| Build Quality: |  |
| Hardware: |  |
| Sound: | |
| Value: | |
| Average: | |
Pros:
- Great tonewood
- Pure vintage sound
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Might be pricey for beginners (but see the conclusion)
Blueridge made its name by focusing on traditional guitars with modern twists. The company aims, and, might I say, mostly succeeds, to create guitars for players who like vintage style but cannot afford thousands and thousands of dollars. Well, that is kind of obvious, most companies want to do the same to tap in bigger markers but it is rare to find a company that manages to walk on the thin line between affordable and cheap. Nobody wants cheap. Affordable and good quality, on the other hand, is all anyone is looking for. Blueridge’s BR-140 is part of their Historic Series and it is a must for anyone looking for more traditional guitars but at a “not going to stay homeless and starving to death after I buy it” price range.
Build
BR-140 is a dreadnought model with a solid Sitka spruce top that creates that traditional, strong sound and authentic prewar forward X-pattern. The back and sides are made of mahogany, another standard, yet great quality material that will not cost as much but deliver in performance and durability. The neck is also mahogany and its slim build of it ensures that you are comfortable when you are gripping it, providing enough ease for easy action.
Hardware
This baby is not just great in tonewood and construction, Blueridge took every detail into account to deliver the best guitar with an astounding sound. The fingerboard, bridge as well as bridge plate are made from East Indian Rosewood. The pickguard is Safas Dalmatian tortoise while the truss rod and dovetail neck joint on the neck provide stability, rigidity and comfort while you are playing. The saddle and nut are made from real bone which is a great asset, especially for anyone who is into traditional guitars. A lot of people prefer bone nut because it produces a brighter, better sound than most other material and that definitely shows in the sound of this guitar. BR-140 also features nickel-plated open-back tuners with butterbean-style buttons that have authentic vintage look. The guitar has high-gloss finish that does not obstruct vibration and sound production while also having agint toner so that your guitar has that beautiful vintage look which is only going to get more cool with time.
Blueridge BR 140 Sound
I rarely find it useful to write about the sound on the guitar after I have written about the construction because construction mostly says it all. The better tonewood and material used, the better the sound. That is a kind of axiom BUT there are cases, especially with more affordable guitars, where you can achieve a great sound by the right combination of materials. In either case, my point is that BR-140 has, through the good quality tonewood and combination of materials that work well together, achieved the sound that pays a sort of homage to classic, “Historic” guitars. It has pure vintage sound that is rich and load.
Conclusion
Blueridge has done it again and again, masters the art of affordable, good quality guitars that meet and exceed guitarists needs, be it a professional or a new player. Sure, you might be thinking of getting your first guitar while you are sitting in your 10×15 dorm room while your roommate is snoring and cannot even imagine spending over $500 on anything. BUT if you think you are serious about guitars and want to invest in something great sounding that will last you years and be with you on this journey- that BR-140 is a great option.
Click here to view more from Best Acoustic Guitar Under 1000.
