Blueridge BR-180

Select solid Sitka Spruce top with hand-carved parabolic top braces in authentic prewar forward X-pattern
Abalone border and sound hole rosette
Premium solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides with abalone pearl on all borders
Premium ebony fingerboard and bridge
Abalone position markers on fingerboard
Delicate marquetry center strip on back
Accurate vintage-style 14:1 ratio gold-plated open-back tuners with butterbean-style buttons
Nut and saddle are made from bone
Full D-45 style ornamentation
Slim mahogany neck has adjustable truss rod and 1 11/16" nut width the traditional diamond volute on back of headstock
Scale length of 25.5"
Rosewood peghead overlay with uniquie, Mother-of-pearl and abalone design on peghead
Natural high-gloss finish with aging toner for perfect vintage look
All this from the saga web site.
My Br-180 was made in 10/02. The spruce top excellently book matched with light yellow/ cream top. Not like the newer BR's very amber in tone. The tuners are gold closed back. Very Very good nice and tight keeps guitar in tune nicely. Neck is smooth and fast very comfy. Rosewood is topnotch. The ebony on the fingerboard is excellent. Same as the bridge which is striped. It comes with ebony pins with abalone. The guitar is gorgous and the abalone is just electric.

The sound was the icing on the cake. Very full,loud,complex over tones. Really nice depth and sustain with a great balance between highs and lows.The spruce top really vibrates.Alot, This guitar is well boken in and now is 5 years old. It really opened up nicely. Itonation is perfect. I also have have a Br-160 that is also 5years old but the BR-180 is much more clear and refined. I tried a Br-260 in a music store after I bought the BR-180 and I would say I they sound was same. And that's saving a couple of grand.

I bought it used. The action was perfect out of the case. Very low like 2/32nd. No buzz anywhere. the spacing on this guitar seems a litle wider than my BR-160. And all who have tried it say it plays like a dream. It has become my #1 guitar. I can't put it down. My guitar instructor hi-jacks it at every chance. So far everything he has played on it sounds fantastic. From Classic rock to alternative. I remember once at my local guitar center they had a new Martin HD35 with perfect action and a swore it played itself. This Br-180 sounds like it but with light strings. Guitar was well taken care of looked like new. No flaws to be found.

5years and counting

Playing close to a year. I was looking for a br-180 after I bought my Br-183, I had some bad luck 2 that I bought from ebay were stolen in transit. This one I traveled all over Colorado and Houston Tx. Finally found one ebay and picked it up from the seller. I have not put it down since. My other guitar's are BR-160,Br-183, Br-163. I have had this guitar a month ang my local GC has a BR-180, 160 & 183. The 180 they I have to say sucks and they want 1200 bucks used?? I'm very happy with guitar and I love the older ones. It seems blueridge used a better wood to me. If it were lost distroyed or stolen I would start the hunt again for another 02 Br-180.

The features have been aptly noted by many,but I will add that I've had my BR-180 for over 2-1/2 years now(bought it over the internet in 4-'04) and have had ZERO issues and the tuners work perfectly...I shaved the saddle down once, have added a strap button on the heel and a Fishman Rare Earth soundhole pickup/endpin...it sounds terrific in all applications....

I play a variety of styles both flat and fingerpicking,and this guitar is fabulous for all..I've been at this since the mid 60's and have owned Guild,Gibson and Taylor acoustics..The BR180 is fuller and better balanced than all of them to my ears...seriously!..it records amazingly too..numerous friends own Martins and I truly prefer the 180 to the HD28,D28 and D35's I've tried in comparison....it doesn't matter to me where an instrument is made...I'm looking for tone and playability..by chance I discovered that this 180 sounds the best so far with Elixir nanoweb phosphorus bronze lights..

Beautiful in all ways...the ONLY thing I did was drop the saddle height a bit...mine also has a beautiful top with not too much amber toner like a few of the 160's I've seen and owned..

Well I've had this guitar now for over 2-1/2 years and it is still rock solid and it's been out and about at gigs/studio and home..I play it ALL the time...it's my #1......

Prior to buying the 180,I owned a few 160's,and had to return 2 of them to Saga for structural reasons...The folks at Saga were extremely professional and prompt..I owned the 3rd 160 and the 180 at the same time and only sold the 160 because it was so close to the 180 in tone.. and I preferred the 180 ....

I'm a singer/songwriter now,but have playing/recording pro and semi pro since the early 70's..guitars/pedalsteel/dobro.. a real tone nut..when I first heard about these guitars I was skeptical..got a call one day from a friend who had just bought a BR160 and was raving about it.Drove to his place and tried it out for half an hour or so and was completely impressed..I bought a 160 immediately and then this 180..the tone and playability are astonishing....for 800 bucks?!...Fantastic value is an understatement...

