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Post by brayks on Oct 15, 2014 20:47:35 GMT -7
I've been GAS'n real bad for a couple of acoustics for a few years now.
Problem has been cost and availability.
One of the guitars that I really want is a Bourgeois Slope D (Sitka Spruce/Mahogany) mid-burst and the other is an Ehlers Model 17.
I already have a Bourgeois JOMC Georgia Cotton Picker (Cocobolo & Adirondack Spruce) which is an absolutely beautiful instrument which I picked up a few years ago after I lost my opportunity for a Slope D.
Well, I have the opportunity to pick one up the Bourgeois in just the configuration I want at a very, very good price. The problem is that I found a Ehlers at a even better price. Finding any of these fine instruments a "good" price is a difficult task to be sure.
Now I've had the GAS for the Ehlers since I played one at Buffalo Brothers Guitars a few years ago while visiting my daughter and granddaughters in Carlsbad, CA.
That guitar (Cedar and Rosewood) was absolutely the best playing and sounding acoustic guitar I have ever put my hands on. I walked away from it because it was out of my budget but that guitar has been calling me ever since. They even had three of appreciably the same model and they all were beautiful guitars.
I finally succumbed and when I went out to Carlsbad a few weeks ago to visit my girls I decided I was going to walk into Buffalo Brothers and walk out with a Ehlers guitar. Well don't ya' know I drive up to Buffalo Brothers and WHAT! They are out of business. I was crushed! There was a sign on the door about a luthier operating out of the back. I went back there and talked to a very nice fella who was doing a neck reset and he said, yep: out of business and no stock left. He knew about the Ehlers and said those guitars were some of the first to go.
Story of my life. Day late, Dollar short.
Well I wasn't gonna give up. So I've spent the last few weeks looking for an Ehlers. I'm talkin' day and night, into the wee-hours of he morning (heck I can't sleep anyway, why not look around for that which cannot be found. Yeah, that's it "push that rope" Steve...you moron). GAS'll do all manner of strange things to a weak man's head. Believe me I know.
So I was literally about to give up when I actually found one! Holy Sheep Shyte Batman, I found one! Well hold on Cowboy it isn't the one you want. So frigg'n what, its a Ehlers: rarer than hen's teeth and finer than a frog's hair. I want it (funky cloud inlays and all).
It's a 1994 thin body with a fishman system but it doesn't sound like a thin body and its got beautiful wood and a very nice burst (I think the burst is even better than Dana's) There, I said it. Don't hate on me any of you Bourgeois brothers.
So now I'm torn...
Bourgeois or Ehlers? What do y'all think?
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Post by "Z" Steve on Oct 15, 2014 21:14:33 GMT -7
Steve, what is first chord you strum when pick up a guitar? Do that to both instruments and see what your heart tells you. Play a song "that chokes you up" as the thread says on each one - the guitar will tell you who is going home with you! Both beautiful and extremely fine works of art. Do you have room for two?
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Post by limenine on Oct 16, 2014 6:51:35 GMT -7
The great thing about buying really nice gear used is that you can resell it later and not lose anything. Get 'em both, play 'em to your heart's content, and keep the one you love most.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2014 8:41:05 GMT -7
I prefer the Booj-wah. I've never been able to get along w the cutaway acoustics. I rarely sell stuff but I be the Booj-wah would have better resale value. I love my Booj-wah, I just can't for the life of me properly spell the name.
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Post by simpleton on Oct 16, 2014 8:47:42 GMT -7
I prefer the Booj-wah. I've never been able to get along w the cutaway acoustics. I rarely sell stuff but I be the Booj-wah would have better resale value. I love my Booj-wah, I just can't for the life of me properly spell the name. I couldn't spell 'em OR say 'em (Booj-wah) but while living in Eugene the local shop down there ( McKenzie River Music ) had all sorts of Collings, Martin, Taylor, Booj-wahs, Santa Cruz, McPherson ect......I just kept coming back to the Booj....wish I could of bought it as it was during my heavy spending era. The one I looked at was a smaller bodied one however. I've never played and Ehlers however and the cutaway might be nice, I like 'em on my Tele
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2014 8:54:02 GMT -7
McKenzie River is a real nice shop!
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on Oct 16, 2014 9:03:45 GMT -7
Play them both "blind" (get someone to hand them to you at random - I know, I know, not very anonymous given the differences, but indulge me....), and as the other Steve says above, play something close to your heart, and see which ones sings it best........... forget everything else, and take that one home. Oh how I wish I'd understood this YEARS ago........
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Post by Dustin on Oct 16, 2014 9:18:34 GMT -7
I'm a sucker for a great 'slope; so I'm going with the Bourgeois (though 'both' is always a legit option)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2014 9:20:22 GMT -7
Also, have someone else play the guitars for you while you stand in front. It's a different sound, the projection.
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Post by greenblues58 on Oct 16, 2014 9:35:14 GMT -7
^^^^^^^ Big + 1 on what Roscoenyc said above
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Post by brayks on Oct 16, 2014 17:06:47 GMT -7
Booj! I like that. Can we all agree to this reference; it will make life a whole lot easier. :-)
I have problems with the spelling and pronunciation as well. Every time I try to tell people I have a "Booj" I say it differently and get a deer-in-the-headlights look.
Yep, guys I usually do all of the above in evaluating a guitar (particularly having someone else play while I listen).
