Good news! The Martin will always be worth more than the RK, even though the RK sounds better than the Martin because the Martin was made in the good old USA! If you are a collector you'll get the Martin. If you're a guitar player on a budget, the RK is what you'll choose. No losers here, only winners! BTY, I love both my Alvarez Laureate LD70 and my RK RD-318. Remember, your playing skill is more important than the cost of the guitar you're playing! Thank you for the comparison.
Curious which you prefer as you own the two best well priced non- Martin D28 alternatives out today. Alvarez to me has a lot of warmth but muddier and less balanced than the RK. At least on video.
I have to tell you, that's probably one of the best guitar comparisons I've seen. You showcased them both exceptionally well. I have to agree with you the RK is genuinely a great copy of the Martin. Nothing against Martin's pricing, but it makes you think, why is the Martin so expensive if the quality of the RK is so close.
Very nice demo and even with UA-cam's compression, I can hear the difference. But the Recording King is a great deal for what it costs. I have one too and have made several videos on mine. I just purchased an early 2000s Martin HD-28V and an looking forward to comparing the 2. Again, great video.
My heart tells me I should save up for a Martin. My brain says I have more important things to spend money on and these Recording Kings look and sound seriously good.
My wife bought me a D-35, 24 years ago. It's a pretty nice guitar.😎 But I've been wanting a 000 or OM 28 or even an OM21 lately. But I've been looking at the Eastman e20OM due to more guitar desire than excess cash. Haven't seen the RK in that class yet but I'm still on the hunt. Your RK vid was a nice comparison. Thanks for sharing with us.
Well done. I would love a Martin but it's not in my budget. Really glad to have my RK RD-342 Tonewood Reserve Elite. Less than 1300 USD with HSC. The Martin D-42 is 7,399 USD on Sweetwater's website. Some guitars are just out of reach. I also have a RO 318 which I play daily. Great sound and sustain. Honestly, I don't know if it's the strings like others have commented but the RK has a nicer sound, less muddled. Thanks for the great video and excellent playing.
Awesome playing! I have the mahogany back and sides version (RD-318, D-18 copy) and it is a wicked playing and sounding guitar for the money. It's super loud and you can feel it vibrate in your chest and on the floor lol!
The Recording King stacks up very well. Thought the Martin should totally blow it away- it doesn't. I have owned a vintage Martin, so I appreciate that Martin sound. Amazed at how good the RK sounded.
In our money , I'd hate to know what you had to fork out for your '58 . That bring said , I have grown to really appreciate the new generation of sound that acoustic guitars are starting to put out in the last 10 years in production . However , if I could afford any ..... It would be a Boucher Studio Goose hands down . As far as your fantastic video is concerned ...... I keep watching for one of these RK martin copies , but no one who has one is selling . I tried a new triple O ( RO 318 ) .... it was ok but I want the Dreadnaught sound . Would love to test drive a RD328 and the RD 342 !
Yes I was very lucky to get that d28. I got it very cheap but had to get it restored. I'm with you on that one I've always wanted to try an RD-342. Watch the channel if I ever get one that is for sale I'll be sure to post. Thanks for your input and sub 🙏
i am a collector and restorer, have a few martins including vintage, as well as an RD328 and an RD342. These Recording Kings are beyond exceptional bang for your buck...yes you have to be careful as quality issues were present in the 342's in first runs, but I was patient and returned the first 342 and got another one built in feb 2024. even out of the box new they are incredible guitars. so this 1500.00 RD342 can hold its own going against either my 7k martin or 12k martin. yes the martin sounds better, the 50+ years of playing on the martins surely helps them, but the difference in price between the martin and RK makes the decision very very easy...buy the RD328 or RD342
I have mediums on my 328 and it sounds huge. I don't like the finish though, it is a bit cloudy and they put too much stain on it. Great guitar, well worth the money
The Martin has the advantage of about 75 more years of aging. A better comparison would be a newer D28 and the Recording King. The fact that it comes anywhere close to the vintage Martin D28 is mind blowing.
Yes, it's a killer guitar for the money. The recording king had coated strings I do believe. I love the sound of dead strings I don't usually replace them until the intonation goes. Appreciate the input hope to hear from you again 🙏
Yours is obviously the better guitar, but the RD328 is definitely comparable. For the money, it punches way above it’s weight. The Recording King is a wonderful guitar! The Martin is so resonant and balanced across the tonal spectrum.
