NGD: 1995 Washburn/Bourgeois Cherokee D-55SW

[kidsmoke]

I picked this guitar up about two months ago, actually, but have been on the forum very little. this is a bucket list item for me. Really excited to have landed it

This guitar is a rare find, and one that Washburn fans die for. In the mid 90's, Washburn wanted to run with the big boys with a top quality american made acoustic series. They contracted with Dana Bourgeois, a fine builder, to make limited quantities of 4 different styles. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) the Bourgeois shop moved a little too slow for Washburns liking, and they moved production to Tacoma USA.

Bourgeios ended up making limited numbers of 4 different styles

20 Apache's - 3 piece birdseye maple/sitka standard D
150 Cherokee's - Indian rosewood/sitka standard D
50 Savannah's - Koa/sitka slope D
4 Paramounts - Engelmann/Braz Standard D with "vine of life" MOP inlay

Knowing this history, and having a long time jones for a quality Rosewood Dread (I own a quality solid wood Mahogany Larrivée, awesome, but quiet) when I got a lead on a Cherokee closet queen, I pulled a whole bunch of strings to land it. And I did. An added piece of information regarding the Cherokee. Bourgeois builds a light box, and they belly over time, which many acoustic folks will tell you is characteristic of the finest guitars. Washburn didn't like this fact however, and asked Dana to remove his own spec rosewood bridge plate and replace it with a much larger maple bridge plate. He obliged, but not after building the first handful to his own "Standard D" specs. My guitar was the 4th one made, and as such, is to his specs. the attention to detail is something I've not had the pleasure of experiencing as an owner(acoustically, my Heritage is all that of course!). This is a fine instrument.

Without further ado (keep in mind, DB guitars are not typically ornamental at all, all the bling was for Washburn, it was called the Native American Series)

sitka spruce top, ebony butterfly bridge, herringbone rosette, tortoise pickguard, rosewood fretboard
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1130071.jpg

Indian rosewood b/s
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1130073.jpg

MOP Inlays and rosewood TRC
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1130074.jpg

Birdseye maple binding on the fretboard and body
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1130077.jpg

MOP feather fretboard inlay (4 only)
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1130076.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1120883.jpg

Individually numbered bridgepins
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1120895.jpg

gut shot
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1120889.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1120906.jpg

full monty, great HSC to boot.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/Cherokeefront.jpg


The sound is even and projects wonderfully. Really cuts through.
This one will be in the will. Not going anywhere

[lou]

Yep they are very sexy guitars Tio, don't know if you are familar with Mark but I almost bought his Apache but it was in kind of rough shape and was worried that I would not be able to sell it if I didin't like it, so I passed on it and started talking with another member to sell me his but I was buying to many guitars at the time and ended up not pulling the trigger.You should post the bridge pin slots and the way Dana pre slots them for a better angle break for the strings, most folks who don't know that he does that would think it may need a neck re-set.lou

[wingsdad]

You're a lucky guy, Tio. Those Bourgeois Wash's are unsung treasures, rare birds most folks have no clue about. For sure, that one stays. Congrats!

[kidsmoke]

You should post the bridge pin slots and the way Dana pre slots them for a better angle break for the strings, most folks who don't know that he does that would think it may need a neck re-set.lou

Yep. Dana is a master. Here you go.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/tiokimo/Washburn%20D-55SW/P1120896.jpg

[Tig]

Awesome! Nice find.

[guitarhack]

Beautiful instrument!

[Jipes]

Beautiful guitar you're indeed a very fortunate man to get one of thoses :thumbsup Sure you'll enjoy a lot, hope you make for us a little video !

[tjcurtin1]

Wow! Beautiful instrument!

[kidsmoke]

Appreciate the props! Really really happy to have and instrument like this. Jipes, may get something at an open mic at some point. Considering a k&K pure western for it. we shall see.

[lou]

Just thought that I would mention someone is having a birthday, well have a great day Tio and have you ever thougth of one of the Washburn Custom shop Acoustics.lou

[Eric]

Cool guitar, Tio. I hope you like it!

[kidsmoke]

Just thought that I would mention someone is having a birthday, well have a great day Tio and have you ever thougth of one of the Washburn Custom shop Acoustics.lou

Thanks Lou, appreciate the callout!

[lou]

No worries Tio and you should look at the D-68SW or D-70SW or if you can swing it and even find one a D-90S(W) these have the old European Spruce tops that just play like there is no tomorrow I would certainly match these up against any of the Dana guitars ( had 2 newer ones ). I think they just don't get the respect they really do deserve I recently sold my D-68 and had for a very short time a D-70 ( but was damaged during the shipping { the three piece back was destroyed and the cost to replace it, well was way more then I wanted to spend } ) but never have found the D-90.lou