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 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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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!
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...
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.
I'm a builder/fixer (mostly fixer) in WNC where a ton of bluegrass pickers reside and I can tell you that for the past 4 or 5 years most of them that I know are sittin' their Martins aside and playing the Recording Kings. I've had 8 in the shop, some for set-ups and so on but the main thing that makes the most difference is the finish on the top...it's thick! It's also a bear to get off but when you do it really, REALLY sings. Afterwards I apply a sunburst or a aging die & a very thin finish and they're good to go. One of the guys emailed RK to ask them to skip the finishing process all together and they will not do that. They called that a "custom" order. anyway, take off that top finish and you'll really be blown away!
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.!
AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. That's why I love Yamaha so much. Not just for their superb affordable guitars, but bc of how important that is to support musicians and music.
I still have my 1973 Martin D-41 bought new in 1976 at a music store for $900. A few years ago, Martin paid $700. to have have a Martin certified luthier re-set the neck and of course I paid for worn parts; nut, saddle and frets. While it was fairly easy for me to tell the Martin in your test, you still get what you pay for. My old martin has recently been replaced as I get ready to retire and play out full time. I bought a 2018 Martin HD-28e reimagined with the 1938 style scallop shifted bracing. While the older martins were intended to be played either in front of a mic or acoustic, the new martins have electronics with EQ built in that sounds like an acoustic, only louder. A dream guitar that's a player with a faster neck and playable action, adjustable trust rod and sounds of a vintage guitar. Hate to say it but a better guitar than my D-41. All of that for under $3,500 including the onboard electronics. Only guitar I need and would rather have it than in keeping a dozen guitars and not playing most of them very often. Martins seem to sound best for me using .013 -.056 strings. Maybe it was just the recording but your Martin didn't sound as good as it should have, even though the playing was stellar. And while I get you shouldn't have to get a loan to buy a guitar, usually in September, people really wanting a martin can get a interest free loan for 4 years, and they typically drop the price about a grand. For something that is a heirloom and one of the best sounding guitars, what you get as a long term investment should be considered. They are still hand made and much improved over the older models in the standard series . I really enjoy the JP Cormier site and see where some would benefit from the Recording King. Thanks!
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.
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?
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.
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.
Ah ha I got it right. I could tell #1 had more punch and sounded new. And #2 was more blended and settled. However I preferred the RK for lead punch. If I played rhythm and wanted that sweet tone that blended with the band then the Martin would be the answer. However the price difference is insane. I would like to hear the RK 50 years from now.
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
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.
JP, that kind of marketing bothers me too. I don't understand why people can't see what you are saying. I have said the same thing on TGP many times and people get angry. I was so glad to see your Alvarez vs. Martin video. I've posted that video a number of times and it has shut up a bunch of the naysayers. Keep them coming, please!
My Recording King "Dirty Thirties" OOO is played along with Taylors and Martins. I don't ask for more. Its my sound and it its consistent to all others.
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!
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!!
You are so right .I started playing when I was 14.im 61 now .iv never been able to afford a martin always wanted one...but I want a nice sounding guitar not a parcel of land.
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.
Not the same guitar but my 2016 Recording King ROS-10/000 12 fret is a gem! Solid Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides. Plays like sweet butter, perfect intonation, wonderful resonance and very well built, I love fingerpicking on this guitar! Have not played my Taylor 317e as much as I used to, this RK is just so nice. I will be buying another Recording King, an RD-328! Thanks JP for your videos.
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.
You're a terrific flatpicker! I listened, and instead of trying to decide which was which, I chose the one I preferred. It was the Recording King - a fuller, more solid tone. The other one sounded brighter, more brash. In my experience guitars, even if they're the same model, can vary depending on I suppose factors such as wood density, stifness and so on. I've owned several D-28s, and they've varied. I've long thought that the only way is to go into a music shop with a wall full of guitars, and just choose the one you like best - whatever the make. Interestingly, so far I haven't played a boutique guitar that I thought would suit me. Another factor to consider is I think the player's style and touch, as well as string choice. Decisions, decisions!
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
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 approve. Even if the big brands make excellent guitars, their prices are often exaggerated. I recently purchased a high quality solid wood Seagull artist mosaic CW with an extraordinary finish and build quality for $ 1500 CAD. I had tried a Martin D18 at $ 3400 CAD but the Seagull gave me as much in terms of build quality and sound, and for much less money. But don't say it too loudly because some purists might be offended.
I completed my 76th circuit around the Sun last week and I have played guitar (on and off) since I was 15. My first guitar was a Truetone branded Kay electric. My second guitar was a Gibson B45-12 Sunburst (without the tailpiece). I have owned Epiphone, a Gibson Petite classic, a Guild (maybe a D-25???) and a Kent classic that I have had for 53 years. I always wanted a Martin but could never afford one until a friend gave me a 1994 OM-21 w/ a Martin case, that had a cracked top and loose braces That still sounded great to me. I took it to a great luthier in Tucson (Mike Cutler, The Luthier's Bench). He gave me an estimate of $200 ( I expected $500) and it took him a good bit more work than he had anticipated. I told him he could add the additional time, but he insisted on accepting the original bid. So I have a Martin OM-21 for $200. Only way I was ever going to get one. The repair on the crack looks like the shadow of a string. I sure enjoyed your pickin' on the Recording King. I would put my money there before spending bejillions on any of the Sacred Cow guitars. Thanx for the introduction.
Wow great review. I just picked up a Recording King Raj-26 which looks like a Gibson J45. I bought it at a pawn shop for the unbelievable price of 80$. It has a built in pickup which sounds great. There is a top hairline crack/separation from not enough humidity but can be fixed and definitely doesn't affect the sound. It appears to have been road hard and put away wet, but it's a fantastic guitar. I own a Gibson and several other high end brands, and the feel and playability of the RK is amazing. These are great guitars for the money.
This is interesting because I can clearly hear a difference between these guitars with the Martin sounding warmer. The Recording King sounds great but is a little more brittle in my opinion. I have a Martin om21 which cost over 2k which is twice what I paid for a very nice Tanglewood which was my favourite guitar until I bought the Martin. I agree that to pay 2x the price for what may seem like a small improvement in sound may seem foolish. But now that I recognise what that difference is I am reminded every time I play the Martin and I rarely play the Tanglewood as a result. Once you hear and feel a difference you cannot un-hear it and the cost becomes justifiable.
ah man, i got it right. I honestly was getting excited that I had gotten it wrong (I just ordered the OM model of this RK), as he was describing the percentages! Honestly it was the crazy complexity of that final strum of the second guitar that made me go "whoa that must be the martin," and then the rk was obviously a little more spanky and bright on that attack, though that Adirondack will be playing a small role in that
Well, I purchased the RD-328 and love it. Wow what a guitar. I wanted a Martin D28 so bad but couldn't afford it now and the Recording King has saved the day for me. I plan on doing several videos on my own channels to, comparing it with a new Gibson J-45 rosewood and my 1965 Epiphone Texan. Thank you for these videos. Without them, I would not have purchased this guitar. But now I'm a very happy Recording King owner
@@kyleharleyanderton Thank you for letting us know that. Mine was set up almost perfectly right from the box. But the music store that sold it could have set it up too. I love mine and it does open up the more it's played.
