BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 07:46 AM

I'm the proud owner of a Recording King all-solid-mahogany 12-fret-to-body grand auditorium size guitar which I can bore people silly singing the praises of, and have done so in another thread on here. It's relevant to this discussion cos I think the same guy basically designed them all.

I vastly prefer its sound to all the Blueridges I tried out in Hobgoblin Music (though they were nice, don't get me wrong).

I recently won an eBay auction for the same model Recording King I have, only with Indian Rosewood back and sides and a spruce top. It reminds me a great deal of the Blueridges I tried out. Very similar feel, tone and playability. I don't like it as much as my mahogany, even though it's worth twice as much money. I think I just prefer the tone of all-hog, more bluesy, more what I think of as 'woody'.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 25 Mar 14 - 11:41 PM

I have played several blueridge's over the years that some friends have. They have good volume, are easy to play, they sound good. But, they lack a depth of tone and sustain that I look for in a guitar. Not a standard unit of measure, I know, but something's missing.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,visitor
Date: 25 Mar 14 - 01:35 PM

wich bluerididge sounds the best for bluegrass 160a or 180a

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: kendall
Date: 13 Mar 13 - 08:03 PM

Jacqui bought me an Octave mandolin for my birthday. Made in Korea and it is flawless.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 10:56 PM

Ya know, a good woman is a good woman. Don't matter about brand or make.

That's all I gotta say.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,Smackover Kid
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 10:19 PM

I would like to know which current Blueridge model is most comparable in quality to the BR-7S, which is no longer in production.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: kendall
Date: 14 Jul 12 - 10:20 AM

I have only played one Blueridge guitar, and I must say, if price is a factor you could do worse. However, Guest, comparing a $150.00 guitar to a D 28 is laughable. It's like comparing a Yugo to a Cadillac.

I resist as much as I can buying anything that is not made in America, Canada or the UK.
Mark my words, they are building a blue water fleet and they will, within our lifetime, challenge us for control of the high seas.
What will your $150.00 guitar be worth then?

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: wilco
Date: 14 Jul 12 - 10:20 AM

SAGA has issued several lines of Blueridge guitars over the years. The reso is probably a prototype.

About fifteen years ago, Greg Rich (formerly of Rich and Taylor Guitars) was hired by SAGA to re-design their acoustic line. The current crop of Blueridge is the result. Later, Greg left SAGA and he did the same thing with Music Link on Carolina and Recording King Guitars.

I had an acoustic music store, and SAGA is the absolute pits to deal with. Quality control is almost non-existent. For example, on the BR guitars, the fret wire varied with production runs, and you might buy a bunch of guitars that would need a re-fret very quickly; too light.

SAGA treats their dealers terribly, and they do have their own online store, where you can buy direct from SAGA. In other words, the local store is a SAGA showroom. People try 'em out in the local store, and then they buy direct from SAGA.

I would stock Blueridge, Martins, Santa Cruz, Eastman, Stanford and others. Best buy for the buck: Stanford Performer series.

I sold the store, since I tired of being a showroom for Asian product. Next time, it will be only product made in N America.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 12 - 10:04 AM

My mystery Blueridge ???

I've already mentioned it in other threads some time ago...

Obtained off a UK ebay shop within a year or 2 of my 2004 posts in this thread.

It's a round necked Resonator, plywood body with the 2 mini circular metal grill soundholes.

At the time I was considering purchase I was suspicious because I could find no trace on google
of any Resonators having ever existed in the the official Blueridge
product line & website;
and the headstock logo looked a bit 'different' ?

But I was prepared to take a risk on ebay auction and won it brand new at £100.

Fair enough, it was still much cheaper than any known budget brand reso at that time.

It turned out to be a pretty decent well made guitar with no resonator issues - absolutely no rattles or buzzes.
Just the usual intonation problems further up the neck
if playing without a botleneck.

So without any evidence to be found that Blueridge had ever made any Resonators.
My educated guess was that it may have originated out of one of the Saga contracted factories
and possibly have started out as a 'B stock' "Regal" or related brand.
I surmised that because It was nearly identical to photos of lower priced Regal Resos
[approx £350 retail - if I remember correct ?]

