Bravo JP!! Regular musicians cannot afford the big guys anymore. I had to sell my OM-21 to help pay for recording an album and I'll never be able to buy another because of how stupid the prices have become. You have given all of us hope that quality materials, flawless craftsmanship and superb sound are within reach. The big boys seem to have forgotten who got 'em there.
I love your channel for what you do. I have been following different channels that review guitars for over 10 years. But this channel is definitely one of the best channels if you are looking for honest opinions about guitars. Obviously it has something to do with the fact that you are an awesome guitar player!!!
I bought a Gibson G 45 after testing the mexican Taylor and Martin, and I lover her. Great sound and playability and... pretty affordable for a US build. Can you review one of those in the future?
I'm no great player but have gigged for years. I have owned many guitars. Among them Martin, Takemine & Taylor. A couple of years ago, I wanted a cheap but good quality guitar that I could play in pub sessions and hand over to unknown persons without fear and hold my Taylor in reserve. I found a chinese made Framus Legacy, Solid Rosewood & Spruce Top with a Fishman Prefix T preamp. I purchased for a ridiculous €650 ($690) on Thomann. It was AWESOME! So much so, I sold my Taylor & kept it as my main guitar. I took it to my luthier, highly renowned & experienced with over 40 years in the business and he was simply blown away. You are 100% correct in everything you say. My next high end guitar will be made by the same luthier. I have just added the Recording King to my basket and have to wait 3-4 weeks before it is in stock. Thanks for the time and the review.
Hey JP update on my rd328 just had a professional set up and put tony rice monel strings medium gauge strings on it and man it woke up the adi top, great tone with no loss of volume and actually gained volume
The RD328 has been sold out for pretty much the whole pandemic, but 2 weeks ago Thomann posted a B-stock (return)! I ordered it right away, got it 5 days later, stringed it up with new 12's, took it to a jam and was blown away by how well it sounded, put up with much more expensive instruments, AND how well it cut through in the jam situation! These videos where VERY helpful! Thanks J.P.!
Thanks for this, JP. Last month I decided I wanted a small-body guitar, and I was torn between a Little Martin and a Recording King Single 0 parlor guitar. I ended up getting the Recording King, partly because it cost less than half as much as the Martin...but I love it, and this video makes me even more glad that I made the choice that I did. RK really does make great instruments for the price.
I am happy that i stumbled on to this video. I had actually never thought about all these factors that you mentioned. I wanted to own a Martin myself, i know very little about guitars. I seen a brand new Martin in the store yesterday that had really bad problems, i mean an actual check in the wood on the face. I thought then WTH? they still had it marked at over 2800.00. Led me to ask, what is going on with Martin. I certainly applaud Taylor for all their efforts of planting trees and using as much of the wood as possible. After watching this video though I will go back and check out the Recording Kings that i seen hanging there. Thanks for all your efforts, possibly saved me from making a horrible decision.
I agree with you j.p. all my bluegrass friends are playing Alvarez recording king Yamaha it's a ashame the big 3 are so well respected in the music industry and they take full advantage of it but guess what people are losing their respect for them too.
@@terminalergeistesklarer1182 I really doubt that the recording King is better Quality .. we need a shoot off between them in 6 months with the same strings... Alvarez does not make any low quality guitars for what you pay that I know of.
@@dangatton7138 About 5 years ago 2016 at a music store in Laguna Beach of all places (Hi rent district) a friend of mine for only $225 bought a 70s Alvarez Fox Hollow, Flame Maple Sides , Back and neck with solid spruce top...a dread just like Martin with the same shape headstock with diamond volute. The lady said it was rare and limited and she sold it that cheap! The sound, playability and low action rivals my 1991 USA Guild GF30 maple.
Excellent follow up video on the results and your philosophy value.... when you said "Decal", was expecting Bubbles, Randy and Julian to barge through the door.
Beautiful work in every respect, straighforward, no nonsence breakdown of how to make an amazing value guitar even more playable and sweet as a nut, rings like a bell. And on a larger note (no pun intended) you add something possitive and beautiful to peoples lives in doing so.
