Martin D-28 Brazilian VS Recording King RD-328. How does it compare to the Martin?

Hey folks,
Here is a comparison between my 1958 D-28 Brazilian RW and a Recording King RD-328 East Indian RW.
What do you think of Recording King guitars?
Do they stack up against a real martin?
Leave a comment!
Thanks so much for watching.
Al

[@williamtalbot9272]

I have to tell you, that's probably one of the best guitar comparisons I've seen. You showcased them both exceptionally well. I have to agree with you the RK is genuinely a great copy of the Martin. Nothing against Martin's pricing, but it makes you think, why is the Martin so expensive if the quality of the RK is so close.

[@theapplepaul]

The Recording King stacks up very well. Thought the Martin should totally blow it away- it doesn't. I have owned a vintage Martin, so I appreciate that Martin sound. Amazed at how good the RK sounded.

[@HayesTech]

Very nice demo and even with KZbin's compression, I can hear the difference. But the Recording King is a great deal for what it costs. I have one too and have made several videos on mine. I just purchased an early 2000s Martin HD-28V and an looking forward to comparing the 2. Again, great video.

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

The RK has an Adirondack top, the holy grail spruce. They are best value adi top guitars going around at the moment.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

My heart tells me I should save up for a Martin. My brain says I have more important things to spend money on and these Recording Kings look and sound seriously good.

[@stevebernard221]

Be nice to hear that RK after decades of playing on it!

[@user-uu1wc6yz5z]

In our money , I'd hate to know what you had to fork out for your '58 . That bring said , I have grown to really appreciate the new generation of sound that acoustic guitars are starting to put out in the last 10 years in production . However , if I could afford any ..... It would be a Boucher Studio Goose hands down . As far as your fantastic video is concerned ...... I keep watching for one of these RK martin copies , but no one who has one is selling . I tried a new triple O ( RO 318 ) .... it was ok but I want the Dreadnaught sound . Would love to test drive a RD328 and the RD 342 !

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Yes I was very lucky to get that d28. I got it very cheap but had to get it restored. I'm with you on that one I've always wanted to try an RD-342. Watch the channel if I ever get one that is for sale I'll be sure to post. Thanks for your input and sub 🙏

[@luckyrocks1]

Good news! The Martin will always be worth more than the RK, even though the RK sounds better than the Martin because the Martin was made in the good old USA! If you are a collector you'll get the Martin. If you're a guitar player on a budget, the RK is what you'll choose. No losers here, only winners! BTY, I love both my Alvarez Laureate LD70 and my RK RD-318. Remember, your playing skill is more important than the cost of the guitar you're playing! Thank you for the comparison.

[@theapplepaul]

Curious which you prefer as you own the two best well priced non- Martin D28 alternatives out today. Alvarez to me has a lot of warmth but muddier and less balanced than the RK. At least on video.

[@cripmeister9104]

I have mediums on my 328 and it sounds huge. I don't like the finish though, it is a bit cloudy and they put too much stain on it. Great guitar, well worth the money

[@embwee]

Anyone: How does the Recording King compare to the Alvarez MD60BG bluegrass dreadnaught? --Specifically the neck profile. (I prefer the vintage V- shape). I know that Recording king has the narrower at the nut 1 and 11/16ths as compared to Alvarez's 1 and 3/4.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

I've owned that Alvarez MD60BG that is a great guitar. I found the Alvarez more comfortable. I wish I still had it I'd do a comparison. Thanks for the input and sub 🙏

[@BlindTom61]

Your Martin has one of those mystery tops on it, the same as my 63 D28. It might be European spruce. It sounds more like englemann though.

[@hotlov72]

Do you find the fretboard kind of narrow on the Recording King

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Nonin fact I found it to be one of the most comfortable guitars I've ever played

[@jstar1000]

I want one for sure.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

A Martin or recording king? Or both lol

[@jstar1000]

@@thecanadianflatpicker Well both would be nice, I have a D35, so I'm good on the Martin front so the Recoarding King would be the best for the price. I don't need it by any means I have at least 10 or so guitars so I should pass lol.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

@@jstar1000 lol yesir. I love a d35. I had a custom d35 that I had to sell and I've regretted it ever since !

[@renmad0078]

Nice video but you do not talk about the feeling of the necks of both. How they are ?...

[@jgeraci1]

I have an rd 277 and it is really nice too!

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Cool I've never heard of that model

[@PageMarker1]

One is over 60 years old and the other an infant...) Only time will tell how well the RK opens up.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Exactly. And for its age it is quite stunning. That's a really good point.

