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Blueridge BR-70

Summary
Price New Blueridge BR-70 @ Musician's Friend
Manufacturer URL www.blueridgeguitars.com
Features 9.1 (9 responses)
Sound 9.6 (8 responses)
Action, Fit, & Finish 9.6 (8 responses)
Reliability/Durability 9.6 (8 responses)
Customer Support 10.0 (1 response)
Overall Rating 9.7 (9 responses)
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Page: 1 2 3 (Show 10 | 25 | 50 | 100 reviews per page) Showing 1 - 10 of 24 reviews
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Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 05/23/2009 at 08:32pm by KLUB

Features : 9

Sound : No Opinion

Action, Fit, & Finish : No Opinion

Reliability/Durability : No Opinion

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
I have been playing since I was 12 years old. About 8 years ago I started having problems with Osteoarthritis in my finger joints, it got to a point where I decided to get rid of my guitar because my mind could do the finger picking but my hands couldn't anymore so playing just got me pissed. 2 years ago I went to a party and a fine fellow was playing a Blueridge BR-70. I have to say, as soon as I heard this guitar strummed it caught my attention. To make a long story short, I couldn't wait to find one for my own. One week later I was playing again and loving it. I still don't finger pick much because of the artritis but because of this unbleavable sounding instrument I am oh so much injoying strumming. My hat goes of to the makers. The only reasion I don't give it a 10 is I never give anything a perfect score, this way the makers will continue to make beautiful instruments like this charm.


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: USD 339 USED
Submitted 03/13/2009 at 06:31am by John Nils C.
Email: John<at>holmesinsurance dot com

Features : 9
Absolutely gorgeous Martin D 41 style dread, very light weight, very attractive grained Brazilian rosewood laminate back and sides, it looks to me like the interior wood laminate is mahogany which is fine by me, sort of a hybrid. Inlays are very well done, the abalone purfling on the top edge is luminescent, glows at you, I love looking at this guitar. Slim, fast,bound neck, great looking headstock in my opinion and gold open style butterbean tuners that look and work great on my guitar. A very classy looking guitar, very cleanly built. A real showpiece on stage.

Sound : 10
I play this in rotation with my other acoustics ( Blueridge BG 160, Martin DM full gloss, '73 Alaverz 12 string and '73 Ovation Balladeer ) at Mass weekly using a Fishman Neo D soundhole pickup thru the PA ( very nice ) This guitar is very loud with a strong, clean piano like bass and nice and bright, really cuts thru the mix. I use it acoustically in jams and it really carries over other guitars well, great strummed or for lead work. The sound is very clean with not much complexity or overtones, not sterile, just very clean, not a bad thing and sometimes I prefer that, sometimes I prefer the sparkle and overtones of the Martin. One is not better than the other, they are just different. It is louder & brighter than my BG 160. I also like blonds, redheads and brunnettes.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
As I said, very light, well constucted with nice looking woods, top is very nice grained, inlays are flawless, frets are nice, no sharp edges, a true joy to play. Every now and then I tweek the action and the truss rod responds instantly with just a 1/4 turn or less. Looking in the body reveals no excess glue or slop and bracing looks well done. Nut and saddle are bone and well done also. I see no reason to believe this guitar wouldn't last for years. High quality all around.

Reliability/Durability : 10
High gloss finish the doesn't appear to applied heavy handed, looks great. I play it hard and there are some very light swirl marks in the finish but you really have to look for them, probably would buff out. Strap buttons solid, tuners cool loking and seem like they will last too. All good. Had this since Christmas of 2007 so the honeymoon is over and I'm still in love with it.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never dealt with them, probably never will but judging by the quality of this and my BG 160 I am would probably rate them highly.

Overall Rating : 10
Bought this on eBay for $339 "Buy it now" price the minute I saw it, I as looking for one of these, was delivered Christmas Eve 2007 and brand looked new. Playing since the "60's. I have a Ric 660-12, Ric 330-6, 1973 Strat ( bought new then ) Oscar Schmidt Delta King ( great value ) Rogue Beatle bass, Squire tele the other acoustics mentioned earlier and an assortment of amps, with the Fender Super Champ XD being one of my faves. I definately recommend this guitar even at the going street price new, a real stunner in looks and very nice playing, sounding acoustic. I would buy this again in a heartbeat.


