Recording King: RM-991-S

Submitted by Bunyan Bob on 5/19/2010

Where Purchased: Log Jam Music

Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

It's beautiful. Fantastic sustain, clear notes, and very reactive. Very loud for a reso and has that cool retro sound.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

I just had to tune it up and go!

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Stunning, absolutely stunning.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Being a dealer, how much support we get from the manufacturer means alot to our business. The guys at the Music Link have been, and continue to be top notch.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Overall Rating: 10

Johnson: Swamp Stomper

Submitted by Bunyan Bob on 11/24/2009

Where Purchased: Log Jam Music

Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This is definitely the bluesy tone I was looking for. For finger picking that old delta stuff and occasionally running a slide on it, this is a good deal for the porch. That said, I was surprised by how accurate the built in single coil pickup is. No hum, super clean, and accurately reproduces the resonator tone. I was concerned that it would end up sounding like an electric guitar, but no...it's all 'cone'. The biscuit bridge is nice and punchy and I didn't realize how loud it was until I let someone else play it...wow! There isn't a whole lot of things you can do to change the overall tone of the guitar...it is what it is. Not that it's a bad thing.

That said, now having had this guitar for a couple of days now and clowning some more with it, I have to say it blows my doors off. Last night I plugged into a '64 Fender Deluxe Reverb I have sitting here. With the vibrato going and some deep reverb..well, holy smokes!! It got so swampy I almost had to go get my waders! Nice deep bass, ringing highs..wowee!

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

This guitar did require set up when I got. The factory strings were awful. I didn't even chance it...into the garbage they went. Like all guitars I'm getting from the other side of the pond these days, it did need to have the neck adjusted, or should I say tightened up. I don't know if they're shipping them with loose truss rods on purpose (it would make sense), but a bit of tweaking, and we're good to go. Once the neck got straightened out, the bridge height is perfect..nothing further to do. They could go a little lighter on the glue that holds that plastic protector onto the pick up...that was almost work to get that off. Luckily, I'm the shop, so when one of these goes out the door, it's 'gig-ready'. I'd never, ever let anyone play one of these right out of the box.

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

It's certainly odd. Flat black? Yeah, flat back. Yet with the ultra polished resonator and pickup, it's working for me. The flat finish on the back of the neck is something I have to get used to, but it sure is fun trying! This thing showed up in terrific condition. No dings, scratches, anything. It's a very 'no frills' looking guitar as it was intended to be....very swampy.

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

Of course I would use this in a gig without backup...it looks strong enough that I could use it as a canoe paddle. The plating on the cover plate and pickup is terrific...no concerns.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

Customer Service: 9

Components

The resonator is awesome. The guitar holds tune very well, and the pickup is absolutely noiseless.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

An awesome unit for banging out the blues and getting the dogs to howl...can't wait for the gig this weekend!

Overall Rating: 10

Recording King: RR-60-VS Professional

Submitted by Bunyan Bob on 10/21/2009

Where Purchased: Log Jam Music

Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: 700 (CDN) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This guitar has a deep rich bass and is very smooth across the register. The bone nut, ebony saddles, and handspun cone certainly help all this out. So far, I've only played it unplugged (just got it yesterday) but the notes are well defined and there's absolutely no buzzing or rattling. The cone was just right, out of the box.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Perfect, right out of the box...just tuned it up and got busy.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

This is a mahogany body. I've always wanted a mahogany desk...it's gorgeous and the finish is excellent. No flaws...

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

I would tour with this unit. No backup..or if I had to have back up...another one just like it.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

This guitar has a lifetime warranty, here's to hoping I never need it. We've just started dealing with Recording King, so much remains to be seen. So far, it's impressive. There seems to be an element of pride here.

Customer Service: 10

Components

It's all good so far...

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

For a resonator under a thousand dollars, I'm very, very impressed. I'm looking forward to many hours of jamming and playing as well as getting to know this guitar much, much better.

Overall Rating: 10