Deciding between 2 Blueridges...

[JMigs]

So, if my cards play out right here in a month or so, I may be able to afford a new acoustic. And when I say afford, I'm saying all the bang I can get out of my buck. (~500-600) I'm looking at 2 Blueridge models, seeing as how I don't forsee me finding an all solid-wood acoustic for this price. I would like the ebony of the BR-180, but that price jump for that and pearl everywhere just doesn't do it for me. That being said, I'm looking at both the BR-160, and the BG-160 ( I believe the last one is right, the J45 copy).

 

I know some folks have experience playing both of these. How is the BR compared to the BG? How's the sunburst finish on the BG? I also have a question on the tuners...should they be upgraded? Do the different models really differ at all?

 

I will be adding a pickup to it, the choices are among the Fishman Rare Earth, K&K pure western, LRBaggs M-1 Active.

 

Let the information and first-hand experience run rampid in this thread!..........please.

[knockwood]

I'm not familiar with the BG-160, but was at Mandolin Bros. earlier today and they happened to have a BR-160 in house. I fell in love with the thing instantly. The first thing that hit me is that none of the web photos I've seen do the thing justice. It's a much nicer looking piece of wood than I thought - not nearly as glitzy or blinged up as Blueridges seem from all the remote online pics. The aging toner is not nearly the nasty hyper-orange it seems online. (Nevermind their pick guards, which I do think are hideous.) And I was not the least bit disappointed when I played it, either. Tuning machines are weirdly a bit on the chintzy side and I'd much prefer they subtract all the gloss and abalone and invest that dough instead in some better tuners. But having said that, the guitar was in perfect tune when I picked it up off the rack. I'm not crazy about gloss and pimped-up appointments, but the workmanship on this guitar was flawless at least as far as my relatively inexperienced hands and eyes could tell (I've only been playing a bit shy of two years). I've been leaning very heavily toward buying a BR-180 (which I hear from BR-160 owners is essentially the same, plus a little bling and the ebony fretboard and bridge) or 183 (000). Very glad I finally got to play a Blueridge, and the experience pretty much solidified my decision to buy one. While I was there, I also picked up various dreads by Avalon, Lowden, Guilld, Martin... The BR-160's impression on me was not diminished in the least by this excellent bunch.

 

At least until I walked into the room where they keep all the stuff from Goodall and Collings... I don't know why I do that kind of thing to myself...

[Macartie]

The BR-160 and the BG-160 are remarkably

similar in that they are both (1) really well

built, (2) have light, responsive scalloped x-bracing,

(3) are LOUD, (4) have deep bass, (5) have

rich overtones.

 

They are different, too. The BG is based upon

the revered J-45R, and has the 24.75" scale,

while the BR has the Martin standard

dreadnought scale of 25.5" (or 25.4").

Personally, I prefer the slightly smaller scale --

you get all of the benefits of the long scale

(the BG is still loud, after all), but it's slightly

easier to play due to the reduced tension.

 

The headstocks on the BGs are a MAJOR

improvement over the small BR headstock.

This is largely cosmetic, although most

BRs have a slight problem with the 5th & 6th

strings touching near the winding posts.

It's a really minor problem though -- I wouldn't

rule out the BR based on it. It doesn't

affect anything worth worrying about. But

the BG headstock looks better too, in my

opinion.

 

Finally, the BG has a gorgeous sunburst

finish that is a dead-ringer for an old

J-45. The BRs look great too, but I would

have to say that the BG will win the beauty

pageant. They tops on either will be

bookmatched solid Sitka spruce. The backs

and sides on both the BRs and the BGs are

solid East Indian Rosewood.

 

FULL DISCLOSURE: I'm selling a Blueridge BG-160

right now. Check out this link, if only to

see the pictures:

 

http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=002852#000000

[guit30]

I played in a shop that had a Br-60 and a BR-160. I was blown away by the BR-160, it is a world class guitar, fretwork is incredible, action and tone was awesome.

There is a biG STEP Down when I played the laminate, quality drops everywhere(it is a much cheaper guitar, but still not that cheap in price. The laminate 60 was nice, but too shiny, too bright, might have had another opinion if I had not played the BR-160 first.

