Blueridge Guitars- Comparable to High End Martins?

[Doron Diamond]

Have any of you guys heard of Blueridge Guitars? They're made in China, and have only been out for over a year, but are the new craze from everyone guitar "expert" I talk to. I own a low end one (for 300 dollars) and my bluegrass teacher who has been playing and building guitars said that for a low end guitar, it's as good as it gets. The higher end ones (for about 800-900 dollars) are said to be extremely similar to a Martin D-45 in quality and beauty. I was looking at the pictures, and it certainly is a gorgeous guitar. At the local shop downtown (I go to school at UC Santa Cruz...a place full of guitar players) the guys who work there (and are real guitar nerds) say they own high end $3000 martins, and that if they were blindfolded, they could not tell the difference between a high end Martin vs. a somewhat high end blueridge. Then there's the prewar model Blueridges (the highest end it gets is about $1850) which is said to be comparable to everything out there as far as quality (though obviously not in name). Anyway, here's a link to a BR-180 Model

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/fantastic-i ... umad4.html


And here's a link to a BR-280 Model (the one I want:-D)

http://www.giannaviolins.com/Guitars/Bl ... 0/280.html


I'm really curious what you guys think about this. I JUST bought my Taylor 414, and got it set up at a shop and everything, but I think I want to sell it for one of these! Any potential buyers?

[ryopan]

never played one. if they sound good then they sound good though. ill try to remember those next time im out and about lookin for another axe.

[blueridgeguy]

I own a BR-160, and can say without qualification that it will pull it's weight. I've had it since May, and play about 2 hours most days, and it's started opening up already. The whole guitar moves....it's quite a thumper on the bass, and can shatter glass with the treble...well, almost.

Comparison-wise, it's a Martin Herringbone D28 for 1/3 of the price.
And damn pretty, too.

Same or better fit/finish/tone/volume as Martin/Taylor/Larrivee/Bourgeoise, etc.


Having said that, should I ever come into money, the first two things I'd buy would be a DM3MD and an OM-28JM. I love Martin's, but don't have the cash or the sapce (or a wife that won't kill me if I brought them home now!)

Don't know anything about the Pre-War Series....and wonder if there's that much difference between them and the 180? They're certainly more expensive...

Go to Harmony Central and read the reviews for the Blueridge line...I don't think I've seen any of the Pre-War series yet.

Questions?

Ask away!

Jeff