Bourgeois
Since 1975
Bourgeois Guitars was founded by master luthier Dana Bourgeois in Lewiston, Maine. Revered alongside Collings and Santa Cruz as the premier trifecta of American boutique acoustic luthiery, Bourgeois pioneered individual soundboard tap-tuning, torrefied Adirondack spruce (Aged Tone tops), and precision bolt-on mortise-and-tenon neck joints. In 2019, Bourgeois partnered with Eastman Music Company to launch the Bourgeois Touchstone series, expanding their golden-era tone to a wider audience while maintaining strict Maine workshop master voicing.
51
Years in Business
12K+
Guitars Sold
$8M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Bourgeois Guitar Price & Valuation Guide (2026)
Comprehensive market valuation ranges, mint vs used condition pricing, tonewood specs, and historical price trends for Bourgeois guitars.
Bourgeois Price Overview
Bourgeois covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$4,650
+5.4% vs last year
eBay Listings
135
Active listings
Sold This Month
32
+4.8% vs last month
Price Range
$1,950-$14,500
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Bourgeois Timeline
Dana Bourgeois Begins Luthiery
Dana Bourgeois started repairing and building guitars in Maine, studying voicing techniques under Irving Sloane.
Schoenberg Soloist Collaboration
Collaborated with Eric Schoenberg and C.F. Martin to design the Schoenberg Soloist, the guitar that revived the 14-fret OM cutaway.
Establishment of Bourgeois Guitars
Founded his dedicated workshop in Lewiston, Maine, focusing on pre-war inspired dreadnoughts and OMs.
Aged Tone Innovation
Pioneered torrefaction (Aged Tone Adirondack spruce tops and animal protein glue) in boutique commercial production.
Strategic Partnership with Eastman
Partnered with Eastman to ensure long-term stability and expand production capacity.
Launch of Touchstone Series
Introduced the Touchstone Vintage and Country Boy series, featuring Maine-voiced tops assembled in Eastman's acoustic workshop.
Complete Bourgeois Product Lineup
Dana Bourgeois's tap-tuning philosophy unlocks the exact harmonic potential of every soundboard before the first brace is glued.
Maine Masterbuilt Dreadnoughts
Hand-voiced in Lewiston, Maine, engineered for unmatched bluegrass headroom, dynamic projection, and tonal warmth.
Adirondack top, Indian/Madagascar rosewood, pre-war scalloped voicing ($4,800–$7,500 used)
Select Sitka/Adirondack top with Honduran mahogany back and sides ($3,600–$5,200 used)
Bearclaw Sitka/Adirondack top, powerhouse projection ($4,200–$6,200 used)
Maine Masterbuilt OM & Small Bodies
The quintessential fingerstyle instruments, offering laser-like note separation and balanced harmonic overtones.
Classic 14-fret OM with pyramid bridge and Adirondack bracing ($4,400–$6,800 used)
Intimate parlor and folk balance with effortless string responsiveness ($3,800–$5,500 used)
Touchstone Series (Collaborative Craft)
Maine master-voiced soundboards assembled in Eastman's specialist workshop with high-end appointments.
Alaskan Sitka top voiced by Dana, mahogany/rosewood back ($2,200–$2,800 used)
Hand-voiced acoustic tone at an accessible player threshold ($2,100–$2,700 used)
"Dana Bourgeois's tap-tuning philosophy unlocks the exact harmonic potential of every soundboard before the first brace is glued."
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
The Powerhouse Bluegrass & Flatpicking Cannon
Aged Tone Adirondack Soundboard
Thermally cured spruce provides mature, broken-in vintage warmth with unlimited headroom when driven by heavy picks.
Individual Tap-Voicing
Dana Bourgeois personally flexes and taps each top to shave braces to acoustic perfection rather than factory spec tolerances.
Precision Bolt-On Neck Joint
Offers clean, acoustic neck angle adjustments in minutes without requiring steam chiseling or destructive dovetail resets.
Master Voicing at Accessible Investment Pricing
Maine Workshop Voiced
Tops are selected and tuned in Lewiston, Maine before being shipped for final assembly, keeping core tone authentic.
Resale Value Stability
Touchstone models hold 75%-80% of MSRP on Reverb, significantly outperforming entry-level import acoustics.
All-Solid Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Ultra-thin nitro finish allows the instrument to mature acoustically, matching high-end American boutique standards.