Speaking of vintage vibe and tone -- and on this page recently, Martin's Streetmaster and 00015 , and the Guild M-20 -- I just picked up this guy.
Sale price wow at $539.00 CND (no case or bag).
All solid, sitka on mahog, padauk fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, scale 24.9", 1 3/4 nut.
Super lightweight, with a light satin finish, it's got its own voice, for sure --woody, airy, clear, resonant (really good note separation)-- and is playable/responsive as all-get-out. The intonation's pretty much spot on. A comparison to a Waterloo 14 I tried in a shop works only roughly; *similar* feel and overall tone, but obviously not in the same league for touch and shimmer.
The c- neck is slightly less chunky than those on the Eastmans, but it's a minor adjustment for me. The tuners hold quite well (some humidity shifts these days); might swap 'em later.
Predictably, there's not a ton of volume in a jam setting (especially playing fingerstyle) but the Fishman sonitone is serviceable; in fact it sounds less "quacky" in this instrument than in others i've heard, maybe because of the lightness of the top? I use electronics mostly for practising with a looper anyway.
Checking out the inside with a compact mirror, I was pleasantly surprised with the cleanliness of the construction and fit, no glue globs or glitches or misalignment of bracing that I could notice.
A caution: RK has had some quality control issues --out-of the-box set up can be notoriously hit and miss, fret work iffy --but my local dealer had several in stock: we chose the nicest, and the set up was straightforward on this one, truss rod and a little saddle sanding. I'd advise a hands-on audition if you can get to one or, if buying online, a trusted vendor (with a good returns policy) who will give the instrument some careful attention before it goes out the door.
Very good couch companion and haul-around. Feels so far like a keeper.
Sale price wow at $539.00 CND (no case or bag).
All solid, sitka on mahog, padauk fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, scale 24.9", 1 3/4 nut.
Super lightweight, with a light satin finish, it's got its own voice, for sure --woody, airy, clear, resonant (really good note separation)-- and is playable/responsive as all-get-out. The intonation's pretty much spot on. A comparison to a Waterloo 14 I tried in a shop works only roughly; *similar* feel and overall tone, but obviously not in the same league for touch and shimmer.
The c- neck is slightly less chunky than those on the Eastmans, but it's a minor adjustment for me. The tuners hold quite well (some humidity shifts these days); might swap 'em later.
Predictably, there's not a ton of volume in a jam setting (especially playing fingerstyle) but the Fishman sonitone is serviceable; in fact it sounds less "quacky" in this instrument than in others i've heard, maybe because of the lightness of the top? I use electronics mostly for practising with a looper anyway.
Checking out the inside with a compact mirror, I was pleasantly surprised with the cleanliness of the construction and fit, no glue globs or glitches or misalignment of bracing that I could notice.
A caution: RK has had some quality control issues --out-of the-box set up can be notoriously hit and miss, fret work iffy --but my local dealer had several in stock: we chose the nicest, and the set up was straightforward on this one, truss rod and a little saddle sanding. I'd advise a hands-on audition if you can get to one or, if buying online, a trusted vendor (with a good returns policy) who will give the instrument some careful attention before it goes out the door.
Very good couch companion and haul-around. Feels so far like a keeper.
Attached Files
eastman ar403ce
eastman ac222ce-ov
taylor 322 12 fret
recording king, series 11-000
recording king ro-328
godin exit 22
eastman ac222ce-ov
taylor 322 12 fret
recording king, series 11-000
recording king ro-328
godin exit 22
