Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What actually goes into making an incredible sounding acoustic guitar? There's no one better to answer that question than Dana Bourgeois, the mastermind luthier behind Bourgeois Guitars. With decades of experience building at the highest level, and a reputation for outstanding quality, his instruments are among the most well respected in the world.
We learned a lot during this conversation about Dana's approach to building, the influence of Tony Rice, the evolution of the Bluegrass scene, what makes great acoustic guitar tone and the brand's commitment to excellence when manufacturing in the USA and overseas.
Whether you're interested in the brand, guitar building or just feel like a deep dive into the history of roots acoustic music, there's something here for every type of player.
0:40 Dana Bourgeois' journey & Bluegrass influences
4:00 Contemporary bluegrass and why the genre has such a strong community
6:11 What makes a great acoustic guitar?
10:06 How Tony Rice helped to shape the Bourgeois sound
14:01 Tap tuning explained
19:12 How does a guitar earn Dana's seal of approval
24:56 The Touchstone series: what's built where and how do Bourgeois maintain standards?
27:45 Overcoming scepticism toward non-USA built instruments
30:08 How Bourgeois trains builders overseas
32:14 How have players and their expectations of guitars changed?
35:30 The contemporary guitarists inspiring Dana Bourgeois
38:15 The one acoustic guitar every player should try
What actually goes into making an incredible sounding acoustic guitar? There's no one better to answer that question than Dana Bourgeois, the mastermind luthier behind Bourgeois Guitars. With decades of experience building at the highest level, and a reputation for outstanding quality, his instruments are among the most well respected in the world.
We learned a lot during this conversation about Dana's approach to building, the influence of Tony Rice, the evolution of the Bluegrass scene, what makes great acoustic guitar tone and the brand's commitment to excellence when manufacturing in the USA and overseas.
Whether you're interested in the brand, guitar building or just feel like a deep dive into the history of roots acoustic music, there's something here for every type of player.
0:40 Dana Bourgeois' journey & Bluegrass influences
4:00 Contemporary bluegrass and why the genre has such a strong community
6:11 What makes a great acoustic guitar?
10:06 How Tony Rice helped to shape the Bourgeois sound
14:01 Tap tuning explained
19:12 How does a guitar earn Dana's seal of approval
24:56 The Touchstone series: what's built where and how do Bourgeois maintain standards?
27:45 Overcoming scepticism toward non-USA built instruments
30:08 How Bourgeois trains builders overseas
32:14 How have players and their expectations of guitars changed?
35:30 The contemporary guitarists inspiring Dana Bourgeois
38:15 The one acoustic guitar every player should try
