Blueridge BR-160

Solid Sitka spruce top, solid rosewood sides and bridge. Bone nut and saddle. Poly finish, tortoise pickguard. Neck is a bit thin, but well dressed with no high frets. Wood quality is high, and fit and finish is excellent. My guitar is now 5 years old and just keeps getting better. I play 1-2 hours a day.

Rich and warm, wonderfull bass and definition. Very close to a Martin HD-28. LOUD, very expressive. I even use this dread for fingerpicking and it records so well. Im frequently asked by people "What model Martin did you use on that recording!" The overtones are wonderful and loud, chords ring forever, sustain is excellent.

Guitar was well set up, however intonation was a bit off, and the nut was a bit high. I had a new wider nut cut to D28 dimensions, and had an intonated saddle placed. Now its insane how clear this guitar sounds. I use Martin SP mediums and they play like lights play in a cheaper guitar.

Only thing I didnt like were stock tuners. They worked well but didnt match the look of the guitar (I had the older closed backs). Also the 14:1 ratio is not as precise. I upgraded to Grover Sta-tights which was easy and now they work like butter. I tune once a week!

Ive used this guitar live, and in the studio. Its never let me down. Never even broke a string. I even use it with a removable soundhole pup and it sounds great. No flaws in finish, very durable poly. Id use it without a backup but take my Blueridge BR-40 just in case.

Warranty was 1 year I believe. Ive had no issues. Most good acoustics suffer if left in poor humidity or in temp extremes. I take care of my guitars and have had no issues.

Best guitar under 1.5K PERIOD! I got mine cheap and its the most underrated guitar out there. Hands down my favorite guitar. This stomps the economy Martins and Parkwoods, even Recording Kings.

High (not luthier) grade spruce top, Indian rosewood sides, back, rosewood fretboard, bone nut and saddle, and ebony pins (pins my addition). Stock "butterbean" tuners. Quite a bit of MOP inlay, Braced like a pre-war Martin D-28 (I wonder how/why Martin allows a direct rip-off of their pattern to continue, although I suppose US patent laws are hard to enforce in China). It's a well-made guitar.

I've had my 160 for three years and also have a 1976 Guild D-25. I've had a Martin D-28 and have played various Gibson dreadnaughts and jumbos. Compared to my Guild, the 160 is louder and brighter. I call it my "shouter" in bluegrass jams. The Guild is softer and has more bottom and, on softer songs, more presence. It's my "whisperer." I enjoy both instruments. Compared to the D-28 I had, the Blueridge is substantially lighter physically and has less bottom sonically. The difference in low end and presence isn't so noticeable live, but becomes much more apparent in recording. Frankly, I think it's hard to record with this instrument, although one of my recording engineer friends showed me a microphone position that improved the sound somewhat.

It's light. The neck bends rather easily. However, I've noticed that, over the years, the neck hasn't been a problem. When mine came to me from an internet dealer,it wasn't well set up. The luthier who set it up had no trouble doing so. I understand that these instruments are supported better by the distributer now.

I record and play live with it. It's a blast to play, one of the easiest to play that I've ever had. Contrary to both my Guild and Martin, it's an easy guitar to maintain -- weather changes really don't affect it and it's generally more stable than I thought it'd be. I wanted a guitar that I could take to festivals and jam in the parking lot without the instrument losing tune or falling apart and this instrument gets the job done.

I didn't know it had a warranty. After the initial set up, I've never had trouble with it.

I got my first guitar, an Aldens "Holiday" finger shredder, in 1968 and have played ever since. I'm not in a financial position to keep an expensive instrument (had to give up the Martin for that reason, so I wanted the best instrument I could obtain with the money I could spend (at the time, about 500 dollars). I'm blessed that many of my friends are musicians, ranging from tailgate pickers to guys who do it for a living. When they first played my 160, they had two pretty consistent reactions: (1) it was among the nicest sounding guitars they'd played, and (2) I was a jerk for taking business away from American luthiers, many of whom acknowledge that the technology used to manufacture these guitars is making it harder for hand-builders to compete. Nontheless, I like mine and intend to keep it.

I had read a lot of reviews, and articles about blueridge guitars. I have to tell you, i was a little apprehensive about it being made in china. Well the price won out, i bought a used br-160. I love this guitar. Gave it a 9 only because of the aging toner& pickguard, Everything else is great!

This guitar sounds beautiful, with bluegrass it rocks.

I bought my blueridge used so previous owner had changed the saddle to compensated tuscany, and had action adjusted accordingly. plays fabiously with elixer 80/20 bronze lights. I also added brass bridge pins. This blueridge will talk to you!

I havent had guitar very long, but it is about 2 years old, and it still looks and plays like new.

Bought it used, havent had to deal with them.

I would have to overall rate this guitar a 10. My lawsuit F-375 takamine sits in the corner gathering dust now. I also have a takamine NV-360 Nashville. It will kick both their butts!

Made in 2006. Thin neck, solid woods(sitka spruce/EIR), you know the features most likely. The only reason I am giving it a nine is because the neck could be a little fatter for my tastes.