I went in a small music store a while back, they had 12-14 Martin D18’s and D28’s, I played most of them with the exception of the cherry wood ones, I noticed an Eastman D28 style guitar in a beautiful sunburst hanging on the wall, I got it and hit a G chord and my mouth dropped! It was the best guitar in the shop hands down, Adirondack top, forward shifted scalloped braces, solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, beautiful guitar. Around $1100 dollars! The fit and finish was immaculate.
Just ordered one of them. I don't think they're better than the D28, but they definitely can be used for all the same things, and I'm sure the Eastman shines in some areas the martin doesn't. It's just some warm tone in the mid range that I pick up from the martin vs the Eastman.
Checking out more of your videos and being entertained while learning. Your helping a lot of players that other wise would have spent money they didn't have on a logo rather than a great sounding more affordable acoustic. Thanks JP
Great perspective! Thanks! I get more comments about how beautiful my Yamaha FS-TA sounds than I do w my Martin 00015. Got the yamaha for $300 off craigslist and paid a luthier to install bone nut and saddle. It's fun to play and I take it everywhere without worry. I wanna try the recording king 11 series.
Did you have any issues with the Recording king Rd 328? Stores say they stopped selling bc of bridge issues and not holding up well? 😔 Leaning towards 1 though 😅
I didn't know which was which, but I liked the second better! The Recording King! Just a very minimal miniscule difference in sound. An awesome sound! Thank you for doing these videos...
You my friend are 100% correct. The prices the big three are demanding for their guitars are ridiculous. One of my guitars is Yamaha FG735S. I've had it 18 yrs. Its sounds amazing.
Here in Greece, I have the opportunity to test the RD-328 one... The other one is Epiphone Excellente Mssterbilt, which you have tested too.... Which one is better, no price comparison included.....?
You say the Alvarez you reviewed was laminate back and sides but it was a Masterworks Alvarez, was it not? They are solid wood construction according to Alvarez. Just wondering.
Great reviews on the Recording King sir. I just purchased a RD-328 myself and damn does it sing... My uncle owned a Martin D-28 that was made in the late '20's and I remember how the sound of that guitar enveloped the room when it was played. These Recording King guitars are built with the quality materials an craftsmanship that you'd expect from any of the top 3 for a fraction of the price... Another guitar that I purchased recently is my Lag Tramontane. It plays like an electric, the action and satin neck is so good for under $800!
Note the answer is in the description! They sounded similar (and good) to me. I guessed correctly because JP sounded slightly more comfortable on the 2nd one, like an old pair of shoes. (Other channels have blindfold tests and we learn to listen for non-tone indicators :) Thanks for the videos and amen for small, organic guitar builders!
Great comparison, and a cool video. If you REALLY want to see "bang for the buck", try this same taste test with the Recording King RD-T16. This is a mahogany laminate dread, with the torrified Addy top. New retail is $529.00. I paid $325 for mine pre-owned on Reverb. I'd be very interested to see you do the same comparison with that model of Recording King. Great work, subscribed!!
It’s because of you, JP, that I bought a recording king rd 328, to replace my old $500 Mexican made Martin custom x series dread., about 3 weeks ago now., it only took a few hours to get totally comfortable with the v shape neck profile, as I’d never played one before., this guitar is amazingly good!, love your channel, great content!
I'm torn between the Recording King Tonewood 000 and the Recording King 11 series 000 for a blues guitar. Anyone have any solid advice that's played them both? Thanks in advance
Am pleased I got it correct (am fortunate owner of 67 D16 in very rough shape but love it & got it yrs. ago through trades...& very fortunate also have a nice Santa Cruz that I knew little about when traded for it at a shop, except the rosewood was great & the Gibson I traded for it, though also R.W & great sounding J60, was bulky as heck with tiny neck). Have followed you for years (you are a true master of the craft) very much appreciate your comments & sharing on here. Best to you & yours, stay healthy & hope to see you in concert, down the road.
Good morning and congratulations for your videos. I'm just looking for accustic guitars with the type of sound like Martin. What model of the "Recording King" are you paying? Thank you for your comments.
