Bourgeois 00 Vintage - What Makes It So?

[DenverSteve]

Okay I purchased a Bourgeois 00 Vintage last year. I purchased it because it's the finest sounding and playing 00 guitar I've ever come across. However, I have been unable to find out what makes a Vintage - a Vintage. I posted the question on the world's slowest forum, The Bourgeois Forum, two months ago without response so.........

If you are a Bourgeois expert, or simply knowledgeable, What Makes A Bourgeois Vintage - a Vintage?

[JoeCharter]

I used to own a Bourgeois SJ with beautiful MRW back and sides... Wonderful guitar.

Vintage Bourgeois models have red spruce tops, Herringbone purfling, ivoroid binding, pre-way inlays, vintage tuners, etc.

The full specs can be found on the Bourgeois website:

https://bourgeoisguitars.net/guitar-models/vintage/

[Silly Moustache]

I have the greatest respect for Dana Bourgeois, his knowledge, skills, and his guitars.

Like many other makers his model specifications have ... evolved ... over the years.

A quick look at his website indicates that "Vintage" is a model level he now uses for adi topped guitars, as opposed to "Standard" which uses sitka (his detail on this is also confusiing).

His models, (i.e. not individual body styles) seem to be determined by the combinations of woods used).

A friend of mine once owned a remarkably good "OMS" (12 fret 00 models - which are not actually OMs in any way) which had an adi top, and it wasn't called a vintage - just ...OMS.

I once had a DS260 which had an adi top - just called a DS260. (It was remarkable)

Sadly Dana's necks don't suit me. My problem not his.


VINTAGE : "the time that something of quality was produced".

The Term "vintage" is terribly mis-used and misunderstood the context of guitars, and so means virtually nothing.

* Vintage IS helpful if used correctly by being accompanied by a year or period etc.
Note: actually, you can have a poor, mediocre, as well as a good, or outstanding vintage - which is why a properly appended your/period can be helpful.

* Vintage (with no related time value) is often misused to mean vaguely old or used - see another recent thread).

* Vintage seems to use Dana's model type with adirondack tops.

* Vintage is also a well known brand of cheap far-eastern guitars, distribute4d by JHS.

* Vintage is also used in the names of many dealers. Again it doesn't mean much more than the possibility that they have, or specialise in used guitars.

[tomiv9]

Vintage, is basically just an aesthetics package. As opposed to Signature or some of his other packages. It includes somewhat simple features typical on vintage martins, the rosette, white binding, etc.

[BrunoBlack]

Originally Posted by tomiv9

Vintage, is basically just an aesthetics package. As opposed to Signature or some of his other packages. It includes somewhat simple features typical on vintage martins, the rosette, white binding, etc.

^^^^This is it. They give some details HERE. I agree with your assessment too. DB makes outstanding guitars.

[DenverSteve]

That is all I've been able to determine as well. Aesthetics. I guess when they all come standard with great tone, aesthetics can differentiate them one from another. Although some designations such as Banjo Killer do have different bracing.

[Napman41]

Originally Posted by PastorSteve

Okay I purchased a Bourgeois 00 Vintage last year. I purchased it because it's the finest sounding and playing 00 guitar I've ever come across. However, I have been unable to find out what makes a Vintage - a Vintage. I posted the question on the world's slowest forum, The Bourgeois Forum, two months ago without response so.........

If you are a Bourgeois expert, or simply knowledgeable, What Makes A Bourgeois Vintage - a Vintage?

Send them an email with the serial number and your question. They'll respond back rather quickly, through keep in mind that NAMM is happening this week so it may take a bit longer to hear back than usual.