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Waldener.softlybeforeisc...	Thoughts needed	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1 (06/21/09 07:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Hey. First off, I'm looking for a guitar that will be an upgrade from the guitar I started playing on a year and 3/4s ago, which was an Ovation Celebrity cc-24. At this point, I'd like something that's solid wood, preferably a dreadnought, with a great tone and good bass for somewhere between $300-650. While I adore the Martin sound, I don't have that kind of money to spend on one. I heard a blueridge dread on a radio show last week and loved the tone, so I thought I'd check 'em out. I'm okay buying used, but I'd like it to include a hardshell case. I suppose giving you an overview of my style might also be helpful. I'm 16, I play and listen to a ton of music. I'm really into folky music and am just now getting into some light bluegrass. I play a lot of stuff from John Denver, Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams, Shawn Colvin, Joni Mitchell, and so on. I also write my own stuff. I do a lot of fingerpicking, actually the majority of my playing is fingerpicking, but I do need something I can flatpick when needed. I love the sound of the BR-140, and I'm open to other suggestions. Just let me know your thoughts. you might also be able to talk me into laminate back and sides, if it sounds like something straight out of heaven and the price is good. I'm looking for tone at this point. Amazing tone. Thanks, Maggie Last Edited By: Waldener 06/21/09 07:53 PM. Edited 1 time.
intune66		#1	[-]
Posts: 2563 (06/21/09 08:43 PM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well Maggie..... Our fine Administrator/Moderator Dave has a used BR-140 in the classifieds you might want to check out that would fit well into your budget. I can attest that the laminated Blueridges sound quite good as well, but solid wood guitars are generally the preferred. I think the Blueridges would fit your choice of genre' quite well. Tonally Blueridge is definitely one of the better sounding affordable guitars IMO. Did you play a BR-140 at some point? Ryan _____________________ Some of my Guitars: Stanford PSD-28, 21, 20 Blueridge BR-70, 60-AS Aria AD-80, R.K. RDC-57
Waldener.softlybeforeisc...		#2	[-]
Posts: 2 (06/22/09 05:33 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	^ No I haven't had a chance to play one, unfortunately I can't find any places in my area that carry Blueridge. And feel free to recommend other models. And if hearing me would help in recommendations, the picture on my signature is a link to my soundclick page. Last Edited By: Waldener 06/22/09 06:10 AM. Edited 1 times.
kydave		#3	[-]
Posts: 869 (06/22/09 07:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	At this point, I'd like something that's solid wood, preferably a dreadnought, with a great tone and good bass for somewhere between $300-650. Maggie, Well within that range you can buy a brand new Recording King RD-127. Solid Sitka spruce over solid rosewood, scalloped forward shifted bracing, herringbone trim with a hard shell case and lifetime guarrantee for about $599. Dave Kentucky Dave's Martins: 00-28H (2006 Custom); SP000-16R (1999 Special Edition); 0000-28H (1999); D-28 (1971) myspace.davetrabue and beargrasscreek Piraticus 13:7 , , <> ^^^
Pappy		#4	[-]
Posts: 658 (06/22/09 01:14 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Seems your style and needs have descrbed a BR-140 to a tee, and while it might be a tad over your limit, a good used one would fit right in with it. Also don't discount the BR 40. A lot of people have attested to how good a BR 40 or BR 60 can be. kydave's suggestion of an Recording King RD-127 is a good one also, or a 126 if you like mahogany. Either should serve you well. So many guitars....So little time. So many taxes......So few guitars
rememberdanf		#5	[-]
Posts: 98 (06/22/09 01:55 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Maggie. I agree, for a nice Martin-esque sound, a Recording King or Johnson (same guitar) solid wood sure has good tone, and a lot of punch. I have owned a RK rd-127, and an rd-27, and rd-26. I think the 26 and 27 have more punch than the 127 and 126. Again, I have owned or played all four. You can buy an all solid wood rd-26 or rd-27, or a Johnson jd-26 or jd-27, from Daddys music for under 200.00, I believe (no- I don't work for them at all.) Just an option to keep in mind...
