Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). NGD - Bourgeois Aged Tone D - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

NGD - Bourgeois Aged Tone D

stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
in Acoustics
Those that have been following my various acoustic shenanigans over the last couple of years will know I’m generally a dreadnought fan, and my benchmark has always been an old late 40’s D18 I played briefly about 20 year ago. 

Following a first taste in September last year, I realised the best way to get close to that sort of vibe and quality was very likely something handmade and American. With that in mind, I managed to stumble across this in Charleston SC a couple of weeks ago while on holiday and genuinely not expecting to buy a guitar. 

It’s an Aged Tone D by Bourgeois, about 10 years old, and utterly fabulous. Adirondack top and mahogany back/sides and vibey as hell. I basically loved it the moment I picked it up, but spent a couple of days thinking before I jumped in because 1) logistics were a pain as we were mid-road-trip, and 2) while very keenly priced, it was quite a bit of money… 

But man it’s good… it knocks spots off my generally-excellent HD28 and absolutely sings with a pick. It currently has the typical high action you often seem to find on bluegrass-leaning instruments, so I’ll defiantly be lowering it a tiny bit once it’s settled in this climate, but otherwise it’s perfect as-is. Now I need to find myself some bluegrass to learn!






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Comments

  • malcolmkindnessmalcolmkindness Frets: 151
    That looks beautiful, congratulations. 
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  • VimFuegoVimFuego Frets: 14862
    outstanding, you must be building up a nice acoustic collection by now!

    I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.

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  • Cig35Cig35 Frets: 61
    Happy NGD, looks gorgeous!

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  • mgawmgaw Frets: 4979
    Look at the Adirondack top, that is some amazing looking wood
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
    Cheers chaps; it's rather fantastic, ya? What was also nice was trying another Martin custom shop dread that the shop had on consignment. That one was nice enough but this knocked it into a cocked hat, which is always nice :) 
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    That looks very very nice mate. You must be well chuffed :) 
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
    Mellish said:
    That looks very very nice mate. You must be well chuffed :) 
    Yeah, muchly! :)
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • earwighoneyearwighoney Frets: 3380
    Beautiful guitar.  A good spruce and mahogany guitar is difficult to beat. 

    If/when you restring, can you take a picture of the bolt on neck joints?  They are a marvel of construction in acoustic guitars, but unless you are looking for it, it's easy to miss!
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
    earwighoney said:
    Beautiful guitar.  A good spruce and mahogany guitar is difficult to beat. 

    If/when you restring, can you take a picture of the bolt on neck joints?  They are a marvel of construction in acoustic guitars, but unless you are looking for it, it's easy to miss!
    Yeah it's on my list to have. proper look when the strings are off. I can see the lower bolt as it is, but iirc there is another closer to the top as well?
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • earwighoneyearwighoney Frets: 3380
    stickyfiddle said:
    earwighoney said:
    Beautiful guitar.  A good spruce and mahogany guitar is difficult to beat. 

    If/when you restring, can you take a picture of the bolt on neck joints?  They are a marvel of construction in acoustic guitars, but unless you are looking for it, it's easy to miss!
    Yeah it's on my list to have. proper look when the strings are off. I can see the lower bolt as it is, but iirc there is another closer to the top as well?
    Yeah, there is one below the fretboard.

    So if you the guitar ever needs a reset, a couple of bolts to undo and put in a shim.  That's it! 
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  • Dave_McDave_Mc Frets: 2022
    edited May 2022
    Wow that's lovely  =)

    Nice seat, too 
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    Oh yes. This is looking like the real deal. A classic recipe and it looks fantastic. Love that top!
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
    Dave_Mc said:
    Wow that's lovely  =)

    Nice seat, too 
    Haha! The chair is a repro - I'm not paying "fancy-guitar money" for a chair!! :D 
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • Dave_McDave_Mc Frets: 2022
    stickyfiddle said:
    Dave_Mc said:
    Wow that's lovely  =)

    Nice seat, too 
    Haha! The chair is a repro - I'm not paying "fancy-guitar money" for a chair!! :D 
     =)

    It's very nice whatever it is :D  
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
    VimFuego said:
    outstanding, you must be building up a nice acoustic collection by now!
    Yeah, I'm hesitant to call it a collection, as I don't want to approach anything with a "collector" mindset. My aim is simply to pick up a couple of really great instruments and enjoy them :)

    But on the other hand, I can't help thinking another Dove or SJ-180 (or perhaps Atkin versions of the above) would be a lovely addition at the hifi/strummy end of things... 
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • DavidRDavidR Frets: 595
    That's very nice. Shame FB doesn't have the facility to give sound samples. Would love to hear tone. Well done. :-)

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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
    DavidR said:
    That's very nice. Shame FB doesn't have the facility to give sound samples. Would love to hear tone. Well done. :-)

    We can do soundcloud easily enough. And I do have a mic & interface waiting for me to learn to use... 
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • CloudNineCloudNine Frets: 4121
    Yep, that will do it!  Congrats. 
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