What is the actual model number on that recording king I love it I had a recording king a few years ago I paid 800 for it and it was a fantastic guitar I would like to get another one just like the recording king u r playing on in this video
You are such a wonderful player. JP, you would sound great playing anything! As a question how did you get on With the R King alleged V shaped neck? Thanks Rod the K in London
So J.P.., which one was it ? Did I miss the answer ? I kind of thought the 2nd one was the most Martinesk of the two...but it was splitting hairs, I admit. I have an old Martin D 35 from the 1970's (and an old Guild D-25 also). Even though I was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pa (right outside of Nazareth), I still play it now and then. But, now a days, I mostly play the Taylors I have accumulated over the years. ( I don't flat pick acoustic much though; I mostly fingerpick.) Most of them are pre 2003 The newer Taylors...well...mostly... well they don't seem to do anything for me lately.. For the most part, I think I have been done buying new guitars since 2002.) Even so, we did buy a new 714 cedar in Bozeman, Montana in September. I don't have a rosewood/cedar, or any guitar with cedar, so it was a little different from the other guitars I have. But I agree with you 150%, the price of these guitars has gotten ridiculous. I refuse to pay more than about 3 grand for any guitar....if I spend that. And that is too much. But I guess at 67 and 72, my wife says we can't take it with us. So the cedar has been a nice diversion and has gotten me to play more lately, as streaming and the pandemic have chilled a lot of my enthusiasm for playing and performing out. So that's worth it....I guess. Ironically, it's in the shop right now having the action looked at because the high E has an annoying fret ping or buzz when I tune down to D for standard tuning. I can't sing most of my repertoire in E pitch any more these days. Haven't been able to for a good 10 to 15 years. I did try a different saddle, but not the nut yet. I guess I'll let the tech take a look at it first. And I went from light gauge to medium lights with a .013 swapped out for the .012 for the high E. Still pinged on the frets from the nut up to about the 6th fret. But only the high E string. I had to relax the neck a bit to sort of get rid of it, but then the action got harder. Frustrating. Glad we bought them when we bought them because they are all way too much now days. Like your videos...Keep it up.
GREAT video. Would LOVE to see a comparison between this Recording King and the Alvarez Masterworks MD70, which retails at $999. They both seem to be "Martin killers" at similar prices/builds.
I ended up here looking for a Recording King review and last night watched a bio on Gordan Lightfoot. Just found out who you are. No wonder I though you were a great player, Lol. Must be fate that got me here. Great music man!
Hey JP just found your channel and boy am I glad I did! Going through your vids now but I was wondering if you have played any blueridge guitars? I am debating on either the recording king or the blue ridge and would love to hear your opinion if you would suggest one over the other. Thanks!
Well said! I picked my guitar out based on the right material etc etc and saved a fortune and sounded and felt great compared! I have the Johnson version (same company as Recording King and name had to change) but I've had it for a while now and it needs something as it doesn't play like it used to.. as the wood ages what should I be doing to improve the feel and possibly the sound? Nut needs sorting as G string rattles. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Spot on man. Bring it. I had a Martin endorsement for a while. I love them. But as you said, they are terribly expensive. I have a bunch of Eastman’s now and a hand selected Martin 000-18.
Hello JP, I'm a fresh big fan of yours! Based on this video (and the further research) I committed to order my own RD-328... I am looking forward to to try it out in October when I should receive it. I'm very thankful for your channel and your insight into guitar world. Some guitar brands do not have to be THAT expensive as they are! Once again thank you very much!
@@Mkerecint8253 hi, yes I think so... first I was little disappointed too, but after some time and hours of playing it seems to get better. I think if the finish would be something better, maybe nitro-cellulose, then it would sound phenomenal.
JP - I bought a Recording King ROM-06 on Ebay some years back. It had gotten hurt, a fall-over damage/crack to neck extending down below the nut. Easy fix - can't tell you how many times people have mistaken it for a Martin not just because of cosmetics but because it is a beautiful sounding guitar. Of the several different brand guitars I have this is my #1.
What do you think about Seagull guitars? I recently purchased a Seagull S6 original, with wild cherry back and sides, and solid cedar top. Seems to be well made for the money (that’s all I can afford). Would love to get a Martin but way out of my price range. I have owned a couple of Martin D28’s.
BTW: What's the model name/number of that Recording King. Great sounding guitar. I'd love to see you review an Eastman e20 or e10 (rosewood or mahogany) guitar or two.
