Blueridge BR-140A Review

Equipment Used:
Mics - Avantone CV12 & Avantone CK7
Preamp - ART Pro MPA II
Camera - Canon Vixia HFR300
Strings - Elixir Phosphor Bronze Medium
Pick - Blue Chip Jazz 60
Blueridge BR-140A Specs:
Top - Solid Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides - Solid Mahogany
Fingerboard & Bridge - Rosewood
Nut & Saddle - Bone
Nut Width - 1 3/4"
Scale Length - 25 5/8"
Tuning Keys - Open Gear, Butterbean
Neck Wood - Mahogany
Neck Joint - Dovetail
Top Braces - Forward Shifted X pattern, Scalloped

[@realestateexchang100]

I can tell you, I have 3 Gibsons, 4 Martins,2 Blueridges and a Taylor. When I play Bluegrass I always tale my BR 140A. Love the neck, the sound, and the appearance. The guitar is like my 347,000 mile Dodge Cummins, wouldnt trade it for the world.

[@seraphim1833]

All solid wood dreadnought with an Adirondack top for under $1000? Unbelievable. It sounds great man, great playing too bro. God bless.

[@hogant.551]

Cause chinese labor costs almost nothing and they don't have environmental regulations for factories.

[@frankdiscussion2069]

@@hogant.551 Cheap labor and free shipping.

[@hogant.551]

@yumpladukfoo You are right. Most Americans and Chinese are not paid enough. The big wigs keep getting richer.

[@sstace69]

I bought my 140 (not the A) 3 years ago, i love it still. When new it was pretty chimey and a but raw. I doubt that makes sense but i enjoyed it! Its now a bit warmer but still sounds bright and strong. I havent regretted a bit of it ❤

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

I bought my blueridge 20 years ago. We all thought it sounded better than anything else in the shop. It still sounds great. ( i think, my daughter has pinched it)

[@duaneholcomb8408]

I bought mine ,,BR 40. Spruce. Top and mahogany. Neck back and sides. With rose wood fret board Blue ridge. All solid. Wood and I used to own Martin but it sounds better than my Martin did so you can keep your Martin but you ain't getting my blue ridge. And got great soft case with it. All Under a thousand dollars. You can even. See the waves in the spruce top. Of mine sound absolutely fantastic it amazing. If you like that bright Blue grass sound that Martin is known for then this is the way to go. I have several nice guitars with different sound. Wood. For different tones even Brazilian rose wood but this might be my baby. It just makes you want to play and keeps you coming back for more,,

[@bigmuddy1]

I have dropped by my local GC and played many different Martin D-18 GEs and most are fine sounding guitars. After a lot of You-tube research I took a chance and bought a BR-140A and couldn't be happier. I know individual instruments vary, but all the 140As I have heard sound really good, and mine does too. It is the best sounding $750 guitar I ever played. Does it sound as good as a $3000 D-18 GE? Not quite, but the Martin does not sound $2250 better. I like you reviews, keep posting.

[@fourocker]

The Mahogany punch is incredible, it's like whack, whack, whack in the face every strum, then into drop D which I love and sounds like a piano on this, well played and what a great guitar, I've come across one on the used market and thinking about taking a look, that's why I'm here listening 🎶

[@bstimy]

Found one for $450 with case, 3 years old, mint - buying today. Amazing sound, shocking really. I currently play a '64 D-18 and while that certainly has more tonal character and sustain, it doesn't have the power, and I like the larger nut for cross picking. This is one impressive guitar. At any price point. As long as build quality is good I can only imagine what it will sound like when its 53 years old like the Martin!

[@treecounting]

I wouldn't bet on Tonal Quality from the D18 I had a 18V ,,, Loud, Nothing else

[@timdavis2335]

Enjoyed your review of the Blueridge 140A a lot! I've heard a lot about the brand and have been trying to check out the different models. Man, you were ring the bells on that 140A! Sounded awesome. I'm getting very close to closing in on a model and it rhymes with 140A! : ) - Tim

[@hogant.551]

Go buy an american made one.

[@williamfriggle]

Great sound. I have a Blueridge BR-162. The BR-140A is next on my list. Thanks for the review.

[@robbiefest]

Fantastic recording setup! What a great sound you are getting there. I can't say I have heard a better quality demo. Well done..

[@3GCMusic]

Great demo, man. Killer tone and playing!