Dreadnaught size body (14 frets to the neck)
Gloss, transparent, urethane finish.
Solid rosewood sides and back, solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard and bridge.
1 11/16" string spacing at the nut.
Thin profile neck with volute behind the nut.
Abalone inlay on front binding, side binding and back binding.
Very pretty snowflake/diamond/cateye abalone inlay on the fingerboard.
Headstock abalone and pearl overlay.

In the 40+ years I have played and repaired acoustic guitars, I have not heard a single guitar sound better. The sound is full and rich. The bass is bottomless and the trebles are crystal clear. The sound jump out at the listener. This guitar is very loud! It is a true banjo killer.

Set up was normal for an acoustic. The action was higher than I like. But a few minutes of filing down the underside of the saddle and the action was perfect. The nut was cut very well and the frets were perfect. Even my M-38 Martin did not have better fretwork right out of the factory. The rosewood back and sides matched perfectly. The rosewood headstock overlay was slightly lighter in color. There was a very small (1/8th inch) spot near the inside edge of the sound hole that was not finished properly. If you looked carefully inside the guitar, you could see a spot where there was a "glue wipe" discoloration. Other than that, there was no excess glue or poorly fit sections anywhere.

The guitar is very light weight and resonate. Yet it feels very solid. It is so loud that I love to really strum/pick hard when I play and just scare other guitar players with the volume. Fact is, even when playing lightly, it is still louder than most other guitar being played hard. The finish is relatively thick and looks like it will outlast Mount Rushmore. I have already gigged with it and I have no problem playing it all day.

I bought this instrument over the internet. The only thing I asked of the salesman is that they pick out and send me their loudest BR-180. The first one I received had a slight problem with the neck shape, so I sent it back and they sent me another. I did not have to pay shipping. The second BR-180 I received was perfect. Both guitars were amazingly loud and full sounding.

These guitars only carry a 1 year warranty though.

Been playing over 40 years. I teach guitar for a living and have been teaching 33+ years. I own about 13 guitar right now. I have been repairing fretted instruments for over 35 years. I own 3 Martins right now and although all the Martins are exceptional sounding instruments, I like the sound of this Blueridge better for bluegrass. It is loud, full and cuts really well. If it were to grow legs and leave me, I would buy another in a heartbeat. These are a great guitar at any price and are nothing short of amazing for $800 with a hard shell case.

As described by others.

Well, it is NOT better than my Martin D-16RGT, especially it hasn't gotten all the deep bass that I need.

It is a fine guitar, but not cheap: $900 is almost $1000 that I paid for the aforementioned USA made Martin.

Some Yamaha guitar in this price range also have a great sound.

To beat it you have to pay ?3000+ for a Collings, Goodal, McPherson ...

In summary, it is 9.

All fine.

No idea on anything else.

I live in Europe and nobody here has heard about these Blueridge gigis.

So, I have to stay with Martin: in case I have to sell her I can, but with Blueridge I would loose money (unless she is PERFECT, which isn't the case).

So the overall rating is more like 8, as inexpensive Martin like D-16RGT gets 9 to 9.5 while really cheap $300 Seagulls get 10 as they sound great for little money that we pay to the Master Godin !

This BR-180 of mine was made January 2006. It is made in Mainland China. It has a higher quality solid spruce top than the lower priced BR-160. This is the same with the sold rosewood sides and back.Every feature of this guitar is very high quality. Fit and finish inside and out is really great.

The sound and tone, with Martin "SP" Phosphor Bronze strings, either light gauge or mediums, plays very well with this guitar. There is not the deeper ringing bass sound of a Martin HD-28, but is comparably very close to a standard production D-28 sold today. Very good sustain and tone. My BR-180 is very good for playing bluegrass, flat picking and finger style.

The factory set up was just right on my guitar.The action was medium low all up and down the fretboard. Bookmatched top was very well done. The tuning keys must be replaced by any serious dreadnaught Blueridge player. I installed standard Grover "Roto-Matic gear enclosed tuners, and the six shaft holes accepted the Grovers just fine, along with the six o'clock position of the wood screw. The six 12 o'clock upper empty screw holes I just simply filled them with the Blueridge six wood screws. It does not detract from the looks of the back side of the head stock.

This guitar has taken a lot of playing with local bands I play with, all acoustic bluegrass and folk music shows and gigs. I own a Martin HD-28, and an HD-35. I play my BR-180 much of the time, and it holds up well. Fit and finish is very durable. Dependability is right on. Of course I added a strap button to the heel as any player would do.

I have not had to deal with Saga-Blueridge with any problems. I don't forsee any problems the way this guitar is built.

I have been playing forty years. If this BR-180 was stolen or lost I would definatetly replace it. And if I did I'd still replace the factory tuning keys. There other brands of guitars in this price range class that very good quality. But the BR-180 is worth considering.