Why it ended up with a Blueridge headstock decal is a complete mystery.

Possible nefarious importer's attempt to pass off an average quality guitar
as a more desirable Blueridge ?

A genuine Blueridge pre-production test product factory sample that never made it to market ?

A forgotten missing link from the earliest Blueridge production days
while the brandname was being set up,
and before it became established and positioned as a premium quality instrument maker ?

Who will ever know ?

Chinese factory & western contractor business politics from the last 20 years or so
are a probably vague and murky enough to defeat even the best guitar researchers and historians.

All I know is I got a decent quality Reso for a mere 100 quid
adorned with a slightly dubious looking Blueridge Logo !!!???

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Stringsinger
Date: 13 Jul 12 - 02:32 PM

I wouldn't go as far as retiring my Martin but Blueridge are good guitars for the price.
Their setup is good and have a nice balance.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,Donald Thronburg
Date: 13 Jul 12 - 11:56 AM

Well written by the various authors, and your site, however some of your comments I have an issue with, such as known-vs-unknown brands.
Unknown brands are sometimes excellent (I have one), BUT - if I decide to sell or trade it, I am in trouble. There is no standard way of establishing it's value, and that usually leads to a long discussion.

Let's say I mention Martin in the middle of the ocean...unless the listener has been living in a cave, they know instantly what I am talking about. If I mention ABC brand, they nearly always (nearly) lose interest or want to know much more, or back out to a known brand.

Blueridge...quite a good guitar (in my opinion)...I would certainly consider trading one of mine for one. Their image may very well gather strength in the coming times. My biggest concern about guitars is consistency of construction. Quite a quandary. I even hear now that only 1 Gibson in 25 is REALLY good. In the real world, however, one cannot expect EVERY guitar to be perfect EVERY time. But if the company makes consistently good guitars more often than not, that is a good sign. Yamaha would be a good example of that.

All-in-all, this guitar business/pleasure is quite challenging and fun to a lot of us. The discussions could go on forever.

Dr. Donald Thronburg

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,fingerpicker
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 01:15 PM

I'm not a professional but I've played a number of Martin and Taylors. To me their is a definite improvement in intonation as well as playability with these guitars over guitars of lesser quality and craftsmanship. Does anyone play a Zager? I'm going to check them out when I'm in Nebraska.
To those concerned about buying American. We are the central bank to the world. The world's economy can only expand if we run a trade deficit. It's called the Triffin Paradox. We have to address this if we want to bring back good jobs to this country. Personally, I would rather buy a similar priced guitar made in America or Japan than support the slave labor system in communist China. I really feel sorry for those folks and I remember Tianamen Square -I'd like to hear some Chinese blues singing about that disgusting massacre.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: maeve
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 01:55 PM

That's impressive customer service, Adrien. I'm glad your guitar has been repaired!

maeve

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Beer
Date: 16 Apr 10 - 01:39 PM

Just back from a small repair to my Blueridge. Friend asked if he could use it at a coffee house to do a song. When he finished he placed it down thinking it was safe. Well if fell and broke one of the plastic tuning forks. Part ordered, received and installed. No charge. Can you believe it!! no charge.
Ad.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,Ian Gill
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 02:27 PM

I've tried them and they are good guitars at a good price, no doubt. Other guitars to try from the same region include 'Faith', which are Indonesian. I have owned and played all the 'big name' USA guitars and had good and 'not so good' ones. No two pieces of wood are identical and player requirements and styles vary, too.
   There is another consideration; the quality of the player! A very long time ago after a gig with a newly purchased 'Marlin Sidewinder' Strat copy [a snip at £120 with hard case!] one Alan Prosser approached me and asked for 'a go' on my new guitar. Played through a pretty weedy transistor amp it sounded like Richard Thompson at Cropredy - or rather Pross did... happy days...