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 09/16/2008 at 10:11am by mark

Features : 9
Features have already been covered adaquately enough other than even though the exterior wood on the back and sides is beautiful Rosewood the interior lamination is Mahogany. The Butter Bean tuners have gotten less than stellar reviews but mine work just fine and I like them. All the numbered rating hence forth are based on "bang for the buck" and I give the BR-70 a 9 because it is a laminated body and sides and not solid wood. I opted for the BR-70 over the BR-160 for two reasons. One; electrifying negates to a large extent the advantages of solid woods in the case of Blueridge guitars and Two; I didn't want to worry about passing it around at open mic's or humidity concerns.

Sound : 10
I play folk rock with this guitar and wanted a guitar that could replicate Neil Young's tone especially when tuned down to "D" modal or DADGAD. This beauty does it in spades wonderfully! It's really exceptional. It has those piano-like overtones that sustain what seems like forever.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
I purchased my BR-70 from Maury's Music and they check over the guitar's action, fit and finish before mailing it and they did a great job for me. Overall this guitar far exceeds my expectations. I can not find a single blemish or excess glue trace.

Reliability/Durability : 10
There is no reason why this guitar won't stand up to normal use even though it seems to be lighter than other acoustic I've owned in the past.

Customer Support : No Opinion
My BR-70 is too new to consider this catagory but having a Roberto Vinn grad in the neighborhood negates any worry I might have.

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing stringed instruments since the 70's. I've owned Guild's, Takamine's, Ibanez's, Washburn's and one Larrivee and this Blueridge is the most satisfying and tonally rewarding acoustic I've ever picked up. The neck to some is on the smaller or thinner side but it fits me perfectly. It actually feels just like the neck on my Washburn D22S if that helps. These Blueridge guitars are an insanely good buy!


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 05/15/2008 at 06:19pm by Rydude
Email: llabaron at rochester<dot>rr<dot>com

Features : 9
SOLID SITKA-SPRUCE TOP DREADNAUGHT, BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD BACK/SIDES, GLOSS FINISH, (VERY TIGHT) OPEN TUNERS, NO ELECTRONICS, THIN NECK PROFILE, MADE IN CHINA. WHAT ISN'T? CHECK YOUR SPECS FOR NECK WOODS. MINE WAS BOUGHT USED (MINT COND.) AND CAME W/ MEDIUM (13s) STRINGS. DOES VERY WELL W/ THEM. bought used w/ case, capo, upgraded brass M.O.P. bridge pins, and extra set of medium elixir strings.

Sound : 10
SOUND-FANTASIC! IT HAS DEEP RESONANT POWERFUL BASS, THIS IS A POWERFUL SOUNDING INSTRUMENT AND I.M.H.O. SOUNDS GREAT FOR JUST ABOUT ANY STYLE. HOWEVER I AM MAINLY A CHORD STRUMMER. NOT AN EXPERT PLAYER BY ANY MEANS. I HAVE HEARD SOME MARTINS THOUGH NEVER OWNED 1. THIS HAS THE BIG SOUND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR IN BUYING SUCH AN INSTRUMENT. THERE IS NO HYPE IN ANY REVIEWER SAYING THAT. I'M MORE IMPRESSED EVERY TIME I PLAY THE GUITAR. ONE NOTE: IF YOU WANT A REALLY BRIGHT SOUNDING GUITAR AND NOT A LOT OF LOW END POWER, THIS ISNT'T IT! I OWN ENOUGH OF THOSE GUITARS. THIS 1 IS AWESOME!

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
BOUGHT USED SO SETUP WAS A BIT HIGH AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS A FINGER-PICKER. I LOWERED IT JUST A BIT. THE FINISH IS EXCELLENT. IT'S A VERY LIGHT GUITAR COMPARATIVELY BUT SOLID. NOTHING RATTLES, NO BUZZES. TUNERS WORK OK (VERY TIGHT). TO ME THE BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD IS JUST GORGEOUS LOOKING. THE HEADSTOCK IS VERY ATTRACTIVE (SWEET ABALONE INLAYS ALL OVER THE GUITAR). ONE THING I DONT LIKE: THE HEADSTOCK ON THE BLUERIDGES ARE SMALL COMPARED TO NORMAL ACOUSTIC HEADSTOCKS. MINE WONT HANG UP ON THE WALL IN THE HANGERS I USE FOR MY OTHER GUITARS. I CAN LIVE W/ THAT THOUGH. GAVE A 9 ONLY BECAUSE OF THE LITTLE HEADSTOCK. SHE'S A 12 OTHERWISE! A SWEET LITTLE DREAD!

