Westville Unity Guitar-A Pat Metheny Tribute

**helios** · 08-08-2019, 11:45 PM

Westville guitars of Japan has recently announced a Pat Metheny tribute model called the "Unity"! Note that this is tribute model not, a signature model. This guitars likely pays homage to the Daniel Slaman Sisterhood series model made for Mr. Metheny. This guitar has a 16" lower bout, carved sitka spruce top, laminated sides, and a carved maple back, 2.75" depth, 24.75 scale, and goes for $5376 USD.

Unity Pat Metheny Tribute

**Jabberwocky** · 08-09-2019, 07:20 PM

I like the concept of it. I like the guitar. I don't like the price but that is because the USD is weak against the JPY. It was trading between JPY129 and JPY130 per USD1 until recently which is about JPY107 per USD1.

It has a laminated maple back and a solid maple rim.

**omphalopsychos** · 08-09-2019, 07:35 PM

Nice but the Slaman kills it.

**stevus** · 08-10-2019, 05:12 AM

The Westville Unity is a great guitar. A year ago I have seen the prototype the day before it went to Pat Metheny. He usually takes it with him on tour to practice in his hotel room. Whether a Slaman kills it, I don't know. I think this is difficult to conclude from a YouTube video and without a direct comparison. Also Mike Moreno liked the Unity a lot.

Indeed, prices went up recently because of a strong JPY. Now I would have payed for a Westville about 8 percent more than I did a year ago. These guitars are not cheap, but still great value, compared to many other similar high-end guitars.

There is also a new 17" model coming, looks like the Grande but with a thinner body, and designed with ideas from Lage Lund. He has this prototype now. I have only seen the pictures. It will be released end of this year.

**helios** · 08-10-2019, 05:06 PM

At $5376, the Westville Unity Isn't cheap, but a USA carved spruce top would be in the same ballpark. The Slaman does look & sound great! Thanks for the hands-on point of view regarding the Unity!

**pingu** · 08-10-2019, 08:16 PM

Is there a website for Archtop Tribute guitars ?
cant find it ....

**jads57** · 08-10-2019, 08:41 PM

Walkin Guitars Japan. Im confused, Pat Metheny was sent a Westville Unity Tribute model,by the maker?

**helios** · 08-10-2019, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by pingu

Is there a website for Archtop Tribute guitars ?
cant find it ....

WALKiN/Westville , A Japanese company, makes both the Westville and Archtop Tribute brands. Here is the Reverb Link: WALKiN' / Westville Guitars | Reverb
Forum member, Stevus, has been to the store in Tokyo. He would know more about the process. The Archtop Tribute guitars are featured on the Reverb site along with the Westville models, but the Archtop Tribute guitars don't appear on the Westville web-page.
Westville Guitars

**QAman** · 08-10-2019, 10:11 PM

Nice guitar - but stiff competition with many pedigree brands at that price point. Reminds me of the Fabonacci launch - .....a tough sale to knowledgable experienced Archtop buyers - especially when thinking about resale.

An exit strategy would certainly be a prudent consideration for those who cycle through guitars.

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**jads57** · 08-10-2019, 11:22 PM

The good news is, there are a lot of nice used Archtops available for sale nowadays !

**helios** · 08-11-2019, 12:24 AM

I agree-also the resale of a higher end MIJ guitar would be a consideration if the guitar didn't work out.

**stevus** · 08-11-2019, 04:47 AM

I guess it also depends on what kind of guitar you prefer. I can't handle bigger guitars anymore, so I was looking for a 15 inch archtop, with solid spruce top for a good acoustic sound. Then there is less choice, and used hard to find. I don't mind the resale value as I will never sell mine. It's that good. Even in Japan you won't see them in the used market.

**pingu** · 08-12-2019, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by helios

WALKiN/Westville , A Japanese company, makes both the Westville and Archtop Tribute brands. Here is the Reverb Link: WALKiN' / Westville Guitars | Reverb
Forum member, Stevus, has been to the store in Tokyo. He would know more about the process. The Archtop Tribute guitars are featured on the Reverb site along with the Westville models, but the Archtop Tribute guitars don't appear on the Westville web-page.
Westville Guitars

thanks for that info Helios