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 01:55 PM

The Blueridge I have is incredible. This 150.00 guitar will stand up against my Martin D-28 and Takamine FP-360SC. It's really shows your ignorance to trash an instrument because it's made in the far east. Are you gonna trash the far east cars, too? The same ones that are rated much higher than the crap america builds? (OK, Toyota's in the middle of a crisis, but I drive a Honda) :) IMHO, the quality of musical instrumentsa coming out of the Pacific Rim has been simple incredible. And if you recognise quality and value when you see it, you should buy it, and leave your bigotry behind.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: bubblyrat
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 06:38 AM

Well, just buy my Martin MC 16 GTE with Fishman Stereo Blender for a bargain price (I'm open to offers in these hard times !), and you can take THAT on the road,thus sparing your Martin JC AND your Blueridge !
          Will be putting Martin back on E-Bay again soon ; been on twice already in last 2 months !

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 05:45 PM

I am playing a bottom of the the line Blueridge BR-43. $350.00 plus $ 200.00 worth of Baggs I beam. I am replacing a Martin JC 16 GTE for performance purposes. Great playing guitar. I'd far and away rather trash a PacRim guitar than a Martin on the road. The problem is that the guitar may be inexpensive but it is every bit the Martins equal when it comes to playability and sound and I don't want to trash it either.

Don

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Beer
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 05:28 PM

I have a Blueridge- BG40 and I certainly do not regret the purchase.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: olddude
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 04:14 PM

The Alaveraz line from China is very good also, I couldn't believe the sound. But I will still buy American or Canada made me self (not that I am buying anything new anymore)... no reason actually cause the ones from China are making good guitars for sure ....   The only drawback that I heard from the lower end Blueridge like the model 40 is the position dots rub off ... no kidding that was the only complaint I read and doesn't happen on the high end ...

Now a comparable priced Martin composite (one of the newfangled ones)
my reading is they fall apart in the year, the glue dries out and you have parts. Martin covers it in full, but that isn't cool I think. Seems to be far less problems with the lower end Chinese made ones than the big brand low end ones.

I will still buy American or Canadian just cause and have no real good reason for it other than political I guess

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: bubblyrat
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 03:52 PM

Nothing wrong with Chinese guitars ! I had the good fortune to get a Guild GAD 40 (all solid, Sitka and Mahogany) at a very good price recently,and am VERY pleased with its tone and playability (having changed the strings and fitted solid brass bridge -pins). Even Chinese 4 X 4 off-roaders are getting good reviews in Caravan (Trailer) magazines these days !

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,The Dr
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 01:40 AM

I own a Blueridge BR-243. This is from the Pre-war series, one of their tops. What an amazing guitar. I used to have a $2500 Santa Cruz PW-OM, very nice guitar. The Blueridge does not compare to it (the Santa is rosewood, the Blueridge mahogany). But what a gorgeous sound of the Blueridge, louder than the Santa. I have a recent gig recorded with it using a K&K Pure Western passive pickup. Amazing.

Chinese guitars are starting to shine. I also own an Ibanez PM35, the Pat Metheny model, made in China. It was love at first play. What an extraordinary guitar, a sweet jazzbox for under $1000 CDN. Take that, Gibson!

I really don't miss the american guitars. It's time that they come off their pedestal. And people still support them. I have a Gibson doubleneck, and the finish on both Blueridge and Ibanez is way superior than the Gibson's. Martin is now making garbage. They have totemized a lie. Welcome China, indeed.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,Stevn1
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 11:27 PM

I recently played a BR-163. Sweet! Easy to play and tone is amazing. I am looking for a deal on one on line.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 12:30 PM

"For a lower end priced guitar go for a Godin make (Seagull, Norman)"

Fair comment - just bought my 2nd Norman - a 12 string for £195 on Ebay (inc quality case) - made in 1999; virtually as new condition - amazing value.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 10:35 AM

thanks Brian..

only the most bleeding obvious shop in the UK ..
and it never even occurred to me..

got to go to a wedding in Bristol just before xmas..

so hoping nobody will notice if i disapear for an hour
to check out Hobgoblin..
and the big guitar shop by the bus station...