I just got a 318 love the tone but, mine, the high E string at the 12th fret is very close to the fret end which makes picking and hammer ons the Hi E kind of hit and miss because I fall off the fret end. I plan to look at the saddle and move it more to the center. It seems more Right justified when looking at the front. You can't see it in this video . Lots of fret space over the low E by the sound hole not much on the high E side. Must be a factory thing maybe the saddle jig slipped a bit.
I dreamed of owning a D-28 like the one my teacher had when I was 15. It took me 38 years of owning a $120 acoustic (Woody), a Strat (Brownie) Rickenbacker 360/6 (Blondie) I had the money and I was hell bent on buying that D-28. I didn't see anything else in the store. Tunnel vision. I was going to bring it to its new home. Were going to stay up all night and play every song and then some. Whoo Hoo......Then I saw the D-18 tried it and told them. Wrap it up. This one is mine.
Thanks for the video. First time Watching... I’m guessing you are in Canada? I have a Canadian made Norten guitar that I really like curious if you have played one of these?
I was blown away by this Recording King RD-342 I played the other day. Cannot believe how great the instrument sounds. Heading back to Guitar Center and pick that wonderful instrument up.
I got it right. The second guitar sounded to me more ... deep and warm and “round”, not just bright like the first one. So I picked the second one as the Martin
I got it right too, the second being the Martin. Because I thought the first one was the Recording King, because it sounded the best all around. Just like my Blueridge BR-160A.
I sittin' here listening to you just chucklin my head off......you are 100% spot on!! 100%
So the fella I watch building log cabins and keeping “ Bush radical” is watching JP the same as I am! That’s cool!😊
Bravo JP!! Regular musicians cannot afford the big guys anymore. I had to sell my OM-21 to help pay for recording an album and I'll never be able to buy another because of how stupid the prices have become. You have given all of us hope that quality materials, flawless craftsmanship and superb sound are within reach. The big boys seem to have forgotten who got 'em there.
Well said brother! I am glad these recording King guitars are out there. Truly incredible. The sound of the recording king is very impressive.
I love your channel for what you do. I have been following different channels that review guitars for over 10 years. But this channel is definitely one of the best channels if you are looking for honest opinions about guitars. Obviously it has something to do with the fact that you are an awesome guitar player!!!
Amen! Great points. I've got a Recording King rd-10 and never been happier with an acoustic guitar.
I bought a Gibson G 45 after testing the mexican Taylor and Martin, and I lover her. Great sound and playability and... pretty affordable for a US build. Can you review one of those in the future?
Will you be reviewing the RD-318 with the 30 year old spruce top?
I'm no great player but have gigged for years. I have owned many guitars. Among them Martin, Takemine & Taylor. A couple of years ago, I wanted a cheap but good quality guitar that I could play in pub sessions and hand over to unknown persons without fear and hold my Taylor in reserve. I found a chinese made Framus Legacy, Solid Rosewood & Spruce Top with a Fishman Prefix T preamp. I purchased for a ridiculous €650 ($690) on Thomann. It was AWESOME! So much so, I sold my Taylor & kept it as my main guitar. I took it to my luthier, highly renowned & experienced with over 40 years in the business and he was simply blown away. You are 100% correct in everything you say. My next high end guitar will be made by the same luthier. I have just added the Recording King to my basket and have to wait 3-4 weeks before it is in stock. Thanks for the time and the review.
Hey JP update on my rd328 just had a professional set up and put tony rice monel strings medium gauge strings on it and man it woke up the adi top, great tone with no loss of volume and actually gained volume
The RD328 has been sold out for pretty much the whole pandemic, but 2 weeks ago Thomann posted a B-stock (return)! I ordered it right away, got it 5 days later, stringed it up with new 12's, took it to a jam and was blown away by how well it sounded, put up with much more expensive instruments, AND how well it cut through in the jam situation! These videos where VERY helpful! Thanks J.P.!
Thanks for this, JP. Last month I decided I wanted a small-body guitar, and I was torn between a Little Martin and a Recording King Single 0 parlor guitar. I ended up getting the Recording King, partly because it cost less than half as much as the Martin...but I love it, and this video makes me even more glad that I made the choice that I did. RK really does make great instruments for the price.
