2004 Kim Walker SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce

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.