Hobgoblin:

"Blueridge has established itself as the leading guitar brand in the USA after Martin and Taylor with this amazing new range of guitars. The reviews say it all: "A great deal of dreadnought for modest sums.. the quality of materials is remarkable at this price and the same goes for the overall attention to detail...a real boomer" Guitar Buyer. "Plays like a dream" Guitar Player. "Tonally the Blueridge was very impressive as well" Acoustic Guitar"

great.. at least now I've got some UK prices to compare against
US ebay/bargain bin music shops + shipping/customs duty /VAT prices.

cheers...

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:42 AM

Punkfolkrocker,

Blueridge are sold through Hobgoblin in the UK see here

Brian

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: number 6
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 12:06 PM

Jeeesh Punkrocker.

I too wondered if I'd be kickin' 30 years later when I was 20! I also certainly didn't expect my Guild to be around then also. I don't know If I will still breathin' 30 years from now, but certainly hope I will and also have hands that can still plunk away.

I was over at the music shop yesterday. Did play a Blueridge (again). It certainly did sound nice. Got into a big debate with the guys there about these mass produced instruments. At the $800 cdn price I still think it is overpriced. let alone the markup that the marketing guys over here are collecting. At that price I think I would rather save an xtra $200 and buy a Seagull Artist, or low end Taylor. Hell, I'd buy another Seagull S6 and save money. These sound sweet, also you wouldn't have to go out and drop another $800 every 5 years to replace a guitar that has fallen apart.

Yup, my grandson could make use of a geetar that was once mine. He probably won't have a decent paying job to afford one. All the jobs will be over in the Orient.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 11:46 AM

or it could have been tanglewood..
i was out xmas shopping with the mrs & mother..
so was'nt allowed to linger for too long near any guitar shops..

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 11:44 AM

Btw..
anyone know where can i find Blueridge guitars
in stock now in Uk..

or what names they are definitely re-branded with for our market..

i saw a Crafter guitar yesterday in a shop window that looked like
photos of Blueridge guitar..
any possibilities its exactly same guitar rebadged..

thanks..

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 11:40 AM

"As Leadfingers sais, "but I often wonder wether these guitars will still be as nice as my old (1970) D 35 in thirty years time", I also question if they would last 30 years."..

yeah.. so..
how many of us expect to last another 30 years anyway..

i want reasonable quality good sounding cheapest possible price guitars
that i can enjoy playing and working with now..

Most far eastern guitars made now are relible and musical enough
for my professional purposes for at least the next 5-10 years..

and when i find a £200 instrument that delivers the equivalent performance
of one 'overpriced' at £1000 or more..
then it dont take a Business Masters Degree qualification
to be very pleased about the amount of money i've saved
that can be put to better uses for whatever amount of life i do have left..

ps hope all yer grandkids enjoy their 'investment guitar' inheritance
if humanity does manage to avoid obliterating the planet of all life
within the next 50 years..

merry xmas..

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,OO Mann
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 09:15 AM

I recently moved from San Diego to MD. I left all five of my Martins in San Diego to be shipped. I was without a guitar for several weeks and decided to buy a "cheap" guitar to hold me over. I found a Blueridge BR-43 (OOO) and it's playability floored me. Not a bad OOO for $325.00.

Brad

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: number 6
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 07:04 PM

Chinese, Korean guitars. They sound good but the quality just isn't there. Neck joints won't standup to various tunings. Rip one apart and look inside. Sloppy workmanship. There is something about a guitar made by people that don't listen to, or understand the music of the market they are going after.

For a lower end priced guitar go for a Godin make (Seagull, Norman) or a taylor 110, 210 or a lower end Larivee. BTW, the Blueridges aren't really that cheap.

As Leadfingers sais, "but I often wonder wether these guitars will still be as nice as my old (1970) D 35 in thirty years time", I also question if they would last 30 years.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 12:12 PM

I own a Lowden O23, a Norman ST68 and a Pro series Simon & Patrick.
Last Summer I picked up a "Gremlin" (same brand as Blueridge I believe) just out of curiosity (absolutely no intention to buy). I would never have considered buying down in that price range, but I was amazed at the sound and build quality. It delivers a great Robert Johnson type blues sound and plays easily, with good projection. I bought it as a "knockabout" guitar, but that really understates its value. It sits around the house (never in a case) so I can pick it up and play it at anytime.