No it isn't... He has a very old, very broken in Brazilian rosewood Martin! I was just playing them in the shop today... The new ones don't sound nearly as good! Close not even close! Martin is not that impressive lately... AC 28th is a factory guitar these days! Not even very much discretion given to the particular tone woods.... They go through so many. If you want to pay thousands, Go to a small builder! Some of those compare really favorably to classic fully opened handbuilt guitars
To be fair your Not only does your guitar have Brazilian rosewood but it's really, really old and broken in! A really good question might be how would it compare to a brand new Martin HD 28. Probably very favorably
Anyone: How does the Recording King compare to the Alvarez MD60BG bluegrass dreadnaught? --Specifically the neck profile. (I prefer the vintage V- shape). I know that Recording king has the narrower at the nut 1 and 11/16ths as compared to Alvarez's 1 and 3/4.
I've owned that Alvarez MD60BG that is a great guitar. I found the Alvarez more comfortable. I wish I still had it I'd do a comparison. Thanks for the input and sub 🙏
RK seems a bit brighter? Not gonna lie, i think the RK sounds more alive.. The Martin might have more tone or bass but its hard to tell from this phone recording.
@@thecanadianflatpicker Well both would be nice, I have a D35, so I'm good on the Martin front so the Recoarding King would be the best for the price. I don't need it by any means I have at least 10 or so guitars so I should pass lol.
I like the sound of eastman guitars. I think the best value in quality and sound are the martin 15 all mahogany guitars . The martin ceo 9 is also a great guitar. I admire martins ability to stay afloat as one of americas oldest successful buisness,but they are incredibly expensive now and there are so many other alternative choices to getting a great guitar at much better prices. Personally i prefer a ooo 13 frett and om,and ooo short scale over dread,s now days.
I agree. I love a short scale as well. I used to own an eastman it was great. I agree the Martins are a bit overpriced now, considering that you can get a hand-made boutique dred for not much more. Thanks for the sub and comment 🙏
The recording king was much brighter. it’s hard not to bias “tone” when it so much louder in the mic. The Martin sounds more even string to string. I’ve seen a few other videos compare new to old guitars. Bracing, woods, finishes, manufacturing etc all seem to have changed the voice of modern acoustics. The biggest surprise is how good budget acoustics can be.
This is not a fair test...in order to do a real comparison, you need the same strings on both guitars. String gauge can make a huge difference. That being said, you have the lighter strings on the RK, which should cut the volume slightly. It doesn't. That makes the RK even more remarkable. Also, the older Martin has opened up much more. Imagine what the RK will sound like in 30 years or so. That tells me that with Martin, you're paying substantially more just for the name. I will say that you play very well.
I enjoyed the comparison, but there were some variables that are different, which affected the outcome of the sound. Your Martin has a warmer tone, one because of its age, but also it has medium strings. The Recording King has a crisp, brighter tone because of those light strings. A true comparison would be if both had the same gauge string, then you would get a better idea. I have a Recording King Rd 227, which they don't make anymore, that was supposed to be comparable to a D41. Musicians who played my Recording King, who owned a d41, said it sounded better than anything that they owned, played or ever heard. I also own a Martin D28 modern Deluxe, that sounds better than any other Martin I've ever heard or played. It's all about the wood in the particular guitar. Guitars are like people they have their own voice and their own personalities, because they are all solid wood humidity and temperature can affect their voice as well...
Not sure if at my beginner level, there would be any difference, but with a great player like The Canadian Flatpicker, you can see the Martin has a better sound.
I really appreciate that. The RD-328 is an amazing guitar, and it's very similar. But Martin has a depth that no new guitar can possess. Don't worry about being at the beginner level, I'm sure you will progress quickly if you have a guitar you enjoy playing. Thanks for the sub and comment.
Enough to justify a 5000 or more difference? I hear it, but it's a very small detailed difference though.. Maybe in a controlled environment, same strings, same mic etc etc.... then maybe you could hear more noticeable differences. Most listeners (non musicians) won't hear it at all, though.
