We’ve landed a unique little bit of Bourgeois history today! Here’s a Prototype Petite Jumbo pioneered for the 2005 NAMM show (number 2 of 10) that’s had a few years to open up and build out its richness and warmth. Madagascar Rosewood back and sides with Italian Spruce on top, with Curly Koa bindings and green Abalone treatment on top. Part of what makes this a prototypical build is Dana’s use of a hybrid back bracing system, eschewing a just a traditional ladder throughout for an X across the lower bout and only ladder braces at the waist and upper bout. We think this helps activate the Madagascar Rosewood backplate to add tonal complexity to the voice. Speaking of which, this Bourgeois has a lot of warmth and color, with individual notes exhibiting a gorgeous blooming quality that really comes out when you play slow passages. This guitar can fill the sonic space without there having to be a torrent of sixteenth notes.

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Here, we hardly need to introduce you to either Dana Bourgeois or Bryan Sutton. Just know that these two titans have been collaborating for years, with one result being this rare, powerful, gorgeous Limited Edition model. The 2015 Bryan Sutton LE was an exclusive run of only 30 guitars based on Bryan’s personal D-150, here outfitted with premium Brazilian Rosewood and Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce. According to Dana, “To say that the original is now well-played is something of an understatement. The idea behind the Limited Edition is to get as close as possible to that same elusive, broken-in sound. The new version will still require some playing to achieve the fullness, immediacy and ‘old friend’ feel of the original, but we are convinced it will not require seventeen years of playing by a picker as prolific as Bryan!” The setup is velvet-smooth and effortless, and oh so comfortable with a 1 23/32” nut. Aged Tone finish plus AT bracing; hide glue construction; through saddle plus Antique Walrus Ivory pins.

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With this vintage-style workhorse from Bourgeois and co, the name of the game is balance. That comes in the voice, matching a crisp treble register with sweetness and warmth in the mids and bottom end. It also comes in the setup, long scale plus a spacious 1 3/4” nut and 2 5/16” saddle spacing for comfortable left and righthand work. It even comes in the balance of aesthetics: classic Ivoroid bindings and nickel Waverly tuners match up with a Ziricote head plate. This 2020 OM Vintage Professional stands apart from the other Vintage Pros with an upgraded Adirondack Spruce top for added power and projection, here paired with Indian Rosewood back and sides. When we described this Bourgeois as a workhorse, we meant it: this OM Vintage Professional is equally at home with fingers as with flatpicks, and fits right into a wide range of music.

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Well, well, well. We’ve got a handsome prize on our hands here: a 2015 DB Signature from Bourgeois Guitars that’s got gorgeous tonewoods, hide glue construction, and a flawless fit-n-finish. Light-colored Koa back and sides are paired with a Croatian Spruce top (boasting the results of Dana’s Aged Tone torrefication process), Waverly tuners with Snakewood buttons, and Fossilized Mammoth Ivory squares and diamonds inlaid along the fretboard. This Bourgeois doesn’t need much encouragement to really project, and it doesn’t top out easily to boot. We love this one with a flatpick almost as much as we do for fingerpicking; it lives up to the jack-of-all-trades reputation of the OM body.

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A custom piece from Dana Bourgeois’s fine team! This SJ Custom is a charmer in Madagascar Rosewood and Redwood from 2011, with 14 frets to the neck, Waverly tuners (plus Snakewood buttons), and hide glue construction throughout. The voice is characterized by an even response from bass to treble, with an added touch of warm sustain to the trebles. Definitely a fingerpicker’s guitar, with 14 frets to the body and a short 25 inch scale this Bourgeois plays oh so easily, and we found it took to Open D and Open G as easy as breathing.

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Each year for the Winter NAMM convention, Dana Bourgeois and his team pull out all the stops for a limited run of NAMM instruments. In 2015, that came in the form of this exclusive OM-150 Deep Body with premium Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce. Dana’s take on traditional snowflake MOP inlays decorate the fretboard and bridge wings, and the body features their deep sides variation for added bass response and power. Ivoroid bindings throughout, gold Waverly tuners, Fossil Ivory pins—this Bourgeois is a beauty. Further, this one has been well cared for and is in pristine shape for its next owner. You?

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