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Thread: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

  1. #1
    Still learning Taylor and Tenor's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I have been looking at new tenor guitars on the internet and local shops in the $500.00 price range to be played at traditional Irish music sessions. Although I have seen and played the Martin tenor, I have yet to find a BlueRidge BR40T tenor guitar, only pictures. No local shops have or will stock a BlueRidge.

    The body of the Martin is high pressure laminate with a laminated wood neck. Whereas the BlueRidge is all wood. The street prices are $449.00 for the Martin and $369.00 for the BlueRidge.

    Looking for opinions on both of these instruments from a sound, playability and overall quality point of view.

  2. #2
    Registered User flatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    This is the place for all those questions - http://theunofficialblueridgeguitarforum18213.yuku.com/

    I have a new Blueridge BR 43 which is down the bottom end of the Blueridge catalogue. I also have a 60's Martin 0018, so that's not really comparing like for like, but the Blueridge is certainly a lovely instrument. From all accounts the Blueridges are better than the new Martins, and in my personal experience the few new cheaper Martins that I've heard sound a lot more like "a new guitar" (i.e. thin and flat) than my Blueridge which sounds already mature and full.

    I would personally suggest the Blueridge.
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  3. #3
    Registered User big smiley guy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    It's hard to say what one will sound better because with large factory guitars finding the one that really sounds great is usually a bit of a crapshoot. The Blueridge is solid wood which will be more aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, it's hard to find someplace where you can test drive tenor guitars.

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    Registered User Cary Fagan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I've tried both in stores more than once and liked the Blueridge much better. Both Better sounding and better looking. Very nice neck. And certainly more for your money, given the woods.
    Cary Fagan

  5. #5
    Registered User northfolk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I have not played the Martin tenor, but I recently purchased the Blueridge tenor and like it very much; seems to be a pretty good value for the money.
    Thanks for your support?

  6. #6
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    While this price range get's close to the range of "throw-away" guitars (who want's so spend $350 for a neck reset on a $350 guitar?), a Martin has a life time warranty to the original owner, and at least can be repaired. I don't know what the Blue Ridge warranty is, or whether they can be repaired economically.

  7. #7
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    The Blue Ridge is basicly a copy of a Martin O-18 T, at that price point it is probably a better deal. Getting a real O-18 T is going to cost alot more.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  8. #8
    Registered User SincereCorgi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    Although I haven't heard their new tenor, I haven't been that impressed by the sound of the other low-end laminate Martins. By contrast, I've been very impressed with the quality and sound of the Blueridge guitars. If I didn't already have a Gold Tone TG-18 as my 'B' tenor guitar, I'd be all over a Blueridge.

  9. #9
    Registered User mikeyes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I have both and I play the Blueridge much more than the laminate Martin. I like the Martin and I am fascinated by the fact that they can make an instrument out of what appears to be engineered wood and make it sound good but the Blueridge feels and sounds better.

    You may be able to play the Martin underwater, however.

  10. #10
    Angry Cowboy Disco grumpycoyote's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I played the Martin this weekend - while I was pleasantly surprised at the MDF top (it didn't sound too bad), pound for pound I think BR makes a better guitar (than the LXM series). I've played several of the BR 6 strings and the fit, finish, and tone were very good for the price.

    Note on value that the BR does not come with a case, and the Martin does come with a gig bag - so you have to add a bit to the BR price, but it's still cheaper over all.

    I'm very tempted to pull the trigger on the Blue Ridge over the Gold Tone or the Martin... I keep an old Harmony tenor Chicago strung, and want one in 5ths in a very bad way.

  11. #11

    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    It sounds like the Blueridge has a better tone than the Little Martin LXM but how does it compare in volume? I have a little Martin LXM and it is a very nice instrument but I mainly it play it at home or just with a few friends as I think that it would have a hard time holding up in large sessions.

  12. #12

    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I tried the LXM Martin Tenor a few months ago & thought it had a very "autoharp-ish" quality to the sound. It wasn't what I was expecting to hear, I didn't care for it. I have not heard the Blueridge

  13. #13
    Angry Cowboy Disco grumpycoyote's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I got my Blueridge in the mail this morning, played a live set this afternoon. I was mic'd through the PA with a cheap vocal mic - and the little Blueridge filled the hall. Blew me away. I stand by my assessment so far - the LXM is good only if you need a water-proof axe. Pound for pound, the Blueridge is easily twice the value.

    The BR is louder, and has a much more complex sound than I expected. Currently tuned CGDA - with daddarios. Full, loud (for a tenor) and rings like a bell, great sustain. I'll do a review and a video in a couple of days.

    For now I can't put it down.

  14. #14

    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    According to the Martin Company, recommended string gauges for the Little Martin Tenor LXM was .010p, .014p. 023w. .030w.

    What string gauges does well for the Blueridge Tenor guitar? (for fifths).

