Bourgeois Guitars is known for combining a deep understanding of classic American steel-string guitars with a contemporary approach to building modern instruments. After recently completing a set of limited-edition 40th-anniversary models (watch our video of the dreadnought here), the company has now focused on a new line of guitars inspired by Gibson’s classic L-00 small-body. Introducing the L-DBO model at the Winter NAMM show this past January, Bourgeois kicked the line off with a limited edition of Presentation-level instruments (of which only ten will be built). We were able to take a look at number two (generously loaned to us by the Music Emporium of Lexington, Massachusetts).
The Bourgeois L-DBO Presentation Limited Edition is immediately striking, with a gorgeously elegant sunburst finish and pearl-inlaid fingerboard. What at first looks like a solid pearl fingerboard is actually an ebony fingerboard with pearl inlay taking up almost the entire space between the frets and abalone position markers inlaid into the pearl. Turn the guitar around, and it’s clear why the colorful Brazilian rosewood is labeled “master grade.”
The L-DBO Presentation Limited Edition’s stunning appearance is only rivaled by its sound. It is an incredibly rich-sounding instrument with fat tone, great balance, excellent dynamic range, and a great deal of tonal complexity. The L-DBO Presentation’s cost and limited availability will mean that only a handful of lucky guitarists will get to experience its charms, but its sonic qualities should translate well to the company’s standard L-DBO models, which start at $5,920 (list).
SPECS: 14-fret L-00 style body. Master-grade “Aged Tone” Adirondack top and braces. Master-grade Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Bolt-on mahogany neck. Ebony fretboard and bridge. Presentation pearl-block fingerboard inlay with abalone accents. Abalone rosette and purfling. Grained ivoroid binding. “Aged Tone” finish and animal protein glue construction. 25-inch scale. 1²³/₃₂-inch nut width. Fossil walrus bridge pins. Gold Waverly tuners with pearl buttons. Made in the USA. $17,195. bourgeoisguitars.com
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