Grace, clarity, and definition are the first characteristics that come to mind when playing this 2014 OM from Kim Walker. Individual notes have incredible definition and presence; chords ring out in brilliant acoustic technicolor; balanced across the spectrum. Kim Walker’s guitars are, for us, a gold standard against which to compare other instruments. And of course the materials Kim chose help reinforce that. Top shelf Brazilian Rosewood is paired with a tight-grained Italian Spruce top with a touch of amber color. Abalone appointments (including a flower and vine inlaid at the headstock), Waverly tuners with black pearl knobs. Flawless finish throughout, and a glass-smooth neck to round it out.
This Walker is ideal.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, waitlist, orchestra model, brazilain, hoffee

Here’s one to write home about. An incredible example of Kim Walker’s work, this 2004 SJ in Brazilian Rosewood and Italian Spruce is just about perfect. Rich, enveloping bass notes balanced against clear treble strings like bells, with an articulate and even-keeled midrange to span the gap. With a 15 7/8” lower bout and 25.4” scale, this Kim Walker has lots of projection for when you need it, but the top is voiced for even a delicate attack to bring out lots of color and musicality. Kim finished this one with a thin varnish finish that keeps the tonewoods as vibrant and resonant as possible—and it shows. Lots of headroom, and the setup is glassy to boot. Playing this Kim Walker SJ is an experience of original inspiration. Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, abalone, maple, waverly, inlay, cedar creek

Better by far to start your day with a Kim Walker guitar than with coffee. The latter will wake you up, sure, but the former provides a degree of excitement and satisfaction that’ll last a lot longer than a simple caffiene kick. Case in point: this 1998 Kim Walker Jumbo. The last flattop to ever receive Kim’s “Excel” archtop appointments and headstock, Flamed Maple back and sides, German Spruce on top, and about 130% the amount of clarity and projection we’ve come to expect from a Walker. Seriously one of the loudest guitars we’ve had in the shop, and that without losing any clarity and warmth.

Inspirational? In a word. Slim neck profile makes for a slick playability, and it’s in refreshingly pristine shape to boot.

Another legend in the show room! We’ve got a 2003 SJ from Kim Walker in the shop in practically mint condition. Kim Walker’s status as a master among masters is universally known and celebrated, and when this beauty was pulled out of the case, we felt like celebrating, ourselves. This guitar belonged to Jerre Haskew, the former president of Guild Guitars who hired Kim Walker to save the company and pave the way for his own work. The cut of this Brazilian Rosewood is absorbing, with dark chocolatey notes and arrow-straight grain patterns. This, combined with a warm Adirondack Spruce top and Walker’s SJ curves, gives the player a sensation of royalty: the voice is big and brash, and the guitar can handle any style of music with ease. Talk about headroom–this guitar fills the church to the rafters with an energetic and articulate voice! This guitar is a cold drink on a hot day to flatpickers, or a shot of good whiskey for a blues fingerstylist with its vigor and snap. Seriously, folks, just one look at the woods here, and you’ll be hooked. Once you play it, we offer complimentary tissues, should you feel a tear streaking down your cheek. This Walker is a furnace of powerful tones, and it won’t be here long; get a piece of this fire before we pass the torch!

Here is a rare custom Kim Walker OM-42 in Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack Spruce. 42 Style trim really makes this beautiful vintage style guitar shine. There is also a custom Floral inlay on the headstock as well. The voicing is all Kim Walker, one of the very best at capturing that pre-war Martin sound but doing so in a modern collectible guitar with perfect action and playability. What a joy to experience.

Preowned guitars by Kim Walker are few and far between. This one is a small bodied sweetheart. The woods are beautifully figured Mahogany and bearclaw Spruce. The voice is strong and proud and it capably morphs from bluesy to placid pieces. The bass string is full and warm and the treble strings sing out. A great Walker and this is the only O he ever made so it is very rare and collectible.

The dizzying number of wonderful guitars that we have on our walls might lead some to think that after a while, all these amazing guitars would sound alike. However, when a true heavyweight like the 2004 Walker SJ we have here today enters the fray, there’s just no competition. Kim Walker’s name is synonymous with unparalleled quality and tone–and we’ve got one of his masterpieces in the shop, begging to be played. A stunning Brazilian Rosewood set comprises the back and sides with a richly colored Adirondack Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood bindings. In Kim’s hands, these woods have been given a rich, powerful voice. The low-end is charged and enveloping, while the trebles have a warm, complex tonality and sweet sustain. When played fingerstyle, the middle registers exhibit a smooth sinuosity and have mellow overtones. Overall, the registers are perfectly–and we mean perfectly–balanced, and the SJ body gives this guitar heaps of projection. Kim’s appointments are graceful, from his contemporary-inflected asymetrical Ebony bridge to the hairline curves of the headstock and the minutely curved body bindings. This is one of the lightest SJs you’ll find, but the build is nevertheless rock solid: this guitar exudes an aura of strength and longevity. If you are at all interested in owning a Walker, give this guitar a look, because let’s face it: they’re very rare, and will only become rarer with time. This is the guitar of a lifetime–don’t miss your chance.