[@danstune]

Yours is obviously the better guitar, but the RD328 is definitely comparable. For the money, it punches way above it’s weight. The Recording King is a wonderful guitar! The Martin is so resonant and balanced across the tonal spectrum.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

I couldn't agree more brother. This is the only RK guitar I've played. Always wondered about the RD-342

[@mattfinleylive]

Sounds like you have some dead strings on the Martin. 'Not a fair comparison as a result, but sure, that "Recording King" sounds good, no doubt.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Yes, it's a killer guitar for the money. The recording king had coated strings I do believe. I love the sound of dead strings I don't usually replace them until the intonation goes. Appreciate the input hope to hear from you again 🙏

[@RahulSharma-ry2pg]

No comparison Martin is Martin … as always clear and sweet…

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

I agree. Nothing is quite like a Martin.

[@ramspencer5492]

No it isn't... He has a very old, very broken in Brazilian rosewood Martin! I was just playing them in the shop today... The new ones don't sound nearly as good! Close not even close! Martin is not that impressive lately... AC 28th is a factory guitar these days! Not even very much discretion given to the particular tone woods.... They go through so many. If you want to pay thousands, Go to a small builder! Some of those compare really favorably to classic fully opened handbuilt guitars

[@ramspencer5492]

To be fair your Not only does your guitar have Brazilian rosewood but it's really, really old and broken in! A really good question might be how would it compare to a brand new Martin HD 28. Probably very favorably

[@jamiemacdonald6951]

I find it hard to tell because your is warmers up now when you tuned down wow

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Yesir. That recording king is great

[@jamiemacdonald6951]

I think your martin was better if his Martin had same strings it would probably change a difference

[@12babyapes59]

A Charmin😅😅 I have the RO328 great value.

[@John-wr6yo]

I like the sound of eastman guitars. I think the best value in quality and sound are the martin 15 all mahogany guitars . The martin ceo 9 is also a great guitar. I admire martins ability to stay afloat as one of americas oldest successful buisness,but they are incredibly expensive now and there are so many other alternative choices to getting a great guitar at much better prices. Personally i prefer a ooo 13 frett and om,and ooo short scale over dread,s now days.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

I agree. I love a short scale as well. I used to own an eastman it was great. I agree the Martins are a bit overpriced now, considering that you can get a hand-made boutique dred for not much more. Thanks for the sub and comment 🙏

[@12babyapes59]

Check out Yamaha ll16 , solid woods.

[@rickeydenler4272]

I play Taylor Guitars but I must say that Martin is amazing it blows that chickenneese r.k. out of the water in my opinion .

[@kevinscottsphr5214]

Not sure if at my beginner level, there would be any difference, but with a great player like The Canadian Flatpicker, you can see the Martin has a better sound.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

I really appreciate that. The RD-328 is an amazing guitar, and it's very similar. But Martin has a depth that no new guitar can possess. Don't worry about being at the beginner level, I'm sure you will progress quickly if you have a guitar you enjoy playing. Thanks for the sub and comment.

[@jayfurness6695]

Taylor

[@jennekke]

The recording king was much brighter. it’s hard not to bias “tone” when it so much louder in the mic. The Martin sounds more even string to string. I’ve seen a few other videos compare new to old guitars. Bracing, woods, finishes, manufacturing etc all seem to have changed the voice of modern acoustics. The biggest surprise is how good budget acoustics can be.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Absolutely 💯

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Appreciate the input 🙏

[@lilycat1694]

RK not bad. The Martin just has that sound which I love. Always have to ask what strings are on both guitars?

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

The RK has coated d'addario lights and the martin uncoated mediums. 🙏

[@adamg9518]

Martin was louder, more open sounding and dead string sounding.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Exactly 💯

[@sooparticular]

absolutely no comparison. the rk is a can of tuna fish ...minus the tuna....lol a banjo no depth!!! but that MARTIN......WOWWW

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

Haha yesir. I'm very blessed to own that Martin. I have another one being built haha. Thanks for the comment and sub 🙏

[@tonefilter9480]

Trouble with such a comparison is time - one has been played since 1958 and the other since when? A study of Stradivarius violins showed that a large portion of the beauty of them was how much they’d been played as the wood molecules over time line up and resonate better. A true comparison would be one that had been played 4 hours a day for a few years and had a chance for warm up.

[@thecanadianflatpicker]

@@tonefilter9480 yes the other teachers and I have had this same conversation in depth. It's beyond what can be made new. The time is irreplaceable.

[@sooparticular]

im a lifelong martin player I dont play blue grass I play chet atkins etc!! u sound awesome!!@@thecanadianflatpicker

[@spiritualawakenings6251]

It's amazing how a low priced recording king blew a Martin away.

[@erou_al_munciisocialiste7665]

How reliable is RK? I have RK RD 342, RDS 11 and ROS 11. They are badly made and have a lot of problems Buy RK only from stores, the woods are not dried properly and they crack

[@akgeezer]

@@erou_al_munciisocialiste7665 First time I've heard this, and I researched long and hard before buying my RD 328 3 years ago. I love mine. No issues. Like he said in the video, after obviously being impressed, If you can't afford a Martin, .............