According to Kim's site, you do NOT get to lock in the price when you order the guitar; the price is set when he starts building it. So, if it sells for substantially over the original cost then it's the immediate gratification factor and/or simply what the market will bear (kinda like buying a new Ferrari substantially over sticker). As noted, time will tell.

Kinda makes ya wonder how it is the 45OM Blazer sat at Mass Street for a year at a mere 15K, then sold to yet another European taking advantage of the diving dollar. I've had two offers on the Alien, both from Old Europe, and both of which I've declined. A seven year wait? Can you bequeath it? More than 25K? No guitar, other than vintage with long established, persistent value, is worth that much money. That's almost four X what I paid for the Alien. Is it better? Maybe. I doubt it. A lot. A whole lot. But to those of you with a spare 25 simoleons rattling around the estate, more power to you. Enjoy. tom

I'm with Tom on this one. 25K and I'm going pre-war Martin. There's some sweet 00-21s that go for substantially less. I've played some pre-wars that still keep me up at night. They have held up pretty good on the market as well.

Thanks Mike, I had just heard that it was used on another forum. That's sad. That was a hell of an OM.

As mentioned, John Thomas and two other players went down to Kim's and played my L-00 and Tom's OM. (I had got to know him through Larson interest). They split on which they liked best. John Thomas is an L-00 mad man and loved my guitar, which has midrange projection beyond what would be expected from a 00. The OM was said to be outstanding. I'm thinking that it will sell when someone with the cash plays it. Mike has a well off client base.

There was an SJ of Kims with identical appointments as mine that sold at Mandolin Bros. for $23K a few months ago. That was new. Kim controls that price.

Re the cost. No justification required. For someone who will never be able to afford a $1000 guitar, Collings guitars are out of reach.

Better guitar. It feels wonderful in my hands. Has a really warm comforting tone. I think it is a better guitar than my Collings, but it better be for that money. Some people might differ. But I'm enjoying the experience and will no doubt sell it one day and make a reasonable recovery. Say it cost me $5K to play for 5 years. Sounds like a deal to me.

Likely I would not buy another guitar as expensive, however. You have to have the money to burn, no question. There's no doubt there's a lot of bang for the buck in a borges or even a Sobell, though I'm sure he's getting expensive - $12K last time I checked.

Don't forget the last person who locked in a price was 7 years ago and his guitar was received 3 months ago. Now all Kim's guitars are at open market prices.

And I ain't dinged it yet!

PS. I'm having a ball with my Collings. Dropped the action, it's so low. Sounds like a dream with the Cappo on in DADGAD or CGCGCD. Wonderfully easy to play with low action. Amazing value for money.

Jaco, you can get a prewar 0021 at a good price still. Would you rather have one of those over a Borges. Sometimes its a tough choice. But you only live once. Besides, you could have bought a nice martin for what you paid for the Franklin too. These are tough decisions my friend.

best,

Stuart

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stuart,

That Walker OM-42 is as fine a guitar as I've ever encountered. Sadly, the original buyer has a serious illness in his family and has been raising cash to aid in his search for treatment. Please wish him and his family well.

That Walker has sold. Alas, it was not I who bought it.

It was bought today by a good friend of mine in Romania after he and I had a lengthy conversation about the instrument... and Walkers in general, and he's hoping to have it in his hands by the middle of August. I can't wait to get his review of it.

I'm glad it found a home Mike.

Let us know how the review goes.

best,

Stuart

Hello everybody !

First of all congratulations to Stuart for the new Kim Walker in the house !

I'm the guy who bought the shade top OM-42, which should be here in ten days or so. I stumbled on this thread/forum by googling Walker guitars (I registered early july, but did not post yet).... the anticipation is mounting for this guitar's arrival and was just checking discussions about Kim's work over the net.

It will be my first Walker and I made the effort after reports on it being a very fine one. OM is my favorite guitar size, I have been looking for a Walker guitar for quite a few years now and did not want to miss this opportunity (I am also partial to shade tops....).

Thanks again to MikeD and John T. in their recurrent role of guitar enablers.....

I will report on arrival,

best,

Dario

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dario57,

Hey Dario,

So glad you were able to pick up that OM. Have heard nothing but excellent reviews on that guitar. Truely a stand out.

Kim's guitars are very very inpiring instruments. The tone and depth of the base notes are truely remarkable.

Just got back from a week up north. Played five hours a day. Relaxed. Ate well. Lots of guitar. Took the Walker and the Collings. The Walker is actually better now than three months ago. I feel very priviledged to own this guitar.

I'm sure you will be nervous about the shipping. I look forward to your reviews!

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

thanks for your message. Hey, your last week seems the perfect one, with a lot of playing time, relax and good food !

I'm certainly looking forward to this guitar, I have played two Walkers so far (both wonderful instruments, a brazilian and a maple SJ), but this will be the first OM.

Shipping is kind of a thrill for such a long journey, have always used FedEx Internat'l Priority and is working fine.

Will keep you posted,

best,

Dario

Hi All,

I have reported this on another forum, but I will do it here as well.

As I already mentioned I have been looking for a Walker guitar for a few years now, originally with an SJ in mind (played the maple and brazilian ones that John Thomas and Tim Porter have, both amazing), but eventually went back to the idea of an Orchestra Model, my favorite size, and when all reports of friends who played this guitar were highly positive I decided not to miss it.

It arrived last thursday and after extensive playing time over the week end I can only say this guitar is just wonderful. Not only perfect fit, finish, playability and beautiful to look at, it has a personality in its voice and tone that makes it one of the best new guitars I had the opportunity to play. I am also partial to shade tops and the amberburst that Kim makes is gorgeous. Brazilian rosewood and european spruce is a great combination for my ears, nut and bridge spacing are very comfortable, like the neck profile.

The guitar has an incredible bass for an OM size guitar, but it is not out of balance with the robust and warm mids and trebles, so that they all blend together in a perfect way. The clarity and separation are remarkable for a new guitar and the sound has not that metallic edge that many new instruments retain. Overtones and sustain are all there, but in a "controlled" way, so that the sound of wood is not overpowered by the sound of the strings. It is responsive and articulate, loud without giving up clarity, as already said. It is somehow in the middle between a strictly traditional tone and a contemporary one. I find it a very, very impressive guitar and can only imagine how it will develop and mature with playing and aging in a few years.

On an earlier Walker thread John Greven described Kim's instruments with words that I strongly agree with and I take the opportunity to quote him again herebelow :

"Kim Walker is one of the few builders today who can tweak modern materials in in such a way as to evoke the tone and power of the best of the vintage guitars and yet create a "modern" tonality at the same time. Sort of the best of both worlds. His guitars are both lovely and absolutely dedicated to function. They look stunning and speak/sing with authority. Great work".

best,
Dario

Congratulations Dario; certainly one of the finest guitars I've had the very good fortune of seeing at Kim's shop.