Walkin Guitars - New Barney Kessell and Bruce Foreman models

**bananafist** · 02-26-2026, 03:06 PM

On Facebook today a link to Walkin Guitars in Japan where they are plugging the new Westville guitars BK and BF models. It would be great if a UK guitar store brought some of these in to sell here in the UK. Price quoted equates to £2500 roughly, so may be viable.

- Archtop Tribute Custom ATC350BK/Early '50s Burst
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201829-2/

- Archtop Tribute Custom ATC350BK/Early '50s Burst
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201830-2/

- Archtop Tribute Custom ATC350BK-BF (Bruce Forman)/Relic Cherry Red
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201832-2/

*The "BK-BF" model has a slightly thinner neck profile than the normal "BK" model, but is otherwise identical.
https://www.westvilleguitars.com/atc350bk

For trials and inquiries, please feel free to contact 03-5467-1625 or [email protected]

#jazzguitar #archtop #archtopguitars #archtoptribute #shibuyawalkin #???????

**2bornot2bop** · 02-26-2026, 03:19 PM

I inquired on one. Unfortunately over $450 tariff for the US.

**Archie** · 02-26-2026, 03:28 PM

Facebook want me to give them to send them a video selfie to look at the post.

Sorry Mark Z

**deacon Mark** · 02-26-2026, 03:39 PM

Bruce Forman to me sounds the best on his L5. I know he has been using Barney Kessel's old guitar but I am not a huge fan of the sound he is getting. His sound on the L5 to me is way better.

**jim777** · 02-26-2026, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by bananafist

On Facebook today a link to Walkin Guitars in Japan where they are plugging the new Westville guitars BK and BF models. It would be great if a UK guitar store brought some of these in to sell here in the UK. Price quoted equates to £2500 roughly, so may be viable.

- Archtop Tribute Custom ATC350BK/Early '50s Burst
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201829-2/

This is the link that points to, and why we're getting Facebook errors. They are all like that...(I'm removing the https part so it shows the whole link) Working links below.

://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walkin.co.jp%2F230227201 829-2%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwQkhycnB4 dzU5dFhIVEFZS3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OT IAAR6smej9N9Ft7ye1aNvM4ziSthnBdAeZqluLQLALyN76A_0j 1J0Wx8GwEHtSjQ_aem_KZ0YwWinK1CE-w5_tO5s-g&h=AT4vpvMPccvHThHRwMV93BEKkmnO5tRppSMvP8PbHN-qvRu-jvUEmIgO8J_u6pUlm4u9anw8nTq6AT34uQcMlDrhBcka4e5Tgs o51XTfWSk7CTu4W34xxCdTq2BHsspg3zUbxzkm0l2eiA&__tn_ _=-UK-R&c[0]=AT62JnMj6ksvvQSA0iyqCr8fEoLyg-nCHfizeXzBcIuf2sBVSTgjkEnoCa3L1ZQqU3UIo7AQuEoPaLQ5 RO-5ohIHSGZArv2CcrL5GHqsM7wUlbSpAXq-Tch19TGQe8NNiZUZkkfwLRgT8eTOmfCyudtpv4XZA-flPqG_9YRs2OQd8UbzViBJ3CN-nTBsePSu2YnY-m1m2Va09TYapizKNekQHg

Originally Posted by bananafist

- Archtop Tribute Custom ATC350BK/Early '50s Burst
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201830-2/

- Archtop Tribute Custom ATC350BK-BF (Bruce Forman)/Relic Cherry Red
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201832-2/

*The "BK-BF" model has a slightly thinner neck profile than the normal "BK" model, but is otherwise identical.
https://www.westvilleguitars.com/atc350bk

For trials and inquiries, please feel free to contact 03-5467-1625 or [email protected]

#jazzguitar #archtop #archtopguitars #archtoptribute #shibuyawalkin #???????

https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201829-2/
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201830-2/
https://www.walkin.co.jp/230227201832-2/
https://www.westvilleguitars.com/atc350bk

**bananafist** · 02-26-2026, 03:57 PM

I'm sorry I didn't realise this post would create such problems. Please reduce/delete or modify as necessary. I just wanted to point out these guitars.

**Bill C** · 02-26-2026, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Archie

Facebook want me to give them to send them a video selfie to look at the post.

Sorry Mark Z

this link will take you straight to Walkin

新入荷商品/New Arrivals

**bananafist** · 02-26-2026, 04:01 PM

Bill C - thanks for the much simpler and less problematical link

**Archie** · 02-26-2026, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by bananafist

I'm sorry I didn't realise this post would create such problems. Please reduce/delete or modify as necessary. I just wanted to point out these guitars.