I agree with the sound comparison! Just subbed too. But it’s supply and demand and those companies are running businesses. Other companies will rise up that have great products that are affordable for normal people like us. The value of a guitar isn’t only based on the sound but the legacy and supply/demand.
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.
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!
Was interested in a Martin OMJM (John Mayer Sig). It was $3799 retail … When the shop brought it up on the computer, I happened to see their cost from Martin was $2399! That sorta killed it for me. I also owned a Martin OOO-15M… very basic but sounded good, I played it very little & baby’d it… neck separated after 1 year… discovered Martin uses a bolt (behind serial plate) to attach neck and very minimal glue. Boy was I disappointed in the lame construction of that guitar. So I settled on the new Martin sc13 (new design, Mexican made) but when I compared a bunch of guitars, bought a Taylor 224CE-K DLX (Koa) and couldn’t be happier. Also, have a 1970’s Goya dread (owned by Martin-same construction/neck,etc) and that tone is just amazing.
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.
I’ve always wanted a Martin but couldn’t afford it. Playing a Guild for 30 years until the bridge started to separate and needed a neck reset . My cousin turned me in to Zager guitars . I bought their ZAGER 80 1,300 and am totally blown away by the tone , volume , balance , craftsmanship and superb neck angle and low action not to mention wonderful customer service . After a year playing it I had the chance to play a $ 5,100 Martin in a music store . No comparison ! Very nice guitar but my ZAD 80 blew it away in so many ways. I just could not justify 5 to 6 figures on up for the name . I’m thoroughly.pleased with my gorgeous 80 with its nice case for 1,300. I get a lot of compliments at our jam sessions .
Thank you and by the way I got it right.....a Martin just has a sound that screams Martin! I had a Recording King about 10 years back. Wish I had kept it.
I sold my Taylor 412 this year as it sat in its case for decades to buy the Martin 000-15SM. I did find the Martin a much better guitar in tone, quality and playability. I paid less than what I paid for the 412 when I bought it in 2003. I was a Martin hater for so many years because I could not afford the guitar of my dream. Now that I owned one and only one, I think they are where they are for the reasons that were not all have to do with their name. BTW - I still owned a Taylor Mini GS and to me the best travel guitar that I have ever played. It made me go back to playing again after 20 years of not touching the 412. You should review the mini GS.
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 guess it how we react to a guitar and if the guitar speaks to us maybe I’m not in the same league but my searching is over when I bought a Takamine . I swear it has energy of Zen . Everyone says I play differently with it . Every note is a story and a feeling.
Let's remember they are made in China (like Eastman and Kepma) -- which has nothing to do with their quality but everything to do with cost, just like Martin making their road series (and I've played some that are great) in Mexico for reasons of affordability. Heck, I have a Kepma that I use for gigging in less than optimal situations (like every Sunday in our way cold and dry Adirondack church from late fall 'til spring!). But I suspect if the Recording King guitars were designed AND built here in North America we might be talking about a different story.
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.
Amen to those wise words. I do not know much about acoustic guitars, but I quite do within the electric guitar's world. And I have the same opinion (based on my experience playing them) as yours regarding electric guitars and the big names within the industry. Cheers! Marc
From Leo: Thanks for your demo, I had never really looked at the Recording King line. Martin builds a fine guitar, and has been uniform in quality for years, of course at a price. I was looking at a different brand in the $500 range. They had 4 of them, and all looked very well finished. One was excellent in tone through the whole range, two were ok, nothing special, and the last one was as dead and lifeless as a shipping crate. I think the cheaper brands have more variance.
For Collings or Martin money, I'd go Collings every time. Actually I am spending that kind of money and I just ordered the Yamaha LL56. It comes down to voicing really. I don't need a guitar with massive grunt on the low end. The loudest guitar I ever played hands down was the D2H. I loved it!
I bought a standard D-28 from Musician's Friends for $2200.00. All I had to do was give them the price that I was willing to pay and they can either accept it or not. Obviously they accepted it. Guitar is beautiful and plays like a dream.
Hey JP, Mike here, really, really nice playing. I am essentially an electric guitarist and have been for the last 36 years but I have a Telecaster and it's made in Mexico it's the only non-American guitar I have and it's the oldest electric I have and I swear by that guitar, despite just a few mods I made it's an incredible guitar with rock solid tuning and a beautiful sound ...and only now am I really getting seriously into acoustic guitar territory, after 36 years of playing guitar ...O well better late than never. Take care JP. Mike.
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.
Thanks for the video. I’m actually struggling with this exact problem. I used to travel 20 plus years ago as a mandolin player for a band called Ernie Thacker and Route 23. Wasn’t able to pay the big money for a Gibson back then so I kept playing my Alvarez for the first two years. This was around the time that everyone else was getting tired of this too and new instrument makers were popping up everywhere. I got an endorsement from Ken Radcliffe for a silver angel mandolin! Absolute monster of a mandolin. Now we are returning to the game to try some more (as if we didn’t get BROKE the first round) but this time I’m attempting it as a guitar player. Oh my! I only thought martins were high back then! Wow! Guess I’ll be beating the strings off my broken, misaligned neck, needing a set up in the worst way blueridge br-60 with its laminate back and sides! She ain’t much to look at but almost every festival I get ask what im playing. lol. And If you were to decide and grab a cheap version of the Martin to try and play with the big boys at the big venue with a Dm, DX, Road series, etc.. a man would never get in the clubhouse! 😂 Again, thanks for the video!
Yamaha FG800 is my go to guitar. I'm in a house with Martins (my uncle's) and STILL go for my Yamaha. Can't afford a Martin. I AM, however, looking for a nice Yamaha FGX5.
Was going to get a FGX5.. didn't want to wait, so i got the RD-328.. taking it tomorrow to get a setup and bone pins fit The v-neck is going to take a bit to get used to, but it sounds amazing. and already is opening up on just a couple hours of playing
After viewing this video. I went to the local music store , they had 2 RD328 and i was really disappointed. Maybe because they were brand news . Just came out of the box.🤷🏼♂️. A few days ago a played a used eastman e20d , selling for 1400$ canadien. I was blown away. Wasn’t as good as my bg-52 Boucher but pretty close. I wish you would do a video on a Eastman. And like always, great Fun video 👍
I've had an RD227 for about 8 years. Love it. Looked at $1500-2000 Martins and Taylors of various kinds. They couldn't touch it for quality or sound. Can confirm the fact that there are quality boutique builders here in Maine that are very reasonable.
