Blueridge BR-73 - a poor man's Martin 000 acoustic?

I adore Eric Clapton. This man inspired me to learn the guitar and started my obsession over guitars.

Unless you are fortunate enough, average folks like myself had to save up for years to get our first "real" guitar - mine was a lovely Fender 50s reissue strat. Here is a photo of my first strat (which I regretted selling the next day!):

That was over 10 years ago and I got it from BBB (Big Bully Bentley) in KL. I have since owned many many strats. Again, I blame Mr Clapton for this lust/obsession.

Unfortunately, Mr Clapton also started my obssesion over Martin acoustics, particularly 000/ auditorium/ folk-sized acoustics for blues and fingerstyle playing. 10 years later (now), however, while I could satisfy my lust for Fenders, there's still no way I can afford or justify buying a real and decent Martin (over RM10 grand!.

After weeks of research and online reviews, I discovered the Blueridge range of acoustic guitars. Blueridge is well-known in America and Europe for its high-quality reproductions of vintage (pre-war) Martin and Gibson type acoustics but at a fraction of the original's price. Blueridge is an American company with factories in China so its guitars are manufactured in China.

Blueridge is not available in Malaysia so I ordered one through my friend in the states. I chose the BR-73 model.

I was blown away when I held this guitar. For the modest price, I got an amazing vintage Martin 000-like guitar with the following specs:

• Select, solid Sitka Spruce top with hand-carved parabolic braces in the authentic prewar forward X-pattern
• Choice Rosewood back, sides and peghead overlay
• Carved Mahogany, low profile neck with dove-tail neck joint
• East Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
• Ornate mother-of-pearl peghead inlay
• Intricate abalone pearl inlay on soundhole rosette, top and fingerboard
• Delicate wood marquetry center strip on back
• Bone nut and saddle
• Accurate vintage-style 14:1 ratio gold-plated open-back tuners with butterbean-style buttons

I will let the photos speak for itself:

I can't say this too many times. This is an amazing guitar for the price... at a fraction of the price of a similarly-spec Martin which would cost over RM10k.

The guitar is well-built, well-finished with a good balanced tone for fingerstyle playing. This is 000/auditorium (not a dreadnaught) so the sound is bright, with a more mid-heavy tone. You will be amazed by the finish, quality of construction, materials used and the exquisite inlays.

Have a look Acoustic Magazine's review of the Blueridge BR-73 here.

The reason for selling this is to upgrade to another Blueridge (not a Martin...and I can't afford one anyway).

You can have this wonderful guitar for RM1,500 with the hard case. Bought this guitar in 2009 and it is never gigged and in excellent condition. The hard case is cracked at the top but still perfectly usable. I will take RM50 off if you do not want the hardcase.

Contact me at ernieong@gmail.com if you are interested in this guitar.

I'll end this post with some acoustic blues by Mr Eric Clapton (armed with his real Martin 000). Enjoy!