You did a good thing, don't worry about it. We appreciate the effort.

**bananafist** · 02-26-2026, 04:11 PM

Thanks Archie. If you ever get to produce a thin (1 3/4" deep) 15 1/2" wide version of this with especially a 45mm wide nut, I'll be first in the queue!

**GuyBoden** · 02-26-2026, 04:50 PM

Is this the BF model:

**equenda** · 02-26-2026, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

Bruce Forman to me sounds the best on his L5. I know he has been using Barney Kessel's old guitar but I am not a huge fan of the sound he is getting. His sound on the L5 to me is way better.

I have the same opinion. The guitar tone on the "In Transit", "Coast to Coast" and "Dynamics Duo with George Cables" albums is really wonderful. I think that the guitar was his Gibson L-5.

Ettore

**David B** · 02-26-2026, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by GuyBoden

Is this the BF model:

Yes, the Bruce Forman variant has been available since late 2024.

Walkin Guitars - New Barney Kessell and Bruce Foreman models-img_6334-jpeg

**Archie** · 02-26-2026, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by bananafist

Thanks Archie. If you ever get to produce a thin (1 3/4" deep) 15 1/2" wide version of this with especially a 45mm wide nut, I'll be first in the queue!

If only I had a 3D scan of a 1956 ES- 350

Walkin Guitars - New Barney Kessell and Bruce Foreman models-screenshot-2026-02-26-20-15-15-jpg

**David B** · 02-26-2026, 07:40 PM

Here’s the post from Walkin’s Instagram page detailing the new stock of the BK and BF models.

Walkin Guitars - New Barney Kessell and Bruce Foreman models-img_6332-jpeg

Walkin Guitars - New Barney Kessell and Bruce Foreman models-img_6332-jpeg

Walkin Guitars - New Barney Kessell and Bruce Foreman models-img_6333-jpeg

**jazzgtrl4** · 02-26-2026, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

I inquired on one. Unfortunately over $450 tariff for the US.

Yup i want that westville Solar.. by the time i pay the tariffs, shipping, CA sales tax, import duties... forget about it

**buduranus2** · 02-27-2026, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

I inquired on one. Unfortunately over $450 tariff for the US.

Didn't I just read that the tariffs were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?

**Mick-7** · 02-27-2026, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by buduranus2

Didn't I just read that the tariffs were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?

Only the IEEPA Emergency Powers Acts tariffs, since the emergency was fictional, they have other obscure laws that can serve as a pretext for the royal edicts.

The IEEPA tariffs are dead — Now what? - Thomson Reuters Institute

**Freddels** · 02-27-2026, 08:17 AM

The links worked for me. It says that the BF model is identical to the BK model except the neck is thinner.

I would definitely replace the chicken head knobs if I had one.

**buduranus2** · 02-27-2026, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Mick-7

Only the IEEPA Emergency Powers Acts tariffs, since the emergency was fictional, they have other obscure laws that can serve as a pretext for the royal edicts.

The IEEPA tariffs are dead — Now what? - Thomson Reuters Institute

Of course it's an emergency. “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.”

**Doug B** · 02-27-2026, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

Bruce Forman to me sounds the best on his L5. I know he has been using Barney Kessel's old guitar but I am not a huge fan of the sound he is getting. His sound on the L5 to me is way better.

I knew about BF playing BKs guitar; but for years he played a Sonntag J16/J17 Ballade:

https://www.sonntag-guitars.com/english/Archtops/Ballade.php

**2bornot2bop** · 02-27-2026, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by buduranus2

Didn't I just read that the tariffs were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?

I quit following politics so I’m out of the loop. The man in charge probably thinks he can appeal it!

**Rickco** · 02-27-2026, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

I quit following politics so I’m out of the loop. The man in charge probably thinks he can appeal it!

Has any country had a guitar player for a leader? Youd have to have 3 partys, Semi Hollow, Solid, Acoustic...Id much rather hear legislative debates about tone

**Archie** · 02-27-2026, 03:49 PM

[QUOTE=Rickco;1451358]Has any country had a guitar player for a leader? Youd have to have 3 partys, Semi Hollow, Solid, Acoustic...Id much rather hear legislative debates about tone[

**Stringswinger** · 02-27-2026, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Rickco

Has any country had a guitar player for a leader? Youd have to have 3 partys, Semi Hollow, Solid, Acoustic...Id much rather hear legislative debates about tone

If there was an archtop party, I would vote for them. In your example, I am pretty sure the semi guys would become part ot the solid team and you would be back to a two party system.

As much as I might like a mandated living wage for musicians, I am pretty sure that it would end most gigs. That is the world we live in.