#31
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#32
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It was the BR-283A because I remember "pre-war", and I'm sure that he paid well over $2000. My brother was not a savvy shopper, never owned a computer, and never haggled. Btw, when I Google the guitar, one shows up that sold on EBay in 2011 for over $3000.
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Eastman E1SS-CLA-LTD Eastman E1OOSS-LTD Cordoba Fusion Orchestra CE Cordoba SM-CE Mini Classical Acoustic Ibanez Blazer 21 MIJ Stratocaster 2 Yamaha PSR-SX900 keyboards I play professionally Roland FP-90 digital piano I play for pleasure with piano VSTs. Last edited by Beakybird; 05-08-2018 at 04:28 PM. |
#33
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Thanks, Steve |
#34
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I have two Blueridges and a Martin. The build quality of the Martin is higher, and I prefer its nitro finish to the poly finish on the Blueridges. I tend to gravitate to the 00-18, but I still play the Blueridge OM-28 knockoff often. It looks and sounds great
I'd take either of my Blueridges over any Martin other than a standard, 15, or 16 series model.
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Martin CS-00-18 (2015) Martin OM-28V (2011) Northfield Model M mandolin |
#35
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It seems I heard many years ago that the Blueridge folks intentionally took about the earlier Martin models and studied them thoroughly, then did the best they could to copy the construction and then "tuned" the guitar for that authentic tone. Makes sense to me. I remember decades ago reading about how Mazda studied the exhaust/muffler note of the old British sport cars (Triumph, MG, etc.) for a LONG time, then different everything they could to replicate that "note" in the Miata. Some folks -- a minority -- have claimed Blueridges are a tad on the bright side, but I've never actually played one, so I have no opinion. sm |
#36
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I agree with that. The three Blueridges I owned were all brighter, crisper, and less warm toned than their Martin counterparts. I can hear it in Maury's comparison video posted earlier in this thread. I have always thought that BR's, especially the Adirondack models, are more in the Collings tone camp than Martin. Not that they have the tonal sophistication of a Collings, but they do have a hotter mid range, more note separation, and are brighter than Martins.
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#37
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How would you compare the tone of Eastmans vs. Blueridge? Or Blueridge in comparison with the brightness in many Taylor models? Thanks, bud, scott |
#38
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I played this guitar years ago next to my mahogany LL400, and outside of all the bling which was amazing, I liked the Yamaha more if only because the Blueridge had some mild fret buzz, and my Yamaha had perfect intonation.
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Eastman E1SS-CLA-LTD Eastman E1OOSS-LTD Cordoba Fusion Orchestra CE Cordoba SM-CE Mini Classical Acoustic Ibanez Blazer 21 MIJ Stratocaster 2 Yamaha PSR-SX900 keyboards I play professionally Roland FP-90 digital piano I play for pleasure with piano VSTs. |
#39
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I've never owned another guitar where the bridge pins really made any difference but they sure did for my 240A. Now I think it's about perfect |
#40
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I very nearly bought a Blueridge many years ago...I believe it was the model in question, with Sitka top, rosewood B&S, lots of abalone bling. When I tried the guitar it sounded lush, if a bit on the bright side, but it was brand new, so I expected that. I was very happy with my selection.
This was at Draper's Music in Palo Alto, during their "retiring and going out of business" sale, so they had some great deals...and a LOT of people in there taking full advantage. So there I am, standing there with this gorgeous Blueridge dread, and it's taking forever because the counter is swamped with people and the staff is ringing up sales right & left. Finally after about 15 minutes of standing there with my wife, waiting to buy this guitar, I started getting bored, looking around at guitars hanging on the wall...looked up and saw this rather plain-looking Larrivee L-03 hanging there, decided to pull it down off the wall and do an A-B comparison in their acoustic room, certain that the Blueridge would win and justify my choice. The Blueridge did NOT win...the Larrivee absolutely filled the room with this beautiful blooming, sustaining tone, much louder & more broad-spectrum than the BR160. My wife's eyes went wide, jaw dropped. I tried the Blueridge again and after hearing that L-03 it sounded thin & weak by comparison. That was about 14 years ago...I still have that Larrivee L-03 (even though it was about $300 more than the BR) and it sounds even better now than it did at the time. With regard to the OP's query, have you tried Yamaha, especially the LL-series? My own Yamaha LL16-12 is right in that price range (used), has all solid woods, being Englemann over EIR with an ebony fingerboard and bridge. The caveat with the Yamaha is that you may need to put in a new nut & saddle & tuners. I did, because mine came with awful plastic parts and cheapo tuners...YMMV. Finally, I would also recommend any of the Larrivee 12-strings...I often see used D03-12s and L03-12s on Reverb at that price range, USA made, all-solid woods with ebony board & bridge...I can almost guarantee that they will blow anything by Blueridge right out of the water.
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Larrivee L-10 Custom Larrivee DV-10K Larrivee L-03 Taylor 412K ('96) Yamaha LL16-12 (SOLD) PRS 'Studio' (SOLD) Rickenbacker 660-12 (SOLD) Fender USA Deluxe Strat Fender USA Roadhouse Strat Fender MIM/USA Partscaster Fender MIM Nashville Tele Kelsey Custom Hardtail Strat Fender MIM P-Bass |
#41
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I went to my local GC again last night and tried out the Blueridge BR-40-12 with the top crack. It is a very nice sounding guitar and plays easily so I am tempted but will probably avoid it with the top crack. The price is pretty cheap ($250) but a repair would need to be done. I am still playing the Martin D12X1AE and love the tone and playability. I am getting less bothered by the weight and unbalanced neck so I may get used to it over time. |
#42
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Blueridge isn't a brand I'd spend a lot of money for (like maybe $700 tops) but gosh-darn it if the BR-40 I bought for $250 used isn't a nice guitar. It acquits itself very well with Martins. I've compared it to a new D-18 and new D-28 and I like it better. Maybe I'm crazy or my ears are broken, but I really feel it's one of the best guitar values ever. And really light too. The neck isn't everyone's cup of tea but I do like it a lot. I'm sure the 12-string necks are different.
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#43
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A Blueridge, especially used, will be a great value. I think of them as a more Martiny version of Eastman. If I were on a budget and wanted a midrange acoustic I'd be looking Eastman, Blueridge, or Yamaha
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#44
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scott memmer |
#45
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I can't legitimately compare either to Taylor dreadnoughts as I have only played a handful. I really liked the 310's I have played, but I think they are braced differently than the usual Taylor dreads. They have a huge bass response. |