Recording King Series 11 Analysis and Review 

Too many times, I've been a guitar snob. I have since opened my mind to any instrument that sounds and plays well. Thank you for making this video. When I have an opportunity, I look forward to trying one (or several) Recording King instruments.

I asked my wife what she would think if I bought an orange guitar, her favorite color and she said “why do you need another guitar?” I said because it’s orange 😍😍

Thank you J.P. I recently bought this model (11 Dread). I am a 30 year veteran of New England music, during the 90's leading an electric blues band, I've been fortunate enough to work with B.B. King, Buddy Guy and a bunch of others. I've owned a few great acoustics over the years but mostly played Strats, Tele's, Gretsch etc. My wife owns an early 60's Guild Jubilee that I've compared most every acoustic to. I bought this guitar after watching this several times, I had a limited amount of cash to spend and wanted the best acoustic for exactly what I could. I've read comments saying that maybe Recording King sends reviewers the best ones. I opened mine yesterday and haven't put it down yet.....straight out of the box. It has a ton of personality, vibe and tone, not to mention sustain. My wife refuses to play anything but her Guild and she also can't put it down. This is an amazing guitar.

I have these at our store and I am floored by how great they sound and play. They really do defy their price point.

Hell of a guitar player!!!! So glad I’ve discovered your work:))

Great to see you sharing about Recording King again!!!!! Thank you!

It is real wood my friend I can’t wait to play the one I’m getting. I’m getting on in age 70 but I’ve got a few years of playing left in me

Just bought a Dirty 30s Recording King off Buddy Macdonald and I absolutely love it! The vintage sound is on point with a Robert Johnson delta blues style guitar and the Fishman pickup really warms it up, giving the RK a beautiful Bluegrass tone. No regrets whatsoever!

Love how JP looks how Matty Matheson would look all cleaned up and into guitar

Great sound on this RK and it’s beautiful.

We are truly living in the Golden Age of affordable quality instruments, acoustic and electric and also amps. It's a great time to be a guitar player !! J.P do you have any 12 string acoustics you are liking these days?

I do have this guitar and the parlor dirty 30. and I hit it hard when I'm out playing. Only draw back is you must remove the battery after you play, it will drain the battery if you don't. Man it gets the job done! Stays in tune and its nice and lould. Its been almost two years now and it now has a new case like my other high price guitars. Your review was spot on, TY.

I also have an RDS 7.....the all laminated model that is a BEAST! It's selling for less than $200 most places U.S.....I love RK products and they are very cool folks as well....Ive owned Martin's, Gibsons, Taylor's, Seagull and Epiphone......loved them all but these are the real deal....

That orange Dirty 30s sounds just like what I grew up hearing in the ‘50s & ‘60s!! So cool!!

Thanks JP another great vid! Rod in London

Nice picking! I’m a Boucher follower and owner! My buddy and I were talking about “campfire” guitars and the Recording King seems to fit the bill! Thanks!

I bought the Recording King 12 string new from Morrell Music. I had to do a fret level, crown and polish. It showed up unplayable and I really should have sent it back. Sings like a bird and rings like a bell now, sounds so good though. In spite of the work I had to do buying it was worth every penny. It does sound like a vintage guitar with many years on it. Love your channel J.P.

Talking to Glenn right now about buying a Boucher because of you!!!

Okay so I got one of these today..... (The dread) Just swapping from the dead factory strings... Oh my God! I got a really good one! This thing plays more to my liking than a new D18 at the store... So open and resonant! Angelic.

Thanks John for doing this review. I just discovered your channel a few weeks ago and really have enjoyed the up close and personal, playing and reviews. I bought the 11 Dreadnaught online a few months back, and think it's a fantastic guitar for what you pay. With a small discount, I paid just a little over 400 dollars. Such a mellow resonant sound and all solid, you can't lose. Been looking for a more in depth review. Keep up the great work!

Loollll! I did not expect that orange guitar to sound so damn good! Now I’m headed out of town 😂😂😂

fantasie music in Halifax brought me here....gotta get in the shop and check out these models. All solid construction for 500 canadian loonies or less is intriguing.

After your 328 review I purchased one, Thanks it is incredible. It sounds better then any guitar around. I think the 11 series is next or the 000

I would have been miles ahead and years in advance had I started with one of these. Modern little classics.

