The Bourgeois Aged Tone Mahogany D takes as its inspiration the pre-WW2 Mahogany bodied dreadnought guitars. The ‘Aged Tone’ refers to the use of an Adirondack Spruce top that has been ‘Torrefied’ to simulate the effects of natural aging on the wood structures, bracing configurations from those periods, and special finishes to replicate the look feel and sound of old lacquer.

The Adirondack top shows a wider grain pattern often seen in Adirondack or Red Spruce. This was *the* most common Spruce used for guitar tops prior to World War 2. It was fairly local to many of the larger builders and holds up very well when played heavily, as might be necessary in a group with banjos. This is an ideal wood for Bluegrass styles.

However, with the entry of the USA into that conflict, supplies of Red Spruce were quickly requisitioned as war materiel, particularly for airframe components and this ultimately led to over-harvesting. Despite having stocks in place for a few year’s work, instrument companies immediately began looking for replacement Spruce variants, and this was primarily Sitka. The Martin guitar company had a significant stock of Adirondack tops, and finally ran out in 1945 or early 1946. It’s only in the last decade or so that Adirondack forests have regrown enough to supply guitar builders, but the tops carry premium prices.

Similarly, Martin’s supplier for Herringbone purfling was located in Germany, and with the advent of the War replacements were not possible. When Martin’s supply ran out in 1947 it was discontinued and not offered again until 1976.

Aside from the Adirondack ‘Red’ Spruce top, this 2013 Bourgeois Aged Tone Mahogany D uses Tropical Mahogany for the back, sides, body blocks and neck. The bridge and black-bound fingerboard are Ebony, and the head plate is Indian Rosewood. The nut and compensated saddle are bone. A faux-tortoise pickguard is on top of the finish, not glued directly to the top. Aside from the use of Ebony, this pretty much follows the classic D-18 pattern. The tuners are Waverly open gear models, and there are no electronics. The finish is a natural gloss, with a bit of ‘Aged’ toner added to simulate age.

Overall, this Bourgeois Aged Tone Mahogany D is in very good, clean condition with the lightest wear. Its voice is perhaps not fully developed but it has a warm, full and sparkly tone, and is loud without being strident. The vintage style V neck profile is very comfortable, and it’s really a lot of fun to play.

The original hard shell case is included.