Blueridge BR-180 Historic Series Dreadnought – Natural – Includes Hardshell Case – Used Excellent
This guitar is a stunning dreadnought that can compete with many guitars at three times its price.
The BR-180 is Blueridge's flagship Historic Series model, built to pre-war D-45 specifications from materials and construction methods that most manufacturers reserve for instruments costing considerably more. The solid Sitka spruce top is hand-braced with forward-shifted parabolic X-bracing — the same brace positioning that defined the great pre-war Martins and gives a guitar that characteristic bloom and sustain that modern forward-X guitars are chasing. Solid Indian rosewood back and sides deliver the deep, complex lows and shimmering highs that made rosewood the standard for serious dreadnought building. The slim mahogany neck with traditional dovetail joint is fast and comfortable, and the ebony fingerboard and bridge with abalone snowflake position markers and abalone purfling throughout give the guitar a visual elegance that is genuinely hard to find at any price. Bone nut and saddle, gold Kluson-style tuners with butterbean buttons, a diamond volute on the back of the headstock, and ivoroid binding with herringbone purfling complete a build that is as carefully conceived as it is beautifully executed.
This one is in superb shape — excellent condition with only minor signs of play and very minor fret wear on the first few frets of the B string. The action is set just a touch above Martin factory spec — a deliberate choice that adds extra volume and resonance while leaving room to come down at the saddle for a lighter setup, or go higher for bluegrass pickers who want that extra headroom. Comes with hardshell case.
- Make: Blueridge
- Model: BR-180
- Series: Historic Series
- Country of origin: China (Saga Musical Instruments)
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce, natural gloss finish with aging toner
- Back and sides: Solid East Indian rosewood
- Bracing: Hand-carved forward-shifted parabolic X-brace
- Neck: Slim mahogany, dovetail joint, adjustable truss rod
- Fingerboard: Ebony, abalone snowflake position markers
- Bridge: Ebony
- Nut: Bone, 1-11/16"
- Saddle: Bone
- Scale length: 25-9/16"
- Frets: 20, very minor wear on first few frets of B string
- Binding: Grained ivoroid with herringbone purfling
- Rosette: Abalone multi-ring
- Headstock: Abalone and mother of pearl floral inlay, diamond volute on rear
- Pickguard: Dalmatian-style
- Tuners: Gold Kluson-style with butterbean buttons, 14:1 gear ratio
- Action: Set slightly above Martin factory spec — room to adjust up or down at the saddle
- Modifications: None
- Condition: Used Excellent – very minor fret wear on first few frets of B string, minor signs of play, superb overall condition
- Includes: Hardshell case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
