2010s Recording King RP1-626 Schoenberg Cutaway 12-Fret Guitar

Overview: I'm familiar with the Schoenberg-style, cutaway 12-fret guitars from various instruments brought in the shop for tweaking. This is the first Recording King version we've had through, however, and I'm happy to say it's quite the nice-feeling, good-sounding little box. It needed a little love but now that it's had its repairs, it's playing spot-on and is ready to roll for its next owner. There are two versions of this instrument -- one with ply mahogany back and sides and one with solid mahogany back and sides. This is the latter, fancier version. It has '30s-style appointments and handling, too, save the cutaway body shape.

Tone: It's clean, balanced, warm, and Martin-y and makes an excellent fingerpicker with a bit of an "OM" sound when flatpicked -- punchy and forward.

Feel: The neck is truly '30s Martin style with a slim-medium, soft V profile and flatter 16" radius board and wider nut width. It's quick and familiar to those into the old Martins. It has a long, 25 1/2" scale which is why it has more of an "OM-style" response to picking -- more up-front than a typical 00-size which would normally have a short scale length.

Interesting features: The cutaway, of course, is nice to have for fret access. Because it's on a 12-fret body, however, the sound is fuller than average despite its 00-size lower bout. As noted, the '30s-style features in fit, finish, and detailing and bracing style are nice to have.

Repairs included: We replaced the original bridge (which was loose and also had a wrong saddle location) with a new, ebony belly-style bridge. It also got a level/dress of the frets, replacement saddle, and setup work. Jose did all of this and it plays perfectly.

• Weight: 3 lbs 15 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/2"
• Nut width: 1 13/16"
• Neck shape: medium soft V
• Board radius: 16"
• Body width: 14 3/4"
• Body depth: 4 1/8"
• Top wood: solid Engelmann spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: ebony (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's overall pretty clean with just light marks from use (light scratching/scuffing) here and there throughout. The bridge is replaced, however.

It comes with: It's got a really good, branded hard case.

Consignor tag: KRTZ