Bourgeois D - Mahogany/Spruce

It's a D size, made in 1994. Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides. Mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The finish is matt. From what I understand it's a "value model", however the guitar features all wood construction, even binding and rosette rings. Braises are shaved and look almost like the blade of the knife. Saddle is bone. Although guitar looks somewhat simple you can see right away it?s a hand made instrument. And since the price was nowhere near the ?hand made?, I think it?s a great value.
I installed an EMG under saddle pick up on it.

I play with bare fingers (no pick) and when I first saw the guitar I thought that a dreadnought is not my kind of guitar, however the sound quality was so perfect I bought it regardless of body style. I still like OM and small jumbo styles better, but I love the sound of this dreadnought. Separation is great, you can play string to string and it?s balanced. It?s bright, clear and loud. Yet, because of the larger body size it has a plenty of bass response. Under $2000 this is probably the best sounding guitar I?ve herd, and I?ve herd a lot of them.

I bought it used from a guy who said he is a blue grass player, so action was high and strings were medium gauge. I lowered the action and put light stings on it. I was surprised to learn that guitar did not loose much volume.
It keeps in tune perfectly. And hardly gets effected by humidity changes. Finish was perfect ? no flaws. Although it?s never been proven, I actually think, that thin matt finish adds to the quality of the sound too.

Reliability is outstanding! I managed to drop a microphone on the top of the guitar during a recording session. It was a hard hit, but all it?s left was s few very minor scratches. Also, I never keep it in the case ? it?s always in tune and easy to play. I do use a humidifier during the winter months though.

I am not an original owner, so there is no warranty on it, but I did have some questions when I bought it, so I contacted Dana Bourgeois over the Internet. He replied to my emails and I?ve got all the answers I needed. Good level of assistance.

I own this guitar for almost three years now. So my opinion is strong and solid ? this is a great guitar. I don?t know how much it cost originally, but I?ve seen similar used guitars by Dana sold anywhere from $800 for something like what I have to about $1500 for rosewood with ebony bridge and gloss finish. I would strongly recommend them.
I also own a classical all solid wood guitar (not hand made ? production model) and recently I bought a used 12-string (all solid wood ? production model). I specifically not stating the name of manufactories, because I don?t want fans of different brands make certain judgment about my taste in guitar. This is a review of Bourgeois and that?s what I am writing about J As far as comparing it to other guitars, I already stated, that it?s sounds to me richer then anything I played under $2000 And yes, I did play a few guitars I would probably trade this one for, but the price tags where over $3000. And mostly I liked the look of them better, not the sound. I am sure for $3000 I could find a Bourgeois that sounds and looks as good or better, then other brands.
If it gets lost (how do you loose it, if you don?t travel with it?) or stolen I would most definitely try to replace it with another Bourgeois. The thing is, you can?s find anything made by him for less then $2000 new. So, I would look for used one?
Then only thing I wish was different about this guitar is a shape ? I don?t really like dreadnought shape. But then, if shape was different, sound would be different too, and I like the sound just the way it is? so I learned to live with it and like it J
I highly recommend Bourgeois ? I?ve played a handful of them, they all sound great.