I bought this guitar in the beginning of 2007 and wanted to wait about a year to give it a review. I have played most of the Martin lineup, including vintage axes, I've even been to the martin factory and played all the guitars from their picking parlor. I love Martins, just can't afford them. When I first strummed this guitar, I immediately thought Martin, from the way it vibrated and projected. It is very similar to most D-28's I have played. It has matured in the year I have had it and I only see it getting better. It will get a 9 here, because it isn't a pre-war dreadnaught, which will cost you 20x more than the Blueridge will.

Action was good from the factory, a little stiff at the nut. I had it filed down which wasn't much money, and definitely made it more playable. The wood quality, on mine atleast, is excellent...great grain, girls call it pretty. Bracing, fretwire, etc. all very good quality for chinese. The headstock, like everyone says, is ugly and overdone. They should put a thinner finish on it though, it's just thick plastic that kills some of the tone that could be unleashed. The thick finish does keep it from scratching the wood though.

I have played this guitar pretty often in the year and half I have had it. I see no problems so far, and I don't see why it won't stand the test of time.

Supposedly a 1 year warranty, I never had to use it though...

If it was stolen, I'd definetly try to find another one, or maybe the Br-163 just for something different.

Dreadnaught. No pickup. Solid spruce top. The quality of the materials seems very high.

All I can say is I am delighted with the way it sounds. I have a Takamine(EG-15C) and the Blueridge really is in another league. The sound is so rich and full with great bass and ringing highs. The reason I bought it was because I had read so many independent reviews that rated this guitar highly and I was not at all dissapointed. Is not a modest performer... is really quite loud although when played softly is very sweet.

The action was too low and buzzed when I got it. Had it raised and it is fine now. The finish is good although a little overdone with the headstock almost tacky in the way it has been designed. Some don't like the small tight tuners, but they seem to work fine keeping the guitar in tune well for long periods.

I have played for twenty years, motly accoustic. Owned a few Yamaha guitars the last being one of the better solid top models and the Takamine (EG-15C). I don't recall the Yamaha's having the tonal range this Blueridge has and as I have said the Takamnine sounds like a tin can compared. Although I will concede the Takamine is nicer to play in that it is smoother. I was so pleased with this guitar I went and bought a cheaper Blueridge (BR 70)to take to the batch and that is also a great guitar for the price.

To sum up. This guitar sounds better than anything I have ever owned. It's weakness however is its rather overdone finish. As I am a man into sound not looks I am extremely pleased with the guitar. I would buy another of these in a flash should I lose it. Check out the guys playing them on U-Tube. gives you some idea of the great sound they have.

Fantastic feel,finish and inlay. Rosewood fretboard, bone nut

Sounds great if you slap on some martin sp's or elixers (13 gauge brings best tone)
really full of tone, resembles martins hd-28, lots of bass

set-up was good but it needs better tuners, the stock ones fall apart after a bit of use
I just put on grovers and its flawless

everythings great ezcept tuners
great finish
i would trust it without a backup

new tuners and pickguard,thats all

great guitar if you want martin sound without martin price this is your guitar
if it was stolen i would definetly get another

I like the sound from the solid woods. I'm not sure about the open tuners, but they work great for now. I also really like the aging toner that makes the top more vintage looking.

When I first got it, it had very old light gage strings on it. After a fresh set of med. string, it had the boomy bass bluegrass sound I was looking for.

I picked mine up used, so the set-up was really nice. I haven't done anything to it yet.

Okay, unlike some of the other guys on here, I am not ready to say that the guitar soounds better than my Martin. I have a 2000 model HD-28 that is clearly louder that the BR-160. But, I didn't expect it to be. ( Everyone compares their guitar to a Martin for a reason guys ) I was very surprised by the tone and sound of the BR-160. I have no regrets about buying it and it is definately a keeper.

I have been playing guitar for 20 + years. I currently have the 2000 HD-28, a 1980 Yamaha FG-340 and the 2005 BR-160. I can't see any of them leaving. They are all a little different, and that is what I like about them. Even my beloved HD-28 doesn't fit every situation.
( Sorry Martin lovers )

tuners don't slip, stays in tune. the neck is beefy but fits real nice in my hand and feels like it's a quality instrument.

very full sound. mellow sounding, much like a martin, this is not bright like a taylor.
i like that old country d-28 sound and this guitar gives it to me. great for folk, country, classic rock neil young, jimmy page (D-28) vibe.

the action was a bit high and i've been meaning to get around to sanding down the bridge a bit to lower the action but it's been about 5 years and i still haven't done it so i guess it works cause this is my main guitar and it gets a lot of use...eventually i'll do that.
the finish is nice and the neck was right on from the day i got it. i haven't had to adjust the neck yet. i should probably get around to taking it in and having it professionally tweaked but it hasn't given me any problems.

this guitar has held up like a champ. i really don't even treat it like i should and it still keeps goin without any problems.

i think this brand is beginning to get more popular. most of the time when i tell someone i play a blue ridge they have no idea what i'm talking about. i just hope they keep making a decent product and give good customer service as they get larger.

it's made by saga which is a pretty big company and it's made in china so do with that what you will...

