corners they can to save a buck .( An example is the finger joint in the Taylor neck- they do it to save money and wood usage, not to make it better ) A truly great guitar needs to be hand made as well as using high quality materials. i also feel just because a guitar uses a certain material it does not make it a great guitar ( Im sure you agree ) Now as far as Blueridge guitars go , not bad for the length of time they have been around - Ive played a few i wouldnt mind owning - but using Brazilian rosewood on a guitar doesnt make it a better guitar .I have played the upper end Brazilian Model ( at Elderlys last Tuesday ) but it was not a very good guitar - I also feel that every guitar is different and i may have a diiferent tonal expectation of any guitar than someone else , and to the right person its a fine instrument . I honestly try to judge each guitar as an individual but , when you play a martin you expect the typical martin sound ( at least ) - you hope and pray for better - I also feel a good judge of a guitars worth is its resale value , what is someone willing to pay for it used - most Chinese guitars sell for about 1/3 of what they sold new for - I will only buy a guitar if i can play it first ( and i absolutely love it ) , the Net is a no no to me. !
Members guit30 Posted February 5, 2006 Author Members Posted February 5, 2006 Thanks Kongholiday on the selectrabate.com tipJIm
Members brahmz118 Posted February 5, 2006 Members Posted February 5, 2006 guit30, If you're still in Philly, 8th Street Music is beginning to stock some Blueridges. This is recent so you won't find any on their website yet. Might want to give them a call before a mail-order trial. brahmz118 Originally posted by guit30 Thanks Kongholiday on the selectrabate.com tipJIm
Members kongholiday Posted February 6, 2006 Members Posted February 6, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 Thanks Kongholiday on the selectrabate.com tipJIm no problem here's the link if you are interestedhttp://www.selectrebate.com/store/cart/catalog/product_18103_Saga_Music_BR43_BLUERIDGE_CONTEMPORARY_SERIES_000_GUITAR.htmlI just emailed it to MF and they credited the money back to my card. Plus buying from MF it comes with a decent hardshell case.
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