Bourgeois Country Boy review

[teleamp]

Foreword, without the love and support of my mother, I would not have this guitar. I am blessed to be alive and have this beautiful instrument. That said...

I have had my Country Boy since April, and the honeymoon is far from over. I wanted a good D-18 sounding guitar and this is like getting a pre war instrument IMHO. The sound is full and extremely balanced. I use a fairly thick real tortoise shell pick with this guitar and it sounds like a lot of recordings... In he past I have had a later model D-18 and a D-18V. I actually preferred the D-18 over the D-18V which was too boomy. The Country Boy is like having the sweetest sounding D-18 you have ever heard. The fit and finish is a cut above the Martin counterparts. The fretwork is as good as any at any price.

The Country Boy is rather plain jane for a high end guitar, but that only adds beauty in my eyes. It has an ebony fretboard, ebony bridge and small fret markers.

I restrung it a couple of months ago and haven't had to retune it. It has Waverly tuners, this is my first experience with them and I am impressed. Bourgeois dreads come with a "bluegrass" setup and at first I thought I was going to have to have the action lowered, but I have adapted and like not having any fret buzz.

The guitar can handle a heavy pick without distorting and sounds equally impressive with a light touch at low volumes.

If it were lost or stolen, I'd sell body parts to get one, it's that good!

[jim_pridx]

Very nice guitar! Mr. Bourgeois does indeed create some very fine instruments.

I recently purchased a Sig D myself, and I love it!

[teleamp]

Another month of playing this beautiful instrument. I have restrung it with Martin Bluegrass strings... thumbs up!

This is an incredible guitar, whether playing with a light touch for low volume or beating it with a heavy pick the sound is awesome. This is one of the best D-18 types around. I had looked at the D-18 Authentics, but the Country Boy is built much better with more attention to fit and finish. It sounds better too, more detail and harmonic content... the only way I can figure out how to say it.

After I first bought it, I wondered if I had spent too much for an acoustic, but after playing it for a while and then sampling various brands at music stores I realize what a tonal treasure the Bourgeois is.

If you are in the market for an exceptional sounding dread the Country Boy is well worth auditioning, I highly recommend it.

[teleamp]

I'm still liking the Martin Bluegrass strings on this guitar. I have around 20 hours on them and they are still as bright and detailed as new. They remind me of the Dean Markley Brass strings that I used to get years ago.

The Country Boy never ceases to amaze me. It is definitely a keeper.

[jumpnblues]

teleamp, I know exactly how you feel. Your guitar is at the top of the heap when it comes to quality, attention to detail, playability and tone. I just took delivery of a Collings D-1A last Friday and I still haven't come back to earth, LOL!! Same kind of quality, attention to detail, playability, and tone. Since I now have the D-18 based guitar territory well covered I'm thinking of a Collings D-2H or Bourgeois Vintage D or Sig D. Congrats on choosing and owning one of finest acoustic guitars made. Ain't it a rip?!!!


Tom

[ErnestT]

Thanks for the review teleamp. I can't afford one, but when and if I can, it will probably be between the Country Boy or the Slope D with mahogany. I have played several Bourgeois and they are really top notch. Another thing that really makes them attractive to me is that they have bolt on necks. From what I can tell, it sure does not hurt the tone, but it makes the eventual neck reset much easier and more affordable.

I have a friend that has an old D-18 that needs a neck reset, and evidently it is not cheap these days. The guitar is worth the cost, but times are tight for a lot of us and its hard to shell out about 4 or 5 bills to get the old flat top playable. I have an old Alvarez I really like that needs a neck reset, but the cost of the reset is more than the guitar is worth. According to Dana Bourgeois, a neck reset on one of his guitars is a 15 minute job. That has to be a lot less expensive and you don't have to worry about the finish getting messed up or being without your guitar for a week or 2 or 3. As Dana says, your grandchildren will thank you.

Great guitar, enjoy it!

[morroben]

The nicest acoustic I've ever played, by far, was a Bourgeois. Just incredible. Someday...someday...

[jjh37854]

a real sleeper deal is the JR-A, its essentially his jumbo OM that hea made for a year or so before pantheyon, I just picked on up for 1200

http://www.exceptionalguitars.com/in...?sn=BOFT041023

[teleamp]

Originally Posted by jjh37854

a real sleeper deal is the JR-A, its essentially his jumbo OM that hea made for a year or so before pantheyon, I just picked on up for 1200

http://www.exceptionalguitars.com/in...?sn=BOFT041023

Isn't that the same model as the one that the guy from Nickel Creek used when they became popular? I wished I would have wised up back then and got one.

[Celticophilia]

Hey teleamp, It's certainly a great guitar! I had an opportunity to play one at "Dave Shepherd's" shop while living in NC. Does your Country Boy have the "Aidirondack Spruce" top?

I'd love to get my arms around a Bourgeois Celtic OM cutaway someday.