Reliability/Durability : 10
I THINK BLUERIDGE SHOULD JUST OFFER A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY ON THEIR GUITARS. ?????? IT WOULD PROBABLY INCREASE THEIR SALES HONESTLY. THE BR-70 SEEMS AS SOLID AS ANY. THEY ARE NOT CHEAPLY MADE IN MY HONEST ASSESSMENT. I AM PLANNING ON PUTTING A PICK-UP IN THIS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY CAPTURE THE RICH POWERFUL SOUND OF THIS GUITAR. I DONT THINK I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HOW IT WILL HOLD UP. IT WILL. I PLAY MAINLY OPEN MICS AT THIS POINT. I CANT WAIT TO TRY THIS OUT. IT IS AN IMPRESSIVE INSTRUMENT FOR THE $$$$.

Customer Support : No Opinion
NO OPINION BUT IT SOUNDS FROM OTHERS LIKE THEY ARE DECENT FOR SERVICE AND SUPPORT. OFFER THE LIFETIME WARRANTY AND THEY'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT A 9 OR 10.

Overall Rating : 10
BEEN PLAYING CLOSE TO 20 YEARS. FOR ACOUSTICS I OWN ALVAREZ, TAKAMINE, IBANEZ, SAMICK, WASHBURN, PEAVEY, AND RECENTLY I BOUGHT A RECORDING KING RDC-57. I OWN A LOT OF DECENT PA EQUIPMENT AS I'M A HOBBYIST IN LIVE MUSIC. I READ LOTS OF HELPFUL REVIEWS (BEFORE I BOUGHT) AND AM VERY GREATFUL FOR THOSE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS GUITAR AND OTHER PRODUCTS HERE AND IN OTHER FORUMS, ETC...THANKYOU! THE REVIEWS OF THIS GUITAR WERE RIGHT ON THE MONEY. IT SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS. I WISH I COULD PLAY AN ALL-SOLID WOOD BLUERIDGE TO COMPARE W/ THIS 1, BUT I DONT NEED TO. I LOVE THIS GUITAR. AMAZING VALUE! I HOPE THIS REVIEW IS ACCURATE AND HELPFUL TO ANYONE INTERESTED. would def. replace if stolen!


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: USD 435 USED
Submitted 12/19/2007 at 11:35pm by Mike C.

Features : 9
Same as the other reviews.

Sound : 8
Choice of strings will determine whether there is a very resonant base or an average one. Middle and high string clarity is very good. Aggressive strumming and picking can result in some buzzing when played on the 14th fret and higher, or maybe that's just on my guitar.

Full sound, loud when using picks, relatively soft when picked without picks (just finger picking).

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
Once I adjusted the truss rod, the action was good and the accuracy of the frets very good. Lovely finish, great fit, a very strong yet light instrument. Very handsome. Looks great on the wall!

Reliability/Durability : 9
At four years of age, the guitar is holding up well and the truss rod responds easily. Seems like it will last a lifetime.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Haven't sought support.

Overall Rating : 9
For the price ($700 online, this one was $425 on eBay), good action, good sound, respectable materials, solid construction, great look, reasonable price.


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: USD 900
Submitted 10/21/2007 at 03:12pm by Peter E
Email: oakfield at webspeed<dot>dk

Features : 9
Beautiful finish. Dreadnought body. Looks like a Martin D-41.
I??ve heard that the tuners isn??t super - so I??ll probably change??em maybe with some Grover when the time comes. That??s why i give 9. The guitar is made in China...unbeliveable

Sound : 10
The sound of BR 70 is potent - punch in the bass lovely rich sound. I believe that it sounds as good as my Martin D28 - the BR 70 is easier to play. My son bought a BR 73 and I played that one all the time - (when he wasn`t around)So I started looking for something similar. Outstanding Guitar and more outstanding when you compare prices with other guitars...I played this guitar in a little Guitar shop in Denmark called Woodstock Guitars and it sounds better than guitars 5-7 times the price.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Nice action - very easy to play. No flaws.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I??ve just had this one for 14 days - I suppose it will mature in sound when played on like other good instruments. It's not as heavy as my Martin D-28.

Customer Support : 10
2 Years warranty. I know the company and they are very helpful and friendly.

