1965 Gibson Barney Kessel (Maple Top)

**jzucker** · 09-24-2015, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Actually, spruce lam sounds different than maple lam. I like it better, JMO.

normally I don't. I have owned a bunch of spruce lams by Ibanez, Fender (d'aquisto models), epiphone and various other brands. The BK spruce sounds markedly better than any other spruce lam I've ever owned. And considerably different than the maple lam.

**wintermoon** · 09-24-2015, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by stringmaster

So aren't the spruce tops laminated like the maple? Wouldn't that make them much the same save for cosmetics? So maybe there would be more difference from one guitar to the next, regardless of the top material? Just curious.

king Kessel collector.....

The Gibson Barney Kessel Pages

**vinlander** · 09-24-2015, 11:08 AM

When you have time, a clip of both your BK would be something I suspect everyone would enjoy!

**Al Br.** · 09-24-2015, 11:15 AM

Thanks Wintermoon, that nails it.

**jzucker** · 09-24-2015, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

king Kessel collector.....

The Gibson Barney Kessel Pages

i disagree with him totally about the maple top not being suitable for jazz.

**jzucker** · 09-24-2015, 11:23 AM

Jim's BK page also shows another variation of the neck I was not aware of : Maple/Walnut/Maple but fails to discuss the 5pc laminate neck.

**Greentone** · 09-24-2015, 11:27 AM

I agree with jzucker. I have played both. Each is a very jazzy guitar.

**neuroscan** · 09-24-2015, 02:24 PM

...so I was flipping channels last night on TV, and found out that the BK is also popular with a different crowd - not Grohl but the dude in back:

**Stringswinger** · 09-24-2015, 03:18 PM

Here is a guy who gets a great sound from a BK:

**stringmaster** · 09-24-2015, 04:32 PM

Yep, Andy Reiss is great!

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Here is a guy who gets a great sound from a BK:

**jzucker** · 09-26-2015, 09:43 AM

Taking it in today for a new pickguard (the original one is warped beyond belief) and a fret level. After playing it almost a week, i'm blown away by how different it sounds than the spruce version. It's got a very early '60s Metheny vibe to it. Very open and "maple-y". It is a brighter than the spruce top version but with the tone control down, it really sounds a lot like Pat Metheny's early tone.

And it's more open sounding than my '89 175 or the spruce one. Neck feels identical to the '63 spruce top. This one apparently was made in early '65 before they started using the thin nut width.

This guitar is what ibanez should have made when they made the PM-100 / PM-120. I always thought the art-deco inspiration for the ibanez guitars were these BK guitars. I do like the ibanez asymmetrical cutaways a little better.

Incidentally, upper fret access is better on the '63 due to the extended neck heel.

**vinnyv1k** · 09-26-2015, 10:59 AM

Glad you got a couple of winners Jack. Of course us guitaraphiles never stop trolling for another wooden victim. You can say you are completely satisfied and done with buying guitars but you would be just lying to your shelf.
I lost count how many times I have lied to my shelf but I am sure my wife knows the exact number.

**Greentone** · 09-26-2015, 11:35 AM

Jack
The maple ones I associate with the "Gino" Sound of the Young Rascals. He played two B'KS in the group, was a great guitarist, and plays great jazz at will. His BK sound is identifiable. .."Love is a Beautiful Thing" for example...that's not jazz, but he can play it.

**mr. beaumont** · 09-26-2015, 01:35 PM

I disagree with most folks when they say any guitar is "unsuitable" for jazz.

I played a Danelectro at a jam yesterday, and i was really happy with my tone!

These Kessels look great. I'm assuming the shorter neck heel really allows for better upper fret access?

**Stringswinger** · 09-26-2015, 02:20 PM

I have yet to play a guitar that would be "unsuitable for jazz" in my hands. That said, I have heard the playing of scores of guitarists that very much is " unsuitable for jazz". ;-)

**Greentone** · 09-26-2015, 04:27 PM

I used to have a Danelectro baritone. I bought it just so I could play "Wichita Lineman" authentically--it's what Glen Campbell used on the studio recording for his solo. (Pretty extravagant but what can you say...)

I discovered that I really enjoyed the guitar for jazz, however. What a nice guitar. Ultimately, though, my son acquired it. He plays funk on it and it sounds wicked in that application.

**jzucker** · 09-26-2015, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I disagree with most folks when they say any guitar is "unsuitable" for jazz.

I played a Danelectro at a jam yesterday, and i was really happy with my tone!

These Kessels look great. I'm assuming the shorter neck heel really allows for better upper fret access?

upper fret access is better on the longer neck heel

**Ol' Fret** · 09-28-2015, 06:43 AM

It's got a very early '60s Metheny vibe to it. Very open and "maple-y". It is a brighter than the spruce top version...

It's a pleasure to hear that someone likes his BK so much... guitars that used to carve out such a miserable existence among jazz players that not few models ended up as empty shell guitars. Well, fads happen...

Also, sometimes it's a real sign of human greatness to change one's mind!
Some weeks ago it still sounded like this: "Maple is definitely *NOT* brighter than spruce." (#37 on Finally got a Gibson Barney Kessel. ).

**jzucker** · 09-28-2015, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Ol' Fret

It's a pleasure to hear that someone likes his BK so much... guitars that used to carve out such a miserable existence among jazz players that not few models ended up as empty shell guitars. Well, fads happen...

Also, sometimes it's a real sign of human greatness to change one's mind!
Some weeks ago it still sounded like this: "Maple is definitely *NOT* brighter than spruce." (#37 on Finally got a Gibson Barney Kessel. ).

There are other factors too. It is an electric guitar with different pickups. I've owned several guitars previously in spruce and again in maple and I don't think you can conclude that spruce is darker than maple. My spruce heritage eagle is WAY brighter than my 175 for example...

**majoufelix** · 11-17-2015, 05:01 PM

Just spoke with Doug at Willies, the guitar seems clean, mahogany neck, confirmed larger nut width, priced at 5400 usd which is above my budget (4000 to 5000) but then there is a little room for negotiation + this guitar has the specs I am looking for : larger nut being the main one, laminated spruce and mahogany neck appeal to me, on paper that is, but that is just theoretical guitar chat... One must try the guitar first but, living in France, I haven't been able to try a BK and certainly won't be able to try this one. I am tempted to make an offer though.

what do you guys think ?

**vinnyv1k** · 11-17-2015, 07:26 PM

$5k is pretty much the going rate for one that is all original and in great shape.

**GNAPPI** · 11-17-2015, 08:31 PM

I Like the Barney Kessel a lot... too rich for me after the Tal Farlow. I look at the BK as a "Vulcan" to the ES-150 earthling look :-) I'll settle on my 150 till I find someone with a BK who made a "misteak" on the price!

**jumpnblues** · 03-01-2025, 10:37 AM

I had the Bigsby version from about 1967 to 1970. I've only seen one other Bigsby BK model. Very rare guitars. Like most, I prefer the non-Bigsby version. I was in an R&B band from '67 to '70. The Bigsby BK served my needs a little better back then. I'd love to own a non-Bigsby version. But I'm pretty well set for guitars now. I ended up trading my BK for an ebony ES335.....with a Bigsby LOL!! Go figure.