Guitars "Made in China" used to mean tack - not any more. Is there any wonder the dollar's falling through the floor?

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Steve-o
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 12:01 PM

I played two different models a few months back and was mightily impressed from both a sound and construction standpoint. Good action, easy neck, excellent fit and finish even on the interior. I also rather like their scratchplates and inlay- only a little bit over the top. They are not to be compared to Martins, Taylors, etc.- they are to be compared to other guitars costing $600. They are currently at the top of that pile, IMNSHO.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 08:10 AM

For most people in UK the exhorbitant price of the top end Martins , Collings , Taylors , etc put them out of the reach of most ordinary players , so there is a real demand for reasonably priced playable instruments . The Chinese and Korean makers are filling this gap quite nicely , but I often wonder wether these guitars will still be as nice as my old (1970) D 35 in thirty years time !

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: mooman
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 07:55 AM

They are indeed made in China for Saga. I've tried a couple and the sound is certainly not bad at all. I don't think I could get used to the kitschy urethane body finish and over the top headstock inlay though. Overall...good value but go easy on the aesthetics Saga.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 07:44 AM

MG...Does Saga actually build instruments? I thought they just marketed them. Mooh.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Once Famous
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 09:30 PM

A guy I know who is an excellent bluegrass flatpicker bought one and they are certainly not bad for the money. I also agree that they are far better than the low end Martins. They are ugly I agree but they are a good value. I wouldn't play it instead of a D-18 or D-28, but I would over a Yamaha or Takamine. They have really tried hard to make a decent bluegrass guitar.

I believe they are made by Saga but I may be wrong on this.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 09:25 PM

Here is a PREVIOUS THREAD you might also want to read..........Amazing amount of stuff has passed by these threads over time....................

Spaw

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,OBoro Ky Boy
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 09:10 PM

Yup,

Those Blueridge guitars are a dream to play, too.
Even the lower-end guitars like the BR 40 and 60 sound great!
The 160 solid rosewood is my favorite. I can get used to the jaundiced soundboard since the sound and playability are absolutely stellar. Plan on getting a Blueridge first of the year.
Hopefully the current price will hold before Saga (the manufacturer)and the local stores realize what a good thing they've got and raise the price to what it's really worth!

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,Hillbilly from the heart of bluegrass countr
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 03:53 AM

Yes, the orange top is ugly and so are the pick guards. But, these guitars deliver the traditional Bluegrass sound us old pickers are looking for. Thats the pre-war sound! They may be Pacific Rim, but they beat the low end junk Martin is manufacturing. Good quality and price! It's the forward shift scalloped bracing and the bone nut and saddle, that make Blueridge guitars sing, and thats what we look for. I bought one to back up my Martin HD-28V. All you need to do is, put on a set Martin SP light strings and change to Ebony bridge pins, then "Mash it"! The more you play it, the better it sounds.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Mooh
Date: 21 Oct 04 - 12:54 PM

Really? From what I've seen they're okay, and a good choice for those who fit the price/quality/feature bracket (so are the Tanglewoods at a lower price point), but not equivalent to Martin, Larrivee, or (how could you say this?) Beneteau. Maybe I should have another listen?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: GUEST,gitar plucker
Date: 21 Oct 04 - 12:43 PM

dem blueridge guitars is mighty fine...mine came with a free bowl or rice and a fortune cookie. Does blueridge make their own rice or is imported from Japan?

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: John Hardly
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 04:51 PM

they are good for the money. Pumpkins, not guitars, should be orange.

Subject: RE: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: Midchuck
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 04:08 PM

....and eventually the Pacific Rim countries will have all the money.

P.

Subject: BLUERIDGE: good guitar,good price!
From: RichM
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 02:53 PM

Have a look at this site:
Blueridge Guitars

This is a fine line of guitars, equivalent in sound to others costing up to 3 times as much. Two of my friends who are long time bluegrass pickers, have bought these, and use them instead of their martins...I plan to get one or more of them. I may retire my Martin/Larrivee/Beneteau.

Rich