I finally got my guitar from The Arts and Music in Newmarket today Feb. 27, 2023. You were here at the store I'm told, would have been nice to meet you in person

Love you brother.

Just got a Series 11 Triple 0. So light to pick up, lively and loud and love playing it.

JP after your review of the Dreadnaught I contacted Roger at Brickhouse Guitars and after a few emails and his video I bought one. I live in Alaska. Roger included a hard shell case and had it for well under $1000 US. Couldn’t believe the quality. I have owed 2 J45 and a Huss and Dalton DS. For the money unbeatable. Not a Huss and Dalton but for the money beats the J45s. Thanks for the video

I just bought my first Recording King last night after doing six months of research trying to find the best guitar with a great price point after many years of hurting my left hand/wrist performing with an old guitar with high action. I purchased an RP2-626 Eric Shoenberg 12 fret and can't wait to play it. I loved your video John! Fantastic playing and fun. Now I need to get one of each and haven't played the first one yet!! haha! One step at a time. Btw, are you from Cape Breton by any chance. Seems like a came across your music years ago in Margaree Harbor. My folks are from that way...we have a place on the Shore Rd in Chimney Corners. I live in Miami and grew up in northern NY. Peace brother....I subscribed and look forward to seeing more from you. Peace and happy pickin'!

Everytime I watch you I want a new guitar

With everything you've said about Recording king, I am very inclined to buy one. I didn't think anything about them, but you have changed my mind. Thank you.

K&K makes an excellent product. So does Recording King and putting the two of them together is the creation of a beautiful instrument you're going to love. My ROS-627 is a honey guitar.

When I spotted the dirty 30 resonator mini bucker I rub my eyes because it startled me , WOW cool ! Those guys did their history class, science class, and mathematical marketing skills good. Reviving The Old Recording King company took serious thought and I will congratulate them they have done their homework well . The resonator I bought immediately is a guitar I don't think I'm ever going to get rid of. You are absolutely correct it does sound like it's an old guitar to my shock and surprise ! Congratulations to all of them.

I always wondered why some company didn't take all the greatest sonic shapes of the historically most popular high end guitars and build them like the vintage ones, without too much bling or bells and whistles. Enter Recording King 🤴. Sounds fantastic! Great player

13:05 wow love the playing! More playing please JPC! yeah

I recently bought a Series 11 dread for my birthday. I love it! …the sound, the neck, the vibe are so on point vintage! Just soooo yummy!! I’ve also been eyeing the parlor version! 🙂

Hi J.P. I always enjoy your guitar reviews! You make good quality sound recordings and this makes it very good to hear the difference between guitars. This Recording King sounds amazing... I hardly seen them here in the Netherlands.

the leadbelly tune on that orange guitar!! wow! thanks...

Fantastic review glad I found your channel.Def buying one of these

I love my 40 yr old Yamaha but I really do want to get my hands on a Recording King. Thanks, J.P.

This was very cool mate. I think you might just have talked me into purchasing a Recording King. Damn that was a good review sir.

I'm a K&K fan too. RK is living proof you don't need to spend a fortune for a great guitar. My ROS 000-627 is also a beautiful guitar, no longer available. I never had to deal with RK directly, so I can't say anything. Great video.

Hey man, I loved listening to you. What a wonderful technique. I even forgot that I came here to hear the guitar.

I got a Martin 000-15m in November 2020. I can only dream of playing like you but i love your music for years now. I love the song Another Morning . I used to work in the giftshop on the NL Ferries and a Cassette display with all different Nova Scotia Artists was in there for a few summers with continuous play and your song was one of them. I always looked forward to that song coming on.I have always wanted a Martin but i never heard of the Recording King before or i surely would have bought the 000 version you wickedly played. 62 from Newfoundland here. Please stay safe and be well.

Bought an RDS11 for a friend as he was looking for a guitar for one of his grandsons and asked for my help. Long story short, he was not able to get the guitar to his grandson, so she is back with me. A great guitar and everything J.P. says, I am fighting with myself as to whether to keep her or not! I have several guitars, and actually a single O in this model I love💖. If you are in the Calgary area, and are looking for an RDS11, reach out...I may be persuaded to part with her😎

Ah! Now we know what the orange guitar, leaning on the red chair off in the distance is.