I agree! I have the smaller brother of the RD227 the RD126 and i brought it for 300usd and i just could not bellive it so much so that i didnt haggle with the seller and straightup brought it.... since then i have done a tonne of mods and its all worked out many guitars that are $2000s cannot touch these older series!
My life story could be a country song became disabled and the wife got my guitar when she left her father had left me a 42 ribbon addition Gibson he had bought from Ronny Williams I have been saving sense 07 and looking a bouchers and dreaming of one Well JP I just ordered my Rd328 Recording King thru reverb cannot Waite to receive it Thank you so much for what you do Hope I can get to see you at the stomping Tom center tomorrow haven’t figured it out yet but hopefully I will be there
I just got vack from local music shops and played several old and new Martins. I actually fell in love with a 74 Sigma (by Martin) and thought that may be the one. On the 4th and final shop, i ran into this Recording King RD-328 and i was absolutely floored. I kept picking up Martins beside it (and 2 Yairi's) and i was sinply stunned. I could care less if people seeing me "playing a Martin". Im also quite annoyed at Martin for pricing their guitars essentially for upper class incomes. Recording King stole my heart today. Looks like they started out life making guitars in the 30s from what im reading. Anyway, i arrived at the same conclusion! RK will be getting my money
Just found your channel sir. Very pleased to see these comparison videos. I won't ever (I'm almost 60) pay the thousands that the big companies require for their products....especially when they attempt to compete with lesser, hard to use that word...because Yamaha, Ibanez, RK, Washburn....they aren't really small companies....but the biggies, try to make affordable instruments....but use crap material and cheap labor....but still cost more... I will at this point say, that the player...makes a huge difference....hand that Recording King to another, less experienced player....won't sound the same.... At your level, your brain immediately adjusts attack, even slight bending to correct tone and intonation.... I've been experimenting with some cheaper guitars...and have found some really interesting stuff about acoustics, and what has always been the gospel....hoping to try my own design, crafting one next year... But thank you for your insight, knowledge and god love ya, straight forward approach to guitars.
I bought my previously owned 1982 HD 28 in 1992, and I’ve been a believer to this day. But I can’t deny that this $1,000 recording king is just as nice sounding as the 15+ y/o Martin D-28 for 1/6 th the price. 🤪
Now, I know I am a month late. I saw this video start, then went to the first one with the test, then back to this one. Unless I missed something, you never did say which guitar was #1, and which was #2. For me, and I will not name them yet, I could tell a HUGE difference in the guitars, but in this video, when you played the Recording King, I preferred it over the Martin, and I have owned 4 over my lifetime. I cannot afford the Recording King right now since I have been out of work for 2 years, and have had to sell my HD-28 and my D42 to pay the bills. Anyway, please let me know which was #1 and which was #2. I am pretty sure I know, but would never bet money on it. I also just subscribed.
@@JPCormier I was wrong then. I thought the louder one, the 1st one was the Clarence White due to the larger sound hole, I have heard them next to a standard D-28 and they were always louder, so that one fooled me. When you played them both in this video, I preferred the Recording King. Thanks for an awesome test.
I would love to see the Alvarez and Recording King go head to head, because I have narrowed my next acoustic purchase to either one of those two guitars.
I"m in the same exact situation bro! Can't decide wich one i want to buy? The Alvarez MD 60 EBG or BG, or the RECORDING KING RD-328 ? Please JP help us! Compare those 2 please please please!!! Lol!!!
JP you mentioned Huss and Dalton, Bourgeois, and Collings as alternatives to the Big 3. The aforementioned guitar companies are doing the same thing as the Big 3. I owned a Huss and Dalton about 10 years ago, it cost me $3100. The same guitar today is $2500 more. Collings has nothing, other than the Waterloo, which is a $2500 WTF, under $4000, the same with Bourgeois. Your Recording King parlor guitar that you did the bridge adjustment on sounds better than the Collings Waterloo that is 10 times the price. It is unfortunate that Martin and Taylor have gone the way they have. Gibson is trying. Their J15 is an all solid wood guitar, walnut back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck that you can get in the US for around $1500 that sounds and plays as good as the J45. But you are correct in saying that there are builders out there that are building great instruments at affordable prices. Unfortunately they don't have the resale value as the Big 3 or the previously mentioned "boutique" builders. Hopefully this will change. Nice videos keep up the good work.
I’ve had several Martins...HD28, MC28, D35...all lovely. And I’ve had other boutique guitars. But I wandered into a shop a few years ago and played a Recording King ROS16...quickly sold by high school ring and bought it. Stunningly beautiful guitar, sweet solid top. I hate the poly finish, but love playing it. It is a better value...not a better guitar...but one I don’t have to worry too much about, and it comes breathtakingly close to Martin.
Thanks..... I didn't comment on which was which but to my ears I picked #2 as the one with just a little more something in the clarity in between the notes and #1 had a bit of a drone note on one of the notes... The only thing I can say is a Martin will hold its value for resale for the most part and as they get much older the resale value goes up.... When I bought my D28 a builder here in Ontario Mario Proulx had just made a D18 model that I fell in love with, to this day I kick my ass I didn't buy it instead of the D28 Martin. Got to play the Proulx last year and after 20 - 25yrs I am now really kicking my ass.... But I do love my Martin D18GE it is a fine guitar...
Ok, I would like to emphasize a couple of points that were mentioned. First, Martin, Taylor, and Gibson are made in the USA. This means that their labor costs are much higher than any instruments made in China. Much higher! Also the US manufacturers have lifetime warranty on their guitars. Where would you send the recording king or warranty work if needed? You also can get a solid wood US madeTaylor for under $1500 that sound and play great. To be transparent, I own two “stock” Taylor guitars and two Martins out of the custom shop. All sound and play great. My custom D18 was thousands less than a Boucher, Thompson or other builders guitars of similar woods. The custom D28 was more, but no more than similar specs from other builders. I did a lot of comparison shopping before putting out that kind of money. There is no doubt that there are some great builders out there including some wonderful European and Japanese builders. However, in this case, I think your sample size is a bit small. The major US builders (especially Martin) have been making instruments for a long time, and have a proven track record. Just look at what an older Martin is worth today. Can you say the same for your recording king in 50 years? I know that if I wanted to sell my Martin custom D28, I would get as much if not more than I paid for it. It really is an heirloom instrument. The recording king not so much. As I said, you can get a great Taylor for less than $1500.
