I don't know how big it's nut is but it's damn sure got some big uhm....well - all three sound absolutely amazing. I'm so impressed I'm going to order two of them first thing this morning. Seriously.... I got the 000 version of the rosewood guitar for a friend a couple months ago...I could not BELIEVE how awesome that guitar sounded fresh off the FedEx truck right out of the box. I sold a 1938 000-45 a few years ago - a nice, rare, super expensive guitar that sounds great - but it don't sound a bit better than that new Recording King 000, and volume? the RK has it beat by a wide margin. And it's about $80,000 cheaper
Great video. I love my RD-328 after 2 years now. It just keeps getting better every time I play it. What's crazy is they scallop the braces, just like a 40's Martin. I was going to scallop the braces my self and after putting in my light and mirror I noticed that the X bracing was already scalloped. So they did build these guitars to the way they were making them back in the 40's. And even though I will have a Martin, some day, I'll never get rid of this guitar.
Wow Lincoln, what a great collection of Recording King Dreadnought guitars you have there! To be fair, I think the RD-318 would resonate better without half the adirondack spruce soundboard being covered over by the oversized pickguard. But hey, I get it. If that's what your guitar hero played then who's to judge, right? Anyhoo, I have owned and played many many guitars in my 67 year old lifetime and in today's world market, you simply cannot beat the value of these great guitars! You're a great guitar player and I hope as you become even more skilled, you continue to choose an instrument based on it's sound instead of where it is made or the name on the headstock! I wish you continued success and good health!
I purchased the 318 and the 328 about year and a half ago they are great guitars for the money enjoyed your review A little bit jealous Of your picking😊 thanks for sharing
Its almost like you saved the best for last. Sound is subjective. But the 342 IMO was great. Wouldnt trade my 1973 D-28 for it, but would gladly add it to the collection! Thanks for sharing that
Very nice guitars! I love my 328, I put a 1 3/4 nut on it just to try it out. It works just fine. I will probably strip it and refinish it with nitrocellulose laquer. I bet it will sound even better!
RD318 sounded best on fingerpicking. The RD342 is warm but less open sounding, the RD328 in between. Not sure if it is the recordings, but was sure I would prefer the 342. Yet the RD318 is the gem here. The playing was wonderful, especially the fingerpicking.
I have the 318 and 342. The 342 is a cannon. I have had Martins and Taylors and this guitar (342) is on equal footing. They hold up against my Yamaha FG9, but the Yamaha squeaks out the win.
Thanks for the demo - they all sound great. I just bought a used -328 and I'd like to upgrade the bridge pins as well. Is there a standard size to specify or how to you get them sized right? Also, where did the get the new pins, if you don't mind saying? Thx
All three are regular cannons! Although each one has it's own unique nuances. And those vintage style double guards are great! I'm pretty old, and I had the pleasure of knowing a lot of the old "Old Timers" that "were there" in the early to mid Fifties, when those crazy double pick guards were the in thing. Some of them were put on those guitars to cover up wear and/or damage, but a lot of them were just installed for the added "bling" factor. Any of those folks would have told you that those guards DIDN'T alter the sound of the instrument too much. I've currently got a custom Rosewood Jumbo/spruce top and I have double pickguards on it. People say that it's the loudest, deepest sounding acoustic guitar they've ever heard. I suppose that if I steamed those guards off of it, it might make folk's heads explode!😂 Cheers! You're sounding great as always.
Who’d you get to make the pickguard for the 318, and did you do something special to the pickguard to where it does kill tone and vibration of the guitar cause man that thing sounds good, course you playing helps 😂!
I did it myself. I researched around and got the absolute thinnest pickguard material I could find. It didn’t change the tone or volume any at all as far as I could.
I wouldn’t say they are as sharp as the new vintage series Martin D-18’s that I’ve played. Especially the 318 and 328. The 342 probably has the sharpest of the 3.
Hi brother how are you doing? I was wondering if you could tell me where you bought your real bone tuning pegs for your guitars, I'd like to buy some for mine too! Thanks for any response!! A hug from Italy!
Thanks for the video! The RD-342 has 1-3/4" nut width, while the other two have 1-11/16". Really appreciate you comparing all 3!
You bet!
All are great sounding guitars! The 342 was loud and bright! Are you still setting up banjos? I have a Gibson RB 250 that needs a setup!!
I don't know how big it's nut is but it's damn sure got some big uhm....well - all three sound absolutely amazing. I'm so impressed I'm going to order two of them first thing this morning. Seriously....
I got the 000 version of the rosewood guitar for a friend a couple months ago...I could not BELIEVE how awesome that guitar sounded fresh off the FedEx truck right out of the box. I sold a 1938 000-45 a few years ago - a nice, rare, super expensive guitar that sounds great - but it don't sound a bit better than that new Recording King 000, and volume? the RK has it beat by a wide margin. And it's about $80,000 cheaper
The 342 has more depth and projection to my ears. All three sound just as good as my D-18. Nice playing.👍
Agreed the 342 sounds fuller like almost like it's got a deeper box ..more bass maybe?
Great video. I love my RD-328 after 2 years now. It just keeps getting better every time I play it.
