Recording King vs Blueridge guitars

[guit3090]

Which company do you like best if either? I have always liked Blueridge best.
However, I was listening to someone play a Recording King, one of their solid models and I really like it. Heard they just finished a new plant too.

[Gibson4NJ]

I have had trouble liking the Recording Kings that I've played, while most Blueridge models have made a positive impression. Maybe they have more of a personality of their own vs. being 'almost there' copies?

Then Sigma/Kindred came along and made me forget about the other two immediately.

[chitz]

Blueridge hands down.

[wvblues]

Never owned a recording king but have several blueridges.
Good guitars but they have a pretty thick poly finish . It kind of stinks to use such good tonewoods and then bury it underneath a thick finish.

They still sound good, but I have always had the "what if" syndrome when it comes to them. Especially with those adi topped guitars.

I think recording king has some good parlor guitars. Eric Schoenberg teamed up with them a few years back. Worth a play. I'm wanting to try one of their torrefied adi models

[Arthur Blake]

Originally Posted by wvblues

Never owned a recording king but have several blueridges.
Good guitars but they have a pretty thick poly finish . It kind of stinks to use such good tonewoods and then bury it underneath a thick finish.

This is a BR-243A manufactured in late 2012. The finish was applied thinly enough that the grain lines show through.



From most angles it looks glassy smooth, but with the reflection turned just one way, ridging in the finish is visible.

This guitar has always been properly humidified.

[merlin666]

Isn't Eastman from the same set of factories too?

[dmcowles@comcas]

Originally Posted by merlin666

Isn't Eastman from the same set of factories too?

No, Eastman has been manufacturing stringed instruments in their own factory in Beijing for around 50 years. They made a name for themselves making bowed instruments (violin family) then moved into archtop guitars. After Blueridge guitars changed the game re. import flattop guitars, Eastman got on board and (IMHO) left the others like
Blueridge and RK in their dust.

Guild's GAD models are made in the same factory (Grand Reward) as Blueridge.

Dave Cowles, Admin
The Unofficial Blueridge Guitar Forum

[8bit]

RKs are solid but none of the ones I've played have ever really stood out to me. I'm a big fan of Blueridge despite not owning one (but I will fix that someday).

I still kick myself for passing up a really great one a few years back. I was just messing around in the used room at the Nashville Guitar Center playing around with a bunch of high end stuff I couldn't afford at the time. Picked up this Blueridge 160 and I kid you not it held it's own with every single Martin and Gibson in that room (to my ears anyway, YMMV). It was one of those times when you and a guitar just "click". Despite being one of the cheaper items in the room I still just didn't have the spare funds at that time so I had to walk away. Sigh.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by chitz

Blueridge hands down.

Funny because my experience has been RK hands down

[Phelonious Ponk]

The correct answer is Eastman.

P

[jpd]

ymmv....

[KasperT]

I've got parlors from both companies and both are nice. RK aims higher but Blueridge makes a quality and sturdy guitar, sturdier than my RK. Strokes for folks.

[ronbo]

I've played quite a number of Blueridge guitars over the years and find them to be well-made, solid, good sounding and playing guitars. I've never taken one home, because they've never really spoken to me. They're kind of like Taylors for me, they look good and sound good and seem very consistent, but don't inspire me to play them. I've owned 4 Recording King guitars (currently own 2) because I prefer the neck profile and the tone speaks volumes to me. I think the Blueridge's had better fit and finish, seems like their QC is a bit better, but the tone and playability of RK's just fits me better and when I play and hear them, I am inspired to play them more! You may have to play a few RK's to find an exceptional one, but when you do, they are quite special.

[jasbart]

For a couple years I played Blueridge guitars every chance I got. Was consistently blown away by the sound and quality control. But the bling factor was out of control. There was no way I could see myself playing an instrument with that much curly-cue mother of plastic crawling all over it.

Then, online, I happened upon a used BR-163 with a nicely cut "rosewood" plate that covered the headstock perfectly. I bought it without hesitation because of my favorable experience playing Blueridge guitars in stores. And no bling. I love that guitar.

Jim

[leonski]

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