Waldener.softlybeforeisc...		#6	[-]
Posts: 3 (06/22/09 05:56 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I don't necessarily have to have a Martin sound, I just admire it. I just want something that will keep me satisfied tonally for a while until I can afford something else. The guitar I have now is so tonally unsatisfying that it's driving me crazy. Especially since I've been playing a lot of other guitars lately, both instruments in shops and those owned by friends of mine. My favorite I've played was my friend's Santa Cruz, that he just sold but that's way out of my price range. I love mahogany and rosewood both, so I'd be open to either option as far as that goes. You gotta love Maury for his pricing...... http://www.maurysmusic.com/inc/sdetail/35952
intune66		#7	[-]
Posts: 2569 (06/22/09 06:03 PM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	You're right on that, Maggie..... That's an excellent price from Maury's for a new BR-140 considering a H/S case is included. Only 16 and already on the right track to finding a pretty darn good guitar. I must say that I am impressed. Ryan _____________________ Some of my Guitars: Stanford PSD-28, 21, 20 Blueridge BR-70, 60-AS Aria AD-80, R.K. RDC-57 Last Edited By: intune66 06/22/09 06:06 PM. Edited 1 times.
Waldener.softlybeforeisc...		#8	[-]
Posts: 4 (06/22/09 06:09 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	^ yeah, now I just gotta get a job. I've been working on that for a while now. In this economy I'll take any deals I can get.
Davo		#9	[-]
Posts: 76 (06/22/09 07:47 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Do you do much singing? I can personally recommend the BR-160 (rosewood back/sides), it sounds wonderful with vocals. I got mine used for 400 last summer. Get that BR-140 and you will always have an excellent guitar-mahogany sounds wonderful as well.
heymelbs		#10	[-]
Posts: 131 (06/22/09 08:30 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Nut width, neck profile are important. Since you are used to the Celebrity, I would suggest a Blueridge. Recording King RD-227, Blueridge BR-343 Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass
Pappy		#11	[-]
Posts: 662 (06/23/09 09:40 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Ditto on Maury's pricing. I'd get it before he goes back to his old pricing methods. So many guitars....So little time. So many taxes......So few guitars
watchme22		#12	[-]
Posts: 21 (06/23/09 01:50 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Go get yourself a BR-40 for @ $375.00 and I'll be surprised if you ever look back. I have one and I absolutly love it!
Waldener.softlybeforeisc...		#13	[-]
Posts: 5 (06/24/09 02:27 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Davo wrote: Do you do much singing? I can personally recommend the BR-160 (rosewood back/sides), it sounds wonderful with vocals. I got mine used for 400 last summer. Get that BR-140 and you will always have an excellent guitar-mahogany sounds wonderful as well. I do a lot of really terrible singing. I'm trying to improve it though ;)
intune66		#14	[-]
Posts: 2575 (06/24/09 03:23 PM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Waldener wrote: Davo wrote: Do you do much singing? I can personally recommend the BR-160 (rosewood back/sides), it sounds wonderful with vocals. I got mine used for 400 last summer. Get that BR-140 and you will always have an excellent guitar-mahogany sounds wonderful as well. I do a lot of really terrible singing. I'm trying to improve it though ;) Trust me. Nobody likes to hear their own voice most of the time. Keep practicing. Never been really that fond of my own singing (especially recorded) but I went to a Cafe' open mic one time and did a few tunes........ and they asked me to start playing there (gigging) regularly. Ryan _____________________ Some of my Guitars: Stanford PSD-28, 21, 20 Blueridge BR-70, 60-AS Aria AD-80, R.K. RDC-57
Ed Rhoades.theunofficialma...		#15	[-]
Posts: 41 (07/01/09 04:32 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	All my acoustic guitars were Martin products...but our local store got in a BR 40...I think it's about $390 with hardshell case. I loved it...it was like one of the higher price Martins that I couldn't afford...except it had laminated back and sides. My next guitar probably would have been a Sustainable wood cherry Martin dreadnaugt, but the Blueridge was louder in the treble and really had a nice sound. I decided I would get a solid rosewood back and sides model, so I bought a BR 160 and outfitted it with a Gold + pick up. It's just so nice to play...when you jam, it doesn't get drowned out. I like it as much as my Martins. However, I can't honestly say it sounds better than the laminated BR 40. I would have bought the BR 40 next...if that new one series hadn't come along. Last summer I came across a mint Sigma DR 41 with a hardshell case for less than $300. It looked brand new...the wood was white, absolutely no fret wear. It had been kept in a case for 9 years. I played it hard for a few weeks and it opened up...I bought it as a back up because my old D 18 spent nine months in the factory, now it's one of my nicest sounding guitars. Even if you get your sights set on a specific guitar like a Blueridge 160...be open to what's happening and pay attention. You're liable to come across some old inexpensive Guild or and early Blueridge that is just special or used Martin. In these economic times I see a lot of real bargains. There are some guitars that have a special sound...and it doesn't necessarily correlate with their price or reputation. Keep looking, you might find something that just speaks to you.
