2010 Recording King ROS-647 000-Size 12-Fret Guitar

This is basically an "update" to this guitar as I posted on it a few years back (click here for that)...

My friend Jim bought this new a while back and has been playing it steadily ever since. It's one of the fancier Recording King models and I don't see anything particularly like it in their current lineup -- which seems to be filled by vague interpretations of '30s Gibson budget-guitar stylings.

This one's basically a take on a Martin 000-45 with pearl bling all over and a 12-fret joint. Jim's had to deal with it getting used to Vermont over this time and it does have a (repaired) hairline crack on the front and I just went-about replacing its warped original pyramid bridge with a new "belly" bridge. Frustratingly, he's been dealing with bad intonation for a long time, too -- the factory bridge was almost off by 1/8" from where its saddle slot should have been.

At the same time we replaced the original undersaddle pickup with an under-soundboard K&K pickup. The end result of these efforts is a guitar that's more responsive, louder, and more satisfying. Recently (2024), my guy Ancel gave it a level/dress of the frets and a fresh setup and it's playing spot-on once again.

For what it's worth, I have to say that this instrument is actually pretty far from the '30s 000-41/42/45-kind-of guitar it sort-of replicates. It's got a long, OM-style scale length, it's built heavier (though still has scalloped bracing) and the neck is fatter in handling. I'd say it actually handles and sounds more like an early-'60s 12-fret Martin 00-21 or the like and has a sound/attack closer to a Collings 000 12-fretter. This is a good thing, though, as true '30s 000s are definitely built too light for the travel and abuses of most modern guitarists.

Final thoughts? Once these are dialed-in and have settled into a more average humidity (the first few years we had to swap-out between three different saddle heights depending on the season but now it's moving-around a lot less), they're actually quite nice guitars for the money.

Repairs included: previously -- a replacement bridge and hairline crack repairs to the top-lower-bout on the center... currently -- a fret level/dress and setup. A K&K pickup was also installed.

• Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz
• Scale length: 25 3/8"
• Nut width: 1 13/16"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: 16"
• Body width: 15 1/8"
• Body depth: 4"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid rosewood
• Bracing type: x, scalloped
• Bridge: ebony belly-style replacement
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: it has general mild wear and tear throughout but overall looks nice. There's a hairline crack on center on the lower-bout-top and mild scuffs/nicks and small scratches here and there. 

It comes with: a hard case, a number of extra saddles, and saddle shims. A K&K pickup is installed.

Consignor tag: JH