And that's what matters. That YOU love it. 👏
Great advice, I am playing Recording King by myself. Brilliant guitars at a reasonable price!
I am happy that i stumbled on to this video. I had actually never thought about all these factors that you mentioned. I wanted to own a Martin myself, i know very little about guitars. I seen a brand new Martin in the store yesterday that had really bad problems, i mean an actual check in the wood on the face. I thought then WTH? they still had it marked at over 2800.00. Led me to ask, what is going on with Martin. I certainly applaud Taylor for all their efforts of planting trees and using as much of the wood as possible. After watching this video though I will go back and check out the Recording Kings that i seen hanging there. Thanks for all your efforts, possibly saved me from making a horrible decision.
I agree with you j.p. all my bluegrass friends are playing Alvarez recording king Yamaha it's a ashame the big 3 are so well respected in the music industry and they take full advantage of it but guess what people are losing their respect for them too.
Wow man your a great player I love your playing and tone. Thank you sir!!!
Which do you like better? Alvarez MD60BG or this Recording King?
Recording King - better quality
@@terminalergeistesklarer1182 I really doubt that the recording King is better Quality .. we need a shoot off between them in 6 months with the same strings... Alvarez does not make any low quality guitars for what you pay that I know of.
@@dangatton7138 About 5 years ago 2016 at a music store in Laguna Beach of all places (Hi rent district) a friend of mine for only $225 bought a 70s Alvarez Fox Hollow, Flame Maple Sides , Back and neck with solid spruce top...a dread just like Martin with the same shape headstock with diamond volute. The lady said it was rare and limited and she sold it that cheap! The sound, playability and low action rivals my 1991 USA Guild GF30 maple.
Awesome sir! Amazing comparison
Excellent follow up video on the results and your philosophy value.... when you said "Decal", was expecting Bubbles, Randy and Julian to barge through the door.
Beautiful work in every respect, straighforward, no nonsence breakdown of how to make an amazing value guitar even more playable and sweet as a nut, rings like a bell. And on a larger note (no pun intended) you add something possitive and beautiful to peoples lives in doing so.
Hey J.P. , Thanks a lot for this series!
Which one would you pick between the Alvarez MD60 and this Recording King? Many thanks!
I went in a small music store a while back, they had 12-14 Martin D18’s and D28’s, I played most of them with the exception of the cherry wood ones, I noticed an Eastman D28 style guitar in a beautiful sunburst hanging on the wall, I got it and hit a G chord and my mouth dropped! It was the best guitar in the shop hands down, Adirondack top, forward shifted scalloped braces, solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, beautiful guitar. Around $1100 dollars! The fit and finish was immaculate.
What’s the model of it?
E20d?
I just got an Eastman OM style and love it.
Eastman makes stellar guitars...electrics and acoustics alike
Just ordered one of them. I don't think they're better than the D28, but they definitely can be used for all the same things, and I'm sure the Eastman shines in some areas the martin doesn't. It's just some warm tone in the mid range that I pick up from the martin vs the Eastman.
Good comparison keep it up!
Great video. My feelings exactly. Thank you. And you are quite a player!! Happy Holidays :)
What GREAT info J.P.! It`s makes a lot of sense to listen to someone who is honest and says it like it is!!!!
Checking out more of your videos and being entertained while learning. Your helping a lot of players that other wise would have spent money they didn't have on a logo rather than a great sounding more affordable acoustic. Thanks JP
You're an absolute savage on those guitars!!!!
Great perspective! Thanks! I get more comments about how beautiful my Yamaha FS-TA sounds than I do w my Martin 00015. Got the yamaha for $300 off craigslist and paid a luthier to install bone nut and saddle. It's fun to play and I take it everywhere without worry. I wanna try the recording king 11 series.
Id love to hear your thoughts on Eastman guitars. I think I can guess, but I'd still love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for what you do!
Did you have any issues with the Recording king Rd 328?
Stores say they stopped selling bc of bridge issues and not holding up well? 😔 Leaning towards 1 though 😅
I didn't know which was which, but I liked the second better! The Recording King! Just a very minimal miniscule difference in sound. An awesome sound! Thank you for doing these videos...
