Bourgeois

Dana Bourgeois is without question one of the most widely-respected acoustic guitar builders of the modern era.  Apart from the recognition he has achieved as a builder, Dana is known as one of the early pioneers and champions of torrefaction.  In the following years, torrefaction has become a now common process in our industry, whereby wood is super-heated in a vacuum to a crystallized state that is consistent with the physical nature of the naturally-aged woods of vintage instruments. (NOTE: We are always quick to mention that torrefaction doesn’t replicate the effect of decades of exercising a top through active use, but we do find that it very effectively replicates the drier response and enhanced projection of fundamentals typical of the best vintage instruments.) Being cognizant of the tonal quality and concomitant market appeal of the pre-WWII/wartime golden era vintage guitars (i.e., those built between 1920 – 1945), Bourgeois has clearly paid homage to the pre-war Martin dreadnought in his Vintage D model, both in terms of specifications and voicing. Accordingly, the Vintage D offers the player a very appealing firm note foundation, a rich tonal palette, and a confident overall presence. Yet, unlike the Martins upon which it is based, one detects a more refined, an overall balanced voicing in the Vintage D, which translates to a greater degree of articulation in the instrument.  Subsequently, this unique blend of vintage inspiration and modern refinement would undoubtedly stoke the creative fires of any dreadnought enthusiast.

Thanks to some cool upgrades in the form of its Aged Tone (torrefied) Adirondack top, 1 ¾” nut width, and the wider string spacing at the bridge, this Vintage D straddles the line between more recent and vintage features.  For instance, the Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) used for the back sides on this instrument is more consistent with modern Martin Style 28 specs. Compared to Madagascar or Brazilian, the response of Indian rosewood is less glassy and direct to a degree; yet, as expected of rosewood varietals  in general, Indian rosewood offers a harmonically- saturated, rich, and colorful sonic texture that is very well-mated with any spruce.  Combined with the enhanced dynamic range and top end clarity associated with Adirondack spruce, the result is a powerful and lush voice that retains a good deal of clarity, despite its ample breadth and depth.  As mentioned above, this particular guitar also boasts additional nut width and, more significantly, greater string spacing at the bridge at 2 5/16” (old-time pickers will rejoice!). With the application of the optional Aged Tone process to the top factored in, this Vintage D makes for a very impressive and well-rounded dreadnought with a healthy dose of vintage vibe for the player to exploit.

Condition

This Vintage D has been very well-kept, such that there are no structural or cosmetic issues to report.  NEAR MINT Condition.

• Dreadnought Body
• Aged-Tone/Baked Adirondack Spruce Top
• Spruce Pre-War Scalloped X–Bracing
• Hot Hide Glue Construction
• Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
• Grained Ivoroid Body Binding
• HerringboneTop Purfling
• 3-Ring Rosette with Ivoroid Center Ring
• Zipper Backstrip
• Aged Tone High-Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer Body Finish
• Mahogany Neck
• Modified V Neck Contour
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Long Pattern Abalone Slotted Diamond and Squares Fingerboard Inlay
• Black Fingerboard Binding
• Ziricote Peghead Veneer
• Mother of Pearl Bourgeois Logo
• Satin Neck Finish
• Ebony Belly Bridge
• Ivoroid Bridge Pins
• Bone Drop-In Saddle
• Bone Nut
• Nickel Waverly Tuners
• Faux Tortoiseshell Beveled Pickguard
• 25 ½” Scale Length
• 1 3/4” Nut Width
• 2 5/16” String Spacing at Bridge
• 25 1/2” Scale
• Original Pimpled AVS Double Arched Hard Case