RK is great if you get a good one.....typical chinese....you got to flip a coin or be sure to play it first. That RK sounds great! Better then the martin. Lot's of overtones from the rosewood. Don't be fooled into thinking they're all the same. Interesting what you said at the end about the martin being easier to play.....that has a lot to do with tone and volume. The loudest richest guitars I've played or heard usually have more tension in the strings. The Yamaha LL16 is the best option to me....again, if you get a good one. It's a martin killer....cut's through all of them. I play with martin nuts...D-45, D35, D-28, D-18 (Brazilian)....it destroys them... cuts right over them. You can never take chinese to the bank before you hear it.
How reliable is RK? I have RK RD 342, RDS 11 and ROS 11. They are badly made and have a lot of problems Buy RK only from stores, the woods are not dried properly and they crack
@@erou_al_munciisocialiste7665 First time I've heard this, and I researched long and hard before buying my RD 328 3 years ago. I love mine. No issues. Like he said in the video, after obviously being impressed, If you can't afford a Martin, .............
Good news! The Martin will always be worth more than the RK, even though the RK sounds better than the Martin because the Martin was made in the good old USA! If you are a collector you'll get the Martin. If you're a guitar player on a budget, the RK is what you'll choose. No losers here, only winners! BTY, I love both my Alvarez Laureate LD70 and my RK RD-318. Remember, your playing skill is more important than the cost of the guitar you're playing! Thank you for the comparison.
Curious which you prefer as you own the two best well priced non- Martin D28 alternatives out today. Alvarez to me has a lot of warmth but muddier and less balanced than the RK. At least on video.
I have to tell you, that's probably one of the best guitar comparisons I've seen. You showcased them both exceptionally well. I have to agree with you
the RK is genuinely a great copy of the Martin. Nothing against Martin's pricing, but it makes you think, why is the Martin so expensive if the quality of the RK
is so close.
Very nice demo and even with UA-cam's compression, I can hear the difference. But the Recording King is a great deal for what it costs. I have one too and have made several videos on mine. I just purchased an early 2000s Martin HD-28V and an looking forward to comparing the 2. Again, great video.
My heart tells me I should save up for a Martin. My brain says I have more important things to spend money on and these Recording Kings look and sound seriously good.
recording king makes the most affordable solid wood guitars and they a re pretty darn good i love my RD328
My wife bought me a D-35, 24 years ago. It's a pretty nice guitar.😎 But I've been wanting a 000 or OM 28 or even an OM21 lately. But I've been looking at the Eastman e20OM due to more guitar desire than excess cash. Haven't seen the RK in that class yet but I'm still on the hunt. Your RK vid was a nice comparison. Thanks for sharing with us.
No problem. Thanks for watching 🙏
Well done. I would love a Martin but it's not in my budget. Really glad to have my RK RD-342 Tonewood Reserve Elite. Less than 1300 USD with HSC. The Martin D-42 is 7,399 USD on Sweetwater's website. Some guitars are just out of reach. I also have a RO 318 which I play daily. Great sound and sustain. Honestly, I don't know if it's the strings like others have commented but the RK has a nicer sound, less muddled. Thanks for the great video and excellent playing.
The RK has an Adirondack top, the holy grail spruce. They are best value adi top guitars going around at the moment.
i cant tell any difference between the different spruce tops lol but i love my RD 328
Awesome playing! I have the mahogany back and sides version (RD-318, D-18 copy) and it is a wicked playing and sounding guitar for the money. It's super loud and you can feel it vibrate in your chest and on the floor lol!
The Recording King stacks up very well. Thought the Martin should totally blow it away- it doesn't. I have owned a vintage Martin, so I appreciate that Martin sound.
Amazed at how good the RK sounded.
In our money , I'd hate to know what you had to fork out for your '58 .
That bring said , I have grown to really appreciate the new generation of sound that acoustic guitars are starting to put out in the last 10 years in production .
However , if I could afford any .....
It would be a Boucher Studio Goose hands down .
As far as your fantastic video is concerned ...... I keep watching for one of these RK martin copies , but no one who has one is selling .
I tried a new triple O
( RO 318 ) .... it was ok but I want the Dreadnaught sound .
Would love to test drive a RD328 and the RD 342 !
