Guitars can be sourced from the inventory, or off the shelf, but those who love the music and enjoy the best of it would like to have personalized or custom-made guitars for them.
Yet, that all sounds great, but the hand-made customized guitars are often considered exclusive instruments and guitarists would love to have some hand-made guitars that offer better sound and tonality, and are designed exclusively to their tastes.
If you’re looking for a high-end guitar that’s made exclusively for you, then you can’t go wrong with a classic hand-made instrument.
There are two companies that you should know about which are making waves in the industry; these include Collings and Bourgeois.
Some brands help you out by having custom-made guitars, but you will be getting the best ones if you choose the right brand.
Collings and Bourgeois are two such brands that are known for exceptional hand-made custom guitars that you can have.
So, if you are looking to compare them both to choose the right one for you, here are a few things that you will need to know about them both.
Comparing Collings vs Bourgeois
| Features | Collings | Bourgeois |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | High trebles | Warm, rich tone |
| Wood | Oak, rosewood, maple | Oak, rosewood, maple |
| Pricing | $1,500-$5,000 | $1,200 - $5,000 |
Collings
Collings is the brand that you will be enjoying if you are looking to have a custom-made guitar with the personalization and having the right experience with your guitar.
Collings is a great brand that was established by Bill Collings, and it’s an excellent company that’s renowned for making some of the finest instruments around.
Collings gets you the best quality materials with the finish options as well. Collings is based out of Austin, Texas, USA and they have been in the manufacturing business since 1973.
The best part is that they are not only manufacturing the guitars, but you can also source a wide range of mandolins and ukuleles from them.
Handmade Perfection
While most of the custom and handmade guitars manufacturers are manufacturing acoustics, you get to have the choice between acoustics and electric guitars as well.
And, as mentioned, all of these guitars are handmade, so you are getting the very best experience that’s tailored to your needs.
Collings’s guitars have the best of design finish as well. So, you will not need to worry about a single thing. Since the guitars are personalized totally, you don’t have to worry about the “right fit.”
These instruments are custom made for professionals, and are just what you may need to take your playability to the next level.
Design and Build
One of the things that you should know about Collings guitars is that they are made to the highest standards of quality. The company is renowned for their exceptional performance and the guitars usually have sitka tops and 1 ¾” nuts.
The workmanship is hard to complain about, as the guitars are generally lightweight and crafted to perfection. If you are looking for an instrument that’s made to the highest standards of quality, you can’t go wrong with a Collings.
Sound
Collings guitars excel in terms of sound. They produce a warm, rich tone, with very balanced mids and high treble. That’s great for most people, as you get a versatile instrument that can play all kinds of music.
The one thing you might notice is that some of these guitars have slightly less power, which does make it a bit more difficult to play, but all in all, these are great instruments.
Shape
While the Collings Guitars are known for their dreadnought shape, you should know that there are also models that feature the standard double-cutaway design. If that’s what you prefer, you can easily go for that too.
Pricing
Since these are handmade guitars, the pricing is obviously not going to be cheap. In fact, the cheapest ones cost upwards of several thousand dollars. If you have the money to spare, then a Collings would be your best friend by almost all accounts.
Variety
One of the things that has changed about Collings over the past few years is that they have introduced a variety of new instruments in the mix.
Today, you can buy conventional electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and even check out their mandolins or archtop guitars.
And, since these are custom-made guitars, you can expect the very best in terms of quality and sound. They also have a new brand, known as Waterloo Guitars, which has been positively received.
Options
Arguably the best thing about these guitars is the fact that you have a ton of different options to choose from.
For instance, when you’re considering the wood, you can choose from a maple neck, a spruce top, maple laminate, alder, and even mahogany.
Similarly, you have a ton of choices when selecting the pickups, from the conventional Lollar Humbuckers to the TV Jones FilterTron that are found in Gretsch guitars.
There’s also plenty of choice available when selecting the finish too, ranging from an acid wash finish to sunburst to a gold top or even Ferrari red!
From selecting the design to the hardware and even the inlays, Collings gives you a whole lot of choices so you can customize the guitar just how you want and get the very best look.
Bourgeois
Bourgeois guitars is another brand that is offering the best guitars that you can choose from. They are also US-based manufacturers based out of Maine and have been in the business for quite some time now.
With that experience and the ability to choose from a vast range of material options, it’s a fantastic company that’s done wonderful things.
While they don’t have a wide inventory, you will be enjoying the choice including all the different color options, wood types, and more. With Bourgeois guitars, you get to enjoy a finer touch of finish and quality on the guitars.
With all that in the perspective, you can easily choose the guitar that suits your needs best and you will not be missing out on a single thing for sure.
Models
Bourgeois has several popular guitars that you should know about. Their popular series include the Professional Series, the Heirloom Series, the Aged Tone series, and the Legacy Series.
The Professional was designed, as you can imagine, for professional musicians who need a guitar that they can carry out on the road and play without ever having to worry about, or compromise on tone, playability, or the classic looks.
The Heirloom Series, on the other hand, was inspired by vintage American instruments, and is made using only the finest materials. It’s slightly cheaper than the Professional Series, but it still features the very best in terms of hardware.
Hardware and Build
Bourgeois offers three different body shapes: small, medium, and large. These guitars are made using high-end maple wood, though you can also choose from spruce or other materials like alder.
Sound
If you want a guitar that produces a warm, rich tone, then Bourgeois is the right pick for you. They primarily make acoustic guitars, so you can expect absolute perfection with each model.
The sound, as you can imagine, can easily be modified depending upon the kind of materials you choose for your guitar. And, like Collings, Bourgeois gives you unparalleled control over each and every element.
Variety
When we talk about variety, the wood choices alone far outweigh the ones that Collings has to offer. You can choose from more obscure options like African blackwood, Cocobolo, Pao rosewood, and many others.
Master-grade options are also available upon inquiry. From the headstock to the top or the back, you can customize every part of your instrument when placing the order.
There are different trim options available too, as well as various inlay choices. But, you should know that they don’t include any pickups on the guitar, so there’s a compromise you’ll have to make.
The Bottom Line – Who Wins?
If you’re in the market for an electric guitar that’s custom-made, Collings is your best bet.
However, if you want an acoustic guitar that’s going to last you a long while and is designed just how you want it, then a Bourgeois might be a good choice. Both are fantastic instruments, and fully customizable.
I met Dana Bourgeois at IBMA 2022, and had an acoustic guitar with me. Dana took the time from his own guitars, actually knelt down on his knees, and took a look at my guitar. The way Dana ” looks ” at a guitar is by tapping it. Because of his impeccable track record on building the best sounding and longest lasting guitars ( including one that’s called the Banjo Killer ), I would buy his instrument in a heartbeat if I could afford one.
Bill had more integrity than Dana ever will. He won’t put his name on a Chinese guitar. He won’t water down his brand for profit. Thats why he used the Waterloo name for non Collings builds. Dana will keep his name on the headstock and just change the label. Do yourself a favor buy a Collings over Bourgeois.