Blueridge BR-163 Historic Series 000 Guitar

I really wasn't even in the market for a new guitar but this seller's price was $350 less than all the competitors (online and brick & mortor) and I simply couldn't resist such a good deal. Not sure why their price was so favorable, and it was even a bit more unnerving when the shipping was delayed. Six days after the purchase I received a notice from Amazon that my credit card was not being charged because the seller hadn't yet shipped the item and I should follow up directly with the seller. I jotted off an email to the seller and they immediately responded that they had found a problem during inspection but the guitar was being shipped that day. It arrived the next day and was in near flawless condition. I could only find a tiny, tiny rough finish spot on the inside edge of the sound hole. The rest of the fit and finish was flawless, the neck plays beautifully and the frets feel perfectly smooth with a moderately low action right out of the box. The spruce top is very pretty with tight grain, nice feathering and nice bookmatching. The aging toner is not my favorite but doesn't look too dissimilar compared to some vintage guitars. The pao ferro (Santos rosewood) sides and back are simply gorgeous. I was worried they would be too light colored and streaky but they compare nicely with my rosewood guitars. The inlays on the pao ferro fingerboard are perfect, and along with the bridge the wood is a nice dark shade.The guitar sounded tight and somewhat boxy for about the first 2-3 hours of playing, and then it started to open up. Now after about a week (probably 15 hours of playing time) it sounds truly wonderful. Remarkable actually, especially for an $800 guitar. It compares quite well to guitars I have played from boutique luthiers. It is incredibly responsive to even the lightest fingerstyle playing and yet holds up well to modestly heavy strumming. Very nice bass response, deep and balanced, with a warm midrange. The treble B & E strings ring through with a nice presence even during fleshy fingerstyle playing. I have really taken to this guitar. It is articulate and responsive with nice rosewood warmth and overtones. I was really unsure if a Santos rosewood guitar would do it for me, but no longer. I have been playing guitar for more than 20 years and I own many rosewood guitars, including high end Martin (1998 D-41, 2001 HD28VS), Guild (1979 J50R), Taylor (714), and Larrivee (J10, C03R, OM-02). This Blueridge BR163 just may be the best of the bunch for me. This thing is a little cannon and sounds absolutely beautiful, especially for being a young guitar. Kudos to the folks at Blueridge/Saga Music.

Overall a great value and wonderful craftsmanship, the tone, voicing and sonics are all there and is well worth every penny. Would have liked to see a strap pin already installed in the neck joint area along with a slightly darker pick guard. Purchasers should be aware of the delivery issues I experienced which are as follows. Amazon or the Seller in their infinite wisdom sent through the post office with out any signature verification or anyone present to accept delivery even though it is noted otherwise by Amazon. This lack of follow through opens up the potential for any porch pirate to steal this. As it turns out the carrier left my guitar unattended on the wrong porch which proved for a multifaceted problem for me to finally get what I paid for. Contacting customer service to address this seems to have left a very poor taste in my mouth as Amazon needs to address this issue.

I purchased this on Amazon a couple of nights ago after a long search for a new guitar. I own 2 Taylors and a Yahama FG-150 from the 60's. I was looking specifically for one with rosewood back and sides for a slightly different sound. This guitar has it all. This is the one Martin doesn't want you to know about. The guitar came 2 days after I ordered it, and when I opened the box the first thing I noticed was that it was in a really nice gig bag - I mean beautiful, thick padded, tan colored. As I opened the gig bag, I kept saying "wow!". The color of the wood, the beautiful inlays and binding. Wow. I played several Martins before buying this and this guitar is beautiful. I love the abalone and mother of pearl, the inlays on the fret board and the pick guard. The whole package is beautiful. I let is get to room temp for a couple of hours before tuning it up and playing it, and I was amazed. It's the exact sound I was looking for, beautiful. I played a little Eagles/Henley, some original stuff and I can see this guitar is going to get a lot of use and be part of my recording projects this winter. I love this guitar, and I still can't believe the cost compared to a Martin.

I'm amazed, and very happy at how this little baby plays. I did make some adjustments, but she actually came set up very nicely. I tried a few sets of strings, and right now I'm using E.Ball "Everlast" 11-52's which are able to make her yell!! Some hard strumming and you are projecting!! It still feels small in my arms, so it kinda blows me away! (I play a Gibson J-160E also, and am wondering which would be rocking Music Hall!!) To prospective buyers: Tuners are open, but have nice little keys and seem to tune things up just fine. Fit and finish is a 10 out of ten. Everything is perfect. Intonation, (always scary) is just perfect! Perfect, perfect, perfect! I'm gonna dance around in my backyard! I don't know what else to say, but I'm glad I made the purchase. Can't comment on "hand shaped" struts or anything, but the proof is in the playing, I guess. Two thumbs-up! (BTW I've been playing for 40 years - as a hobbyist/garage band guy). Kia ora! Play on. GW

Read Maury's reviews - they are on point. Just a beautiful sound very much like a martin.

What's the difference? The Martin's neck was uncomfortable. Yes I had a setup done, changed strings, etc. but the neck was not comfortable no matter what I did. This guitar's neck is night and day more comfortable. Plus the sound of the guitar and looks is fantastic. Got a great foam case too. Recently, online I seen Paul McCartney playing a guitar he owns, it was a Blueridge.