Premier Sponsors:
Support this Site:
More Hangout Sites:
 RSS Feeds
|
Blueridge
BR-0S
submitted 10/7/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
Janet Davis Music |
Year Purchased |
1999 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
Not bad for a cheap guitar, but not enough bottom end for my taste. Medium volume level. |
Sound Rating |
6 |
Setup
|
Action was a little high. I removed the saddle to lower it and there was a plastic shim under it that I removed and I just replaced the saddle. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
It had the dull lacquer finish that I do not find appealing, but there were no flaws in it. It was obviously made of plywood as the inside grain on the back and sides looked like mahogany, but the outside grain appeared to be rosewood. A plain Jane looking guitar. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
|
It has held up very well and sounds a little better with age. The current owner is a friend of mine. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
Never dealt with them. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Nothing outstanding, but it does what it is supposed to do. If I still had it, I might consider replacing the saddle with real bone. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
|
It’s a decent guitar, but not outstanding. Certainly not the best Blueridge I have ever played. I originally bought it as a present but it was rejected and replaced by an electric guitar, so I sold it. I’m not looking to replace it.
|
Overall Rating |
7 |
|
(Dave) Sturgill
Carolina 300
submitted 10/6/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
Mountain View Guitar Shop |
Year Purchased |
1976 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
It had a great sound. Very loud and leads cut through a bluegrass band great. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
The setup worked, but the unique A-shaped saddle could be difficult to change or re-position for proper intonation. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
It was a beautiful Birds-eye Maple back and sides. Plain dot inlays in the neck. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
The only problem I ever had with it was the neck. It bowed and twisted. |
Reliability Rating |
5 |
Customer Service
|
They were made in Piney Creek NC and the first time the neck bowed and twisted I took it back personally and because they could not straighten the neck, kept the guitar and installed a new maple neck in it. Once I got it back that new neck also warped after a short time. I returned it again, and they were unable to straighten it. They refused to replace the neck again claiming it was my fault the neck warped. Pissed me off and I sold it and never had anything good to say about them again. |
Customer Service |
2 |
Components
|
The maple necks would not stay straight and warped or twisted. |
Components Rating |
5 |
Overall Comments
|
It was a beautiful, powerful guitar, but because of a warped neck and poor customer service, I sold it and never dealt with them again. I understand they are no longer in business. |
Overall Rating |
4 |
|
(Dave) Sturgill
Carolina
submitted 10/6/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
Mountain View Guitar Shop |
Year Purchased |
1976 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
It had a great sound. Very loud, comparable to a D28 Martin in sound. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
|
The setup worked, but the unique A-shaped saddle could be difficult to change or re-position for proper intonation. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
It had very pretty rosewood back and sides. Plain dot inlays in the neck. It also had a very large white “S” inlayed in the head stock for Sturgill that I though was ugly and very gaudy. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
|
Never had a problem with the guitar. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
It was used and not under warranty. They were made in Piney Creek NC. I had a problem with another brand new Sturgill I owned that was supposed to be under a lifetime warranty that they refused to repair a warped neck in. I never had anything good to say about them again.
|
Customer Service |
2 |
Components
|
The unique A-shaped saddle could be difficult to change or re-position for proper intonation. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
It was a powerful guitar, but because I had a new Sturgill (I thought) under a lifetime warranty I sold this one. Because of poor customer service, I never dealt with them again. I understand they are no longer in business.
|
Overall Rating |
7 |
|
Ovation
Balladeer
submitted 10/6/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
Mountain View Guitar Shop |
Year Purchased |
1974 |
Price Paid |
255.00 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
It was a very loud guitar. It was the first acoustic guitar that I ever bought and I used to mostly to play bluegrass with and it projected very well in a band. |
Sound Rating |
7 |
Setup
|
I never made any changes to it. It worked for me as it was. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
It was a plain looking Ovation with a natural finished top. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
I never had any problems with it. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
Never dealt with them other than to report it stolen in 1974. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
The neck really impressed me at the time. Beautiful wood and played sweet. I was also impressed with the durability of the (then unique) back construction and the way it projected to an audience. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
I have always like Ovation guitars, but the bowl back has become a problem fitting against my belly in my old age. When it was stolen (13960) from Radford College in 1974, I replaced it with a new Sturgill maple guitar.