J P: The blind banjo player in our BG band also owns a 1968 Martin D35. Bought in 1969 for $550.00. Look how the prices have risen on those!!! Guy can play anything with strings. Gibson RB250 banjo. Steiner fiddle. Dopera Resophonic guitar. Blah blah blah. I'd like to hear him play Dixie Hoedown on your R K guitar. Whatta treat that'd be. Keep on hauling water for R K guitars
Just found your channel, couldn’t agree more. Bought a KYairi in 1986, as good or better than any Martin I have ever heard or played. Have owned Gibson and Taylor both. A mistake I won’t repeat. Also owned Fender telecaster and Stratocaster, both now gone with no remorse. I agree, the best place to find a quality guitar is an individual, independent luthier. Have never owned a Martin but have dropped thousands of $$$ on the other big 3. Live and learn. The name on the headstock may sell the guitar but it doesn’t necessarily mean superior quality, only superior price.
I chose the wrong one. I went back and listened again. I would still make the same mistake. I own a Martin D15 so shame on me. I think it is the player that fooled me. :) Great job! Thanks for doing these, it's fun to learn about different brands that perhaps I don't have in my local shop that are really great sounding.
Jp I was always told you where an ignorant person but I don’t get that from this video. But I really appreciate how you just stood up for the little guys , that’s a hard act to follow
You should compare the Recording King against a similar priced Martin like one of the road series to see exactly what both companies would give you for 1K
@@alexcorll90 one thing i have noticed, is the fret wire on the recording king is inferior to a mexican made martin. I own both, also a taylor. The fret metal is just softer and I will be replacing with evo gold or another alternative.. other than that.. yeah the recording king would win in the volume department for sure
I just bought an RK off the sweetwater used rack. Had never heard of them but I couldn't put it down. Absolutely in love with this thing and I got it for 250 bucks!!!
Another useful video for us cheapskates. Thanks J.P.! I bought the Alvarez based on that comparison video but it's mostly just China's low labor cost driving these price differences and not the big 3 makers getting greedy. That $400 ($US) Martin D28 purchased in 1969 should cost $2900 today based purely on inflation, not to mention good quality wood getting harder to source, and it can be bought today for $2800.
This is true for banjos, too. I have a Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard (no longer being made) and a Recording King R-20 and the RK is nearly indistinguishable in tone and playability. The Gibson has a bit more volume and "bark"but I've played the RK out in public many times as it is 20% of the Gibson's cost so I don't worry about it and it sounds great. My former partner played a RK dreadnaught that was a dead-on copy of a Martin vintage D-28; he previously owned several great Martins but had to sell and the RK was a very suitable replacement.
@@peterreno4203 100% again I have a 2010 RK Elite 85 banjo, the tone and punch puts many boutique banjos to shame, I remember when I was in group banjo lessons. A guy strolled in with a brand new Stelling Staghorn, (that I was a bit jealous of at first) beautiful banjo. Then we started jamming and I started playing around with him. His banjo sounded good but when I dug in I could out bark his all day. Which blew me away as well as him. He was asking about my banjo when we were packing up. I told him what it was and I payed $1K for it.
We ended up doing group banjo lessons all to way to "Banjo 8" they were supposed to stop at 4. The only banjo that sounded better than mine was the instructors Keith, had a pre war Gibson frankenstein with very low action and amazing tone. But he also paid 10K for it and had another 5k worth of work on it.
I'm so glad you are doing these comparisons, as I for years preached this to our customers in Maine. I'd tell them not to worry about what was on the headstock. Play them, and then buy what feels and sounds the best. Before the Recording King, they had the Carolina line, which was really nice also. It was actually a bit nicer (headstock inlay), but the RK went back to a more traditional look. The solid wood models were just amazing and priced reasonable. Back in the mid 2000s, we were selling them for less then $500!
JP, the sentiments you expressed concerning the cost and possibly lesser quality if some of these guitars made from the companies we love I agree with. But you definitely overstep the boundaries. The makers like recording king and others that have their guitars made in China don’t have near the cost of those American companies whose primary guitars are made in America. The Chinese work for immensely less money basically slave labor and I really doubt that these guitar companies are owning the factories in China. Either way they still do not have the same responsibility and financial output of some of the others. As far as the Martin Road Series, you know the ones that have the weird numbers, I think that series is the best bang for the buck you can get in guitars. And I will put my Martin SC 13 E against any similar Type and price point of any guitar I have ever seen or heard. It is an absolute delight to play with perfect tone and clarity. Having expressed my disagreements with you I can say I thoroughly enjoy your show. I just found you a couple of weeks ago. You are an encouragement and I thank you for what you do. I’m currently finishing your primary colors video you made. It’s great. I love your style. Take care.
On the pricing of the Martin's and the big 3. Remember a few years back when the Canadian dollar was par with the American. The American value skyrocketted to what we payed in Canadan and for us went even higher. Now being back to around 75 cents to the dollars, the kept the same pricing which is not right. Pricing should back to where it was 10 years ago. JP you are right in that aspect. Though I bough my 2007 Martin D35 in 2008 and cost me 2700$ taxes included and all and 3000$ for a Gibson J45 in 2016. That's 5700$ for two legendary guitars. I wouldn't trade them for only one boutique guitar. I get so much diversity from those two guitars. But if I would start over today I would either have two high end Chinese made or just the one boutique guitar. Guess I got lucky before the prices got stupid!
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 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!😊
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.
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.
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!!!
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 😊
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.
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...
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.
I'm a builder/fixer (mostly fixer) in WNC where a ton of bluegrass pickers reside and I can tell you that for the past 4 or 5 years most of them that I know are sittin' their Martins aside and playing the Recording Kings. I've had 8 in the shop, some for set-ups and so on but the main thing that makes the most difference is the finish on the top...it's thick! It's also a bear to get off but when you do it really, REALLY sings. Afterwards I apply a sunburst or a aging die & a very thin finish and they're good to go. One of the guys emailed RK to ask them to skip the finishing process all together and they will not do that. They called that a "custom" order. anyway, take off that top finish and you'll really be blown away!
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.!
AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. That's why I love Yamaha so much. Not just for their superb affordable guitars, but bc of how important that is to support musicians and music.
