Recording King RO-T16 Torrefied 000 Guitar

I'm going to give this a 5 start rating not because it is just like a Martin or Collings guitar, but because for the money this represents a great starter guitar that you'll want to keep (even after you eventually get the £2000+ guitar.)No I don't own one yet, but will be ordering soon. I have just spent a week with Roy Curry, two times World Champion Flatpicker at Kamp in the Dolomites and he played this guitar all week. You could tell that this is no high end guitar when you get it played alongside Roberto Dalla Vecchia's Collings D2 costing about ten times as much - but hey, for a travel guitar, a beginners guitar, something for a party, then this is the one in my opinion (as a guitar teacher my only other big pick previously has been the Yamaha F310).It has a more bassy, less cutting sound when compared to a top instrument, but the Torrified top (heated to make the sugars and fibers of the wood meld to create a wood that sounds 50 years old) certainly makes it sound older and more mellow than a cheap sounding new guitar.For the money there isn't much out there that would beat this guitar - throw in another £60 for a pro set-up and you'll have a guitar that's a pleasure to play and doesn't half sound good. If a 2x Champ is using one of these at a guitar workshop, you better sit up and notice the instrument he's using. I'm going to get one because like Roy Curry, I worry when traveling - my loved 15 year old Takamine ending up sliding around on the floor upside down at Gatwick this month - even despite me gate checking it in Venice. (Duh! Won't be doing that again!)The Recording King sounded great through a mic as well - little less cut and more bass than a high quality guitar for £2000+ - but no normal audience would hear it. Great guitar - worth a try.Update. After doing a Santa job over the Christmas period 2016 (10 shifts and 3200 children talked to - gulp!!) I deserved a treat and bought the Recording King 16C parlour guitar and the 3/4 Rockfile soft case to go with it. A real nice guitar to travel on planes worry free. And it plays and sounds mighty good as well. A great addition if you already have a dreadnought as it gives you another sound palette to use.

I ordered one of these used from another site. It had a blemish and therefore was being sold for a steal and the blemish is on the inside so hardly noticeable. I am amazed at the quality of the guitar for the money. The wood, the finish and the tuners are all very good. The only thing on my particular guitar that I don't like that much is the color of the rosewood on the fretboard; it's too purple and not a dark rosewood color. My personal taste. Also, the kerfing used is a little on the cheap side compared to other guitars I've owned. That being said, the sound is very very good and the fingerboard width is very good for picking and general playing, more so than my Martin dreadnought which is a little tight sometimes at the nut.I've played other 000 guitars , even all solid wood guitars, and this torrefied top guitar is truly better sounding because it gives it more volume and overall clarity that a lot of small acoustics don't have. It's actually hard to believe I'm playing a 000 sometimes. If this guitar had solid back and sides it'd be even better, but probably out of my budget range. The finish is thick but well done and it protects the wood from dings. My Martin is satin finish and already has a ding or two and I don't even know how they got there.If you're hesitating on getting this guitar, don't. Even at full price it's a good deal, but on sale or used it's even better! I Love it!

I bought this guitar elsewhere since Amazon didn't have it available. Bottom line, it sounds and looks great and for the price it's an immense value. Which is what pretty much everyone who has actually experienced this guitar says.I own and have owned many Martin's and a few Gibson's over the years and for the price the Recording Kings compare very well.So, if you are looking for a guitar that is high quality and a good value then based on my experience this is a great place to start.