To owners of bourgeois guitars - Page 4

Scotso · #46 11-28-2020, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

Point is, over time, I outgrew my "fanboi" pangs and notions, and realized that any of the very many and widely varied, major guitar makers, in any of the catagories of size and style of company/builder, are capable of making a stellar guitar, as good as the very best of anyone elses. Sure, maybe Bourgeois does it more consistently than Martin or Taylor or whomever...maybe not...but who cares. All that matters is that a person finds a guitar that speaks to them and touches their musical heart and makes them happy, and wanting to make music with it.

Wise words, rarely spoken

keith.rogers · #47 11-28-2020, 07:12 PM

When one has to resort to name-calling, I think that diminishes any argument posed after that, honestly.

I'm 70, and have played a few guitars, too.

I agree there's some affinity to higher end stuff here and, well, anywhere that focuses on something specific. (Jeez, go spend some time looking at violins.) But, you know, different strokes and all that. I never got the feeling (nor expressed) that quality instruments were only available based on the name on the headstock or the amount paid. However, if you have the money, and find something that suits your fancy, please, keep the builders that are meeting obvious demand in business.

gwtrucks · #48 11-28-2020, 07:33 PM

I have two Bourgeois: OM/SS German/IR and L-DBO Aged Tone Italian/Aged Tone Mahogany. They are very different guitars, but they both are balanced string to string and up and down the fretboard. I believe that is a result of the voicing. In fact, I was very focused on the woods for the the L-DBO until I read that Dana felt the voicing was more important than the choice of wood. Part of the reason I purchased two Bourgeois was the neck works very well for me (even with two slightly different widths). Are there better instruments? Perhaps, but I'm happy and not looking elsewhere.

Brucebubs · #49 11-28-2020, 08:13 PM

My question to Bourgeois owners would be ... doesn't that spelling annoy you?

catdaddy · #50 11-28-2020, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

My question to Bourgeois owners would be ... doesn't that spelling annoy you?

Pas du tout!

hifivic · #51 11-28-2020, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I never said large factory builders (read my post). I said other boutique luthiers. And yes, I have physically played one, in fact, several.

Wasn't quoting you it was mcduff!

goodry · #52 11-28-2020, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srick

BTW - this ad is on AGF right now: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=596689
looks nice and a fraction of the price of the guitar you were looking at.

Yes. Ive drooled over that one quite a few times. wished on the money tree to start growing ... the ONLY thing stopping me is indian vs madagascar and I would like the torrefication.

srick · #53 11-29-2020, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodry

. the ONLY thing stopping me is indian vs madagascar and I would like the torrefication.

That’s not really much of a leap, IMO. Over the years, I have found the limitations of my guitars have had very little to do with the wood and very much to do with my skill level (or lack of) and the acoustics of the room that I play in.

Regardless, good luck in your quest. In fact, when I was on a similar quest six years ago (which is when I ended up with my Bourgeois), the quest was as much fun as the purchase.

Best,

Rick

goodry · #54 11-29-2020, 09:16 PM

You mean the wood and torrefacation really isn't much of a difference?

My understanding is madagascar is between eir and brazilian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by srick

That’s not really much of a leap, IMO. Over the years, I have found the limitations of my guitars have had very little to do with the wood and very much to do with my skill level (or lack of) and the acoustics of the room that I play in.

Regardless, good luck in your quest. In fact, when I was on a similar quest six years ago (which is when I ended up with my Bourgeois), the quest was as much fun as the purchase.

Best,

Rick

zmf · #55 11-29-2020, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodry

My understanding is madagascar is between eir and brazilian.

One has to go beyond "understandings". Everything gets ranked. And it's usually tied to upcharge costs. Not much tonal difference in good Madagascar and EIR guitars.

srick · #56 11-30-2020, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodry

You mean the wood and torrefacation really isn't much of a difference?
My understanding is madagascar is between eir and brazilian.

My thinking is that you’ll get used to the tone within a half hour and definitely within an afternoon of playing. Your brain accommodates and normalizes the tone.

The torrified guitars do sound different and definitely have that ‘played in’ vibe, but I think purchasing a nicely used instrument gets you most of the way there. Then, playing the guitar regularly helps complete the transformation.

As far as the wood goes, every piece, even from the same tree, is different.

Best,
Rick

Tnfiddler · #57 11-30-2020, 07:31 AM

I recently sold a Slope D Banjo Killer that was an amazing guitar and replaced it with an Aged Tone Vintage D with torrefied Banjo Killer bracing that is out of this world. I also own a Reimagined D41 too that is also an amazing guitar. I won’t say that Dana makes the best guitars out there, but they’re the best for me and totally check all the boxes for things I’m looking for in a guitar! One area where both my Bourgeois guitars beat my D41 is in balance! My D41 is so bass-biased that it’s boomy. My Vintage D has just as much low-end but the mids and highs ring out just as much. I spoke to James a few months ago and he told me that unless Dana is gone from the shop for whatever reason, he still voices all the tops personally.

Scotso · #58 11-30-2020, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

I spoke to James a few months ago and he told me that unless Dana is gone from the shop for whatever reason, he still voices all the tops personally.

I wonder for how much longer as he sold to Eastman in order to retire.

Tnfiddler · #59 11-30-2020, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotso

I wonder for how much longer as he sold to Eastman in order to retire.

Me too! I’m sure he’s trained several employees VERY well to be able to replicate his voicing desires.

Scotso · #60 11-30-2020, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

Me too! I’m sure he’s trained several employees VERY well to be able to replicate his voicing desires.

Hopefully. And hopefully they stay. New owners and long time employees tend not to mesh as priorities of the new owners change vs former owners. Any one of those employees could recreate their own high end guitar company- much like happened when Flatiron mandos was bought by Gibson which led to the creation of Weber mandos. And I would bet there are plenty of investors willing to help.

There is a lot of wait and see on this story.