Yes I agree, Yamaha make Consistently ex. guitars 😊
I still have my 1973 Martin D-41 bought new in 1976 at a music store for $900. A few years ago, Martin paid $700. to have have a Martin certified luthier re-set the neck and of course I paid for worn parts; nut, saddle and frets. While it was fairly easy for me to tell the Martin in your test, you still get what you pay for. My old martin has recently been replaced as I get ready to retire and play out full time. I bought a 2018 Martin HD-28e reimagined with the 1938 style scallop shifted bracing. While the older martins were intended to be played either in front of a mic or acoustic, the new martins have electronics with EQ built in that sounds like an acoustic, only louder. A dream guitar that's a player with a faster neck and playable action, adjustable trust rod and sounds of a vintage guitar. Hate to say it but a better guitar than my D-41. All of that for under $3,500 including the onboard electronics. Only guitar I need and would rather have it than in keeping a dozen guitars and not playing most of them very often. Martins seem to sound best for me using .013 -.056 strings. Maybe it was just the recording but your Martin didn't sound as good as it should have, even though the playing was stellar. And while I get you shouldn't have to get a loan to buy a guitar, usually in September, people really wanting a martin can get a interest free loan for 4 years, and they typically drop the price about a grand. For something that is a heirloom and one of the best sounding guitars, what you get as a long term investment should be considered. They are still hand made and much improved over the older models in the standard series . I really enjoy the JP Cormier site and see where some would benefit from the Recording King. Thanks!
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.
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?
Amen! Great points. I've got a Recording King rd-10 and never been happier with an acoustic guitar.
Great advice, I am playing Recording King by myself. Brilliant guitars at a reasonable price!
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. 👏
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.
Ah ha I got it right. I could tell #1 had more punch and sounded new. And #2 was more blended and settled. However I preferred the RK for lead punch. If I played rhythm and wanted that sweet tone that blended with the band then the Martin would be the answer. However the price difference is insane. I would like to hear the RK 50 years from now.
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!!!!
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
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.
JP, that kind of marketing bothers me too. I don't understand why people can't see what you are saying. I have said the same thing on TGP many times and people get angry. I was so glad to see your Alvarez vs. Martin video. I've posted that video a number of times and it has shut up a bunch of the naysayers. Keep them coming, please!
My Recording King "Dirty Thirties" OOO is played along with Taylors and Martins. I don't ask for more. Its my sound and it its consistent to all others.
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!
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!!
You're an absolute savage on those guitars!!!!
You are so right .I started playing when I was 14.im 61 now .iv never been able to afford a martin always wanted one...but I want a nice sounding guitar not a parcel of land.
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.
Not the same guitar but my 2016 Recording King ROS-10/000 12 fret is a gem! Solid Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides. Plays like sweet butter, perfect intonation, wonderful resonance and very well built, I love fingerpicking on this guitar! Have not played my Taylor 317e as much as I used to, this RK is just so nice. I will be buying another Recording King, an RD-328! Thanks JP for your videos.
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.
Wow man your a great player I love your playing and tone. Thank you sir!!!
You're a terrific flatpicker! I listened, and instead of trying to decide which was which, I chose the one I preferred. It was the Recording King - a fuller, more solid tone. The other one sounded brighter, more brash. In my experience guitars, even if they're the same model, can vary depending on I suppose factors such as wood density, stifness and so on. I've owned several D-28s, and they've varied. I've long thought that the only way is to go into a music shop with a wall full of guitars, and just choose the one you like best - whatever the make. Interestingly, so far I haven't played a boutique guitar that I thought would suit me. Another factor to consider is I think the player's style and touch, as well as string choice. Decisions, decisions!
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!
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
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 approve. Even if the big brands make excellent guitars, their prices are often exaggerated. I recently purchased a high quality solid wood Seagull artist mosaic CW with an extraordinary finish and build quality for $ 1500 CAD. I had tried a Martin D18 at $ 3400 CAD but the Seagull gave me as much in terms of build quality and sound, and for much less money. But don't say it too loudly because some purists might be offended.
I completed my 76th circuit around the Sun last week and I have played guitar (on and off) since I was 15. My first guitar was a Truetone branded Kay electric. My second guitar was a Gibson B45-12 Sunburst (without the tailpiece). I have owned Epiphone, a Gibson Petite classic, a Guild (maybe a D-25???) and a Kent classic that I have had for 53 years. I always wanted a Martin but could never afford one until a friend gave me a 1994 OM-21 w/ a Martin case, that had a cracked top and loose braces That still sounded great to me. I took it to a great luthier in Tucson (Mike Cutler, The Luthier's Bench). He gave me an estimate of $200 ( I expected $500) and it took him a good bit more work than he had anticipated. I told him he could add the additional time, but he insisted on accepting the original bid. So I have a Martin OM-21 for $200. Only way I was ever going to get one. The repair on the crack looks like the shadow of a string. I sure enjoyed your pickin' on the Recording King. I would put my money there before spending bejillions on any of the Sacred Cow guitars. Thanx for the introduction.
Wow great review. I just picked up a Recording King Raj-26 which looks like a Gibson J45. I bought it at a pawn shop for the unbelievable price of 80$. It has a built in pickup which sounds great. There is a top hairline crack/separation from not enough humidity but can be fixed and definitely doesn't affect the sound. It appears to have been road hard and put away wet, but it's a fantastic guitar. I own a Gibson and several other high end brands, and the feel and playability of the RK is amazing. These are great guitars for the money.
This is interesting because I can clearly hear a difference between these guitars with the Martin sounding warmer. The Recording King sounds great but is a little more brittle in my opinion. I have a Martin om21 which cost over 2k which is twice what I paid for a very nice Tanglewood which was my favourite guitar until I bought the Martin. I agree that to pay 2x the price for what may seem like a small improvement in sound may seem foolish. But now that I recognise what that difference is I am reminded every time I play the Martin and I rarely play the Tanglewood as a result. Once you hear and feel a difference you cannot un-hear it and the cost becomes justifiable.
🤣
You're absolutely right, in listening to both to the Martin even over UA-cam audio has a wow factor, the recording king is just very very nice
I'd guessed the Martin was #2... but I did prefer #1. Thank you for the comparison!
ah man, i got it right. I honestly was getting excited that I had gotten it wrong (I just ordered the OM model of this RK), as he was describing the percentages! Honestly it was the crazy complexity of that final strum of the second guitar that made me go "whoa that must be the martin," and then the rk was obviously a little more spanky and bright on that attack, though that Adirondack will be playing a small role in that
Well, I purchased the RD-328 and love it. Wow what a guitar. I wanted a Martin D28 so bad but couldn't afford it now and the Recording King has saved the day for me.
I plan on doing several videos on my own channels to, comparing it with a new Gibson J-45 rosewood and my 1965 Epiphone Texan.
Thank you for these videos. Without them, I would not have purchased this guitar. But now I'm a very happy Recording King owner
after having mine worked on by a luthier.. it's absolutely amazing
@@kyleharleyanderton
Thank you for letting us know that. Mine was set up almost perfectly right from the box. But the music store that sold it could have set it up too.
