Blueridge BR-143CE Historic Series Cutaway Acoustic-Electric 000 Guitar

I am loving this guitar! I bought it without playing it first - something I usually would never do, but couldn't find one to try out, so decided to take a leap of faith based on the research I did before ordering it. Now I play it far more than my much more expensive Martin (which I also love, but it's only acoustic). It's a great size, has nice electronic capabilities, yet sounds rich even when played without amplification. I'd absolutely buy another.

Perfect. It came in just a couple days. It plays great and I have no regrets. I will buy another Blueridge.

It lasted about 2 months before its first crack. It cracked below the saddle. then two days after that it cracked all the way down the back of the guitar. This guitar it not good and I called Blueridge and Amazon and could not get a refund this guitar is now just sitting in its case. where it belongs.

I have a Taylor 810 I've had forever...I wanted an acoustic electric cutaway that sounded more like a Martin ... woody, and not as bright as a Taylor. This fit the bill perfectly. I am amazed at the quality. I’ve owned many many guitars over the years...this is a keeper for me. It’s kind of taken over and my Taylor sits a lot. It’s smaller and I like that but the sound is big, and beautiful tone...I love it and I’d definitely get another one if something happened to this one. Highly recommended.

I was looking at the low end Taylor guitars and noticed a review somewhere recommending this guitar instead. This guitar sounds very nice plugged in. I am not as impressed by its unamplified sound, but I was playing a dreadnought before which had a much deeper sound to it. I was told by a music store, however, that because it is solid bodied hardwood guitar that its sound should improve with age. In fact, I went to the store specifically trying to decide whether to keep the Blueridge or go for a Taylor, and the sales rep ended up convincing me to keep this one!Two issues, however, which I should have looked into more before hand. If you're at all environmentally conscious, the hardwoods used on this guitar (mahogany or some equivalent according to the sales guy, and the rosewood) are both being over-harvested world wide. The rosewood is said to come from East India, which is probably better than Madagascar, where they are being over harvested for the China musical instrument construction (this guitar is made in China BTW). As for the "mahogany", who knows how or where that was harvested or if the tree stand was sustainably managed.

I have played this guitar for years. I first noticed the Blueridge line while working at "Folk of the Wood." An online acoustical music instrument store form back in the 90's to late 2009. They are no longer in business. A mom and pop venture that got beat out by the corporate giants but had a long run of early innovative internet sales. For a OOO the sound is very rich and powerful. Does it compete with the mainstream American venue? No! But it is affordable and it's a quality is quite good. It comes stock with bone nut and saddle. So no need to hang out at the luthiers and smell that nasty bone getting ground down for a custom fit. It stays in tune with it's butternut tuners (not mentioned) The Woods are Honduran Mahogany back and sides, solid Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood fretboard with the Honduran mahogany neck. The action is very low and is great for us old rockers that need something to practice with without blowing the walls down. Dalmatian tortoise pickguard is also not mentioned. Fishman Presys Blend under-saddle transducer with on-board e.q. and volume control. 1/4" jack doubles as strap button on the heel. My one and ONLY beef with this fine instrument is the wirings bulk. It likes to move around so the next time your changing the strings you may want to take some time and add a bit of velcro to harness them better. I recommend D"Addario Phosphor Bronze strings in a gage of your preference. I naturally use the lightest gage available for leads.

Great guitar. Took a chance based on all the great reviews. I am glad I bought it. This will become my go to stage guitar. It will only get better with time.

The CE suffix obviously refers to cutaway electric. I was told that this is the model played by the Sheriff on RFD's Larry's Diner. The sheriff is of course Jimmy Capps who is one heck of a good guitar player/studio musician. I figure "if it's good enough for him...etc". Capps plays plugged in so I don't know what the guitar would sound acoustically..AND you can be sure that Capps' guitar has been set up by a real good luthier. (which should be done to any new guitar to bring out it's full potential, BTW). The only thing preventing me from pulling the trigger, is the few poor reviews of other Blueridge guitars as to durability and to the smaller body size of this BR 143CE. But I do need a road guitar and this on paper does fill the bill.