Yes I was very lucky to get that d28. I got it very cheap but had to get it restored. I'm with you on that one I've always wanted to try an RD-342. Watch the channel if I ever get one that is for sale I'll be sure to post. Thanks for your input and sub 🙏
You're the second who make the comparison between these two after JP Cormier
i am a collector and restorer, have a few martins including vintage, as well as an RD328 and an RD342. These Recording Kings are beyond exceptional bang for your buck...yes you have to be careful as quality issues were present in the 342's in first runs, but I was patient and returned the first 342 and got another one built in feb 2024. even out of the box new they are incredible guitars. so this 1500.00 RD342 can hold its own going against either my 7k martin or 12k martin. yes the martin sounds better, the 50+ years of playing on the martins surely helps them, but the difference in price between the martin and RK makes the decision very very easy...buy the RD328 or RD342
@donhartigan9446 I appreciate the information. I always wanted to try a 342. What do you have for vintage martins?
@@thecanadianflatpicker 1936 D18, 1954 D18, 1971 D28 + other x series & D series
@donhartigan9446 yesir. Wow some serious tone in that collection
I have mediums on my 328 and it sounds huge. I don't like the finish though, it is a bit cloudy and they put too much stain on it. Great guitar, well worth the money
Your Martin has one of those mystery tops on it, the same as my 63 D28. It might be European spruce.
It sounds more like englemann though.
Be nice to hear that RK after decades of playing on it!
The Martin has the advantage of about 75 more years of aging. A better comparison would be a newer D28 and the Recording King. The fact that it comes anywhere close to the vintage Martin D28 is mind blowing.
Dang sweet duo !
Nice video but you do not talk about the feeling of the necks of both. How they are ?...
One is over 60 years old and the other an infant...) Only time will tell how well the RK opens up.
Exactly. And for its age it is quite stunning. That's a really good point.
Sounds like you have some dead strings on the Martin. 'Not a fair comparison as a result, but sure, that "Recording King" sounds good, no doubt.
Yes, it's a killer guitar for the money. The recording king had coated strings I do believe. I love the sound of dead strings I don't usually replace them until the intonation goes. Appreciate the input hope to hear from you again 🙏
Yours is obviously the better guitar, but the RD328 is definitely comparable. For the money, it punches way above it’s weight. The Recording King is a wonderful guitar! The Martin is so resonant and balanced across the tonal spectrum.
I couldn't agree more brother. This is the only RK guitar I've played. Always wondered about the RD-342
Do you find the fretboard kind of narrow on the Recording King
Nonin fact I found it to be one of the most comfortable guitars I've ever played
No comparison Martin is Martin … as always clear and sweet…
I agree. Nothing is quite like a Martin.
No it isn't... He has a very old, very broken in Brazilian rosewood Martin! I was just playing them in the shop today... The new ones don't sound nearly as good! Close not even close! Martin is not that impressive lately... AC 28th is a factory guitar these days! Not even very much discretion given to the particular tone woods.... They go through so many. If you want to pay thousands, Go to a small builder! Some of those compare really favorably to classic fully opened handbuilt guitars
To be fair your Not only does your guitar have Brazilian rosewood but it's really, really old and broken in! A really good question might be how would it compare to a brand new Martin HD 28. Probably very favorably
I have an rd 277 and it is really nice too!
Cool I've never heard of that model
Anyone: How does the Recording King compare to the Alvarez MD60BG bluegrass dreadnaught? --Specifically the neck profile. (I prefer the vintage V- shape). I know that Recording king has the narrower at the nut 1 and 11/16ths as compared to Alvarez's 1 and 3/4.
I've owned that Alvarez MD60BG that is a great guitar. I found the Alvarez more comfortable. I wish I still had it I'd do a comparison. Thanks for the input and sub 🙏
RK seems a bit brighter? Not gonna lie, i think the RK sounds more alive.. The Martin might have more tone or bass but its hard to tell from this phone recording.
I want one for sure.
A Martin or recording king? Or both lol
@@thecanadianflatpicker Well both would be nice, I have a D35, so I'm good on the Martin front so the Recoarding King would be the best for the price. I don't need it by any means I have at least 10 or so guitars so I should pass lol.
@@jstar1000 lol yesir. I love a d35. I had a custom d35 that I had to sell and I've regretted it ever since !
I like the sound of eastman guitars. I think the best value in quality and sound are the martin 15 all mahogany guitars . The martin ceo 9 is also a great guitar. I admire martins ability to stay afloat as one of americas oldest successful buisness,but they are incredibly expensive now and there are so many other alternative choices to getting a great guitar at much better prices. Personally i prefer a ooo 13 frett and om,and ooo short scale over dread,s now days.