I love mine and it does open up the more it's played.
I agree with the sound comparison! Just subbed too.
But it’s supply and demand and those companies are running businesses. Other companies will rise up that have great products that are affordable for normal people like us. The value of a guitar isn’t only based on the sound but the legacy and supply/demand.
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.
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!
Was interested in a Martin OMJM (John Mayer Sig). It was $3799 retail … When the shop brought it up on the computer, I happened to see their cost from Martin was $2399! That sorta killed it for me. I also owned a Martin OOO-15M… very basic but sounded good, I played it very little & baby’d it… neck separated after 1 year… discovered Martin uses a bolt (behind serial plate) to attach neck and very minimal glue. Boy was I disappointed in the lame construction of that guitar. So I settled on the new Martin sc13 (new design, Mexican made) but when I compared a bunch of guitars, bought a Taylor 224CE-K DLX (Koa) and couldn’t be happier. Also, have a 1970’s Goya dread (owned by Martin-same construction/neck,etc) and that tone is just amazing.
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.
I’ve always wanted a Martin but couldn’t afford it. Playing a Guild for 30 years until the bridge started to separate and needed a neck reset . My cousin turned me in to Zager guitars . I bought their ZAGER 80 1,300 and am totally blown away by the tone , volume , balance , craftsmanship and superb neck angle and low action not to mention wonderful customer service . After a year playing it I had the chance to play a $ 5,100 Martin in a music store . No comparison ! Very nice guitar but my ZAD 80 blew it away in so many ways. I just could not justify 5 to 6 figures on up for the name . I’m thoroughly.pleased with my gorgeous 80 with its nice case for 1,300. I get a lot of compliments at our jam sessions .
Thank you and by the way I got it right.....a Martin just has a sound that screams Martin!
I had a Recording King about 10 years back. Wish I had kept it.
I don’t just like this channel, I love it!
I sold my Taylor 412 this year as it sat in its case for decades to buy the Martin 000-15SM. I did find the Martin a much better guitar in tone, quality and playability. I paid less than what I paid for the 412 when I bought it in 2003. I was a Martin hater for so many years because I could not afford the guitar of my dream. Now that I owned one and only one, I think they are where they are for the reasons that were not all have to do with their name. BTW - I still owned a Taylor Mini GS and to me the best travel guitar that I have ever played. It made me go back to playing again after 20 years of not touching the 412. You should review the mini GS.
My 000-328 has opend up within a week too,crazy much. Sanded down the saddle just now and now its even better.
Will you be reviewing the RD-318 with the 30 year old spruce top?
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.
Great points JP Enjoy your Picking
I bought a Blueridge BR240A a couple of years ago.... I wouldn’t trade it for 10 Martins! This thangs a beast!
I guess it how we react to a guitar and if the guitar speaks to us maybe I’m not in the same league but my searching is over when I bought a Takamine . I swear it has energy of Zen . Everyone says I play differently with it . Every note is a story and a feeling.
Let's remember they are made in China (like Eastman and Kepma) -- which has nothing to do with their quality but everything to do with cost, just like Martin making their road series (and I've played some that are great) in Mexico for reasons of affordability. Heck, I have a Kepma that I use for gigging in less than optimal situations (like every Sunday in our way cold and dry Adirondack church from late fall 'til spring!). But I suspect if the Recording King guitars were designed AND built here in North America we might be talking about a different story.
If they were made here doesn't matter. They're not and a great value because of it.
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.
Amen to those wise words. I do not know much about acoustic guitars, but I quite do within the electric guitar's world. And I have the same opinion (based on my experience playing them) as yours regarding electric guitars and the big names within the industry.
Cheers!
Marc
Super eyeopener.. but there again : I do feel JP could make any guitar sound a million... Those fingers just land the right tunes. THANKS JP
From Leo: Thanks for your demo, I had never really looked at the Recording King line. Martin builds a fine guitar, and has been uniform in quality for years, of course at a price. I was looking at a different brand in the $500 range. They had 4 of them, and all looked very well finished. One was excellent in tone through the whole range, two were ok, nothing special, and the last one was as dead and lifeless as a shipping crate. I think the cheaper brands have more variance.
I have two Martins and a Collings D2H custom. The Collings to me has better quality than the newer Martin guitars!
For Collings or Martin money, I'd go Collings every time. Actually I am spending that kind of money and I just ordered the Yamaha LL56. It comes down to voicing really. I don't need a guitar with massive grunt on the low end. The loudest guitar I ever played hands down was the D2H. I loved it!
I’ve consistently found Recording King guitars to play well and sound great.
I bought a standard D-28 from Musician's Friends for $2200.00. All I had to do was give them the price that I was willing to pay and they can either accept it or not. Obviously they accepted it. Guitar is beautiful and plays like a dream.
Guitar prices have almost doubled over the last bit .
Hey JP, Mike here, really, really nice playing. I am essentially an electric guitarist and have been for the last 36 years but I have a Telecaster and it's made in Mexico it's the only non-American guitar I have and it's the oldest electric I have and I swear by that guitar, despite just a few mods I made it's an incredible guitar with rock solid tuning and a beautiful sound ...and only now am I really getting seriously into acoustic guitar territory, after 36 years of playing guitar ...O well better late than never. Take care JP. Mike.
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
Thanks for the video. I’m actually struggling with this exact problem. I used to travel 20 plus years ago as a mandolin player for a band called Ernie Thacker and Route 23. Wasn’t able to pay the big money for a Gibson back then so I kept playing my Alvarez for the first two years. This was around the time that everyone else was getting tired of this too and new instrument makers were popping up everywhere. I got an endorsement from Ken Radcliffe for a silver angel mandolin! Absolute monster of a mandolin. Now we are returning to the game to try some more (as if we didn’t get BROKE the first round) but this time I’m attempting it as a guitar player. Oh my! I only thought martins were high back then! Wow! Guess I’ll be beating the strings off my broken, misaligned neck, needing a set up in the worst way blueridge br-60 with its laminate back and sides! She ain’t much to look at but almost every festival I get ask what im playing. lol. And If you were to decide and grab a cheap version of the Martin to try and play with the big boys at the big venue with a Dm, DX, Road series, etc.. a man would never get in the clubhouse! 😂
Again, thanks for the video!
When I bought my recording king Randy Curry at the store , called it " the Martin killer " that was in 07. I love my RK
Yamaha FG800 is my go to guitar. I'm in a house with Martins (my uncle's) and STILL go for my Yamaha. Can't afford a Martin. I AM, however, looking for a nice Yamaha FGX5.