  15. #15
    Angry Cowboy Disco grumpycoyote's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    The J66's are 010 014 022w 032w - work great for CDGA and are supposed to be fine for down-tuning to GDAE as well (although I suspect they'll be a little spongey that low).

    I think the 30 would be too light for my taste.

  16. #16

    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I have a Blueridge Br-40T. Several years ago I owned an early 1930s Martin 018T. I love tenor guitars. I think the Blueridge sounds very good and plays well. It has a nice big neck. Sure, the Martin sounded a little bit better, but not a whole lot. And it had a bowed neck, higher action and was rapidly approaching a neck reset which would have cost more than the Blueridge -- so I sold it.

    I tune the Blueridge CGDA usually. I tried GDAE (with thicker strings), but I think the GDAE tuning was pushing the guitar's structure a bit, so it's CGDA now.

    There are some tenors out there with a little more mojo than the Blueridge, but it'll cost you. For example, I have a 1960s Gibson tenor that feels better and looks nicer than the Blueridge. I really like playing the Gibson, but I can't really say it sounds a whole lot better than the Blueridge. The Blueridge is definitely louder.

    If you are interested in a tenor, and don't want to pay over $1000, I think the Blueridge 40T is a real deal at under $400 new. Oh yea, mine has a truss rod. I understand some of them do not.

    Good luck.

  17. #17
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    Anybody make a case for them? What size?
    Jean

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  18. #18
    Angry Cowboy Disco grumpycoyote's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    Quote Originally Posted by jpf View Post
    Anybody make a case for them? What size?
    The "Canadian" size 0 fits great. Over on Elderly.

  19. #19

    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    Quote Originally Posted by Cape Cod Struggler View Post
    I have been looking at new tenor guitars on the internet and local shops in the $500.00 price range to be played at traditional Irish music sessions. Although I have seen and played the Martin tenor, I have yet to find a BlueRidge BR40T tenor guitar, only pictures. No local shops have or will stock a BlueRidge.

    The body of the Martin is high pressure laminate with a laminated wood neck. Whereas the BlueRidge is all wood. The street prices are $449.00 for the Martin and $369.00 for the BlueRidge.

    Looking for opinions on both of these instruments from a sound, playability and overall quality point of view.
    The Blueridge is all wood but laminated mahogany back & sides.

  20. #20

    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I`m diggin` the Blueridge! Maury`s Music has it for $362.00 US.

    Blueridge BR-40T Tenor

  21. #21
    Registered User BBarton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I recently acquired a mid-60s Martin 0-18T -- 'love the sound and had to have the mojo!. Indeed the J66 strings did sound spongy so I cobbled up some strings I had around the house and ended up with .011, .018, .027W and .039W. 'Sounds fine for EADG, except the bass string is still a bit sloppy. Got it without case and just ordered a "Canadian" 0 case for it. Elderly has two "Canadian" 0 models -- a flattop and an arch-top; they do indicate that the flattop with 13-1/2" lower bout capacity might be a squeeze for the Martin, which has lower bout just a bit wider (about 13-3/4) than other brands; I ordered the archtop to be safe. All that said, if I was to buy new between the Blueridge and the Martin LXM, I would probably go with the solid top Blueridge. I haven't played a BR tenor, but their regular guitars are quite nice for the price. Is the LXM also laminated mahog back and sides, or solid?
    Too many instruments...too little time

  22. #22
    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    Here is a very good (and impressive, IMO) demo video for the Blueridge BR-40T. It also provides some basic history on the tenor.

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  23. #23

    Exclamation Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    Quote Originally Posted by PicknFool View Post
    The Blueridge is all wood but laminated mahogany back & sides.
    All Blueridge tenor guitars are laminate back and sides!

  24. #24
    Unfamous String Buster Beanzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    Quote Originally Posted by BBarton View Post
    All that said, if I was to buy new between the Blueridge and the Martin LXM, I would probably go with the solid top Blueridge. I haven't played a BR tenor, but their regular guitars are quite nice for the price. Is the LXM also laminated mahog back and sides, or solid?
    I wouldn't worry about the solid/laminate thing. I thought I was buying a decent learner's instrument but the sound out of the LXM I bought is really rich with lovely sustain. I don't know how they get it like that, they must have put a lot of effort into making the technique work. Best suggestion I have is to get a chance to play both if you can, so you really know the difference 1st hand.
    Eoin



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  25. #25

    Default Re: Martin vs Blueridge tenor guitar

    I play both a Martin LXM tenor and a Blueridge 40T. The Blueridge is definitely a better guitar in almost all aspects: better sound, playability, volume, appearance. There are a couple of reasons to go with the Martin (which is also a fine guitar): 1. the Martin is smaller in size and so easier if you are petite or have small hands; 2. the Martin is all laminate, so will probably hold up well if traveling a lot or exposing it to big temperature/humidity changes.

    For the price of a Martin LXM tenor, you could buy the Blueridge 40T, a nice case, and a decent Epiphone mandolin.

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