I've been reading up on these and they seem to be a quality Martin Knock off. I know the back and sides are laminate, but I can't afford a good Martin or Taylor, I would have to get a cheap one. The Blueridge BR-43 and 63 look like a 000-18 Martin.

All things considered there's nothing wrong with laminate back and sides. In fact in consistency and durability they beat solid woods. It's just that old bugaboo...tone...where they lag (slightly) behind. My Taylor 214ce Nylon has laminate back and sides and plays and sounds wonderful.

Also, IIRC, Blueridge guitars are a favorite with touring bluegrass players who want to leave their expensive Martins, Taylors, Collings, etc at home and travel with a great sounding yet affordable working guitar.

Yeah, I'm reading mostly positive things. I'll have to see if anyone in Fort Smith has one, or Check with Guitar center in Fayetteville. 

Don't know nothin about Blueridge guits. But, in my mind, if it plays nice it'll probly sound nice. I think all the wood talk is way overated with guitar bodies.  Necks may be a different story. But, then again, back to my original supposition, if it feels right, it is.. The sound is up to the fingers.
 
 

See if you can find a Larrivee on craigslist.
IMHO, better sounding than any Martin or Taylor but not well known.

 
Well known at my house. 
 
I bought my Larrivee shortly after attending one of the NAMM shows in Anaheim a few years back.  I met Gene Larrivee and got a personal tour through the different guitar models.  He played them for me until we homed in on the tone that best matched my likings.  I sat in the booth and played the guitar for quite a while.  When I returned home, the GAS was so strong that I ended up selling a Bass Boat that was never seeing the water, ran to a dealer here in Dallas and brought her home.
 
Mine is the L3 R, solid Rosewood sides and back model.
 

hmmm. I'll check it out. Thanks.

Blueridge guitars seem to be very popular because they have great tone. They are not budget Chinese junk. If you want really good tone on a budget then look at the acoustics made in Quebec. Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Arts & Luthiers are all made in one little Quebec town. They sound great and are well made. I bought  one of their solid wood guitars new for about $500. For under $400 you can get one with a solid top and laminate sides and back. Used they sell for $250. My only complaint is that they don't have a big neck profile.

Yes, my Larrivee wasn't what I would consider a cheaper guitar, I think I paid around $1,300 new for it back then. It was easily half the price of a comparable Taylor or Martin, though.

I think what Gustabo was saying is that the name Larrivee is not as well known and on the used market you can find them priced much less because of that. I know that I will occasional see one in the $600-700 range and wish I had some bucks lying around to snag it.

I originally wanted an OO model, but the L projects a little nicer and has a really balance projection nice for recording. It is a slope shoulder, much like J45.

Larrivee is a Canadian builder as well.

timidi
 I think all the wood talk is way overated with guitar bodies.  Necks may be a different story. 

I don't understand...would you explain that please.