Same the fg800 is my first acoustic, phenomenal guitar if $200 gets me this much guitar I can't imagine how much better the Japanese red label will be
Was going to get a FGX5.. didn't want to wait, so i got the RD-328.. taking it tomorrow to get a setup and bone pins fit
The v-neck is going to take a bit to get used to, but it sounds amazing. and already is opening up on just a couple hours of playing
Great to hear that! Greetings from Norway 🇧🇻
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.
After viewing this video. I went to the local music store , they had 2 RD328 and i was really disappointed. Maybe because they were brand news . Just came out of the box.🤷🏼♂️. A few days ago a played a used eastman e20d , selling for 1400$ canadien. I was blown away. Wasn’t as good as my bg-52 Boucher but pretty close. I wish you would do a video on a Eastman. And like always, great Fun video 👍
I've had an RD227 for about 8 years. Love it. Looked at $1500-2000 Martins and Taylors of various kinds. They couldn't touch it for quality or sound. Can confirm the fact that there are quality boutique builders here in Maine that are very reasonable.
I agree! I have the smaller brother of the RD227 the RD126 and i brought it for 300usd and i just could not bellive it so much so that i didnt haggle with the seller and straightup brought it.... since then i have done a tonne of mods and its all worked out many guitars that are $2000s cannot touch these older series!
My life story could be a country song became disabled and the wife got my guitar when she left her father had left me a 42 ribbon addition Gibson he had bought from Ronny Williams
I have been saving sense 07 and looking a bouchers and dreaming of one
Well JP I just ordered my Rd328 Recording King thru reverb cannot Waite to receive it
Thank you so much for what you do
Hope I can get to see you at the stomping Tom center tomorrow haven’t figured it out yet but hopefully I will be there
I just got vack from local music shops and played several old and new Martins. I actually fell in love with a 74 Sigma (by Martin) and thought that may be the one. On the 4th and final shop, i ran into this Recording King RD-328 and i was absolutely floored. I kept picking up Martins beside it (and 2 Yairi's) and i was sinply stunned. I could care less if people seeing me "playing a Martin". Im also quite annoyed at Martin for pricing their guitars essentially for upper class incomes. Recording King stole my heart today. Looks like they started out life making guitars in the 30s from what im reading. Anyway, i arrived at the same conclusion! RK will be getting my money
Just found your channel sir. Very pleased to see these comparison videos. I won't ever (I'm almost 60) pay the thousands that the big companies require for their products....especially when they attempt to compete with lesser, hard to use that word...because Yamaha, Ibanez, RK, Washburn....they aren't really small companies....but the biggies, try to make affordable instruments....but use crap material and cheap labor....but still cost more... I will at this point say, that the player...makes a huge difference....hand that Recording King to another, less experienced player....won't sound the same....
At your level, your brain immediately adjusts attack, even slight bending to correct tone and intonation....
I've been experimenting with some cheaper guitars...and have found some really interesting stuff about acoustics, and what has always been the gospel....hoping to try my own design, crafting one next year...
But thank you for your insight, knowledge and god love ya, straight forward approach to guitars.
I bought my previously owned 1982 HD 28 in 1992, and I’ve been a believer to this day. But I can’t deny that this $1,000 recording king is just as nice sounding as the 15+ y/o Martin D-28 for 1/6 th the price. 🤪
Now, I know I am a month late. I saw this video start, then went to the first one with the test, then back to this one. Unless I missed something, you never did say which guitar was #1, and which was #2. For me, and I will not name them yet, I could tell a HUGE difference in the guitars, but in this video, when you played the Recording King, I preferred it over the Martin, and I have owned 4 over my lifetime. I cannot afford the Recording King right now since I have been out of work for 2 years, and have had to sell my HD-28 and my D42 to pay the bills. Anyway, please let me know which was #1 and which was #2. I am pretty sure I know, but would never bet money on it. I also just subscribed.
#1 was Recording King, #2 was the Martin.
@@JPCormier I was wrong then. I thought the louder one, the 1st one was the Clarence White due to the larger sound hole, I have heard them next to a standard D-28 and they were always louder, so that one fooled me. When you played them both in this video, I preferred the Recording King. Thanks for an awesome test.
I would love to see the Alvarez and Recording King go head to head, because I have narrowed my next acoustic purchase to either one of those two guitars.
Yes!
I"m in the same exact situation bro! Can't decide wich one i want to buy? The Alvarez MD 60 EBG or BG, or the RECORDING KING RD-328 ? Please JP help us! Compare those 2 please please please!!! Lol!!!
Love Alvarez and Yairi can't go wrong
JP you mentioned Huss and Dalton, Bourgeois, and Collings as alternatives to the Big 3. The aforementioned guitar companies are doing the same thing as the Big 3. I owned a Huss and Dalton about 10 years ago, it cost me $3100. The same guitar today is $2500 more. Collings has nothing, other than the Waterloo, which is a $2500 WTF, under $4000, the same with Bourgeois. Your Recording King parlor guitar that you did the bridge adjustment on sounds better than the Collings Waterloo that is 10 times the price. It is unfortunate that Martin and Taylor have gone the way they have. Gibson is trying. Their J15 is an all solid wood guitar, walnut back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck that you can get in the US for around $1500 that sounds and plays as good as the J45.
But you are correct in saying that there are builders out there that are building great instruments at affordable prices. Unfortunately they don't have the resale value as the Big 3 or the previously mentioned "boutique" builders. Hopefully this will change. Nice videos keep up the good work.
I’ve had several Martins...HD28, MC28, D35...all lovely. And I’ve had other boutique guitars. But I wandered into a shop a few years ago and played a Recording King ROS16...quickly sold by high school ring and bought it. Stunningly beautiful guitar, sweet solid top. I hate the poly finish, but love playing it. It is a better value...not a better guitar...but one I don’t have to worry too much about, and it comes breathtakingly close to Martin.
Thanks..... I didn't comment on which was which but to my ears I picked #2 as the one with just a little more something in the clarity in between the notes and #1 had a bit of a drone note on one of the notes... The only thing I can say is a Martin will hold its value for resale for the most part and as they get much older the resale value goes up.... When I bought my D28 a builder here in Ontario Mario Proulx had just made a D18 model that I fell in love with, to this day I kick my ass I didn't buy it instead of the D28 Martin. Got to play the Proulx last year and after 20 - 25yrs I am now really kicking my ass.... But I do love my Martin D18GE it is a fine guitar...