I just got a RK parlor and it’s surprisingly good for sub 200$. Im in the market for a solid acoustic. Nice playing too

As usual John .......'' Excellent '' ........I just purchased a Recording King RD- G9M Cutaway and just LOVE IT ! Your right on about these Guitars ! Love your work !

I own this guitar - it's the most fun you can have under $500. I'm incredibly impressed with the quality. I used to have a Waterloo and sold it. The RK is on par with that Waterloo. So great.

God I can’t wait to get a RK….I found out about them about a week ago from a video of yours and I am pumped…. They all sound so amazing. That’s the best sounding parlor style I have heard especially it being a laminate. I’m going for an RD elite hopefully. You’re a good hype man they need to keep sending you guitars to review!

I just bought this guitar now.. thanks for the inspiration sir 🙏

Yes John.....I have dealt with the RK brothers and you are correct....they are top notch decent guys.....they are very passionate about their products and are very open to constructive criticism.....both the guitars you reviews are amazing.....I have the single 0 in this model...its great...

Holy smokes.....what a sound!

Those sound great! Awesome videos man!

The whole buzz about Recording king dirty 30's is that they have a solid sitka top, after this I'll probably buy a dirty 30's series, you've been SO helpful, thanks.

On this review, I bought two.One series 9 and a series 11 Fab guitars and for the money a steal.Great review

I had an RK 000 Deluxe arrive yesterday, which is spec wise the same guitar - slightly different finish. Had some old dead strings on it - put on Martin Retros, which I have not liked on any other guitar I have tried them on, but man, made this come alive. Solid, lightweight - I can't find a flaw worth worrying about and I bought mine as a sales demo off Reverb. For a little over $250. Even has that nice open wood smell of expensive guitars. Sounds great.. like an old wise guitar - simple and straightforward ...plays great. Great purchase.

J.P., Have been a subscriber for some time. I have watched your many guitar reviews and your review of the Recording King series 11 has influenced me to purchase the RC 11. I must say, your review was spot on! I wanted a guitar that sits out so I can reach for it anytime. I have a boutique guitar that sits in its case and gets played only on occasion. With the RC, I can pick it up for 5 mins. Besides that, I love it’s “old tone”. RC hit it out of the park. Thanks for your review. Keep up the good work!

Son that Dirty 30s $150 guitar and your talent are SMOKING! That was pretty great buddy!

Love to hear your take on a Blueridge. I have not had anyone play my BR160A that wasn't very impressed. Great value for the money as well.

Sounds perfect for the oldies stuff I like, like "Freeborn Man".

My RDC-56 is a great sounding guitar, well worth the price. I got mine at a discount, a guy bought it and paid full price, it had a small finish flaw, which was a milky spot on the clearcoat in the corner of the neck. So when he got a second one in the shop, he called the guy to swap out guitars. He paid $799 for it, I paid $599 for the one I have. The perfect part is the serial numbers match my birthdate, so made just for me, right!

They are Honest as the day is long what a quote

I dig the orange guitar!

Hello All, I am considering a RK series 11 Dread or the OOO? which one to buy?

Very Nice! Thank you JP!

Love love your channel…after seeing your recording king dirty 30s parlor review. I will be buying one and I’m glad to see they have one in tobacco sunburst now and I can’t wait to get it!! I am pleased with my fgx3 and I’m ready to get that dirty 30s..thank you for what you do! I’d love to see you do a review on the Heritage goose parlor! My dream guitar!

They both sound absolutely amazing.

You make that 150 bucks guitar sound like a 2k beauty...keep going JP...love your music and passion...

Hi . I just purchased a series 11 and I love it.

Problem with all those vintage copies is that they stay with skinny or rather thin neck profiles and narrow string spacing, also long scales on parlors. Would be perfect when they did what collings/waterloo does but on the Recording King (or Sigma or whatever) price tag.

The guitar sounds great and I love my RK. To be fair, John, you could play a toaster and make it sound great ❤

Well you show how good you are it make beginner want give up.