Waldener.softlybeforeisc...		#16	[-]
Posts: 8 (07/02/09 04:52 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Alright, someone please tell me about how the Solid Wood BR-140 compares to the BR-40. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the extra cash for solid wood, or if I might be better to go with laminate back and sides, knowing that if I do, the top will still open up. Also if someone wants to tell me more about why solid wood is sought after much more....
intune66		#17	[-]
Posts: 2644 (07/02/09 06:23 PM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Waldener wrote: Alright, someone please tell me about how the Solid Wood BR-140 compares to the BR-40. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the extra cash for solid wood, or if I might be better to go with laminate back and sides, knowing that if I do, the top will still open up. Also if someone wants to tell me more about why solid wood is sought after much more.... I think Watchme22 summed it up above (BR-40 comments). If price is an issue, look for a used BR-140. There's one on the forum. How fussy are you? I'll bet if I did a recording between the BR-40 and BR-140 you would have a tough time telling which is which. Another thing to remember is that a solid wood guitar requires more maintenance and care. That's why laminated models are often referred to as "beaters". IMO they are more durable. If the guitar is going to get moved around and played a lot I'd get the BR-40. Later on you could get a solid wood model and use the BR-40 as a beater for all-purpose and preserve your other more $$$ guitar. Just suggestions. Neither is a bad choice of course. Differences in sound? Minimal IMO. Much of what makes Blueridges sound good lies in the internal bracing of the solid spruce tops among other things. Ryan _____________________ Some of my Guitars: Stanford PSD-28, 21, 20 Blueridge BR-70, 60-AS Aria AD-80, R.K. RDC-57
intune66		#18	[-]
Posts: 2645 (07/02/09 06:29 PM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	BTW here is a recording thread I did awhile back between 3 guitars. 2 were solid wood and the other was my Blueridge BR-70. Do the 2 solid wood guitars sound better than the BR-70 in the recording? All were recorded the same way. Oh BTW the third guitar in each clip is the "laminate" BR-70 Ryan _____________________ Some of my Guitars: Stanford PSD-28, 21, 20 Blueridge BR-70, 60-AS Aria AD-80, R.K. RDC-57
Waldener.softlybeforeisc...		#19	[-]
Posts: 9 (07/02/09 06:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	intune66 wrote: Waldener wrote: Alright, someone please tell me about how the Solid Wood BR-140 compares to the BR-40. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the extra cash for solid wood, or if I might be better to go with laminate back and sides, knowing that if I do, the top will still open up. Also if someone wants to tell me more about why solid wood is sought after much more.... I think Watchme22 summed it up above (BR-40 comments). If price is an issue, look for a used BR-140. There's one on the forum. How fussy are you? I'll bet if I did a recording between the BR-40 and BR-140 you would have a tough time telling which is which. Another thing to remember is that a solid wood guitar requires more maintenance and care. That's why laminated models are often referred to as "beaters". IMO they are more durable. If the guitar is going to get moved around and played a lot I'd get the BR-40. Later on you could get a solid wood model and use the BR-40 as a beater for all-purpose and preserve your other more $$$ guitar. Just suggestions. Neither is a bad choice of course. Differences in sound? Minimal IMO. Much of what makes Blueridges sound good lies in the internal bracing of the solid spruce tops among other things. I do tend to travel to school and guitar lessons a lot with my guitar. And it ends up getting played by a lot of rude students who don't ask me whether it's okay for them to take my guitar out of the case and play it. So I could see the BR-40 as being a nice option considering all of that. I could even go crazy and go for the BR-60 for the rosewood. Then again I really love mahogany. BTW I shall check out the recording and thanks for all your input.
Waldener.softlybeforeisc...		#20	[-]
Posts: 11 (07/07/09 06:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I can get a BR-40 for $361.25 from Instrument Alley, with a free hardshell case and free shipping, plus, no tax. The only thing is that I have to buy a car first. Once I do that, I'll start re-saving for this.

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