This is a late-2005 Chinese-made guitar. I bought it because (a) it emulates the Martin D-45, (b) it cost $799.00 to the D-45's $6,700.00, (c) I wanted something like the D-45, but am too cheap to spend that much for a guitar, and (d) my daughter has a Chinese-made cello that has been a spectacular instrument for her. The manufacturer says that this guitar has a Sitka (isn't that a place up in Alaska?) spruce top, rosewood sides and back and a mahogany neck. They also say that the inlays that are on every edge of the box are abalone and that the inlay on the peghead is abalone and mother-of-pearl. They say that the fingerboard and the bridge are ebony, and that the saddle and nut are bone. I say "the manufacturer says" because I have no way of knowing what these guitars are made with so I'm relying on the statements they make. (Well, I suppose I could slice off a piece of the saddle and try burning it to judge the smell for bone. Nah.) The body is a dreadnaught style. The hardshell case it was shipped with does not fit the guitar's body side-to-side, so the guitar slops around in the case a bit. The tuners are open, with shells that look like pressed steel. They're plated in what looks like gold. The top on mine is finely-ringed, bookmarked and quarter-sawn, so it yields a very nice visual ripple to a tilt in the light. Very pretty. The back is also book-marked, and the middle seam is not abalone, but what looks like a multi-colored wood marquetry. Also pretty. There is what the manufacturer calls a "diamond valute" at the peghead just above the nut. It doesn't seem to interfere with your left hand or to act as a stop for your hand. It's just there.

I'm judging the sound "out-of-the-box" here. The shipping strings were D'Addario, two of which snapped as I was bringing the guitar into tune. I re-strung with Elixir medium. The guitar sounds about o.k. I'm comparing with my previous guitars, a D-18 Martin, a Guild, a custom-made Ralph Baker, a Yamaha and a Tacoma Chief. The bass seems a little less projecting than with any of those guitars. The midrange and treble sound about o.k. Overall, the guitar most reminds me of the Baker. It has to be pushed a little to sound out, and when pushed it does o.k. Good sustain. This guitar (this particular guitar - no aspersions being cast on other BR-180s) seems a little "dead" overall.

The peghead is on the small side, narrow. As a consequence the tuner shafts lay too close to in line, and each of the windings on the high and low E-sring shafts edges against the upper string coming across it. This is NOT GOOD! The pegheard has a very "busy" inlay with no particular theme. It's probably the ugliest thing I've seen on a guitar. If you're at all sensitive to this kind of thing you'd like the BR-160 or the Carter Stanley model better. Wow! What a mess. Well executed for what it is, but what a busy confusion of vase-forms, curlicues and such.

The finish is high gloss urethane all over. There's an toned finish on the top that makes it look a little orangish-yellow on the top, as though it's been around for maybe 25-50 years. It's not as ugly as it sounds. It does seem pretty heavily laid on, and I wonder if it's holding the top back, deadening it.

I have my doubts about the tuners. They're holding o.k. for now, but they just look light. The tuner knobs feel small and thin to the hand, with rather sharp edges. I don't like them at all. My tuners have no roughness to them and haven't slipped pitch yet, so maybe they're o.k. despite how they look.

The nut holds one of the strings a bit during tuning. An annoyance, as the string "squeaks" into approximate place and has to be retuned.

I really think that the finish is too heavily applied all over. The back of the neck is thick with glossy finish. No drips, no runs, but man that's a lot of gloss.

There is abalone at every edge of the box. It's pretty narrowly cut, of mixed color, some a bit dark. It's attractive as heck. The guitar looks like it's plugged in when you put it away in a darkened room with a light source coming from another room. It just twinkles. Very pretty.

But that peghead! Yeeesh.

I'm guessing that this top is going to lift up at the bridge pretty quickly. Even my old D-18 lifted some, but this box already has a hint of a buldge at the bridge. I hope I don't regret this purchase. That's my biggest fear about this guitar - that the top will begin to bulge prematurely. Since it hasn't happened yet, and may just be the product of my paranoid fantasies, I'm going to leave this rating alone.

Never had to deal with the maker.

However, Musician's Friend has been great to deal with.

I've been playing for 42 years. I don't own another guitar now. Oh, wait, I do have a Fender Squire electric. Fun little machine. I've given my Martin, my Ralph Baker, my Yamaha and my Tacoma to each of my children. They're all holding up fine.
As to this BR-180, I wish I'd seen one in person before I bought it. I'd probably have gone for the BR-160. Less flash, more class. If this BR-180 were lost or stolen I'd probably get one of the Martin D-18s. What do I love about it? Well, I like the abalone inlay on the box. What do I hate? The peghead, both as to configuration and inlay, and as to tuners. My favorite feature? Price. No pre-purchase comparison. I relied entirely on reviews and opinions. Anything I wish it had? Yeah: "Martin" stenciled on the headstock and "D-18" branded inside.