Ok, I would like to emphasize a couple of points that were mentioned. First, Martin, Taylor, and Gibson are made in the USA. This means that their labor costs are much higher than any instruments made in China. Much higher! Also the US manufacturers have lifetime warranty on their guitars. Where would you send the recording king or warranty work if needed? You also can get a solid wood US madeTaylor for under $1500 that sound and play great. To be transparent, I own two “stock” Taylor guitars and two Martins out of the custom shop. All sound and play great. My custom D18 was thousands less than a Boucher, Thompson or other builders guitars of similar woods. The custom D28 was more, but no more than similar specs from other builders. I did a lot of comparison shopping before putting out that kind of money. There is no doubt that there are some great builders out there including some wonderful European and Japanese builders. However, in this case, I think your sample size is a bit small. The major US builders (especially Martin) have been making instruments for a long time, and have a proven track record. Just look at what an older Martin is worth today. Can you say the same for your recording king in 50 years? I know that if I wanted to sell my Martin custom D28, I would get as much if not more than I paid for it. It really is an heirloom instrument. The recording king not so much. As I said, you can get a great Taylor for less than $1500.
J P: The blind banjo player in our BG band also owns a 1968 Martin D35. Bought in 1969 for $550.00. Look how the prices have risen on those!!!
Guy can play anything with strings. Gibson RB250 banjo. Steiner fiddle. Dopera Resophonic guitar. Blah blah blah. I'd like to hear him play Dixie
Hoedown on your R K guitar. Whatta treat that'd be. Keep on hauling water for R K guitars
Just found your channel, couldn’t agree more. Bought a KYairi in 1986, as good or better than any Martin I have ever heard or played. Have owned Gibson and Taylor both. A mistake I won’t repeat. Also owned Fender telecaster and Stratocaster, both now gone with no remorse. I agree, the best place to find a quality guitar is an individual, independent luthier. Have never owned a Martin but have dropped thousands of $$$ on the other big 3. Live and learn. The name on the headstock may sell the guitar but it doesn’t necessarily mean superior quality, only superior price.
I chose the wrong one. I went back and listened again. I would still make the same mistake. I own a Martin D15 so shame on me. I think it is the player that fooled me. :) Great job! Thanks for doing these, it's fun to learn about different brands that perhaps I don't have in my local shop that are really great sounding.
Jp I was always told you where an ignorant person but I don’t get that from this video. But I really appreciate how you just stood up for the little guys , that’s a hard act to follow
Thank you for this excellent video, your reflections, and for making the point so clearly.
I love your stuff JP, love your family. Stack 'em high boy.
You should compare the Recording King against a similar priced Martin like one of the road series to see exactly what both companies would give you for 1K
good point.. the rd-328's sell for 750$ and the rd-318's sell for 600$ in the USA
Based on what I'm hearing, the Recording King would absolutely wipe the floor with the Road series guitar. And I own 2 Martins.
@@alexcorll90 one thing i have noticed, is the fret wire on the recording king is inferior to a mexican made martin. I own both, also a taylor. The fret metal is just softer and I will be replacing with evo gold or another alternative.. other than that.. yeah the recording king would win in the volume department for sure
I just bought an RK off the sweetwater used rack. Had never heard of them but I couldn't put it down. Absolutely in love with this thing and I got it for 250 bucks!!!
Another useful video for us cheapskates. Thanks J.P.! I bought the Alvarez based on that comparison video but it's mostly just China's low labor cost driving these price differences and not the big 3 makers getting greedy. That $400 ($US) Martin D28 purchased in 1969 should cost $2900 today based purely on inflation, not to mention good quality wood getting harder to source, and it can be bought today for $2800.
This is true for banjos, too. I have a Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard (no longer being made) and a Recording King R-20 and the RK is nearly indistinguishable in tone and playability. The Gibson has a bit more volume and "bark"but I've played the RK out in public many times as it is 20% of the Gibson's cost so I don't worry about it and it sounds great. My former partner played a RK dreadnaught that was a dead-on copy of a Martin vintage D-28; he previously owned several great Martins but had to sell and the RK was a very suitable replacement.
100% I have a Recording King RK35. Amazing banjo! As powerful as my $5K Stelling, just different tone.
@@peterreno4203 100% again I have a 2010 RK Elite 85 banjo, the tone and punch puts many boutique banjos to shame, I remember when I was in group banjo lessons. A guy strolled in with a brand new Stelling Staghorn, (that I was a bit jealous of at first) beautiful banjo. Then we started jamming and I started playing around with him. His banjo sounded good but when I dug in I could out bark his all day. Which blew me away as well as him. He was asking about my banjo when we were packing up. I told him what it was and I payed $1K for it.
We ended up doing group banjo lessons all to way to "Banjo 8" they were supposed to stop at 4. The only banjo that sounded better than mine was the instructors Keith, had a pre war Gibson frankenstein with very low action and amazing tone. But he also paid 10K for it and had another 5k worth of work on it.
I'm so glad you are doing these comparisons, as I for years preached this to our customers in Maine. I'd tell them not to worry about what was on the headstock. Play them, and then buy what feels and sounds the best. Before the Recording King, they had the Carolina line, which was really nice also. It was actually a bit nicer (headstock inlay), but the RK went back to a more traditional look. The solid wood models were just amazing and priced reasonable. Back in the mid 2000s, we were selling them for less then $500!
JP, the sentiments you expressed concerning the cost and possibly lesser quality if some of these guitars made from the companies we love I agree with. But you definitely overstep the boundaries. The makers like recording king and others that have their guitars made in China don’t have near the cost of those American companies whose primary guitars are made in America. The Chinese work for immensely less money basically slave labor and I really doubt that these guitar companies are owning the factories in China. Either way they still do not have the same responsibility and financial output of some of the others. As far as the Martin Road Series, you know the ones that have the weird numbers, I think that series is the best bang for the buck you can get in guitars. And I will put my Martin SC 13 E against any similar Type and price point of any guitar I have ever seen or heard. It is an absolute delight to play with perfect tone and clarity. Having expressed my disagreements with you I can say I thoroughly enjoy your show. I just found you a couple of weeks ago. You are an encouragement and I thank you for what you do. I’m currently finishing your primary colors video you made. It’s great. I love your style. Take care.
On the pricing of the Martin's and the big 3. Remember a few years back when the Canadian dollar was par with the American. The American value skyrocketted to what we payed in Canadan and for us went even higher. Now being back to around 75 cents to the dollars, the kept the same pricing which is not right. Pricing should back to where it was 10 years ago. JP you are right in that aspect. Though I bough my 2007 Martin D35 in 2008 and cost me 2700$ taxes included and all and 3000$ for a Gibson J45 in 2016. That's 5700$ for two legendary guitars. I wouldn't trade them for only one boutique guitar. I get so much diversity from those two guitars. But if I would start over today I would either have two high end Chinese made or just the one boutique guitar. Guess I got lucky before the prices got stupid!