Blueridge BR-180-12

[Don]

Got a rare treat recently. Was conferring with my luthier over repairs to the neck of my F212XL when in walks a matched pair of Blueridge dreds, a BR-180 and a custom order only BR-180-12. Stunning guitars. I got to play the 12 and "Wow!" is about as articulate as I can manage. I was equally stunned to learn the guitar was made in China. Does anyone here have any opinions/experience with Blueridge? I really want a rosewood 12 and might have to stray from the fold.

In case some of you might lose sleep over the fate of Cassiopeia, she had a small crack under the treble truss rod which is now fixed and stable. It was necessary to strip the entire neck to discern if anything else was going on and happily nothing but pristine wood met our gaze. Despite the fact that I've moved 250 miles away from St Louis I will always give John Mondin first refusal on my repair work. He is awesome!

Cheers All!

Don

 

[Kslam]

I absolutely love the all solid wood Historic Series Blueridges. I've owned the BR160 (dread size) and a BR163 (OM size) -- they're both fantastic guitars.

I posted this link recently, which is a Martin/Blueridge comparison chart, created by a dealer who sells both Martins and Blueridges. Some of the head to heads include soundclips and video. Too bad the chart doesn't include Guilds!

 

[Don]

Thanks! I'll get along to that link presently. This really puts the Chinese Guilds in a different light. Still, if I had to choose between a Martin, Taylor or Blueridge based on personal time spent on guitars of equal price points I say to the bin with Martin and Taylor. No, in fact the Blueridge delivers better tone, higher quality AND at a lower price point. So diddle the other two.

 

[Ridgemont]

There are many fine imports in the sub $1K category and Blueridge is (according to Martin aficionados) the closest knockoff. I have played a couple and they seem nice. You can't go wrong with a Blueridge as an inexpensive guitar, but be sure go check out the GADs, Eastmans, and Recording Kings as there is a lot of fine competition in this category and price range. It is not fair to put low level Martins and Taylors in this category as they can't really compete IMHO. Where these companies shine is in the higher price points...so apples and oranges.

 

[Kslam]

There are many fine imports in the sub $1K category and Blueridge is (according to Martin aficionados) the closest knockoff. I have played a couple and they seem nice. It is not fair to put low level Martins and Taylors in this category as they can't really compete IMHO.

I agree -- the low level guitars from Martin and Taylor really don't hold a candle to Blueridges, Eastmans, et al in the same price range. The specs on some of the imports are really amazing for the price. The BR160, for instance, is spec'd comparably to the HD28, not the D28. One thing to note is that there are some Blueridges that retail above $1000. The BR263 has an MSRP of over $4,000 and sells in stores for around $3,000. The BR180, which is one of the guitars that Don originally asked about, has an MSRP or $1650 and a street price of $1175. The adirondack top version of the BR180 has an MSRP of $1895 and a street price of $1300. I know those numbers might seem high to some for a Chinese made guitar, but they're still a lot less money than the equivalent Martins. Blueridges don't hold their values that well in the used market, so bargains can be found on Ebay and Craigslist.

You can't go wrong with a Blueridge as an inexpensive guitar, but be sure go check out the GADs, Eastmans, and Recording Kings as there is a lot of fine competition in this category and price range.

I've never played an Eastman or Recording King, but I hear great things. I've liked some the GADs I've played, but not nearly as much as the Blueridges.

 

[Don]

I would agree that it's only fair to compare apples and oranges. That said the Taylors and Martins I mentioned are the ones I see at Guitar Center and range anywhere from $1000 to $2500. The one thing I can say about them is they consistently underwhelm me. Even granting that GC goes for large markup and those guitars could likely be had cheaper elsewhere they still look half finished and sound tinny. I've got a Sigma 12 (Martin's Korean second line from the early 1980s) that can nearly hold its own against them. For that kind of money they should beat the snot out of the Blueridge, but they don't. Which is why I'll probably buy the Blueridge.

BUT, because you advised me to scope out the GADs first I will. I normally despise bling but that BR-180-12 sang to me. Looks like I got it bad.