Here is a cool article from Dana they just sent me.

Dana Bourgeois, 8/23/04

Several years ago I started finishing acoustic guitars using catalyzed urethane over polyester primer. When word got out that I no longer used traditional nitrocellulose lacquer, internet guitar forums twittered at the notion that I had switched to “plastic” finishes.

Wait a minute! Isn’t nitrocellulose the same material used to make “plastic” bindings and pickguards? Curious about the definition of plastic, I consulted Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary: “Plastic (n): …organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and can be made into objects, films, or filaments”. All modern finishes are films of thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight. Some, like nitrocellulose, cure by evaporation of solvents, and others cure by a process of catalyzation. All, nevertheless, fit Merriam-Webster’s definition of plastic. It is a misconception, then, to think that urethane and polyester are somehow more “plastic” than nitrocellulose lacquer. Ironically, nitrocellulose lacquer is arguably more “thermoplastic” than urethane and polyester, because of its tendency become re-amalgamated, re-formed or reconstituted with heat, solvents, and the passage of time.

On a molecular level, nitrocellulose lacquer can take up to 20 years to fully crystallize. The process of crystallization, commonly know as “curing”, contributes significantly to improvements in a guitar’s volume, clarity and harmonic range. Where lacquer takes years to fully cure, catalyzed finishes such as polyester and urethane harden, and fully crystallize, in a matter of days. Though all finishes have some damping effect on acoustic soundboards, it is not true that all guitar tops would benefit from being left unfinished. Finish makes up a significant portion of a soundboard’s mass (the principal measure of inertia), relative to its volume (the amount of space occupied--not the kind measured in decibels). To the extent that mass plays an important role in tone production (it absolutely does), the portion of mass contributed by finish is critical. Manipulation of finish mass, along with top graduation, brace layout, and brace shaping, contributes to the mechanical design by which a luthier's unique tonal signature is defined. Within reasonable parameters, the important thing is not how heavy, thick, or hard a finish is, but how it incorporates into an integrated soundboard design. The reason I switched to catalyzed finishes was because relatively inert substances are inherently more controllable than substances whose properties are constantly changing.

When I started using catalyzed finishes I noticed that my guitars sounded a bit more "broken in" at an earlier age. Ricky Skaggs once surprised both of us by using one of my guitars on a recording only 20 minutes after unpacking it from a shipping carton; Bryan Sutton recorded most of Bluegrass Guitar on a three-week old Bourgeois dreadnought. Incidents like these suggest that guitars ought to be judged by the music that can be made on them, rather than by the presence or absence of particular components. Design details, material selection, construction method, et cetera, are at best only arbitrary indicators of quality. At the end of the day, these factors are relatively insignificant in comparison to tone, playability, durability, and aesthetic considerations.

I have a Country Boy with an interesting bear claw Adirondack top. Pretty cool...

I second the other opinions here on the subject.


Norman Draper

any pics of the CB bear claw? My guitar will be here on the 26th!!! I cannot wait. I dont think the poly is going to be a deal breaker on this guitar. For all the research Dana does I think he probably can back up what he is saying. The final answer will be made by MY ears.
C

i wish there was a Bourgeois forum, or at least i dont guess there is one on the net any where ?

cbnuttjd
I too would love to see, or be made aware of a Bourgeois forum , though it does get post time here & UMGF both favorable IMHO, they are a fine guitar, I enjoy both my Vintage D, & my Collings D-1A
I recently had Dan Shinn from Lay's Guitar Repair in Akron Ohio, tweak the set up a bit & it plays great, love the tone , the boys in the band (bluegrass409.com) like the fact that it is not quite as loud as my Collings, but it is plenty loud enough
Fred

Who knows maybe we can ask Bonnie up at Bourgeois if they want to start a blog. I am going to be getting my custom JOM next week!!!! The 27th I will post pics soon. SHould be really nice. JOM sunburst with Adi/Hog Koa binding on body.

SMoking!!

i will be picking up my new slope d in person next friday. i live about an hour south of there.

the two hide glue Bourgeois guitars that i have played with loud and well, .......let's just say my guitar is going to be rosewood, hide glue and adi.........and i did not say indian rosewood....;-)

My Bourgeois slope shoulder, shaded top Bryan Sutton Model Banjo killer is both beautiful, and a great player. All the Original 30 guitars, had sitka tops (and mine is nicely bearclawed and has great volume and sustain), with a highly figured mahogany body, Snake headstock, nice bindings. A fine instrument.

I also own one of the original "30" signed guitars I purchased the same week Bill received his. It is the only guitar I play anymore.
Paul

Fantastic bearclaw!!

I saw this thread and I had to post a question to all of you, with apologies since I don't want to hijack the thread.
I had a guy recommend the Slope D mahogany B&S to me. I really like the vintage Martin sound, so which Bourgeois should I look for. I am going to have to travel a ways to look over some of these guitars and would appreciate any advice.
Thanks again for letting me horn in on a great thread, Cartermac!

Man they make a great slope D Hog/adi. Every Bourgeois guitar I have played sounded amazing. I have played probably....6-7 of em. They all have a woody open sound. Like a good martin on steroids. Mine is a JOM adi/hog. I play it everyday and it gets better and better. Still pretty new. If you ever make it out to mado brothers they have a bunch of em. Good luck. Oh and they are a great bunch to deal with at Bourgeois. Mine was a custom and Bonnie is a sweet heart. Good luck and enjoy the hunt!!!