|
Overall Rating |
8 |
|
Yamaha
FG-365S
submitted 10/6/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
individual |
Year Purchased |
2004 |
Price Paid |
80.00 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
It sounded weak, but had a good tone. It had an under saddle piezo pickup that sounded thin and electric. |
Sound Rating |
4 |
Setup
|
It had a beautiful set up and played like a dream. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Very pretty rosewood guitar with a nicely aged lacquered finish. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
Never had a problem with it. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
It was used and not under warranty. I never deal with the company. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
I did not like the sound of the under saddle pickup, but it worked well as did everything else on the guitar. I replaced the worn plastic pins with new ones. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
|
It was a good guitar that played excellent. It had a good tone, but was very weak in the volume department, perhaps because it was heavier that my other acoustic guitars. The piezo pickup made it sound like a hollow body electric guitar. A great beginner or intermediate guitar well worth the price. |
Overall Rating |
7 |
|
Gibson
J-35
submitted 10/5/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
Grandpa Smith's Music Store |
Year Purchased |
1976? |
Price Paid |
250.00 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
I've always loved the sound and volume of this guitar, but especially the wide neck. I do not like narrow thin necks. Most Gibson acoustics I had played up to then were pretty weak in the volume department, but this one was a real hoss. It had issues when I acquired it, but over the years I have gotten it pretty close to the way I like it. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
|
Sadly the guitar was hanging in the music store with the bridge pulled up, the tuner buttons were crumbling, cracks in the sides and back, frets worn out, decals on the top and deep gouges in the back of the V neck where someone had used a screw-down capo without a pad and dug holes into the neck with the screw. It had been played so much the top looked like Willie Nelson’s guitar, but without the holes. My friend and luther Mark Richard repaired it for me after I bought it. It is far from original, but it does not matter to me, as I never intend to sell it. I call her Maybelle and she has been my picking companion for many years now. I only replaced her with a new Martin a few years ago, because she looked so rough and worn out and was irreplaceable to me if anything should happen to her. |
Setup Rating |
1 |
Appearance
|
This is an ugly duckling, but it was a nice looking box in its day. The top is scratched and worn badly and I’ve never had it refinished. There are still shadows of some foxhunt decals on the top that I removed. The mahogany back and sides have faded an unbecoming orange color. Even the Gibson painted script logo on the headstock is half worn off |
Appearance Rating |
2 |
Reliability
|
The guitar now is very dependable and reliable, dispite the thin finish, cracks and scratches. Heck, I’ve used over 30 years now and played it outside in the rain, sun and even snow and it has never let me down. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
I bought is used, so I have no warranty. It has no serial number either, so it is difficult to date it as well. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Since this guitar was (best guess) made about 1937, the only thing I can complain about were he plastic on the tuner buttons that did not last. |
Components Rating |
6 |
Overall Comments
|
I have seen a similar guitar, but all original and in good shape sell on eBay for over $10k. So somebody likes them beside me. If it were stolen I would probably replace it with a Gibson Advanced Jumbo in rosewood that Gibson currently makes today. I’ve seen some Martins that were louder and a few that weren’t in shear volume. The tone is very balanced and decays quickly like most old guitar often do. The wide neck is something I very seldom see on new guitars today. I love a wide neck. That alone would be hard for me to replace in a modern guitar. I’ve heard louder guitars, deeper guitars and guitars that played better, but I’ve gotten so used to this one, I’ve never liked anything else better. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
|
Fender
FR-50CE
submitted 10/5/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
Traded with an individual from Trading Post Magazine |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
This sounds like it is supposed to sound. It is probably not the loudest resonator guitar around, but it is louder than a normal acoustic and has a nice tone. It was a third control to blend the magnetic pickup with the piezo pickup which makes feedback an easier issue to deal with when plugged in. |
Sound Rating |
7 |
Setup
|
It was set up OK when I got it, but I lowered the action some and put smaller strings on it to use mostly electrified. It did not seem to greatly affect the volume or tone as I feared it would. It does have a very narrow neck, which I do not like, but plays as easily as an electric guitar. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
It is a pretty guitar with nicely done and tasteful inlay. Fit and finish is clean. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
I have no issues with it. Everything seems well made. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
It is used, so there is no warranty. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
The neck is well made, but narrower than I like. Great action. The chrome plating seems to be holding up very well and the internal pickups sound very good. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
|
