Inspired by prewar, small-body designs, the Bourgeois L-DBO 12-Fret packs the distinctive sound that old-time and country blues players love. With its 12-fret neck and "Aged Tone" torrefied Adirondack Spruce top, this L-DBO combines vintage small-body character and bark with the note articulation and response of a hand-voiced, custom-built guitar.
This Bourgeois L-DBO 12-Fret is a versatile instrument with tons of personality—it could be perfect for fingerstyle blues or old-time accompaniment, but for any player it would be comfortable and approachable around the living room. Plus, it's an impressive presentation piece, and it packs nuanced tone. Thanks to its torrefied Adriondack Top, it balances shimmering trebles with mahogany depth and richness. It can cut and bite when you need it to, but it's also sweet and subtle when you play it softly. Animal Protein glue construction throughout helps this brand new guitar breathe like a seasoned vintage treasure. It has a wide dynamic range, and its tone follows your right-hand technique.
We ordered this L-DBO 12 with a stunning Black Top finish, and we are so glad we did! Bourgeois' black finish is intense and glossy, almost like a black mirror. The celluloid tortoise pickguard is the perfect accent, and the Ivoroid top binding with black/white purfling are elegant, but understated. The Ziricote fingerboard and bridge both show impressive character and grain. Also- a subtle detail: there's a caramel aging toner on the peghead. You probably wouldn't notice it if we didn't tell you, but it's a classy touch. Oh, and did you see the figuring in the Mahogany back? Serious tonewoods come together in a seriously good-looking Bourgeois.
- Model: L-DBO 12 "L-DB"
- Top: Aged Tone Adirondack Spruce
- Back: Figured Mahogany
- Scale Length: 25" Short Scale
- Rosette: Single Ring Rosette Ivoroid on end
- Backstrip: No Backstrip
- Endpiece Inlay: Body Wood, No purfling
- Body Binding: Ivoroid
- Purfling: Black, Ivoroid on end, Black W/B&S purfling
- Head Shape: Contourr Headstock
- Head Veneer: Ebony
- Head Inlay: Mother-of-Pearl Logo with "AJ" inlay
- Head Binding: None
- Fingerboard/Bridge: Ziricote
- Fretboard Inlay: Tiny Mother-of-Pearl Dots
- Fretboard Binding: Matched with Fingerboard, No Purfling
- Nut/Bridge width: Nut - 1-3/4", Bridge - 2-5/16"
- Heel Cap: Matched with Fingerboard Wood
- Tuners: Waverly Nickel/Oval/Ivoroid
- Bridge: Rectangular Bridge
- Pins: Ivoroid
- Pickguard: Celluloid Tortoise
- Label: Dana Bourgeois Signature Label
- Glue: Animal Protein
- Neck Finish: Satin
- Headstock Finish: Gloss with toner
- Body Finish: Aged Tone
- Top Color: Black
- Special Options: Aged Tone Torrefied Bracing
This L-DBO 12-Fret is a joy to play. It's a comfortable, manageable size and it produces a tone like no other. Notes ring out and resonate, and the top feels responsive with touch-sensitive dynamics. There's plenty of bass, and while some small-body guitars sound small and boxy, this one sounds big and wide open.