Lovely sound, great playin' bro!
You my friend are 100% correct. The prices the big three are demanding for their guitars are ridiculous. One of my guitars is Yamaha FG735S. I've had it 18 yrs. Its sounds amazing.
Excellent recommendation 😊
Here in Greece, I have the opportunity to test the RD-328 one...
The other one is Epiphone Excellente Mssterbilt, which you have tested too....
Which one is better, no price comparison included.....?
You say the Alvarez you reviewed was laminate back and sides but it was a Masterworks Alvarez, was it not? They are solid wood construction according to Alvarez. Just wondering.
Great video. You just got yourself another subscriber.
I don’t just like this channel, I love it!
I love you dude.......what a great video.....you ain't lying brother....my best to you sir!!
How about doing Rk 318 vs Alvarez md60bg?
Great reviews on the Recording King sir. I just purchased a RD-328 myself and damn does it sing... My uncle owned a Martin D-28 that was made in the late '20's and I remember how the sound of that guitar enveloped the room when it was played. These Recording King guitars are built with the quality materials an craftsmanship that you'd expect from any of the top 3 for a fraction of the price... Another guitar that I purchased recently is my Lag Tramontane. It plays like an electric, the action and satin neck is so good for under $800!
Note the answer is in the description! They sounded similar (and good) to me. I guessed correctly because JP sounded slightly more comfortable on the 2nd one, like an old pair of shoes. (Other channels have blindfold tests and we learn to listen for non-tone indicators :) Thanks for the videos and amen for small, organic guitar builders!
They sounder very different to me! I knew right away that the Martin was played after the RK.
Laravee make nice Guitars too. Do you know of anything close to a N-20 Trigger Like at resonable price? I see they sell a new Prismatone pickup now.
Great comparison, and a cool video. If you REALLY want to see "bang for the buck", try this same taste test with the Recording King RD-T16. This is a mahogany laminate dread, with the torrified Addy top. New retail is $529.00. I paid $325 for mine pre-owned on Reverb. I'd be very interested to see you do the same comparison with that model of Recording King. Great work, subscribed!!
I am going to purchase the MD-328 now that I watched your video. Great video.
JP, do you have any insight on the new 12 Fret 000 Recording King Koa guitar?
It’s because of you, JP, that I bought a recording king rd 328, to replace my old $500 Mexican made Martin custom x series dread., about 3 weeks ago now., it only took a few hours to get totally comfortable with the v shape neck profile, as I’d never played one before., this guitar is amazingly good!, love your channel, great content!
Have you ever done a comparison of a blue ridge?
Which guitar to choose Recording King RD-318 / RD-328 or Epiphone Masterbilt Texan?
Great points JP Enjoy your Picking
How do you like the RD228 compared to the Alvarez MD60BG?
Thank you for this excellent video, your reflections, and for making the point so clearly.
I'm torn between the Recording King Tonewood 000 and the Recording King 11 series 000 for a blues guitar. Anyone have any solid advice that's played them both? Thanks in advance
Hi JP! One question brother, how has the RD 328 held up over time? I’m thinking about getting one. Thanks for your reply!
Your thoughts on the Alvarez you compared with the martin vs Recording king RD 328? Which would you recommend?
Have you played one of the Orangewood guitars?
Nice picking!! Does anyone know if this is a nitro finish or poly?
I have a question, what difference is there between the LL56 and LL86 ? The 86 is near 3 times the money ! I'm south of you in Maine
Awesome playing I don’t know what fiddle tune was that you played when you picked up the recording king but it was great thank you
Great vid !
Between the Epiphones you showed and the recording king? will you get the Epiphone J200? Thank you incredible playing AAAAAAAAAA
Am pleased I got it correct (am fortunate owner of 67 D16 in very rough shape but love it & got it yrs. ago through trades...& very fortunate also have a nice Santa Cruz that I knew little about when traded for it at a shop, except the rosewood was great & the Gibson I traded for it, though also R.W & great sounding J60, was bulky as heck with tiny neck). Have followed you for years (you are a true master of the craft) very much appreciate your comments & sharing on here. Best to you & yours, stay healthy & hope to see you in concert, down the road.