Another great video Sir. I too am now a huge fan of Recording King and everyone that plays my RD-328 loves it. I have a question though. In this video you said one guitar they sent you wasn't quite up to your standards. Where is that video? I would love to watch that video too but can't seem to find it. You said it was the t16. Thanks again for the awesome content and keep it going. You sir are an awesome guitarist. I too used to play a lot better, before my 2 strokes (nowhere near to your level...lol...), but now I play for just the enjoyment of it. With the help of Black Mountain picks though, I am back to playing guitar again.

I had an issue with a guitar I ordered and their customer service team were prompt and no hassle on making amends. Keep that in mind. Awesome outfit!

Great sounding badass guitars, thanks.

I want to say a big howdy right back to you, j.p.

Hi Jp! So glad I stumbled onto your RU-vid Channel. Any experience with Eastman? I'm looking at 3 guitars, Recording King RO-328 (add the cost with case), Yamaha LS16 (rosewood), and Eastman E8OM. I've only had experience with the Eastman so far. two big guitar stores here don't carry Recording king, at least not the tone wood reserve series. Chicago music exchange and Guitar center. These days it is very unlikely I will spend much time in a store to play a guitar. So I rely heavily on these types of unbiased reviews. I've played Yamaha Ac5m and Fs3. I prefered the Ac5m neck over the Eastman. Out of the first three which could you recommend and why?

Hey, J.P., is this the guitar you used for the cover of I Never Picked Cotton at the Celtic Colours Festival a couple of years back with Dave Gunning?

Just bought a single o rk. Will be here next week. Can't wait

Just bought the OOO after a friend’s recommendation, trying a bunch of guitars that I didn’t like, and then seeing this. Arrived yesterday and was unplayable out of the box. Truss rod tightened waaaay too much. After a couple adjustments it plays and sounds great. Was looking for a more fingerstyle suited guitar than my dreads and this fits the bill. Stuck a mic in front of it and sounds great recording. Nice and balanced and neck better than anything I tried in its price range, by far.

Have the Recording King Justin Townes Earle signature model...plays and sounds great...like the "old" sound...

I missed something the first view. That would be you saying the back and sides are solid mahogany. I think this explains the sound/tone. I also like the headstock design, the entire guitar looks (and sounds very nice.) My wish. A slotted headstock model. I just want a slotted headstock guitar (something like a 000-15M Martin but with a bigger body,with the satin finish. to use outside) I just bought 2x FGX5 have not even taken delivery yet and I want something else. Trouble is my fretting hand (left) middle two fingers locked up today during practice. I read this is a common variant on "trigger finger." First time it has happened to me. This body (on the Recording King) seems to be a body to work with (neck change.) I would buy an entire guitar even if I was only going to use the body. Could make sense.

I have been looking for a Recoding King in music stores in my area of Charlotte, NC so I could try some out, but haven't found any shops that have them in stock. 🤠

Awesome video thanks for sharing. I'm starting to like Recording King Guitars.i own two Martin's. But I am going to look for a Recording King dealer soon. Stay well and safe my friend.

Played one at Glenn's shop yesterday. Buying one in a couple weeks. Your right, its a great guitar for the money J.P.

JP you could put strings on a car bumper and make it sound amazing so...........

Sounds really great... The bang-for-buck is outstanding

Those white tuning buttons are beautiful

Thank you JP.. Would like to hear your opinion of a comparison of RK RO-318, RK ROS-11 and Yamaha FS5. If you Don't have time, I get it. Just answer with if you had to pick just one. Please keep making these great videos.

So are they all like that or just the one they sent you?

Sounds so good. I would have already bought one if it didn't come with a pickup installed, or if it didn't have a battery drawer so you could remove the pickup.

Really do enjoy you jp

I liked both but preferred the sound of the second Great video

Just bought mine yesterday I have the black recording king

It sounds truly amazing !! Seriously wow sound out there! don't know if your microphone is too good or what but I can't believe my ears that it sounds so amazing it just rings so perfect.

Im a martin guy, live near the factory. But these sound amazing. Your playing is scary good. Thanks for the review

They sound terrific John- can you tell me the tune you were playing in the video 11:30?

Impressed !

Anyway, I love your show JP but he might’ve struck out on this one ! And I think you could make a broom probably sound really good ! Keep on Truckin !