Product: Blueridge BR-3S
Price Paid: US $180.00 used
Submitted
06/03/2001
at
02:44am
by
Cathead
Features
:
9
I bought the guitar at a pawn shop, so I have no idea when or where it was made. The model number tag had been removed, but I determined from pictures and descriptions on several web sites that is is a BR-3S. There are 20 frets, a solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, sealed chrome tuners, a stripe up the middle of the back, all with a matte finish.
Sound
:
10
This guitar sounds great!! I do my own compositions mostly with a style ranging from Bluegrass to Country/Rock and this guitar really delivers the goods with a deep, full sound that I love. The tone rivals that of my vintage J-50 Gibson. Actually, I think it is louder than the Gibson. I have had a few people "close their eyes" and give me a sound comparison between the Blueridge and the Gibson, and so far the Blueridge has been picked every time as sounding the best. I am so happy to have found it.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The action on the guitar is so low I can't figure out why I'm not getting a fret buzz somewhere. There were minor nicks and scratches having been used and someone had even lightly scratched their name in the pick guard, but those are the least of my worries. The tuners work perfectly and everything else is tight and solid.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
I haven't played gigs for a while now, but I have "flogged" the daylights out of this guitar at home. I would not hesitate to use it on a gig without a back-up.
Customer Support
:
1
When I was trying to determine the model number of the guitar I e-mailed Saga Instruments with the serial number and asked them if they could determine the model number from that, but they would never respond, so I am glad I didn't need technical support from them.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing guitar for over 36 years and own 12 fretted instruments, a steel guitar, and a fiddle. If this particular was lost or stolen I would not hesitate to buy a new one at full retail cost. There were several guitars at the pawn shop where I bought it and it outsounded them all hands down even though there were more costly ones there. I chose this one for the deep, rich sound it had. One negative thing I can say is the heel of the neck is shaped into a peak making it impossible to install a strap button there and the bottom of the heel is not flush with the back of the guitar, so I don't know if a button will be practical there either. If you are a Bluegrass picker I recommend this guitar to you because of the sound that comes from the solid top at a relatively inexpensive cost to you.