Good morning and congratulations for your videos. I'm just looking for accustic guitars with the type of sound like Martin. What model of the "Recording King" are you paying? Thank you for your comments.
What is the actual model number on that recording king I love it I had a recording king a few years ago I paid 800 for it and it was a fantastic guitar I would like to get another one just like the recording king u r playing on in this video
You are such a wonderful player. JP, you would sound great playing anything! As a question how did you get on
With the R King alleged V shaped neck? Thanks Rod the K in London
Please review a Furch Vintage Dread, would love your thoughts!
So J.P.., which one was it ? Did I miss the answer ?
I kind of thought the 2nd one was the most Martinesk of the two...but it was splitting hairs, I admit. I have an old Martin D 35 from the 1970's (and an old Guild D-25 also). Even though I was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pa (right outside of Nazareth), I still play it now and then. But, now a days, I mostly play the Taylors I have accumulated over the years. ( I don't flat pick acoustic much though; I mostly fingerpick.) Most of them are pre 2003 The newer Taylors...well...mostly... well they don't seem to do anything for me lately.. For the most part, I think I have been done buying new guitars since 2002.)
Even so, we did buy a new 714 cedar in Bozeman, Montana in September. I don't have a rosewood/cedar, or any guitar with cedar, so it was a little different from the other guitars I have.
But I agree with you 150%, the price of these guitars has gotten ridiculous. I refuse to pay more than about 3 grand for any guitar....if I spend that. And that is too much.
But I guess at 67 and 72, my wife says we can't take it with us. So the cedar has been a nice diversion and has gotten me to play more lately, as streaming and the pandemic have chilled a lot of my enthusiasm for playing and performing out. So that's worth it....I guess.
Ironically, it's in the shop right now having the action looked at because the high E has an annoying fret ping or buzz when I tune down to D for standard tuning. I can't sing most of my repertoire in E pitch any more these days. Haven't been able to for a good 10 to 15 years. I did try a different saddle, but not the nut yet. I guess I'll let the tech take a look at it first. And I went from light gauge to medium lights with a .013 swapped out for the .012 for the high E. Still pinged on the frets from the nut up to about the 6th fret. But only the high E string. I had to relax the neck a bit to sort of get rid of it, but then the action got harder. Frustrating.
Glad we bought them when we bought them because they are all way too much now days.
Like your videos...Keep it up.
Oh, I wanted to tell you that you kind of remind me of John Renbourn. He was a great player too. Miss him.
Just curious to know what guitar you think sounds and plays better between the Alvarez MD60BG and the Recording king RD-328? Thanks.
GREAT video. Would LOVE to see a comparison between this Recording King and the Alvarez Masterworks MD70, which retails at $999. They both seem to be "Martin killers" at similar prices/builds.
I ended up here looking for a Recording King review and last night watched a bio on Gordan Lightfoot. Just found out who you are. No wonder I though you were a great player, Lol. Must be fate that got me here. Great music man!
My 000-328 has opend up within a week too,crazy much. Sanded down the saddle just now and now its even better.
Hi Sir, nice video. By the way, could you tell me which pick you use to play acoustic steel guitars?
Hey JP just found your channel and boy am I glad I did! Going through your vids now but I was wondering if you have played any blueridge guitars? I am debating on either the recording king or the blue ridge and would love to hear your opinion if you would suggest one over the other. Thanks!
Well said! I picked my guitar out based on the right material etc etc and saved a fortune and sounded and felt great compared! I have the Johnson version (same company as Recording King and name had to change) but I've had it for a while now and it needs something as it doesn't play like it used to.. as the wood ages what should I be doing to improve the feel and possibly the sound? Nut needs sorting as G string rattles. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Spot on man. Bring it. I had a Martin endorsement for a while. I love them. But as you said, they are terribly expensive. I have a bunch of Eastman’s now and a hand selected Martin 000-18.
Hello JP, I'm a fresh big fan of yours! Based on this video (and the further research) I committed to order my own RD-328... I am looking forward to to try it out in October when I should receive it. I'm very thankful for your channel and your insight into guitar world. Some guitar brands do not have to be THAT expensive as they are! Once again thank you very much!
well, what do you think of it now?
I am also wondering what you think after a year too? Has it ‘opened up’? I just bought one and it is very ‘tinny’ sounding, but I like the volume!
