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1997 Bourgeois A-500
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial#: 000899
Body size at lower bout: 16 3/4" Body Depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 11/16"
Finish: Natural blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; handcarved AAA tiger flame handcarved maple back and sides with Venetian cutaway; 3 piece tiger flame maple neck with walnut centerstripe; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo, fingerboard inlays, and truss rod cover; deluxe 5-ply grained ivoroid body binding; 3-ply neck and headstock binding; bound f-holes and heel; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Hardware includes hand machined gold tailpiece with ebony insert; triple-bound ebony finger rest; gold Schaller 16X1 tuners with ebony keys; compensated adjustable ebony bridge. Kent Armstrong floating PAF 12 pole humbucker with volume and tone controls, PUTW Powerstrip soundboard pickup under bridge, stereo endpin jack.
Notes: One of the most respected builders in the acoustic guitar world, master luthier Dana Bourgeois has built an international reputation in a career spanning nearly three decades. Creator of the celebrated Schoenberg OM series, Dana has designed innovative prototypes for clients as diverse as Gibson Montana and Paul Reed Smith. Now at his workshop in his native Maine, Bourgeois has returned to crafting exquisite hand built creations for top artists like Ricky Skaggs, Martin Simpson, Ry Cooder, Norman Blake, Vince Gill, David Lindley, Marshall Crenshaw, Jerry Douglas, Elliott Easton, James Taylor and many more.
Dana introduced his top of the line archtop, the A-500 in 1996, an all-carved acoustic cutaway jazz guitar constructed with the ultimate tonewoods available. This example sports breathtaking AAA tiger flame maple in back, sides and neck, and a tap-tuned, X-braced, solid Sitka spruce top. From the custom machined gold tailpiece, to the hand-scribed solid pearl truss rod cover, the A-500 is a triumph of traditionally inspired design. The block inlay neck is reminiscent of the L-5 of the late 20's, the gently arched X-braced top echoes the 'advanced" Gibsons of the mid 30's, and the stylish Venetian cutaway updates the body to the modern era. The neck profile is a comfortable "C" shape, and the fit and finish are executed with a watchmaker's precision. A true acoustic archtop, the guitar has a clear, even voice, well balanced throughout the register. This example has been fitted with a dual pickup system, featuring a Kent Armstrong floating PAF 12 pole humbucker with volume and tone controls, and a PUTW Powerstrip soundboard pickup under the bridge, bot connected to a stereo endpin jack.
The A-500 is now obtainable only on custom order, with a lengthy wait time. Rarely seen on the vintage market, this guitar is a modern classic, from a builder deeply immersed in the finest of traditional design.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze roundwound strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original black plush hardshell case.