It is good guitar for the money I got in it. Other than the small neck, I have no complaints about it. If it were stolen I probably would not replace it. It is a neat sound for some songs, but not something I need. Only reason I got it was it was a good deal in a trade, I was not looking for a resonator guitar. I’ll probably sell or trade it off sometime. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
|
CFM Mitchell
MD-100B (E)
submitted 10/5/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
eBay |
Year Purchased |
2006 |
Price Paid |
$75.00 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
It has a thin sound typical of cheap guitars. However I have added an internal mic and it does and excellent job as an amplified stage guitar. I give it an 8 when it is plugged in. |
Sound Rating |
5 |
Setup
|
It was set up very well when I got it. Only thing I’ve changed is the addition of an internal mic, sound hole cover and strap button. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
It has a painted black finish with white binding that looks really good. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
I have not had any problems with the guitar and seems well made. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
It is used and does not have a warranty. I understand these are made for The Guitar Center overseas. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
I like the fit and finish and the neck is well made. The wooden top is probably poor quality due to its thin acoustic sound, but I bought it to electrify and it does that job very well. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
|
For the money these are well made guitars with a nice neck in them. Acoustically they sound like a cheap guitar, but once I added an internal mic/pickup it sounds as good as any guitar through an amp. Which is what I wanted it for. It has a nice neck and a good finish, so it plays good and looks good on stage. It is cheap and easy to replace if something every happens to it. I’m not sure if I would replace it with another Mitchell guitar if it was stolen, but I might. I don’t think they come in black anymore. |
Overall Rating |
7 |
|
Mitchell 34
SG12M
submitted 10/5/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
eBay |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
It is a cheap guitar and bought as a gift or to resell. Sounds thin with a dull foggy finish. |
Sound Rating |
4 |
Setup
|
It had a high action. I had to lower the nut and the saddle. |
Setup Rating |
6 |
Appearance
|
The finish looks like it has water damage, but seems solid other than the foggy look of the top. It has a mahogany top and sides. |
Appearance Rating |
3 |
Reliability
|
The only problem I see is the bridge is pulled up from the top a small amount in the rear. However it has never moved any since I have had it and plays fine. |
Reliability Rating |
6 |
Customer Service
|
It is uses and not under warranty. I’m not sure who made it or sold it originally either. It says M&M Music in Ft. Worth TX on the inside label. It is probably made overseas for as this stores brand. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Parts seem well made and put together well, but the finish and bridge are it’s biggest drawbacks. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
|
It would be a good beginner guitar or to use as I do, just to sit in the corner gathering dust to pick on when the notion strikes me. It did not cost me much and would be a great camping, river-rafting, loaner and general knock around guitar that I would not be very worried about it if something did happen to it. |
Overall Rating |
5 |
|
Martin
D-35
submitted 10/4/2008
|
Submitter |
MitchellB |
Where Purchased |
Don's Music City |
Year Purchased |
1998 |
Price Paid |
1665.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
When I made up my mind to buy a new guitar, I always took along my old Gibson J35 to compare it to. I was not going to buy a new guitar if I could not find one that was better than my old one. When the salesman cut it out of the plastic and I played this D35 Martin I was sold. I had to have it. Loud, crisp and a bass that just boomed. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
I’m sad to say the set up was awful. Played like a barbed wire fence. One of the first things I did was lower the nut and the bridge. I later replaced the micarta saddle with bone and later replaced that with an ivory saddle. Both the bone and the ivory brought out the highs and boosted the volume more. I replaced the pins with bone as well. I also replace the pickguard with tortoise color. |
Setup Rating |
5 |
Appearance
|
No flaws in the wood or the finish. I did stain the ebony darker, but just because I like the darker color. I was a little disappointed in the center V on the back of Rosewood in that it looks like the grain is going slightly sideways and not straight from end to neck. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
The finish seems fine. No problems. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
Never had a problem that involved the company. I believe it has Limited Lifetime Warranty. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
The micarta nut and saddle are a cheap substitute for real bone. |
Components Rating |
6 |
Overall Comments
|
It is difficult to beat a Martin in sound and resale value. It only took a few inexpensive modifications to bring up it to my personal setup that I prefer, which I understand is why Martin does not go to great lengths to set up their guitars, because they know the new owner will always change something.
If it were stolen, I would go out, buy another one and modify it just like this one.
I love the guitar, but I have noticed I am more careful with it than I ever was with any other guitar I’ve owned.
There are a lot of great guitars being made and many much fancier, but I haven’t found any new ones I’d trade this one even money for yet.
|
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
