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Pros:
- Beautiful, old style look
- Great construction
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Neck is a bit wide
- Might have too much treble
Blueridge BR-361 is a smaller-sized parlor acoustic that is a part of the Historic Series, bringing the old-style models into the modern world. Offering great construction, sound and look, this model, as well as most Historic Series guitars, is a great fit for professionals or anyone interested in old-style guitars (maybe you are a collector, who knows). It might seem like a higher-priced model but for its range and what is offers it is rather a good deal.
Build
BR-361 has solid Sitka spruce top, one of the most popular and good sounding woods, with forward-shifted X-bracing that is an old, well-tested method. The back and sides are made of solid tonewood that create a sturdy and durable construction. The neck is select mahogany that is very comfortable to grip and provides easy action. The smaller body of this model provides ease of use so although it is more marketed to people who “appreciate” the craftsmanship of the guitar and know a lot about guitars, it would be a perfect fit for beginners who are not as comfortable with guitars as of yet.
Hardware
Blueridge has equipped BR-361 with old-style Gotoh vintage slotted peghead style tuners that provide precise tuning, making the somewhat laborious process much easier, especially if you are a beginner. The fingerboard is made of Ebony with mother-of-pearl diamond and snowflake inlays. The bridge is also Ebony, all together, giving the guitar great look while also enhancing the complex tonality of the model. The nut and saddle are both real bone, giving the sound crispiness and brightness. And last but not least, the finish is natural high gloss enhancing the natural beauty and coloring of this guitar.
Blueridge BR 361 Sound
BR-361 matches its beauty by astounding sound and projection. The solid Sitka top creates the needed articulation and clarity of the sound. This model delivers the vintage tone and clear sound that you would expect from guitars at a much higher price. The comfort that the finish and mahogany neck provide are unmatched and will ease your playing and make it more enjoyable. It is very hard to match the vintage sound of old guitars but this model comes very close to achieving it.
Conclusion
This is a perfect guitar for professionals and everyone who loves the craftsmanship and details that go into creating guitars. The techniques and materials used in this model are a sort of an homage to old style guitars, bringing the deep, rich sound that will exceed your expectations to a modern style of playing. Although on a bit more pricier side, this model definitely brings it all and exceeds all the needs you could have while also getting a better sound and tone with years.
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