I don't like the business practices of Saga ,they don't have a MSRP for their instruments so a dealer can charge whatever they want. ON their website they call the price the list price. I saw tons of Saga adds in Bluegrass magazine. What they called List prices on their website, they call retail prices in their adds. I am turned off by the company. I have seen BR-43's go anywhere from $300 to $550-(outrageous)

Still, if you want to shell out the bucks, I can vouch for their 100 series.

Jim

[JMigs]

Well, I'm not real sure if the scale of the neck is going to matter to me. I currently have a A&L Wild Cherry that I play around with. I like the neck on it just fine, but something smaller would be nice too. I don't have the biggest hands or longest fingers in the world. Maybe the shorter scale would be better for me? I'm still not sure which one I like the best looks-wise. I have seen the BR-163 on Ebay as well, and like it also. I still have questions, though.

 

Normally, the word "select" before the description of woods generally lean towards some kind of laminate, no? I get mixed descriptions looking at them on ebay from different sellers. Also, on the 163....I've never played an acoustic that was OM size. I like to fingerpick from time to time, so I'm sure I would appreciate it's effect there. However, I do like to do some loud strumming as well. Could that BR-143 be a best of both worlds model?

 

I just don't know which one to be looking at to choose. I don't have access to play any local, unless someone knows of one in Western NC. If you do, definitely let me know.

[guit30]

Look, beware of ebay sellers, if you get one from a real dealer like Music123, then you can pick what you like. Go to Saga's site, where you live, there has to be a store somewhere. The Br-160 is incredible though. Centsible.com also carries Blueridge.

[looj]

I've got a BG-160 and I love it. Excellent guitar for the money. I bought it online from a bargain shop off of Ebay, and I wouldn't recommend that experience to anyone---it was problematic all around.

However, the BG-160 is finally here and I'm in love. As others have mentioned, it is LOUD. I'm known for having a strong loud voice and I've never played an acoustic guitar that could compete with me, but this one does. Lotsa room for dynamics though. Also, this guitar just seems so tonally balanced throughout. It also seems alot more "alive" than my Tacoma and Taylor. For myself I've found that, like other good instruments I've played, it has inspired me to reach a little further in my writing and playing.

 

Definitely a keeper and I would recommend the BG-160 to anyone that asked.

[Macartie]

 

Could that BR-143 be a best of both worlds model?

 

In my opinion, the OM/000 is the perfect

size guitar. It can do many of the same

things as a dreadnought -- good for strumming--

but it's smaller in some dimensions (depth &

waist), so it's great for fingerstyle too.

My guitar is a Blueridge BR-243 -- very

much like the BR-143, but with ebony

fretboard and bridge (it's also several

hundred dollars more than the BR-143).

 

In my opinion, the BR-143 (or the dreadnought

BR-140) is the best

"bang for the buck" of the Blueridge line.

It's the least expensive

all solid wood Blueridge.

 

FULL DISCLOSURE: I'm selling a Blueridge BR-143

right now over in the Acoustic Guitar

"Trading Post."

 

http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=002871

[Macartie]

 

Look, beware of ebay sellers, if you get one from a real dealer like Music123, then you can pick what you like.

 

I sell guitars on eBay, and I resent being

lump-summed in with the bad eBay sellers.

As far as Blueridges go, there is one notorious

seller "Onl__e Guitar" that does some rather

obnoxious things -- claim to put Martin strings

on just to get the word "Martin" in their title;

list 10 guitars all at once to kill off competition;

drive prices way down but charge high

shipping, etc.

 

BTW, most of the "real" stores charge much

more for the same guitar WITHOUT a case

as some of the eBay stores do with a case.

 

Guit30, have you been burned by an eBay

seller? Why do you warn everyone away

from eBay?

[Macartie]

 

Normally, the word "select" before the description of woods generally lean towards some kind of laminate, no? I get mixed descriptions looking at them on ebay from different sellers.

 

 

All Blueridges have solid spruce tops.

