A Live Introduction to Boucher Guitars
Last night, February 4th, 2020, I attended a "clinic" at The Arts Music Store in Newmarket Ontario where the store hosted Boucher Guitars and their ambassador JP Cormier.
Before I get into what I saw and heard, a word or several on JP Cormier. I first saw JP a couple of decades ago in Nova Scotia. In his show he played guitar, fiddle and mandolin and absolutely blew me away with his talent, stage presence and humour. Tenure has made him a bit more direct, but he is absolutely amazing and if you would like to learn more about his music go to https://www.jp-cormier.com You can also find his music online on Apple Music if you are a subscriber. Chet Atkins, yes THAT Chet Atkins called JP one of the most important guitarists of his generation. No argument from me.
Back to the guitars. The website for Boucher Guitars is https://boucherguitars.com (surprise!). It's possible that you may not have familiarity with the brand so let me help you out. Boucher was founded by luthier and player Robin Boucher. The factory that produces hand-made guitars is located in Berthier-sur-Mer in the Canadian province of Quebec. While many folks hear Appalachian and immediately think of the Appalachian range in the United States, the range starts in Canada and the town is right there. One of the greatest tone woods coming out of Appalachia is the Red Spruce aka Picea Rubens. While most of us have heard of Sitka Spruce, and Engelmann Spruce, Red Spruce is much rarer and has a very different tone, at once more dynamic and more even across frequencies. You will find red spruce used in the tops of custom shop builds from other makers at substantial cost, or as the default top in ALL Boucher guitars. Does it sound different? Oh yes.
In the clinic session, JP played an assortment of Boucher guitars. They do three lines; Studio Goose, Bluegrass Goose and Heritage Goose. I have heard some dimwits take the company to task for using the word Goose in the names. There is good reason for doing so, explained on the company website. At least they never use the words "authentic" or "iconic" in their messaging.
The Studio Goose and Bluegrass Goose lineup have similar body style options and even similar wood choices for sides and back, but differ in their bracing patterns. The reality in my opinion, is that either line is perfect for any use, but the joy is in the playing and finding the one that is the most "you". The Heritage Goose line is built to feature only the small body acoustics, the 000 12 Fret and the Parlour 12 Fret. More on these later.
Dreadnought style guitars are very popular and you can find this body shape in both the Studio Goose and Bluegrass Goose lines. Studio Goose Dreadnoughts offer the buyer the choice of African Bubinga, American Walnut, Brazilian Mahogany or East Indian Rosewood. Bluegrass Goose Dreadnoughts offer the buyer the choice of Brazilian Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood or Brazilian Rosewood. That last one is NOT a typo.
Jazz and finger style players often prefer the OM (Orchestra Model) size bodies. The Studio Goose OM line offers the buyer the choice of African Bubinga, American Walnut, Brazilian Mahogany or Canadian Curly Maple. Bluegrass Goose OM guitars offer the buyer the choice of Brazilian Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood or Brazilian Rosewood.
Those desiring a classic Jumbo body will find these in the Studio Goose family. The Studio Goose Jumbo line offers the buyer the choice of African Bubinga, American Walnut, Brazilian Mahogany or Canadian Curly Maple.
Players desiring a 12 string can find OM size bodies in Brazilian Mahogany, Dreadnought bodies in East Indian Rosewood and Jumbo bodies in African Bubinga and Canadian Curly Maple.
The Heritage Goose line is smaller, limited to the 000-12 Fret and the Parlour 12-Fret. I am a fan myself of the small bodied guitars but have been challenged in the past that their voicings were unassuming. I was completely blown away by the power of the voice of the Heritage Goose guitars. The 000 family is available in African Bubinga, Brazilian Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood and Canadian Curly Maple. The Parlour guitars are available in African Bubinga, Brazilian Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood and Canadian Curly Maple. All the guitars in the Heritage Goose collection are built with classic design slotted peg heads.
Boucher Guitars also offer a variety of customization options and player packs. These include different finish options, electronics options and are well detailed on the website. You can also order your Boucher with a Venetian cutaway. These are handmade instruments, so you can get what you want, so long as you are not expecting assembly line delivery.
JP made the point that he doesn't bring his own Boucher guitars for clinics because the Boucher recipes are so consistent. He says he can pick up any Boucher instrument of the same body and tone wood build and it will sound the same as another one. He played every instrument using only a microphone in front of the sound hole, even if the guitar had a pickup installed. Many of us have already noted that a mic'd acoustic sounds better in general than one with an active pickup. JP does recommend the optional K&K pickups over any of the powered alternatives.
No Jumbos or 12 strings were available at the clinic for attendees to try out but that did not seem to matter to the 100+ musicians who came out. There was enormous enthusiasm to try the guitars out and the single example of the brand new JP Cormier Signature Heritage Goose 12 Fret with Cutaway was sold during the intermission. Rumour has it that is is the first one that was made available for public purchase. (JP has number 0 and Robin Boucher has number 1). The buyer will know if his is indeed number 2 when he picks it up in a week or so. Cannot imagine who that buyer might be. :D
I had been looking to try out the Heritage Goose 12 Fret or a Parlour regardless. I like the small bodies but wanted to check on the tone as experience with other very small bodies had been interesting but not fulfilling. I have never heard anything that sounds like the Heritage Goose guitars and I was front row and heard the native guitar and not the PA tone.
I confess that I also really liked the Dreadnought and OM models. I already have a number of dreadnoughts from Martin and Gibson and like them very much, but I have only one Martin 000 and a single Taylor OM style. I may find myself on a waiting list for a Bluegrass Goose OM in Brazilian Rosewood sides and back. Of course I would have to pay for the aforementioned Signature first. This guitar thing gets expensive.
JP also brought out a newer Boucher ambassador, Jacob Lauzon who he met at a clinic last year. The two players are amazing together. Jacob also did a song with his friend Alanna, both playing their personal OM series instruments.
The conclusion to this article is pretty simple. If you love playing guitar and you are considering a professional grade acoustic such as a fine instrument from Martin Guitars or Taylor Guitars, or perhaps one of the Gibson acoustics from the Bozeman Montant factory, you are cheating yourself if you do not play a Boucher before making your purchase decision. There are a few good dealers of Boucher and obviously I heartily recommend The Arts Music Store in Newmarket Ontario. I have owned Martins and Taylors for a long time and love them very much, but I am comfortable saying as a generalization, I get more for my money with a hand made Boucher than either of these other very excellent lines.
The only way to know is to play one yourself. The sound is killer and remember that if you want a pickup, go for the K&K option. Tell them that I sent you, with the guidance of JP Cormier.