Bourgeois Guitars | JOMC Luthier's Choice Custom *Used - 2002*

This pre-owned Bourgeois JOMC guitar, crafted in 2002 in Lewiston, Maine, is a piece of guitar-making history. This particular instrument, bearing the label "Winter NAMM, 2002, #5 of 13, JOMC, Luthier's Choice Custom," was built specifically for the NAMM show that year.  This immediately sets it apart.  NAMM show instruments are typically showcases for a company's finest work, demonstrating the pinnacle of their craftsmanship and design capabilities.  This guitar was undoubtedly intended to impress, and it does.  It is signed by Dana Bourgeois.

The JOMC (Jumbo OM Cutaway) body style is an original design by Dana Bourgeois from the late 1980s.  It was created to meet the demand for a mid-sized guitar that offered the balanced tone and clarity of an OM (Orchestra Model) but with increased projection and volume.  The JOMC achieves this by taking the OM shape, slightly enlarging it, adjusting the curves, and deepening the sides.  The result is a versatile instrument that sits between an OM and a Dreadnought in size.  This makes it suitable for a wide range of playing styles, from delicate fingerpicking to powerful strumming, and for both solo performances and ensemble playing.  The JOMC is known for its exceptional balance and responsiveness, a testament to Bourgeois's design genius.   

But the real magic of this guitar lies in its exquisite tonewoods and meticulous construction. The top is made from highly flamed and figured curly koa, exhibiting a level of figuring and depth that is simply breathtaking.  It's far more visually striking than the koa typically seen on guitars today.  The koa's visual beauty is matched by its tonal properties, contributing to a clear and resonant sound with a full warm bass.  The abalone rosette, complemented by a multicolour herringbone backstrip and an abalone top border with matching back and side purfling, creates a visually stunning contrast against the koa, adding to the instrument's overall elegance.  The 14-fret joint fretboard and bridge are crafted from very dark ebony, providing a smooth playing surface and contributing to the guitar's clear, articulate tone. The nut and saddle are bone, ensuring optimal string vibration transfer.  The tuners are open-back, gold-plated Waverly with ebony buttons, adding a touch of classic elegance.  The head and fretboard binding are ivoroid, further hinting at the custom nature of this instrument.  And, crucially, this guitar was tap-tuned by Dana Bourgeois himself, a testament to the personal attention and care that went into its creation.   

Considering its age, this guitar is in excellent condition, a remarkable testament to its careful ownership and the quality of its construction.  Its sound is, simply put, stunning.  The combination of the premium koa top, the JOMC body design, and Dana Bourgeois's tap-tuning expertise results in an instrument that is both incredibly responsive and richly voiced.  This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of Bourgeois history, a guitar that not only looks magnificent but also sounds exceptional.