Blueridge vs Eastman vs Recording King

[riverrummed]

I own one Recording King guitar and two Eastmans. I love all three but the Eastmans are just a notch above.

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by merlin666

I also thought these three were all pretty much the same made in the same factories and owned by same state corporations ... so can someone untangle the web and point to ownership, manufacturing, and other relevant details to distinguish the three companies?

The poster did...what else do you need to know? I own an RK so I know a bit more about that company specifically. They have a Chinese partner or sister company called AXL that manufactures their products, and they're marketed and distributed by The Music Link in Hayward, CA.

http://www.axlusa.com/aboutus.html

[Tony Burns]

of the three you show -Eastman IMO is better made.

[grim83]

Whew necro posting. Considering I added three rk products in less than a month that's my choice. Dollar to donuts I haven't found anything I like better. Eastmans are nice but come with a substantial price difference and I haven't played enough blue ridges to have an opinion

[DesertTwang]

Martin.

[tdq]

Bit of a trick question really. I really like the E10-00 but I just can't afford it at the moment - I have a Recording King RP-10 on the way, for 1/4 the price. If they were the same price, Eastman. But they aren't.

[jimcaleca]

With a good setup, Recording Kings are a great bang for the buck..

[Zissou Intern]

I have owned all three. In my opinion, they would rank as follows:
Tone
1. BR
2. Eastman
3. RK

Fit/Finish/Construction
1. Eastman (far and away better)
2. BR and RK (tied)

[jpd]

I've owned Eastman and RK.......Eastman is a superb builder of fine acoustics. My RK's are my "Travel" guitars and as such fit the demand to "fear not" about damaging a more expensive acoustic. The RK's are good sounding, built like tanks, and affordable.

[pjroberts]

Originally Posted by merlin666

I also thought these three were all pretty much the same made in the same factories and owned by same state corporations ... so can someone untangle the web and point to ownership, manufacturing, and other relevant details to distinguish the three companies?

You are greatly misinformed and all the information is right there in the same window you typed this question.

[rsfanforever]

I was about to buy an Eastman E20D guitar that I'd been playing at A local music store when a buddy just got a Martin X series in. I played that Martin and wow, I ordered one the next day. It rivals in tone to my HD28 which i cherry picked.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by rbbambino

Which of these 3... might have been a better title These companies seem to be very much in the for front of Chinese guitar making these days. At least mass produced guitars from China. It's pretty clear from my signature which one of these I favor, but I think they are all competitive. I'll be interested in the responses.

I can't vote in the poll because, even though I own an Eastman, I haven't played a Blueridge or a Recording King.

Also, not to mess with anyone's head, but any poll not mentioning Yamaha guitars coming out of China is incomplete in my mind, although I'm certainly aware they would be considered the 500-pound gorilla in such a comparison. I love my Eastman, but I'm kind of a Yamaha nut too.

[guit3090]

Where are Eastman made? I like Blueridge the best, They showed up first, and I would love to have a 000 Blueridge. Eastman are nice too, love their Dreadnoughts, never played a Recording King.

[westman]

I consider my playing to be intermediate, neither beginner or advanced, somewhere in between so coming back to playing after a five year or so layoff I chose an Eastie E6OM which pretty well complements my level off skill out of the brands mentioned and others. They're fairly well made and designed out of good materials and sound like an acoustic guitar should, ideally priced for the keen amateur that I am.

[Greg Rappleye]

Of these three choices, Eastman. I have an Eastman E20D that sounds good (though I think the finish is too easily marred) and an Eastman A mandolin that is an amazing instrument.

I've played the Eastman parlors (E10P and E20P, as I recall) and they sounded great.



Greg Rappleye