[@johnparker7784]

Killer tone ? BWAHAHAHAHA. It's always funny to hear people talk about how great a steel string guitar sounds when they all sound the same (tinny and harsh). Steel strings have only one boring tone. Why in the hell do you think that classical guitarists (the greatest guitarists on the planet ) only use nylon strings. Youre a grown adult. You should have learned the basics about guitar a long long time ago and nothing is more basic than tone. If you want to know what a truly great guitar was it was Segovia's 1937 Hauser. There has never been another guitar like it. Even Bream admitted that guitar was amazing. This Blueridge is a tinker toy compared to it. Open your friggin ears. You steel string players are trying to pass yourself off as musicians and you don't know squat.

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

For what? If you want electric, buy a electric guitar.

[@LUCKYB.]

Damn sounds every bit as good as if not equal to A D28 .. im inpressed .

[@zplapplap]

Great job on the demo and review. You seem to bring out the best in that guitar.

[@taverned]

you play a mean guitar! I'm looking at buying a BR-73 today. First br for me. I also have a Seagull but the model is a bit larger than I think I need. Great video. Thanks for showing off your Blueridge

[@joe121767]

Sounds great and you can really play!!

[@752brickie]

Nice guitar and great playing ! Keep up the good videos !

[@joshua3732]

Sounds wonderful. Excellent playing.

[@jonnynevada8915]

It has a nice powerful bottom end ,, the highs aren’t quite as crispy as say the likes of a Martin ,, but never the less,, nice sounding guitar.. 👌

[@davesteinman3832]

Awesome review. Keep up the good work!

[@PaydayForest]

You should do more reviews, I really enjoyed both of them!

[@Jackstraw1179]

Guitar sounds great and great playing!

[@CargoShorts7]

Hey there great demo and playing! Do you still hold these guitars in high regard after a few years? I’m looking at a BR-140A online but I’m struggling to determine if it has enough low end since I don’t have the ability to play one in person. Thanks!

[@RedneckReviews89]

Thanks! I'm not much of a teacher, but I'll definitely take a compliment.

[@rsaathoff]

I was deciding on what guitar to get but now I'm pretty sure it is going to be this one, the BR-140a.

[@orlandoclemente2030]

Killer full tone. My kind of acoustic.

[@PhilAlbinus]

Wonderful playing.

[@tyson9063]

I liked your review. Thinking of buying one of these.

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

I would add a Mitchel's PlateMate, Ebony bridge pins, Zero Glide nut system, DR RPM 12 RARE strings (My setup). Maybe even do an enlarged sound hole like how the famous Clarence White/ Tony Rice was done. That can be a major tone enhancer for a guitar like this. Then later change to stainless frets

[@robinskitube]

Hi, Great playin' and good demo of the guitar, I have the Blueridge BG-180 RW the Bluegrass model, I really like it, have you had the chance to play one.....

[@pmunkey1]

Do you still have this 140a guitar? How is it 7 years later? Cheers buddy

[@ubertwerpify]

Your sound and playing is great - i didnt know medium gage strings allowed shred /virtuoso stuff - did you lower the action?

[@RedneckReviews89]

In my honest opinion, yes. It mainly boils down to what type of wood sound you like. Mahogany usually has more clarity and midrange punch, Rosewood usually has a deeper rich bass sound to it. The Adirondack Spruce on the BR140A is a better quality spruce than the Sitka Spruce on the ST68. All in all, I gave about $1000 for the ST68 and $780 for the Blueridge, now I'm trying to sell my ST68 and I'm keeping the Blueridge. Between the videos, which one do you think sounds better?

[@RedneckReviews89]

Thanks! I'll be doing more reviews as soon as I can afford some new equipment, haha.

[@RedneckReviews89]

Believe it or not, both guitars actually sound much better in person. The BR140A has more clarity and volume, but the warmth of the 69 D18 just can't be matched.

[@bobguitar100]

awww ,.....man it sounds great, think I`ll get myself one

[@RedneckReviews89]

Probably about $600. It comes with a case and I installed an L.R. Baggs M1 soundhole pickup in it

[@51MontyPython]

The Blueridges have _parabolic_ bracing which is distinct from "scalloped."

[@michaelmiller8949]

While many Blue Ridge guitars have parabolic bracing, the BR-140A definitely has scalloped braces. I have one, and when I got it home, I used a mechanics mirror to check. My brother's BR-140 is parabolic. But, as a sidenote, his BlueRidge sounds better than his 25 year old HD-28. Go figure.

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

Blueridge are good guitars.

[@jordangunit3078]

Agreed. Light strings suck on dreadnoughts .