If the model

has only two numbers (BR-40, BR-63, etc.),

then it has laminate back and sides.

If it has three numbers (BR-160, BG-160,

BR-143, BR-163, etc.) then it has all solid

back and sides.

 

If the number starts with a "2," (BR-243,

BR-260, etc.) then it's one of their premium

models -- ebony fretboards & bridges,

nicest looking wood, and so forth.

[knockwood]

 

Originally posted by looj I've got a BG-160 and I love it. Excellent guitar for the money. I bought it online from a bargain shop off of Ebay, and I wouldn't recommend that experience to anyone---it was problematic all around.

 

 

This is very discouraging to hear. I don't want to hijack anyone's thread, but I'd be curious to know more about your troublesome ebay transaction if I'm not being intrusive. Don't have the dough at the moment, but as soon as I do I've been thinking of buying from an ebay store (The Mandolin Store). If I do, I'd be paying a few hundred bucks less than I ultimately would if I purchase through Elderly, for example, but frankly it'd be worth it to me to pay the extra bucks to avoid trouble.

[Nicko]

I took a risk and bought a BR-160 from 'guitars online' (or something like that) through ebay. Fortunately it was as advertized and I'm quite pleased with it. It's not as loud as my Martin DM, but it's got a sweet sound for sure and I have no regrets. If I had the $$ I'd get a BG model next.

[JasmineTea]

Originally posted by Macartie I sell guitars on eBay, and I resent being lump-summed in with the bad eBay sellers. As far as Blueridges go, there is one notorious seller "Onl__e Guitar" that does some rather obnoxious things -- claim to put Martin strings on just to get the word "Martin" in their title; list 10 guitars all at once to kill off competition; drive prices way down but charge high shipping, etc. BTW, most of the "real" stores charge much more for the same guitar WITHOUT a case as some of the eBay stores do with a case. Guit30, have you been burned by an eBay seller? Why do you warn everyone away from eBay?

If you look around the forum, you'll find some bad e-bay experiences posted. I'm not for or against. I suggest you don't take it personaly if you are'nt lumped in with "them".

[Macartie]

Well, eBay is a tool. It's like a hammer.

So when someone says, "don't use hammers,

I hit my thumb with one," I tend to

question their logic.

 

If something bad happens to you on eBay,

it's the fault of the person who did something

wrong. It's not right to imply -- as Guit30

did in his post subtitled "Don't Buy" --

that all eBay sellers should be avoided.

If anything, eBay is one of the safest ways

to buy, as both the sellers and buyers

can complain if something unkosher

happens.

 

I for one have been ripped off by "brick &

mortar" guitar stores. But I don't tell

folks to avoid them!

 

I use eBay to reach people that I would

not be able to reach by other methods.

I just sold a guitar to a guy in Texas,

and a mandolin to a guy in Alaska.

[GN-Nick]

I agree.

 

Having bought and sold more than 100 times I have had a grand total of one negative experience.

 

Twice I needed to work something out and did with the help of ebay.

 

Do your homework, check the feedback, check the shipping charges and what is included or not, and don't send cash or money orders to people with zero feedback.

[guit30]

Macartie, that was not aimed at you, yes I have had problems on ebay and lots of people do illegal things on ebay(false bidders to drive up prices). I did have a bad experience.

I don't understand why Blueridge is so prevalent on EBAY and the internet and so hard to find in a store, actually the one store that I found selling them was ripping people off more than ebay. Selling a new BR-43 without case for $550,(55 over list)

Blueridge guitars have been around for quite awhile, if they are that good, why don't any stores or chains like guitar center carry them ?

Saying all that, I still think the BR-160 is one great guitar

Jim

[UGB]

The reason more brick and mortar stores DON'T stock Blueridge is BECAUSE they're so available on ebay. This is the very reason that, as a Walden dealer, Walden prohibits me and all other Walden dealers from selling new Walden guitars on ebay. It also takes very little effort, in the big scheme of things, to become a Saga/Blueridge dealer. Get a business license, a state tax id #, enough money or room on a credit card to place your first order, which isn't nearly as huge as several other companies, and you're a dealer. My first Washburn order was required to be 4 times larger than my first Saga order. My first Walden order had to be twice as large. Minimum.

