Recording King

[Dirty Bill]

Has anyone tried out the dirty thirty Recording King guitars. I saw a parlor size and a dread size. My curiosity is up..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt6zXFAfWiU

[00Buck]

I've tried the single 0. I find it to be dull, thin and tinny. If this guitar fills a niche, it's a very narrow one. I've had several other Recording Kings that were decent guitars, but I can't find the merit in this one. On the other hand, it's been in the market for a while, so I could be missing something.

[Dirty Bill]

Have you tried the dread ?

[Dru Edwards]

Jeff (AGF username mr. beaumont) posted his video review a few weeks back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd_N5i6teqE

[TBman]

I a/b'd the Gretsch to the Dirty 30 and really preferred the Gretsch. I've never played the dread versions.

Here's the Gretsch Jim Dandy Scroll down the page and there's a video of it too.

For around $350 you can get an Alvarez 00. I have their AP66SB and there is no boxy sound to it at all. 1.75" nut, 24" scale. No case though. My wife got me one of those $80 tweed cases from Guitar Center which really goes with the oldtime look of the guitar. They also have the AP70 which is a paddle head, not a slothead.

Here's a tune with the Alvarez:

[L20A]

When I was about 10 years old, I wanted to learn to play guitar. My folks bought me a Stella POS that I couldn't play.
It sounded like crap and I gave up on playing guitar until several years later.

Moving forward, the Ditry 30's series is built to capture the build and sound of the old guitars of the 30's era.
They did a good job of it.
They remind me of that old Stella.

[jpd]

Originally Posted by 00Buck

I've tried the single 0. I find it to be dull, thin and tinny. If this guitar fills a niche, it's a very narrow one. I've had several other Recording Kings that were decent guitars, but I can't find the merit in this one. On the other hand, it's been in the market for a while, so I could be missing something.

I buy them for relatives kids as a starter. So far , with a good set-up, they've worked out great. But for a more *accomplished* player?.....hmmmmmm, not for me

[wizardb]

Wanted a small guitar and tried the Dirty 30 and didn't like it. Tried the Yamaha JR1 and it was ok. Finally settled on the Yamaha JR2--about $150. Spruce top and mahogony
(can't spell worth a darn but you get the idea) bottom and sides. Really do like the sound for a small guitar.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by jpd

I buy them for relatives kids as a starter. So far , with a good set-up, they've worked out great. But for a more *accomplished* player?.....hmmmmmm, not for me

I did another recording on mine, for Dr. King''s birthday...

I dunno, I think they work pretty well for what they are. Definitely be a great first guitar for a kid, too.

[Sagebrush Tom]

Originally Posted by TBman

I a/b'd the Gretsch to the Dirty 30 and really preferred the Gretsch. I've never played the dread versions.

Here's the Gretsch Jim Dandy Scroll down the page and there's a video of it too.

For around $350 you can get an Alvarez 00. I have their AP66SB and there is no boxy sound to it at all. 1.75" nut, 24" scale. No case though. My wife got me one of those $80 tweed cases from Guitar Center which really goes with the oldtime look of the guitar. They also have the AP70 which is a paddle head, not a slothead.

Here's a tune with the Alvarez:

I've been guilty of this too, but didn't the op ask about RK's? Didn't seem to me at this point he wanted info on other guitars or manufactures.
Tom

[Looburst]

I have a Dirty Thirties series 7, like in the video above.
I find it dull and tinny also. I wouldn't waste your time or money frankly.

[axmaster]

I bought one of those black single O Recording Kings about two months ago. I wanted a guitar that could be on a stand, ready to be played any time by one of my kids. And it works! I see them playing that guitar almost every day. Sometimes just to fool around, but sometimes my son wants to learn (part of a song) and the Recording King is great for that.

Reason for buying this guitar was its playability. I was easy to play, small in size and has a slim neck, perfect for smaller hands.

When it comes to its sound, I think this is not a very good guitar. As OOBuck wrote: 'dull, thin and tinny'. But that's not what I bought it for. To me it’s a 'real' guitar (definitely not a toy) that I don't have to worry about when my kids play it.

What I also like is its price. The quality you get for the money is amazing. I bought a cheap guitar for camping about 10 years ago, and it was terrible. The Recording King is so much better. And if you're after that specific sound, it’s a great deal.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Sagebrush Tom

I've been guilty of this too, but didn't the op ask about RK's? Didn't seem to me at this point he wanted info on other guitars or manufactures.
Tom

When guitars being discussed are of questionable quality we are permitted to make alternative suggestions. It's in the AGF rulebook,

[mr. beaumont]

I'd argue the quality is far from questionable. If you think a $150 all laminate guitar i's gonna sound like a D-28...

Straight neck, good fretwork, low action, sounds like a cigar box with rubber bands stretched across. No false advertising here...it's like the crap guitars you love to hear, only playable.

[axmaster]

I agree with Mr. Beamont, the quality is far from questionable.

On top of that, according to the Recordig King website: 'All of our Dirty 30's guitars start with a solid Spruce top' http://www.recordingking.com/guitars/rph03

If you're looking for that sound, this guitar is a steal!