[@RedneckReviews89]

haha yeah bluegrassers do love mediums but i love mediums on anything played on a dread. i would probably prefer lights on a smaller bodied guitar though

[@gateroadmusic]

When will we see a review of the new Alvarez Bluegrass guitar; the MD60BG?

[@bobguitar100]

one word Awesome!!

[@paulstabin6233]

Sounds great with you playing it! A lot of guitar for the money. Does sound somewhat better on runs and single notes than full chord strums, but time and Elixirs wil fix that.

[@timjamesenglish2865]

when you went from light gauge strings to medium gauge strings did you have to adjust the truss rod a whole bunch or did it fall right in? someone at Saga Guitars told me that if I change to medium gauge strings I might have to tighten the truss rod a 1/4 turn.

[@tirocks]

@GuitarPick1770 they have!

[@blackcodeseo]

I honestly think that the BR140A sounds better than the 1969 Martin D18. I can't believe I'm saying this!

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

You're nuts

[@hogant.551]

I agree with Mattews, you are nuts. Keep that stuff up and Trump will deport your butt.

[@cw1335]

Don't think he is. I've seen it for myself!

[@billdedrick1914]

Nice tone and punch.. were you using Elixir 80/20 or P.B.?

[@RRW276]

Sounds great, thank you for demo! Can you describe how the neck profile feels? is it slim to very slim? I'm curious how the profile compares to say a Martin. I've heard these extremely thin necks but not sure that's true. thx!

[@FrankieRevell]

Hello sir. The old blueridges had very thin necks. This one should be a 1 and 3/4

[@popoaggie]

"Blue On Black" !!!

[@Guitarpick1770]

Wish they had built in electronics on those.

[@gimpyjwilliams]

lol i hate medium guage strings, love lights but i guess it depends on your style what what music you play, the bluegrass guys love mediums

[@randylovelace6940]

Sounds great. I own a BR-140. Can you tell me the difference between the 140 vs 140A. My 140 has a nice head design. Is that the only difference?

[@michaelwarren2721]

Iive got a 140 as well... I think you may be correct

[@3GCMusic]

The A will have an Adirondack Spruce top, and the regular will have a Sitka Spruce top.

[@40203332]

The A models have an Adirondack spruce top as opposed to the Sitka, as stated above. Also has an 1-3/4 nut width as opposed to the 1-11/16 as well as the simpler headstock design.

[@bigrossd3]

I think I like the deeper tone of the ST more. How much are you wanting for yours?

[@wyattsdad8561]

That thing is a cannon! What brand of strings do you use on it?

[@masterhorax]

I'm kind of stuck between this one, an Eastman OO all sapele, or an Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500RENS....thoughts?

[@JT-gm4fk]

+Blake Wright I too am between this and the Eastman OO sapele. So tough isn't it? I already have a mahogany dread but that eastman is a great guitar

[@masterhorax]

+Relic Hunter I agree. I actually already have a masterbilt RENS and a Taylor gc3 and an Eastman ac420. I want a blue ridge but the sapele is very tempting. Is have to sell the masterbilt to get one, and that's a tough decision. Doesn't help that they're hard to find and very few videos online.

[@JT-gm4fk]

I got to play the eastman dread all sapele but my local eastman dealer did not have the OO. To make it more confusing, the BR 160 has crept up on my list so now I have three to look at, this adarendack top though is very tempting. These blueridge guitars seem like a lot of guitar for the money. I dont think we will go wrong either way.

[@hogant.551]

Yeah, buy an american made one.

[@hedgegedge6448]

Hi! I have thats same guitar and I have a trouble with the truss rod, can you tell me was it originaly down, up, or flat? Wasn't the action allso quite low? Good review!

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

The truss rod isn't for the action. Turn it towards the right, and snug it up. The action is set by the saddle and nut.

[@ronster6017]

Pretty good for the price,weak and lacks sparkle on the top end...

[@JohnMcConnach]

which do you prefer this or your Norman?

[@jeffccr3620]

Dang you should give some drop D lessons!

[@bigrossd3]

So do you think this is better than the ST68?

[@LASTEK909]

What's the song at 4:00 please ???

[@RedneckReviews89]

If it's the song directly at 4:00 then the song is called "Rueben" and the version I have is by The Osborne Brothers. If it's the song directly after that at around 4:12 then it's just something I made up that I just noodle around on to pass time.

[@LASTEK909]

Ok thanks a lot. And wonderful guitar :)

[@ARTUROSIERRALOPEZ]

when you say mediums is .12 or .13

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

Meds are 13,56

[@Jay-lr3me]

No need for mediums if they're hard to play. 12s are perfectly fine, trust me, been playing bluegrass for years