Super 400 copy by Blueridge?

[garybaldy]

Has anyone come across one of these?
Rather unexpectedly I have been offered one from an old acquaintance's estate. I've not seen it or found anything on the internet - only Blueridge flat tops.
I can collect it in a few days.
Thanks

[mr. beaumont]

Any pictures?

I did not know of Blueridge to ever make an archtop.

I can say that I've played 2 Blueridge flattops and they were GREAT.

[garybaldy]

Any pictures?

I did not know of Blueridge to ever make an archtop.

I can say that I've played 2 Blueridge flattops and they were GREAT.

Sorry, no pics. I'm intrigued myself! The beneficiary has offered the guitar to me as I play guitar! The details may be a little confused.

[Gitterbug]

Hmm... I once drove 100 miles for what was announced as an "orchestra guitar", the 1950s expression for an archtop. Turned out it was a 1970s Ibanez Concord, i.e. a Gibson J-200 copy, in decent shape. I of course told the sellers they had a misleading ad. After some haggling, the price came down and the guitar turned out to be hard currency in a successive swap at a Helsinki vintage guitar specialist.

[garybaldy]

Hmm... I once drove 100 miles for what was announced as an "orchestra guitar", the 1950s expression for an archtop. Turned out it was a 1970s Ibanez Concord, i.e. a Gibson J-200 copy, in decent shape. I of course told the sellers they had a misleading ad. After some haggling, the price came down and the guitar turned out to be hard currency in a successive swap at a Helsinki vintage guitar specialist.

Luckily I only have to travel about 5 miles. The estate beneficiary and executor is an old band mate from the 70s/80s. He has to travel some distance to empty the house (which is just down the road from me). I don't feel it's appropriate to ask too many questions. I'm keeping an open mind! It's a very kind gesture regardless.

[garybaldy]

Should have this mystery guitar in about 12 hours!

[garybaldy]

Right. I kept an open mind and didn't raise my hopes too much about this guitar!
It has Blueridge on the headstock but it's not the Blueridge brand.
The S400 description was also a bit general. (My old mate isn't a jazzer). I would say it's probably Korean or Chinese.
Got bracing and kerfing to rims and no sound post.
Feels similar to my Fenix FAE8 (an EER copy) and my Aria FA71 (as used by Jim Mullen. The 71 has a scarf jointed headstock though).
Better than my Ibby AF55.
Acoustically it's quite resonant.
No where in the league of my Gibsons but perfectly usable.

[digger]

As an aside, and not really relevant to the thread other than the coincidence factor, but my first arch top was a Fenix FAE8 which I sold and bought an Aria FA71. Haven't got any Gibsons though!

Derek

[garybaldy]

As an aside, and not really relevant to the thread other than the coincidence factor, but my first arch top was a Fenix FAE8 which I sold and bought an Aria FA71. Haven't got any Gibsons though!

Derek

I find the Fenix to be more of a jazz box than the Aria which, to me, has more of a flat top tone. It sounds pretty jazzy when Jim Mullen plays his Aria though!

[digger]

Yes, it was Jim Mullen who inspired the choice!

[garybaldy]

Yes, it was Jim Mullen who inspired the choice!

As was the case with me!

[Hammertone]

Cheap, functional, Chinese guitar.

[garybaldy]

Cheap, functional, Chinese guitar.

Yes.