Jazz guitarist Bruce Forman stopped by the FJ to discuss his cherished 1946 Gibson ES-350, formerly owned by his mentor, Barney Kessel. The history of this guitar – and how Forman obtained it – was documented in the Fretboard Journal’s 50th issue.

The ES-350 sports plenty of wear and customization from Kessel’s constant use and gigging. “Where most of us guitar players are like Amelda Marcus with shoes,” Forman says, “Barney was very monogamous.”