Problem with these is they are all on-line deals so I am in a bit of a quandary.
So, I am having them both brought to my door for evaluation with a try-before-you-buy deal.
Both places are reputable shops are were glad to accommodate.
The next week or so is going to be interesting. Problem is I have to go to Raleigh next week for a few days so that's gonna drive me nuts thinking about what's to come...
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Post by BradPaisleyFan (Pat) on Oct 16, 2014 19:04:07 GMT -7
You know a big part of me buying a guitar is sitting back and letting someone else play it and listen to the note separation from in front. A lot of it comes with feel and resonance that we all feel while playing but to me, I need to hear someone else play it. I would love to buy a Bourgeois (yes I am French and that's the only reason I can spell it and pronounce it). The ones iv played were spectacular and Dana picks out the best of the best in terms of wood. Never played an Ehlers but they look fantastic.
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Post by brayks on Oct 19, 2014 10:21:29 GMT -7
Best video I've found on virtues of Dana's Slope D. Oh, I'm in...
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Post by Maddog on Oct 19, 2014 10:47:07 GMT -7
Why are you stressing yerself so? Buy 'em both, Steve!
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Post by brayks on Oct 19, 2014 10:53:51 GMT -7
Why are you stressing yerself so? Buy 'em both, Steve! ,,,and that's why I hate you brother Lee. LOL. Actually I do have them both coming in for a spouse-approved "Test Drive". I'm kinda scared....
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Post by Maddog on Oct 19, 2014 11:03:16 GMT -7
Yeah, I know Steve, I do indeed excel at helping a brother spend his hard-earned-cash.... But ^^^^^ that's the only way to really ever know.
AND....they might be so substantially different sonically (and certainly visually) you might consider keeping both.....I mean, one looks like a traditional dread and the other a modified classical/000/00 type. They may be miles apart in tone AND FEEL.
Always happy to help here; and giving brothers another reason to love/hate me! You can thank me later....
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Post by brayks on Oct 24, 2014 23:08:58 GMT -7
Packed up and shipped the Ehlers back today. Just couldn't bond with it and my "less than light" touch overdrove the guitar pretty easily. Beautifully crafted instrument with amazingly big tone for a thin body. Bring on the Booj! It should be here Monday.
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Post by pcns on Oct 25, 2014 6:07:27 GMT -7
What time should Mike and I stop by? Todd
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Post by Maddog on Oct 25, 2014 6:19:34 GMT -7
Best video I've found on virtues of Dana's Slope D. Oh, I'm in... Dig the vid, Steve.... Anxious for yer report, Brother!!!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Oct 25, 2014 7:55:31 GMT -7
Dayum Steve, that has that old seasoned Martin tone - think Stephen Stills D 45 but more. Congrats on your new guitar!
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Post by brayks on Oct 29, 2014 4:47:43 GMT -7
The Booj turned up today. Daaang its a beautiful instrument! Ive got a couple of days to test drive this beauty. We shall see...
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Post by brayks on Oct 30, 2014 22:53:09 GMT -7
Its official. This baby is most definitely a keeper and is going to be joining her Booj brother JOMC.
Big tight base with (ala vintage Martin) with mids and highs rounding out a very even tone like a GOOD old Gibson slope. Very harmonically rich tone.
Dana's bursts are just beautiful.
I took it to my Luthier buddy and had to clean it up after he drooled all over it.
I've never seen him give a guitar such an intimate "check-up"...
He's going to drop the saddle just a touch to give me a litter lower action up on the neck and slap in a K&K system for me and I'm good to go!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2014 14:37:17 GMT -7
Congrats on the Bourgeois!
I'm a fan of Dana's guitars. I have 2, both older models built in the 90's. One is a Sloped D he built for Norman Blake. I got it a Gruhn several years ago. The other is a Country Boy Mahogany and Bearclaw Spruce Dred. Both sound pretty great, IMO.
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Post by mickey on Nov 10, 2014 10:51:28 GMT -7
I followed this thread with interest, 'cos as soon as I read that the Ehlers wasn't the model you really wanted, I knew you had to go for the Bourgeois. Great result, congrats!
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Post by brayks on Nov 11, 2014 23:33:06 GMT -7
Slope D came back from my buddy's even better than she was when I first got her. Action is perfect: not too high or too low kinda a three bears thing....just right!
I went with the K&K PowerMix Pure System on this one with no mic. I have the K&K Trinity system on her sister Coco (made from Cocobolo Rosewood & Adirondack Spruce) but it's mic does tend to feed back at higher stage volumes.
I love this guitar. Its got such an even and rich tone. All the great low end and projection of a classic Martin (no flub here) with the beautiful mid/high fullness of a GOOD Gibby Slope.
Beauty Pic of Dee:
Here she is with sister Coco:
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 7:48:39 GMT -7
what a beauty!
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Post by pcns on Nov 12, 2014 7:53:57 GMT -7
Wow, very nice Steve!
Todd
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Post by nmz on Nov 12, 2014 7:56:28 GMT -7
Great pics, really nice guitars there!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Nov 12, 2014 8:49:31 GMT -7
Now, if only Harvey made pick guards . Bee-you-tee-full instruments Steve - congrats to you AND the listener!
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Post by strat59 on Nov 12, 2014 9:04:06 GMT -7
Very nice guitars.
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