What's crazy is they scallop the braces, just like a 40's Martin. I was going to scallop the braces my self and after putting in my light and mirror I noticed that the X bracing was already scalloped. So they did build these guitars to the way they were making them back in the 40's. And even though I will have a Martin, some day, I'll never get rid of this guitar.
Damn...all three of those guitars sound incredible. Great demonstration of the three models....thank you!
Thanks so much Perk!
Wow Lincoln, what a great collection of Recording King Dreadnought guitars you have there! To be fair, I think the RD-318 would resonate better without half the adirondack spruce soundboard being covered over by the oversized pickguard. But hey, I get it. If that's what your guitar hero played then who's to judge, right? Anyhoo, I have owned and played many many guitars in my 67 year old lifetime and in today's world market, you simply cannot beat the value of these great guitars! You're a great guitar player and I hope as you become even more skilled, you continue to choose an instrument based on it's sound instead of where it is made or the name on the headstock! I wish you continued success and good health!
I'd like to see you do a review that compares them to some Martins, Gibson, or Taylors. Even Eastman would be a good comparative
Nice demo. I like them all. My dream guitar would be a 42 style dread. I need the torch peghead inlay though.....
I purchased the 318 and the 328 about year and a half ago they are great guitars for the money enjoyed your review A little bit jealous Of your picking😊 thanks for sharing
Its almost like you saved the best for last. Sound is subjective. But the 342 IMO was great. Wouldnt trade my 1973 D-28 for it, but would gladly add it to the collection! Thanks for sharing that
thank you, it's nice hearing all three on the same mike, I jut bought the 318 and 328, from your video I'd say the 342 has deeper bass notes
Great video. Three great guitars. Thanks for posting.
Love the sound of the 342 man i think i gotta get one
Seems as tho the plastic sheets on the top would negatively affect the sound....
Keeps sound aside, LOOK AT THAT 😍 BEAUTY ❤ . Ahhh its been a while ive seen really beautiful acoustics.
thanks for that. good job fella 👍
Love that 318 pickguard
Very nice guitars! I love my 328, I put a 1 3/4 nut on it just to try it out. It works just fine. I will probably strip it and refinish it with nitrocellulose laquer. I bet it will sound even better!
ALL THREE SOUND BEUATFUL . RECORDING KING IS MAKING SUM
BEUATFUL INSTRUMENTS . 😊
Thank you.
RD318 sounded best on fingerpicking.
The RD342 is warm but less open sounding, the RD328 in between.
Not sure if it is the recordings, but was sure I would prefer the 342. Yet the RD318 is the gem here. The playing was wonderful, especially the fingerpicking.
Do you have a link to those bridge pins?
The RD328 sounded not as bright as others. I liked tone on it. Older strings or same age to all strings?
I have the 318 and 342. The 342 is a cannon. I have had Martins and Taylors and this guitar (342) is on equal footing. They hold up against my Yamaha FG9, but the Yamaha squeaks out the win.
I think #2 sounded the best.
Thanks for the demo - they all sound great. I just bought a used -328 and I'd like to upgrade the bridge pins as well. Is there a standard size to specify or how to you get them sized right? Also, where did the get the new pins, if you don't mind saying? Thx
Seems like the double pick guard of those sizes would destroy the sound.
I used a super thin material and to be honest couldn’t tell any difference in volume or tone when I changed them in comparison to the old guard.
Did you try any of the 000's in this series?
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All three are regular cannons!
Although each one has it's own unique nuances.
And those vintage style double guards are great!
I'm pretty old, and I had the pleasure of knowing a lot of the old "Old Timers" that "were there" in the early to mid Fifties, when those crazy double pick guards were the in thing.
Some of them were put on those guitars to cover up wear and/or damage, but a lot of them were just installed for the added "bling" factor.
Any of those folks would have told you that those guards DIDN'T alter the sound of the instrument too much.
I've currently got a custom Rosewood Jumbo/spruce top and I have double pickguards on it. People say that it's the loudest, deepest sounding acoustic guitar they've ever heard.
I suppose that if I steamed those guards off of it, it might make folk's heads explode!😂
Cheers!
You're sounding great as always.
RD328 dosent have aderondack top anymore??
Who’d you get to make the pickguard for the 318, and did you do something special to the pickguard to where it does kill tone and vibration of the guitar cause man that thing sounds good, course you playing helps 😂!
I did it myself. I researched around and got the absolute thinnest pickguard material I could find. It didn’t change the tone or volume any at all as far as I could.
can you get them in a natural finish?
If I could pick from a series of guitars to find the right one for me... I'd be all over these guitars.
If you are happy with them ,thats all you need
342 was the best although I like more the mahogany guitar
Looks like you modified the 318 to look like Earl Scruggs D-18
Yep I did! I mention that in the video
Too bad they have a very sharp v-neck shape, I cannot play that without pain after a few minutes...
I wouldn’t say they are as sharp as the new vintage series Martin D-18’s that I’ve played. Especially the 318 and 328. The 342 probably has the sharpest of the 3.
Hi brother how are you doing? I was wondering if you could tell me where you bought your real bone tuning pegs for your guitars, I'd like to buy some for mine too! Thanks for any response!! A hug from Italy!