@@Mkerecint8253 hi, yes I think so... first I was little disappointed too, but after some time and hours of playing it seems to get better. I think if the finish would be something better, maybe nitro-cellulose, then it would sound phenomenal.
@@karffiolWhat about now? Do you still have it and has it opened up more in sound?
Yes I think so, people who play it first time always say it sounds so great, I totally recommend one ;)@@sunnyray7819
Bryan Galloup builds the best guitars. He also has a world renown luthier school in Big Rapids Michigan. J.P, could you somehow review one?
Can we get a follow up review ? That would be great!
Hi John,
Have you done any reviews on Blueridge guitars? Tom
I would like for you if you can test the TZ 5 by Taylor iam thinking of buying one would really would like your opinion on it thanks Bobby!!!!!!
Thanks so much! Saw a RK on reverb, had never heard of them before. I definitely am buying it to try.
Have you ever played a Northwood guitar? I own one and would be interested in your opinion. I own a mini jumbo and have really loved it. Sirwayeno
I got it right! It was a total guess though. I actually liked the sound of the RK better. Guess that means I gotta get me one!
whats the difference between a RO and a RD? 328? Seems the RO is Mahogany and RD is Rosewood
Can anybody confirm which model a recording King this is please?
What is the model number of the Recording King? Awesome video thanks for sharing.
Great to hear that! Greetings from Norway 🇧🇻
Have you done any Blueridge. ?
JP - I bought a Recording King ROM-06 on Ebay some years back. It had gotten hurt, a fall-over damage/crack to neck extending down below the nut. Easy fix - can't tell you how many times people have mistaken it for a Martin not just because of cosmetics but because it is a beautiful sounding guitar. Of the several different brand guitars I have this is my #1.
What do you think about Seagull guitars? I recently purchased a Seagull S6 original, with wild cherry back and sides, and solid cedar top. Seems to be well made for the money (that’s all I can afford). Would love to get a Martin but way out of my price range. I have owned a couple of Martin D28’s.
BTW: What's the model name/number of that Recording King. Great sounding guitar. I'd love to see you review an Eastman e20 or e10 (rosewood or mahogany) guitar or two.
thoughts between yamaha ll16m and the alvarez md60bg
Yamaha will always be better mass produced instruments than anything else.
sir...are you in Canada ??
I just got a 318 love the tone but, mine, the high E string at the 12th fret is very close to the fret end which makes picking and hammer ons the Hi E kind of hit and miss because I fall off the fret end. I plan to look at the saddle and move it more to the center. It seems more Right justified when looking at the front. You can't see it in this video . Lots of fret space over the low E by the sound hole not much on the high E side. Must be a factory thing maybe the saddle jig slipped a bit.
Thinking of getting one of these. How do you find playing it after one year?
I dreamed of owning a D-28 like the one my teacher had when I was 15. It took me 38 years of owning a $120 acoustic (Woody), a Strat (Brownie) Rickenbacker 360/6 (Blondie) I had the money and I was hell bent on buying that D-28. I didn't see anything else in the store. Tunnel vision. I was going to bring it to its new home. Were going to stay up all night and play every song and then some. Whoo Hoo......Then I saw the D-18 tried it and told them. Wrap it up. This one is mine.
What model is the recording king? Thanks
Thanks for the video. First time Watching... I’m guessing you are in Canada? I have a Canadian made Norten guitar that I really like curious if you have played one of these?
I was blown away by this Recording King RD-342 I played the other day. Cannot believe how great the instrument sounds. Heading back to Guitar Center and pick that wonderful instrument up.
I got it right. The second guitar sounded to me more ... deep and warm and “round”, not just bright like the first one. So I picked the second one as the Martin
I got it right too, the second being the Martin. Because I thought the first one was the Recording King, because it sounded the best all around. Just like my Blueridge BR-160A.
You got me to buy a RK single 0 and am not disappointed. I’m an Eastman fan and have an E6D for a dread. Your playing is off the chart.
JP , thanks for this video. It’s just made me want an RK even more. Do you where to get em in Nova Scotia? Closest I’ve found is a place in Quebec?
G and g music in Antigonish and citadel music in halifax