2010s Recording King RD-26 Dreadnought Guitar

Update 2023: this is back here for sale after a couple years (the owner upgraded to a much-fancier Recording King) and it arrived back here just as it left. 

I see a bunch of Recording King and Blue Ridge dreadnoughts up here in Vermont's displaced bluegrass-land. I have no lasting arguments with them aside from the poly finishes as most of them punch way above their value and have tone that's quite close to the classics. They also handle like the classics once they're setup and adjusted properly.

This RD-26 is spec'd-out like a D-18 except that it has D-28-style binding and fancier inlay in the board and headstock. It sounds an awful-lot like a '60s D-18 but with a bit more crispy-ness and leap in its voice. It's got scalloped x-bracing under the hood and that's what's giving it the big sound it has despite its young (10-ish) years.

The top is solid spruce and the back and sides are solid mahogany. It's in generally good shape, too, and ready to go after a "glorified setup." I also installed a K&K Twin Spot pickup under the hood and changed its endpin button into a strap button at the neck, so it's ready for the stage as well. The K&K went in after the pics were taken, though.

Repairs included: fret level/dress, K&K pickup install, minor adjustments, setup.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: x, scalloped

Bridge: ebony

Fretboard: ebony

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights

Neck shape: medium soft C/V-ish

Board radius: ~14"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Scale length: 25 7/16"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Body width: 15 1/2"

Body depth: 4 7/8"

Weight: 4 lbs 10 oz

Condition notes: it's clean throughout except for just the tiniest wear here and there from handling. The pickguard's edges are pulling-up near the bridge a little -- just like the old ones, hah hah -- but of no concern. The bridge pins have little decorative dots in them and some are pushed-in and on one it's missing. The saddle has good height with plenty of adjustment room.

It comes with: its original RK-branded hard case in good shape -- arched-lid, plush lining. It's not pictured, though.