❌ SOLD ❌ Bourgeois Slope D Adirondack Sunburst 2009

Dana Bourgeois developed a reputation over the last 40 years for his skills in selection, use and voicing of guitar woods and his high level of craftsmanship. The Bourgeois Slope D demonstrates these skills.

Today we’re looking at a Bourgeois Slope D, built in the early mid part of 2009. From the serial numbers, Bourgeois built 278 guitars that year and this is the 101st. It features an Adirondack Spruce top, Mahogany for the back, sides and neck, with Ebony for the belly-style bridge, head plate and ivoroid-bound fingerboard. The tuners are Waverly models with ivory buttons. A K&K pickup is installed to an endpin jack.

The Bourgeois Slope D is based on the large dreadnought body size, but with rounded or ‘Sloped’ upper bouts. The shape is similar to the original “Extra Large” dreadnought guitars made by C F Martin for the Ditson company from 1916 to 1930. Gibson also used the slope-shoulder form on many of their instruments, including the iconic J-45. However, during the 1960’s many of those models shifted to square shoulders to reflect market demand.

The top is Adirondack Spruce, which until WWII was the primary material used for guitar tops in the USA. Postwar, overharvesting stopped its use and Sitka Spruce has been far more common. Bourgeois realized that his location in Maine held stands of large, newer growth Adirondack and has re-introduced it for instrument use. The grain of Adirondack is wider than Sitka, and can offer more raw volume before starting to lose clarity, and so it’s very well suited to high-energy playing – for example in a Bluegrass context.

This guitar is in very good condition with minimal wear. It is nine years old and has been played, so there are a few small marks and scuffs but it has been well taken care of.

The combination of Adirondack Spruce and Mahogany add a delightful brightness, sparkle and clarity. There’s plenty of volume, and an even tonal representation throughout the spectrum. Simply put, it sounds great. The action is relatively low, quite comfortable for fingerstyle.

The original hard shell case is included. It has a green interior, showing some red/pink discoluration but is solid.