I got my Blueridge 180 a couple of years back....I had sold my 1968 D-45 to pay off bills and got 20k for it....picked up several older Japanese Martin clones including an Alverez and several Sigmas....but I was able to trade into the Br-180 used for the $800 ....Its a very fine guitar...my D-45 was a bit heavy on the bass end.. and the Blueridge is just about as nice tonally with great balance and a faster neck...it also has a built in pickup and enclosed gold tuners (don't know when they began putting the open tuners on)...my only question is whether I want to keep the pickguard....I've had many fine Martins including a Pre WWII D-18, two 50s D-18s a pre war 000-18, a 60 D-28 and D-35...and the Blueridge is as nice as any of em....the set up is low so I can flat pick or finger pick it...a great guitar to have till the recession becomes a depression and we can pick up used Martins for $200