Auction to Benefit Tony Rice

Register Here to take part in the Auction

Tony Rice is the most respected and influential player in the history of Bluegrass guitar. His presence has touched many, and his early input helped shape the career of Dana Bourgeois. To honor and benefit Tony, Bourgeois Guitars will be auctioning a very special, one-of-kind tribute guitar inspired by Tony’s iconic 1935 D-28. All of the profits will go directly to Tony Rice who due to illness can no longer sing or perform.

“Tony Rice had a major impact on my career. I got to know him back in the 80s, when he often worked out of Boston, and I sometimes brought him guitars to critique. Once, after trying one of my OMs he suggested that I try scaling that sound into a bigger package, explaining that the natural balance of the OM was ideal for a flatpicker who used every note on the fretboard. After years of development, players like Doc Watson, Bryan Sutton, and Ricky Skaggs came to play and appreciate the balanced sound of my Dreadnoughts. I can trace much of my success with these flatpickers back to Tony’s influence. This tribute guitar to Tony Rice is my way of saying thanks.

This guitar is my interpretation of Tony’s ’35 D-28. The essential features are the Bourgeois Aged Tone Top, Bracing and Finish, with Brazilian back and sides, a bound fretboard without position markers, a large soundhole, a Tor-tis pickguard, and oval button Waverly tuners. The top bracing is period correct in pattern and shape, though I used Bourgeois standard back bracing. I think “interpretation” is an appropriate description, as I included many Bourgeois construction features such as our neck joint and truss rod.” – Dana Bourgeois

The Auction will be held online at BourgeoisGuitars.com, beginning December 1st and continuing for a period of two weeks. In the weeks leading up to the auction, several events will be held showcasing the guitar. Check our website for details. All the profits raised will go directly to Tony Rice.

This guitar is not associated with any endorsement by Tony Rice and is offered strictly as a fundraiser for Tony’s benefit. In association with guitars “Tony Rice” is a registered trademark of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company.

Note: enlarged soundhole and drop-in saddle