 

Of all the guitars I carry, the profit margin is the least on the Blueridges for a couple of reasons. One, they cost more than any other brand of guitar I carry when compared to the retail price and two, they sell for the least of any brand I carry when compared to the retail price.

 

All that said, Blueridges are fantastic guitars, killer values especially in the lower models. Jim I know you weren't overly impressed moving from the 163 to the 63, but man put that 63 up against another spruce top, rosewood laminate and see what you think.

 

I agree w/Macartie that the 000 sized Blueridge guitars are just nearly perfect for just about any kind of playing. They are as loud, if not louder, than most other companies' dreadnoughts, yet the tuned bracing and quality woods really make the individual notes shine.

[looj]

I just want to add that it was wrong of me to say not to buy the guitar online. I should've clarified who NOT to buy the guitar from online. I shouldn't have generalized like that because I buy lots of stuff online---it's just that this last incident truly sucked. The worst part about it is that I called this online guitar (hint) outfit and did the transaction outside of Ebay, so I can't leave feedback.

 

Anyway, I hope you sell lots of Blueridge guitars Macartie --- as long as you provide good customer service!

[UGB]

How was their feedback on ebay? I mean I do quite a bit of business outside of ebay and I've not had anything go wrong/bad.....yet.

[guit30]

"The reason more brick and mortar stores DON'T stock Blueridge is BECAUSE they're so available on ebay. This is the very reason that, as a Walden dealer, Walden prohibits me and all other Walden dealers from selling new Walden guitars on ebay. It also takes very little effort, in the big scheme of things, to become a Saga/Blueridge dealer. Get a business license, a state tax id #, enough money or room on a credit card to place your first order, which isn't nearly as huge as several other companies, and you're a dealer. My first Washburn order was required to be 4 times larger than my first Saga order. My first Walden order had to be twice as large. Minimum. "

 

 

Ok, this is getting to be fun, in other words if there were a lot of Taylors on EBAY, they would not be available in Brick and Mortar stores. Comparing a Blueridge BR-60 to another comparable acoustic like an Alvarez AD60S, I would take the Alvarez, richer tone, sturdier feel, better finish.

[JMigs]

It is definitely awesome to see this thread at 19 replies when coming home from work, thinking all day about which one to get.

 

I would be more than happy to buy elsewhere online, and surely in a store, but not if the price is going to jump up on a BG or BR 160 or 143 another 2-3 hundred bucks. If it were to get up that high in price, I would just try my hand at a used Yairi on ebay or something on the forums.

 

My main goal is to spend about 500-600 bucks on a Blueridge, buy a Rare Earth, Pure Western, M-1 Active, etc. and have a guitar well under $1000 that could quite possibly beat a lot of its $1000 + couterparts. The key for me is the price for the solid woods. (see my signature)

 

Choices Choices.

[UGB]

Originally posted by guit30 [b in other words if there were a lot of Taylors on EBAY, they would not be available in Brick and Mortar stores.

 

Yep. There are 2 or 3 sellers on ebay that claim to sell new Taylors, but they could be closeout models or some special edition. I'd guess Taylor has a 'no ebay' policy as well. A lot of companies do actually. I know a guy that owns a brick and mortar and is a Fender dealer. Fender won't let him sell on ebay, but he does, just not as his store.

 

Those companies that support internet sellers lose brick and mortar sellers left and right. Those that support brick and mortar have little or no internet sellers. Those that try to support both, well, it's a mess. Trust me.

[guit30]

-Check out this selection, shipping included, 45 day free trial period to return if not happy

 

http://www.music123.com/Acoustic-Guitars-6-String-Blue-Ridge-b2134774812d2454.music

[UGB]

wow. Now that they're carrying Blueridge I might stop. I can't match that price and toss in free shipping. Then again I noticed all the models I stock they don't have in stock......

[guit30]

UGB, Which models don't they carry, I saw both BR-43 and BR-63 which you see?