Because of Clarence White's legendary D-28—which was made famous by Tony Rice—players and builders have long been fascinated by the large soundhole concept. The larger hole raises the guitar's natural frequency, enhancing treble and mid range content to balance out the bass. It also adds more resonance and sustain, and the guitar throws sound at a different angle, making the tone easier for the player to hear.
The Large Soundhole Dreadnought is a flatpicking cannon, but 99% of them have Rosewood back and sides. They're excellent guitars, sure, but we wanted to hear the Large Soundhole with the rich, woody character of mahogany. This D Custom features an Adirondack top, Mahogany back and sides, and an enlarged 4.5"-diameter soundhole. It produces a powerful, robust voice with prominent mid-range punch. The trebles cut, and in part because of the large soundhole, it has stronger low-end than we often expect from a mahogany dread, which typically lends a brighter and more mid-range emphasis than Rosewood.
From there, this D Custom has understated details that are stylish without being ostentatious. Most noticeably, this dreadnought has lighter-color Ivoroid binding, which traditionally accompanies darker Rosewood. But against the redder/caramel Mahogany color, the binding pops, as does the fancy marquetry "DB" back strip. Elegant Ivoroid binding wraps around the Ebony fingerboard, too, and we love how the fingerboard hangs over the rosette and soundhole.
For the peghead overlay, we asked Bourgeois to pick out the most figured piece they had in the shop, and oh boy look at that Ziricote! Stunning. This is a classy guitar that delivers serious tone—everything we've come to expect (and appreciate) from Dana Bourgeois and his crew in Lewiston, Maine.
- Model: D Custom
- Top: Adirondack Spruce
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Scale Length: 25.5” Long Scale
- Rosette: Large Soundhole Ivoroid
- Backstrip: DB Backstrip and black line
- Endpiece Inlay: Ivoroid
- Body Binding: Ivoroid
- Purfling: Black/Ivoroid/Black with Back and Sides
- Head Shape: Headstock with Diamond
- Head Veneer: Ziricote
- Head Inlay: Mother of Pearl Bourgeois Logo
- Head Binding: None
- F.B./Bridge Wood: Ebony Fretboard and Bridge
- Fretboard Inlay: MOP Vintage Style Dots
- Fretboard Binding: Matched with Binding, No Purfling
- Nut/Bridge Width: Nut- 1-23/32" Bridge- 2.2"
- Heel Cap: Ivoroid
- Tuners: Schaller Vintage Bean 18:1
- Bridge: Traditional
- Bridge Pins: Ebony with Pearl Dot
- Pickguard: Celluloid Tortoise
- Label: Dana Bourgeois Signature Label
- Glue: Standard
- Neck Finish: Satin
- Headstock Finish: High Gloss
- Body Finish: High Gloss
- Top Color: Natural