I bought this guitar about a year ago. It is, as described by others, a fine instrument with very nice workmanship. The tuners are a bit funky, but I wouldn't go as far as calling them
cheap. My evaluation takes into account the price, which is why most guitarist have purchased this guitar instead of an equivelent Martin. It should also be taken into account that while China is best known for it's cheaper quality immitations of other products, they have excelled at producing great musical instruments (e.g. Cellos) for a great price.

It has a full bodied sound, with excellent tonal balance. I won over a dozen quality guitars, and every time I pick this guitar up I am blown away by the sound. The sound of an intrument is both objective and subjective. I have read all of the previous postings, and concur wit the majority of them as to sound quality-- excellent.

Now this is where my experience may be somewhat unique. I purchased my guitar from a renowned luthier, who set my guitar up to perfection. Hence, the action and fit is flawless. I have inspected every inch of this instrument and found the finish to also be flawless.

No issues here. Like another reviewers comments, I have not taken the guitar out of my home for fear of damaging it. I play and record using this instrument.

No comment, have not had to deal with costomer support.

Let's see, I have been playing for 30 years, mostly as a hobby. I also collect guitars. I would purchase another if it were lost/stolen. I am not one to wish that an instrument had the features/finish/look of another -- I appreciate this instrument for what it is - a great guitar, especially for the price.

Bought this BR-180 Two years ago, thats why I'm updating my review.

It started out sounding O.K. by my previous review. Two years later it is turning into the cannon that I heard about. The sound is smooth and stays in tune well. I've played new Martins, all of them except a D45 and I can say they don't sound or play this good. I've seen the feedback from Martin players defending their D28's. Fellas, a D28 can't touch this. and at a price starting at twice this. It could be a little brighter, but in time I'll probably change to Elixer strings. No Martin has a low end like this. I had to take the bridge down, but I do that on every guitar. The neck could be wider for fingerpicking.

China made with a solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides. There are sweet mother-of-pearl inlays around the binding, sound hole, head, and fretboard. The finish is seems flawless. Musiciansfriend.com gave me a case.

I really have been looking at Martin and Breedlove guitars. I found these at store out of town and after playing a few of them I decided that it sounded and felt just as good as a top of line Martin. Every time I play this thing I smile and think about what a solid made guitar it is. Back to the tone, it really has some nice low end with just enough bite. I play bluegrass and next to a mandolin or fiddle it really takes care of the lows.

The neck size is the reason I bought this guitar. I am not one to buy those beefy thick necks so I wanted something a bit on the thin size and easy to play. Well these guitars are it. I hear that the old martins have thin necks too. Although, the BR-180 does have one of the thicker necks in the Blueridge line. Not too thin, just perfect. The action is exactly where I need it so thumbs up to guys in China.

This guitar is solid.

N/A

I know that in the past couple of years the price has jumped at least $100 on these guitars. So it is still worth the $$$. I have been playing guitar for 11 years and teaching for about two. I am also in a bluegrass band and play in the band at my church every Sunday. I am very pleased at this purchase. If you are thinking about getting this guitar you are saving yourself at least 4X the money than getting a high end Martin. I know that I will enjoy this guitat for a long time.

I recently purchased a BR180. The features have been previously described and do not need repeating. However, I really must say the guitar is cosmetically beautiful. I do have a little concern about the the bridge pins staying in place when changing the strings, but if you hold them in place when tightening the strings, they tend to lock in place. So far the tuners seem fine.

I am a bluegrasser and have two HD-28's. I have owned a D-35, D-18V and a D-18. In my opinion, the BR 180 resembles more the sound of the 35 than the 28s'. I have shopped for and played Santa Cruzs', Collings, Huss and Daltons, and other high end Martins and feel that by all means, the Blueridge has it's place in the market. I'm really not sure if a fair comparison can be made to the higher end makers. When you play the Bueridges next to these makers, you can really distinguish the difference. But, the BR 180 has good tone and volume. You really cannot go wrong for the price. In fact, I am considering, buying a BR 240 Mahogany. I would not consider trading either of my Martins for a Blueridge, only because I do not perceive the Blueridge increasing in value over time the way a Martin or the above mentioned makers would.

The setup seems fine. It plays well and appears to be made nicely. I've read some of the negative comments on the tuners, but my Blueridge does seem to stay in tune fairly well. The bone nut and saddle are nice enhancements. Martin and some other makers use Micarta. I've spent as much as $125.00 alone to have a bone saddle made.

I will be playing it out at our next gig to see how it sounds miked. Before doing that, I will take it to a jam. If it can withstand a bluegrass jam, which I am anticipating it will, it will easily withstand a two hour set.

No experience

I really like the workmanship and it's looks. I compare it to my Martin D-35. It has very nice tone and volume, but time will tell. It would have been nice to have a compensated saddle.