Recording King RD-328 Vs Martin D-28  

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I actually prefer the RD-328. Warmer, less mid. Like the difference between a cheap mic and a nice compression mic. I expected it to be the other way around.

They're both really good! Honestly the recording King maybe even has just a little something on the Martin. The forward bracing and the Andirak spruce sounds good to me... However, the recording King maybe sounds a little newer off the shelf.. like it hasn't quite opened up all the way.... They're both factory guitars though... And there's going to be a lot of discrepancies from guitar to guitar.... Martin does have better quality control. Martin really needs to bring their factory guitar prices down... For very little more you can get a handmade bench guitar.... That will own a factory D-28... Unless you happen to get the one in 10 That happened to be cut to the thickness and braced in the way that makes that particular top really come alive.

The RD328 vs the D28 - I own/play both. I use the D28 on stage indoors; I use the RD28 on stage/in the street outdoors. It gets rained on, sunned on and generally banged around and I'd rather it took the abuse. Which one plays/sounds better? They play the same because I set them up the same action-wise. Soundwise? That depends. For much of what I do, I play then both plugged in and with the same brand pickup so they can sound the same/however I want them to sound. Acoustically the Martin has more authority and can produce more volume. With medium (13/53) strings on both, the 328 will "choke" with hard picking/strumming. At some point, hitting it harder doesn't produce any more volume - like using a limiter. The D28 just keeps getting louder and louder. Its volume limit is based on your physical strength. Obviously, in a studio or solo use this doesn't matter much but in a live bluegrass band, it does. If you were playing at home in your room or around the campfire (does anybody actually play around the campfire?), it wouldn't make a nickle's worth of difference sound wise regardless which guitar was used. Nobody is going to say, "We would have sounded better singing "Sweet Caroline" if you had used a Martin D28 rather than that Chinese guitar." OTOH, if you are into "image"...I have had many people come up and say, "Nice guitar!" when I'm using the D28. Nobody says that when I'm using the 328! ;) The 328 is a superb value. The D28...not so much. BUT if I had to pick one of the two to keep, it would certainly be the D28.

I can buy a new RD-328 now for $640 before state tax. I'm thinking about it but the reports of poor quality control (and that V neck profile) worry me.

Love Martin guitars but they are way overpriced.

RK all day..

I think I need the RD-328.

I have played both guitars and the RK is a very good value without question, however, I repeat however, the lower bass resonance and traditional tone and sustain of the Martin supercede’s the RK in so many ways. The RK is a better value than Martin but not a better guitar for sure. Simply depends on what your ear demands in appreciation for great guitar tone. If both were the same price, which would you choose….

They sound very similar

Martin all the way.

Problem with RK is you never know what you'll get when you order one online....their quality control is not consistent.

Martin took it I reckon, but who can afford one-I mean real one not the ones recycled plastic bags backs ones

This guitar sucks .The worst guitar i ever had