...if you've got the money buy american (or canadian or somewhere not china or korea ect). if not...and you have to get a chinese guitar this one pretty much kicks ***.

I guess all has been said many times already but to the best of my knowledge all of the work done on it looks perfect to me.

Contrary to others I find that it sounded somewhat dull or "checked" if you like in the beginning but it is now opening up allright. the sound is absolutely full and very balanced and yes it can go very loud without affecting the quality of the tone. Perfect for finger picking and not bad on strumming either, though it struck me how great a difference just two sets of strings could actually produce on this guitar. (I tried out Martin 0.12 Phosphor Bronze and the D'addario 0.12. With finger picking the Martins sounded much better on this guitar whereas with strumming many might prefer the D'addarios, and I have not even begun to try others !!!)
The neck could be a tick wider but on average it plays quite well.

the set up is a tat high like others commented but nothing that needs seeing to right away. I am no judge of the intracacies of guitar building so there is not a lot that I can add here other than that it looks allright to me.

I am not gigging so I have no idea how it will stand up to that or intensive playing for that matter.

no idea

I have been playing the guitar for 30 odd years on a fairly simple level and have had my fair share of guitars, in particular many cheapos !!!
I also had a (used)Martin D28 and a Gibson acoustic. I think that it is somewhat over the top to say that on average these Blueridges are as good or even better as the average D28, but having said that I played on several Martin D28s which sounded pretty awful. This Blueridge sounds good straight out of the box and is supposed to sound a lot better even after a year or so, I guess I will have to report back then !!!!
One thing I can say though: you folks in the USA are really lucky to be able to purchase these quality guitars at giveaway prices !!!!
Here in Europe I had to pay 800 euros, which is just over 1000 dollars to get one. With the prices in the USA I would probably get two or three Blueridges, laugh my head off and never look back !!!!!!

It's basic but it's nice. And the rosewood back and sides on mine is the nicest I have ever seen. I have an HD28V that is beautiful, but the rosewood grain on this Blueridge is superior looking. Bought it at Carmine Street Guitars in New York City.

As I said I have a Martin HD28V, a Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner, and a Larrivee L03 Koa. This Blueridge is brighter than the Martin and has slightly less bass, but its separation of notes is far superior to the Martin. It's a much more balanced guitar. It has a lot of depth already, but I can tell that it is just waiting to open up-- the hints of greateness are definitely there.

I have played some great dreadnoughts at Mandolin Brothers here in New York, particularly the Collings and Santa Cruzes, and some Froggy Bottoms at Rudy's. The best way I can describe the sound of this BR-160 is that it's in between the Martin's bassiness and the Collings brightness that I've heard on a D2H or D1A. And it does this with a dovetail neck joint, not the bolt on approach that Collings uses. It's nice enough that I've been debating on selling the Martin I have, but i want to hold off and wait to see how the sound sits with me over time. Also, it's two weeks old and hasn't opened up yet, while the Martin is three years old. Don't want to jump to conclusions yet because the Martin is great. T

his Blueridge is a great bluegrass guitar, and it sounds fantastic for fingersyle. That was surpising to me.

This thing is light but extremely sturdy and well made. The bookmatching on the top is flawless and no seem is even detectible. The rosewood on the back and sides is the nicest I have seen, hands down. The frets are perfect. Could use a little lower action, maybe. Tuners are great. But it plays extremely smoothly. The inlays on the fretboard are quite nice, also.

It's very solid as far as I see.

Haven't dealt with them.

I've been playing 20-25 years and can play just about anything I hear. I began with Al Dimeola style playing, and I've got the Tony Rice thing down pretty well now after some practice. I have a Martin HD28V, a Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner, and a Larrivee L03 Koa, two Fender Teles and A Bill Nash Tele. This is a great guitar; don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You may have to play a few, but that goes for all brands, including the high-end makers. This guitar inspires you to learn bluegrass, and it sounds fantastic. That is probably due the great wood used, plus the scalloped bracing. But also important is the bone material used on the nut and the saddle. Martin doesn't do that on the HD28V. The headstock is maybe a little too ornate and small -- I wish they'd enlarge it to the cize of a Collings, which looks more traditional -- but it's growing on me. And I thought I would have preferred an ebony fretboard, but the sound difference is negligible from what most luthiers tell me. Moreover, neither of these things change the fact that it sounds and plays fantastic. As I said, it's so good that I'm debating selling the Martin, which cost over four times this one. The Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner models itself after a Gibson J-45, but it blows any J-45 I've played away. When I bought the BR-160 at Carmine Street Guitars I played a Blueridge BG-140, another J-45 copy, and that sounds so close to the Santa Cruz or just as good that I'm debating selling that one, too. The Saqnta Cruz cost me $3,000; the Bg-140 about $525. Rick Kelly at Carmine Street in New York sells these at great prices and he services them.