I agree. I love a short scale as well. I used to own an eastman it was great. I agree the Martins are a bit overpriced now, considering that you can get a hand-made boutique dred for not much more. Thanks for the sub and comment 🙏
Check out Yamaha ll16 , solid woods.
The recording king was much brighter. it’s hard not to bias “tone” when it so much louder in the mic. The Martin sounds more even string to string. I’ve seen a few other videos compare new to old guitars. Bracing, woods, finishes, manufacturing etc all seem to have changed the voice of modern acoustics. The biggest surprise is how good budget acoustics can be.
Absolutely 💯
Appreciate the input 🙏
This is not a fair test...in order to do a real comparison, you need the same strings on both guitars. String gauge can make a huge difference. That being said, you have the lighter strings on the RK, which should cut the volume slightly. It doesn't. That makes the RK even more remarkable. Also, the older Martin has opened up much more. Imagine what the RK will sound like in 30 years or so. That tells me that with Martin, you're paying substantially more just for the name. I will say that you play very well.
I enjoyed the comparison, but there were some variables that are different, which affected the outcome of the sound. Your Martin has a warmer tone, one because of its age, but also it has medium strings. The Recording King has a crisp, brighter tone because of those light strings. A true comparison would be if both had the same gauge string, then you would get a better idea. I have a Recording King Rd 227, which they don't make anymore, that was supposed to be comparable to a D41. Musicians who played my Recording King, who owned a d41, said it sounded better than anything that they owned, played or ever heard. I also own a Martin D28 modern Deluxe, that sounds better than any other Martin I've ever heard or played. It's all about the wood in the particular guitar. Guitars are like people they have their own voice and their own personalities, because they are all solid wood humidity and temperature can affect their voice as well...
I have a RK RO-328 and a Martin 000-28, both sound fantastic. The Martin does not sound $3000 better.
For the money the RK hold its own here 👍🎉
Not sure if at my beginner level, there would be any difference, but with a great player like The Canadian Flatpicker, you can see the Martin has a better sound.
I really appreciate that. The RD-328 is an amazing guitar, and it's very similar. But Martin has a depth that no new guitar can possess. Don't worry about being at the beginner level, I'm sure you will progress quickly if you have a guitar you enjoy playing. Thanks for the sub and comment.
Taylor
I find it hard to tell because your is warmers up now when you tuned down wow
Yesir. That recording king is great
I think your martin was better if his Martin had same strings it would probably change a difference
RK not bad. The Martin just has that sound which I love. Always have to ask what strings are on both guitars?
The RK has coated d'addario lights and the martin uncoated mediums. 🙏
I play Taylor Guitars but I must say that Martin is amazing it blows that chickenneese r.k. out of the water in my opinion .
Enough to justify a 5000 or more difference? I hear it, but it's a very small detailed difference though..
Maybe in a controlled environment, same strings, same mic etc etc.... then maybe you could hear more noticeable differences. Most listeners (non musicians) won't hear it at all, though.
You can trust made in China these days, but Martin always my dream guitar
RK is great if you get a good one.....typical chinese....you got to flip a coin or be sure to play it first. That RK sounds great! Better then the martin. Lot's of overtones from the rosewood. Don't be fooled into thinking they're all the same. Interesting what you said at the end about the martin being easier to play.....that has a lot to do with tone and volume. The loudest richest guitars I've played or heard usually have more tension in the strings. The Yamaha LL16 is the best option to me....again, if you get a good one. It's a martin killer....cut's through all of them. I play with martin nuts...D-45, D35, D-28, D-18 (Brazilian)....it destroys them... cuts right over them. You can never take chinese to the bank before you hear it.
What do you mean by your real Martin? The Recording King is not real?
A good idea is try remove original RC's strings and change it to the Martin one☝
Martin was louder, more open sounding and dead string sounding.
Exactly 💯
It's amazing how a low priced recording king blew a Martin away.
How reliable is RK? I have RK RD 342, RDS 11 and ROS 11. They are badly made and have a lot of problems Buy RK only from stores, the woods are not dried properly and they crack
@@erou_al_munciisocialiste7665 First time I've heard this, and I researched long and hard before buying my RD 328 3 years ago. I love mine. No issues. Like he said in the video, after obviously being impressed, If you can't afford a Martin, .............
A Charmin😅😅 I have the RO328 great value.
Probably the light strings or the mic, but tye RK sounds like junk compared to the more musical Martin. No comparison at all.
😂 right