Westville guitars

[llazarides]

Anyone have any experience with this Japanese builder? Kurt Rosenwinkel's been endorsing them and switches between his prototype signature and Moffa semihollow these days. I know there has been discussion of these guitars in threads before, but figured it would be worth starting a dedicated thread; especially since they just recently released a new website and seem to be gaining ground in terms of developing a variety of lines and available stock.

I'm interested in the Water S Ply semihollow in particular.

Water S-Ply ? Westville Guitars

[Woody Sound]

Is it hollow? Semi? At first I thought it is strung from that tailpiece, but now I see that the strings go in through the back of the body. Interesting.

[llazarides]

It's kinda buried in the specs, but there's a line that says it has a mahogany center block. So yeah, probably a string thru design

[Top of the Arch!]

Walkin is a great place to buy from too! Bob

[neatomic]

that's a very unusual design..a semi hollow with a string thru design...i'd think that would need a fairly substantial center block..wonder how heavy they are?

nice line of guitars though..the full hollow archtops are nice too

cheers

ps- this bridge design on their solar model, is also a wild idea for a solid spruce top!!...

[sgcim]

The fact that this guy had something to do with Sakashta is interesting. His prices seem reasonable; too bad there's nowhere you could check these out in the US.

[neatomic]

The fact that this guy had something to do with Sakashta is interesting. His prices seem reasonable; too bad there's nowhere you could check these out in the US.

good observation!..obviously heavily influenced...here's an original sakashta...has string through of water series and lower bout cut of solar..



cheers

[travisty]

I have tinkled around on a few of them at the walkin shop (floor below the archtops). I don't actually know where they are built (could be Terada) and I don't know if anyone other than walkin' sells them. The semihollows are really nice looking and well-made guitars, and they sound great too. They do exactly what they look like they should do (from specs, quality, sound, etc perspective). They are easily a rank or two higher in quality and artisanship from the Archtop Tribute model, but they have some originality to them to the concept. They are well-made gitfiddles. And sound nice. And I like the walkin' guys in general.

[carlescountry]

Westville guitars belongs to the owner of Walking. He is also responsible for Archtop Tribute. I have an AT-175 and is an extraordinary guitar. The AT has a great reputation in Japan.

As the owner of Westville, he can check the quality and it also makes the setup (really I do not know where is the factory where they are built).

The relationship with Kurt Rosenwinkel coming years. And finally, they decided to make a signature guitar for him.

[maggles55]

Westville has an ad in the new Downbeat...so perhaps this means they will be distributed in the US soon.

[neatomic]

cool!! i could see the archtop tribute series having trouble if imported stateside, but these westvilles are unique designs...

still wouldn't mind a blonde at-175 classic tho..oh jim hall

cheers

[sgcim]

I have tinkled around on a few of them at the walkin shop (floor below the archtops). I don't actually know where they are built (could be Terada) and I don't know if anyone other than walkin' sells them. The semihollows are really nice looking and well-made guitars, and they sound great too. They do exactly what they look like they should do (from specs, quality, sound, etc perspective). They are easily a rank or two higher in quality and artisanship from the Archtop Tribute model, but they have some originality to them to the concept. They are well-made gitfiddles. And sound nice. And I like the walkin' guys in general.

Who or what is Walkin? Where is the shop located (and don't tell me Japan)?

[neatomic]

you bet they are...

http://www.walkin.co.jp

sayonara

er,


cheers

[sgcim]

you bet they are...

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sayonara

er,


cheers

I asked you not to tell me that...

[neatomic]

"would you believe... panama?"



cheers

[Archie]

I have tinkled around on a few of them at the walkin shop (floor below the archtops). I don't actually know where they are built (could be Terada) and I don't know if anyone other than walkin' sells them. The semihollows are really nice looking and well-made guitars, and they sound great too. They do exactly what they look like they should do (from specs, quality, sound, etc perspective). They are easily a rank or two higher in quality and artisanship from the Archtop Tribute model, but they have some originality to them to the concept. They are well-made gitfiddles. And sound nice. And I like the walkin' guys in general.

From what I can tell, the 'Tribute' series aren't copying high end guitars, most are ES models from the 50's.
In that regard I wouldn't expect the quality to be comparable, although I think thats what you were touching on.

not defending any one brand, just making the destination for what it's worth, which isn't much..

I'll get my coat

[llazarides]

Aside from more readily available Westville guitars in the states, is it possible we'll see a price reduction in their guitars here in the states as well? They seem to be pretty open to shipping the guitars overseas and I'm really tempted to get one, but I'd be pretty sad if I took the plunge now and a few months later the same one is made available here at a lower price

[llazarides]

Found some cool videos of two Japanese cats killing it. Yoshimi Murayama and Baba Takayoshi. Westville M-ply in action

[whiskey02]

[llazarides]

I have tinkled around on a few of them at the walkin shop (floor below the archtops). I don't actually know where they are built (could be Terada) and I don't know if anyone other than walkin' sells them. The semihollows are really nice looking and well-made guitars, and they sound great too. They do exactly what they look like they should do (from specs, quality, sound, etc perspective). They are easily a rank or two higher in quality and artisanship from the Archtop Tribute model, but they have some originality to them to the concept. They are well-made gitfiddles. And sound nice. And I like the walkin' guys in general.

Could you speak at all to the acoustic properties of the semi hollows? Do you remember specifically which semi models you tried? Carved or ply top? Especially curious about the center block design. Typical solid block through the center? Or is it chambered? etc. There are lots of clips of Japanese cats playing these models but would still love a firsthand opinion if possible.

I'm **considering** selling my SS-15 to maybe fund the purchase of the Water. Love the SS-15 but I tend to gravitate more towards my Comins GCS. I don't know if it has more to do with preference for a semi or the fact that I'm not used to the 1 3/4" nut of the Sadowsky.

[Jabberwocky]

280008

Looks like a Roger Borys Jimmy Wyble Model.

[steinny]

Bumping this to see if anyone has tried one ... they seem to be selling well.

[Hammertone]

Lyndon B. Johnson endorsed Suntory?? Wow, who knew….

[mhespelt]

Hello all,

I am very interesting in purchasing one of the Vanguard Rosenwinkel signature models. However, I don't feel comfortabel spending that amount of money before trying one out. I can't seem to find many people who own them or any guitar shops that sell them regularly. I was wondering if anybody owns one I could try out or knows of a store/boutique where I could also try one. I am currently living in the Boston area but frequently travel back forth to NYC and New Jersey.

Many Thanks!!!

[Greentone]

Murayama and Takayoshi play with great sensitivity. Takayoshi's Westville sounds splendid.