Recording King is a relatively new brand that knows how to design and build themselves old school looking guitars – and do so at very accessible price points. Since vintage style is their specialty, it is only natural that they have a number of parlor guitars in their line up, including the RPH-P1. This parlor guitar is part of their Dirty 30’s line of instruments inspired by guitars that were available in the ’30s, while incorporating modern and more reliable building techniques.
This affordable parlor guitar has a slimmer body shape, reminiscent of older designs. The body has a stripped down look with the absence of a pickguard and its simple rosette, while the neck offers an aesthetic contrast with its RK Stencil stylized inlays. Both of which combine to give the guitar a true old school parlor guitar appeal that many will appreciate.
The company describes the RPH-P! as a modern update on a classic turn-of-the-century guitar, ideal for fans of old instruments, or beginners who want an affordable acoustic guitar that’s comfortable to play. It is based on a historic Lyon & Healy model, featuring a solid spruce top following traditional tones, while the back and sides are crafted from “whitewood” which typically refers to affordable poplar wood. To ensure structural stability, the company supported the top with modern X bracing, instead of the old fragile ladder bracing. This particular wood combination allows for good punch and clarity, especially when considering the price.
The neck is crafted from nato and is topped by a rosewood fingerboard. It has a total of 19 frets across its short 24.2″ scale length, and it joins the body at the 12th fret, following older acoustic guitar designs. To allow for better playability, Recording King carved the back of the neck into contemporary C profile, while the nut width is a bit wide for the size at 1.6875″
Other features include black button tuners, slotted headstock design, ivory binding for the body and soundhole, rosewood bridge, and bone saddle.
The Recording King Dirty 30’s RPH-P1 comes in dark tobacco sunburst finish, and is currently selling online for around $200.
4 thoughts on “Recording King RPH-P1”
Hi,
Why is this guitar isn’t listed on RK website? Is it still available somewhere?
We still have some of them for sale.See http://www.moloneymusic.com
It appears that this particular model is discontinued. You can go for other similar models within Recording King’s RPH line, or try to look for one in the second hand market.