Overall Rating : 10
I??ve played proffesional for 25 years. I play Country, rock, pop et.c. I own a couple of Ovations ( a 1218 and a costom legend), a Martin D - 28, a Fender Strat (USA Model 1970), a G&L bass and a Tokai Bass. If my Br 70 was stolen or lost I would certainly look for another.I love the looks and the sound - it doesn??t get better.
I have considered putting a Fishman sound system in it.
If you miss a fantastic guitar - buy a BR 70


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: USD 635
Submitted 10/02/2007 at 12:03pm by BMan

Features : 9
Nice solid spruce top, laminated brazilian rosewood back and sides, which makes it a nice looker. Gold tuners, etc.

Sound : 9
This guitar has an exceptional sound for bluegrass. Nice bass, pretty even treble and strong mids. Less boomy than my Martin D40. This guitar sounds as good as a lot of Martins I've heard, but I'm not going to say it sounds better than all.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
Setup was good, no flaws. Easy to play.

Reliability/Durability : 8
It seems pretty solid to me.

Customer Support : No Opinion
N/A

Overall Rating : 9
I've been playing for many years...I own nine guitars including the aforementioned Martin D40, as well as mandolins, banjos, fiddles and various other instruments.

When I went into the store that had this guitar, I certainly had no intentions of buying anything that day, but the sound of this guitar impressed me. Very close to the D40. But the pricetag is what's most impressive; this guitar is certainly capable of running with the big boys for about 1/3 of the price.


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: USD 550.00
Submitted 09/13/2007 at 07:38pm by ally
Email: allymac98<at>aol dot com

Features : 10

Sound : 10

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10

Reliability/Durability : 10

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
i own 9 guitars 10 now this is awesome i have three martins they are great.if these things arent the best instrument coming out for the money someone tell me what is


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: USD 255 USED
Submitted 01/09/2007 at 02:17pm by rik

Features : 9
Just drop-dead gorgeous! Pretty circling abalone trim, cool circles on the neck, a pretty logo in the headstock (which is understated compated to some Blueridges.) The laminated Brazilian rosewood just glows, never seen anything like it before. Solid Engleman spruce top, decent gold tuners.

Sound : 10
Go to Maury Music on the web to hear the Blueridges! Well, this sounds QUITE a bit better than the 2 all solid wood Blueridges I am well aquainted with! No details, do not want to cause any bad feelings, and this is subjective. The Engleman spruce sounds differebt than other spruces. I thought it was a bit too bright for me at first, but the new strings and the top have mellowed a bit in just 2 weeks...and geeeeez, this thing sounds incredible. Exactly like 'Leader of the Band' by D. Fogelberg. Deeeep, gorgeous bass, super rich in harmonics and depth. More true bass than my mahogany Johnson Jd-17 everyone is raving about. Crystal highs- not just words, but the truth. Best 'd' string I have ever heard- strong presence. I was skeptical by the reviews- having wasted time with assorted Washburns previously- but we are all REALLY telling you the truth about these guitars. Truly incredible, recordable sounds...

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Very low action, no bad spots to be found. Super easy for even a quite icky player like myself to get around. Not a single flaw.

Reliability/Durability : 10
Seems solid enough.

Customer Support : No Opinion
n/a

Overall Rating : 10
These should sell for around 700-900 used, imho.
Heads and tails above quite a few other Blueridge acoustics, but that is purely subjective.
This makes sounds that I have never heard in another acoustic guitar.


Product: Blueridge BR-70
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 08/06/2006 at 08:27am by Bob
Email: dubbs37<at>hotmail dot com

Features : 10
I won't rehash what other people have written about the specs. It's your standard dread. I will say the neck is great to play and the guitar is solid. Tuners work very well and always stay in tune.

Sound : 10
All around great sound, especially since I put on Elixir Nanoweb strings! Wonderful highs, mids and lows. Can't beat the sound for the price.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
I bought mine from the original owner and it was kept in great condition. The action was good but the saddle on mine was leaning forwad slightly; a quick trip to a local luthier solved that. He heaved the old saddle and put in a nice compensated bone saddle. It really improved the sound! He also lowered the action a bit, which made it play even better. I give it a 10 here because once the new saddle was in and the action lowered a hair, it played like a dream.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I haven't played this live but I'm sure it can withstand anything. Seems very solid and built to last. I would defintely gig with it if I could.

Customer Support : 10
I had e-mailed the company before buying this once and always had prompt and friendly replies. Seems like a good company to go business with.

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing over 25 years and rate the BR-70 as one of the best values for its price range. I love the sound and the easy action. It also looks great with its abalone inlay (though I'm not really a fan of inlays). The only thing I would change would be the headstock (it does seem a bit dorky looking). Overall, I love this guitar. Great value in a great price range.

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