Blueridge BR-343

All solid wood. Made in China in '04 or '05 bought mine last year from Elderly's. Ordered online on a Tuesday night was playing it that Friday. Tuners gold butterbean - closed (not open like most of the pictures I've seen). High gloss finish nice inlay on headstock and fretboard. 000 style Martin copy w/forward x bracing -

Sweet sound. Excellent sustain. May distort with hard strumming w/big stubby pick. Great for fingerstyle. Only sound I've heard that I like better is the Martin D-15 all Mahogany (to me that's a 10) the Gospel a 9

If you're going to buy online it's gotta be Elderly's and even then it's more fun to drive to Lansing and spend the day playing everything they've got from 20,000 dollar Benedito archtops to the Blueridge's. Anyhow, set up was great. Great Strings, smooth frets, very easy guitar to play. Hard to keep the high gloss smudges wiped. One spot on neck around 3rd fret that looked like it should've been dusted before putting on the hi-gloss. Mine Does Have a Truss Rod (I would hope so) but I haven't needed any adjustments in the whole year of regular playing. I guess I should change the strings but really they still sound great -(I'll have to ask Elderly's what brand they use) 2 of my son's say they like this guitar better every time they play it AND my only complaint ever has been the smudges and the dust spot.

Seems durable enough. I've played some praise and worship with it. The end pin came out once on me though and I finally did decide to drill a hole for a strap button by the neck heel. Still using the same strings for a whole year and the sound is getting better. What's up with that. Can't wait to see what the Doyle Dyke GHS customs sound like when I do change the strings eh?

Wouldn't hold my breath expecting Saga Music to do anything for me. I know a great guitar tech If I needed any work done. Tom Pellerito - check out the credits at the end of "Standing in the Shadows of Motown"

I'm 50 and started playing before I was 10 but I'm no prodigy - I just like to play. I've got a '59 re-issue Bassman and use a Roland VS840EX for effects. I've got a Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass, an Epiphone Les Paul w/Gibson 490's (need to try a 498 or 500 at the bridge) a Squier Standard Strat w/Dave Gilmore DG-20 EMG active pick ups and an old beat up Giannini Classical guitar. Also an old water damaged Zephyr pre-war and a home made electric bass that would strengthen anyones fingers. But Yeah, I really like this Blueridge Gospel. I was looking long and hard at Taylor's 514-CE but for 2500 dollars - I was glad to discover Blueridge Guitars. I would like to compare a J45 and a BG140 next time I'm in Lansing (maybe when my daughter goes to MSU) Then again there's still that Awesome sounding Martin D-15 Mahogany or the 000-15 - Not this year though, VISA gets my tax return this time.

Probably made 2004 in China. Listed on Sagamusic website:

Select, solid spruce top with classic forward-X pattern, hand-carved parabolic braces
High-gloss, vintage sunburst finish top
Choice solid mahogany sides and back
Dovetail neck joint
Carved Mahogany, low profile neck with, dove-tail neck joint and 25.5" scale length
East Indian Rosewood fingerboard, bridge, and bridge plate
The fingerboard is tastefully inlaid with "The Trinity" inspired fret position markers of mother-of-pearl
The peghead adorned with a completely original,"cross and chalice" inlay of abalone and mother-of-pearl, in keeping with the Gospel theme
Black pickguard
B/W/B plastic binding with fine black and white purfling on soundboard
Accurate vintage-style 14:1 ratio gold-plated open-back tuners with butterbean-style buttons

This is a beautiful guitar: thin 000 body style. However, the pickguard is rather cheap looking and it does not appear to be glued evenly. You can find some sites selling these with a case but mine was a gift for Christmas 2005 and it did not come with a case or any accessories. The neck does not have any access to do any truss rod adjustments.

I really love the sound of this guitar. It is unbelievably loud for a smaller, thin body. Incredible! It has incredible sustain: almost to a fault. I play rhythm guitar for bluegrass/southern gospel music. I am no tone expert but IMHO this guitar is a tone monster for your hard earned money.

The setup was quite high. I am hesitant to lower the action too much because I do not want to lose much of the volume. I will take it to my local luthier soon for a checkup/consultation. The finish is quite beautiful with a retro sunburst finish on the top. The back shows the mahogany grain beautifully. The only flaw that I see is the uneven gluing of the pickguard which cheapens the look. Overall, I am very pleased.

I have only had this beauty for almost 3 months. The tuners look like they will possibly lose their lustre in time. There is only one strap button but it appears to be solid enough. Overall, it appears to be a reliable instrument. I am rating this an 8 because the verdict is still out.

No occassion to use this service.

I have been playing casually for 30+ years. I own a 1973 Alvarez-Yairi dreadnaught, American Deluxe Fat Strat, Fender Blues Jr. amp, Dunlop Crybaby Wah, and a Ibanez GSR bass. I am by no means an expert or professional musician. However, I do have an appreciation for music. I believe Blueridge guitars enhance the experience of making music. I certainly relish every moment that I can play mine. I love the way it sounds, the way it stays in tune, and I love the way it looks. I dislike the fact that it has no truss rod adjustment. If it were stolen, I would be grief stricken. I would definitely add another one to my growing collection. I would rate this instrument an 8.5 especially in light of quality in relation to investment monies.