To owners of bourgeois guitars

[hamburg325]

I believe Dana only top voices his DB Signature guitars.

No matter. All his guitars are exquisitely built and they sing.

[bluemoon]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

All I can tell you is that my Bourgeois Generation D (with a baked Sitka top) is an absolutely superb instrument in every way - tone, playability, craftmanship. Is it “better” than my Collings. Nope, just different. They are both fantastic and superior to any other guitars I’ve owned over the years. That’s why I bought them.

I feel like this is a very good summation. I also feel like Bourgeois necks have gotten slightly thicker in more recent times as mine is 0.83” vs some of the early shallow “thin” necks of early Bourgeois. All to say I love the neck build and thought put their guitars. I have an Adirondack CB I am a selling but only because I want to use those funds to get into another rosewood guitar.

[Scotso]

Dana builds a nice guitar. So does Edmonds, Gallagher, C. Smith, Thompson x 2, Pre War, Hayes, Santa Cruz, Rockbridge, Boucher etc etc etc. It depends on what your ears like. There is no golden god acoustically...just what you like

[Monts]

I've seen a few of his top voicing demos...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei5-DkVTrEE

I'm pretty sure he does the voicing on most of the guitars.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by goodry

I've read long and hard and in depth about Bourgeois and more specifically Dana.

Do you think Dana does things differently, superior, in your opinion, to other boutique builders.

I keep hearing the phrase Dana voices each guitar.. for those that own them and possibly other high end guitars... Do you believe that is an accurate statement or marketing hype.

I found a aged adi over madi for 8k and from what I've been reading, the aging part makes voicing pairing whatever you wanna call it more difficult because you essentially have old wood and new wood... Do you believe even with that hurdle Dana still voices his guitars efficiently?

Or again is his voicing even a true thing?

Not sure if Dana does anything unique per se. I've owned just 2, and my 2020 AT D-Vintage is a great sounding guitar, very much in the Martin tonal camp, but with far superior playability, and strong output all the way up the neck where many Martins get thin there.

If I have one criticism, it's the weight. The two Bourgeois I've owned were on the heavier side of what I like. For me, I prefer built "right to the edge of safely," and that is not what Dana does.

[Rosewood99]

In answer to part of your question, I don’t necessarily think that Dana’s builds are superior to other luthiers, but his guitars are definitely some of the highest quality made. There are many other luthier’s with just as high of quality. They each have their own way of doing things and their own unique sound.

[lightfoote]

I have owned many luthier built guitars over the years. The one guitar I will never part with is my DB Signature OM in MadiRose and an Adirondack top. Not sure about all Dana's builds, but as was mentioned the DB Signatures are voiced by Dana himself. That is their key selling point, and why the uptick in cost. It is a superlative instrument in every way.

[JC.]

I had a Bourgeois. Very sweet tone....but no projection. It’s long gone....

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

If the guitar doesn't compel your hands & ears to force your wallet open, the rest is totally meaningless.

Regards,
Howard Emerson

The Above +1!

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

The Above +1!

By the way: I’ve known Dana Bourgeois since 1996 when I advised Sammy Ash to take on Dana’s guitars.

He’s been one of the top builders for a very long time, through thick & thin.

The op should try the guitar. It’ll either speak to him, or he won’t hear it talking.

HE

[SpruceTop]

Thanks, Howard. A couple of years ago, I demoed several of Dana's guitars over to the AcousticGuitar.org, in Guilford, Connecticut, and found them to be wonderful instruments! I'm seriously considering some Bourgeois dreadnoughts and may get one in the coming year.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Thanks, Howard. A couple of years ago, I demoed several of Dana's guitars over to the AcousticGuitar.org, in Guilford, Connecticut, and found them to be wonderful instruments! I'm seriously considering some Bourgeois dreadnoughts and may get one in the coming year.

Brian runs one of the nicest shops around, and he’s a prince!

It was through John Thomas, and Brian that I was introduced to David Flammang a long time ago.

Howard

[goodry]

Yeah Ted Thompson is the builder I'm speaking of. If I had $15k I'd buy both.

This is the one I have my eyes on

https://downhomeguitars.com/instrume...ondack-spruce/

Originally Posted by Scotso

Dana builds a nice guitar. So does Edmonds, Gallagher, C. Smith, Thompson x 2, Pre War, Hayes, Santa Cruz, Rockbridge, Boucher etc etc etc. It depends on what your ears like. There is no golden god acoustically...just what you like

[srick]

Originally Posted by goodry

Yeah Ted Thompson is the builder I'm speaking of. If I had $15k I'd buy both.

This is the one I have my eyes on

https://downhomeguitars.com/instrume...ondack-spruce/

goodry - would you consider buying a used Bourgeois? My Country Boy 00 was half the price of a new one ($2700 vs $5400) and had barely been played. Same guitar, half the price, and already on the way to opening up. Interesting, this guitar is still opening up at 9 years.

Rick

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by Scotso

Dana builds a nice guitar. So does Edmonds, Gallagher, C. Smith, Thompson x 2, Pre War, Hayes, Santa Cruz, Rockbridge, Boucher etc etc etc. It depends on what your ears like. There is no golden god acoustically...just what you like

This^^^Is the absolute pinnacle of truth about any and all things acoustic guitar. Truer words were never spoken!!!

I might just add that besides your ears, it is also what your eyes, your hands, and your wallet like as well.


To the OP...

Dana and his team build a superb guitar...no better than, nor worse than, any of the other high level builders, be they large factory, small boutique factory, or small group or solo luthier.

If Dana's guitars look, feel, play, and sound right to you, then trust your gut and take the chance. No amount of research and opinion seeking you can do will tell you more than how you feel in your heart. Listen to YOU!!!


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher