Recording King or Blueridge Dread for Bluegrass

SoggyBottomBoy · #1 09-24-2020, 08:21 AM

Hi gang,

I'm looking to purchase a low budget (<$700) dread with a fast neck, 1 11/16" nut and the 'bluegrass' look and tone so I can start attending some local jams. I'm a bit puzzled by all the model numbers in the Recording King and Blueridge lines and would appreciate your input here.

I *think* that the Recording King Dirty Thirties Dread models work for this? Thoughts?

On the Blueridge front, it seems that the BR40 is
the right one to be checking out?

I'd really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

Matt G · #2 09-24-2020, 08:28 AM

I bought a used Bluedridge 140A a couple years ago for under $700. It's a great bluegrass guitar - very powerful and a big, strong bass. It has good note separation too, which I prefer.

warfrat73 · #3 09-24-2020, 08:33 AM

Between those two, Blueridge, no doubt.

llew · #4 09-24-2020, 08:56 AM

JP Cromier (a great Canadian guitar player) is high on Recording King guitars. Here's video of him playing a RD328? against a 15 year old Martin D-28CW. I have to say it sounds good but I prefer Eastman's thermo-cured dreads to RK or BG. Playing starts around 3:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD061N_ciTg

I cannot figure out how to imbed a YT video to save my life?

zmf · #5 09-24-2020, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt G

I bought a used Bluedridge 140A a couple years ago for under $700.

That would be a great choice. Haven't played Recording King's, but the Blueridge have a Martin-like tone -- would be my choice.

Double-check me on this, but the 140A has a 1 3/4 nut, while the 140 is 1 11/16. These are all solid. The BR40 is laminate back/side, but to my ears, sounded very close to the all solid -- so don't dismiss it.

Ralph124C41 · #6 09-24-2020, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmf

That would be a great choice. Haven't played Recording King's, but the Blueridge have a Martin-like tone -- would be my choice.

Double-check me on this, but the 140A has a 1 3/4 nut, while the 140 is 1 11/16. These are all solid. The BR40 is laminate back/side, but to my ears, sounded very close to the all solid -- so don't dismiss it.

I think you're right. You folks know that I much prefer the 1 11/16-inch nut widths. The Blueridges have a more Martin-like sound.

If you get a BR, try to get an older BR40 that has laminated rosewood back and sides and not the newer models that have laminated Santos rosewood (Pau Ferro). But because it's laminated I don't how much of a sonic difference that would be.

I've only played a few RKs, and those were cheaper models, but I didn't like any of them very much at all. I did play, I think, that same model a few years back and I was vastly underwhelmed by it. At an old-time bluegrass jam I used to attend, some of the folks played Blueridges and they were "accepted" as almost everybody played Martins. (At the time I had my beat-up Guild D-55 so I was OK with them, too.)

UncleJesse · #7 09-24-2020, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llew

JP Cromier (a great Canadian guitar player) is high on Recording King guitars. Here's video of him playing a RD328? against a 15 year old Martin D-28CW. I have to say it sounds good but I prefer Eastman's thermo-cured dreads to RK or BG. Playing starts around 3:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD061N_ciTg

I cannot figure out how to imbed a YT video to save my life?

you take the part after the = and put it between brackets like this but spelled right

[yootube]QD061N_ciTg[/yootube]

and you end up with

BoneDigger · #8 09-24-2020, 10:36 AM

Of those, definetely the Blueridge. However, also consider the BG40 or BG60, which is the slope shoulder model. Phenomenal guitar!

PappyVanWinkle · #9 09-24-2020, 10:53 AM

I have a 140A - I like a 1-3/4 nut, I like Adi, and I don't like the blingy headstocks so it checked all my boxes. Agree with the others, the non-A guitars seem to have your 1-11/16" nut.

Ed66 · #10 09-24-2020, 11:26 AM

Between the two I'd opt for the Blueridge, but, make sure to track down JP's review of the Alvarez MDA-60BG, it may push you in a different direction.

Silly Moustache · #11 09-24-2020, 11:45 AM

You mentioned " 'bluegrass' look and tone"

The RK looks like a Gibson/Epiphone. Not on for bluegrass.

The BR looks like a Martin - more appropriate.

Neither will sound like a Martin but at least the BR will look the part.

IMHO Eastmans are superior to both, but if it is to be a BR - buy the best one you can.

llew · #12 09-24-2020, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

you take the part after the = and put it between brackets like this but spelled right

[yootube]QD061N_ciTg[/yootube]

and you end up with

I swear I did that and it did not work. I've tried it so many times? Must be a "Boomer Block"?

Okay...I got it figured out. For some reason my computer was deleting the first bracket ([) on the backside? I got it to work finally...thanks!

grayback · #13 09-24-2020, 02:18 PM

I have a Blueridge BR40-solid spruce top, laminate mahogany back/sides. It
does a fair imitation of a D18. The 140 is the all solid version with a bit more bling on the headstock. The BR60/160 are the rosewood D28 clones.

I love my BR40. It's a guitar that I can take camping and not worry about, yet still sounds good.

Ralph124C41 · #14 09-24-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grayback

The BR60/160 are the rosewood D28 clones.

The newer BR60/160 are the Santos rosewood ... not true rosewood ... D-28 clones.

I still think Blueridge should identify the current Santos rosewood as being Pau Ferro or Morado or otherwise clearly state in the specs that it is NOT a true rosewood.

PappyVanWinkle · #15 09-24-2020, 02:23 PM

Are you set on laminate?

You should first decide what tonewoods you're after. If you're looking for a bluegrass-classic D-18 style (spruce/hog), then that's 40/140/140A BR's. Recording King solid wood equivalent is the RD-318.

If you're after rosewood, that's the 60-series BR's, RK equivalent RD-328.