floragoodtime Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Cliff, I hate you now....because I want that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 flora, I'll have it in hand next week. I'll be sure to let you know if it's as good as it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agradeleous Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Maybe just maybe the Dr will be sold after all lol Sure would be nice to be able to pick one over another . I wonder stores don't stock this things or does some ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Maybe just maybe the Dr will be sold after all lol Sure would be nice to be able to pick one over another . I wonder stores don't stock this things or does some ? If you're referring to the RAJ-122 by Recording King, no...stores don't carry them. You can get a brand new one shipped to your door with hard case for $700 all-in from Andrew's Music in Porter, TX (ask for Howie). Howie will have it sent to you direct from company headquarters in Hayward, CA. According to Howie's RK sales rep, there are 8 left. (These are NOT B-stock or returns or anything like that. These are flawless and have been double checked by Anerican QC.) Order the proper AJ (version 2) firestripe pickguard from Terrapin Guitars. Have a professional take the pickguard off and put the new one on. That way you can be sure it's done right and looks factory perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floragoodtime Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Funny story about Recording King guitars. Last week I was browsing a local auction site and found a Recording King Dirty Thirties OOO. The guitar was brand new but the site had a pic of a small blemish on the finish. I figured screw it, I'll throw up a bid. I end up winning the guitar for $46 (retail $200). At this point I'm totally pumped! So I go to pick it up yesterday at some shady warehouse about 40 minutes away from my house...and it has a crack in the neck. The auction company offers a preview of the items so this is totally on me. I get it home and tune it up...luckily the neck stays together...and this thing sounds amazing! Definitely prefer my IB Texan neck but this is one of the coolest sounding guitars I've ever heard. So I definitely can't wait to hear your review Cliff!!! On a side note, picked up this lil guy (Gretsch G9520) recently and it's blast to play! Here's a few clips of it in action (not me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Absolutely! I will, but not until I get the proper Advanced Jumbo firestripe pickguard put on it. I had been considering the Recording King RAJ-122 for a long time, but when the AJ-45ME was announced I backed away in favor of it. Then when the audio clips came out, I was like, "uh-oh," and then we had the first user review right here on the board and I bailed. I then went back to the idea of getting the RAJ-122. Here's the video that actually sold me on it: Based on this video and other videos I have seen, the fit, the beautiful GLOSS finish, the fine well done sunburst look...which shows well through the GLOSS finish, and rich sound, as well as full bodied tone on the RAJ-122 video you posted, certainly trumps every aspect of the AJ45ME in my opinion. It sounds like a real wonderful guitar without the harshness and brashness that seems to be found in the few AJ45ME videos I have seen. I would say of the two...the RAJ-122 is the winner! What are the advantages of a 12 fret if I may ask?...I have never played one. thx Cliff. GL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 12 fret puts the neck further into the body whiich gives a sweeter, fatter tone. The 12 fret used to be the standard, but Martin changed all that when they brought the first 14 fretters out and we collectively decided it was a good idea to trade tone for two frets. Here's a quick and easy reference guide: http://www.lutherie.net/12-14-evolution.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 12 fret puts the neck further into the body whiich gives a sweeter, fatter tone. The 12 fret used to be the standard, but Martin changed all that when they brought the first 14 fretters out and we collectively decided it was a good idea to trade tone for two frets. Here's a quick and easy reference guide: http://www.lutherie....-evolution.html Very informative and excellent information on the 12 fret history..thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Sure thing! And with the AA grade sitka spruce top it handles hard strumming like a champ, as opposed to cedar, which doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Wow fantastic over tones no boxy sound I can hear , clean very very nice . That also demonstrates some top of the line recording equipment to pick up that tone, which indeed sounds good. That player has an interesting style. That piece sounded kind of 'ambient' to me, abstract... [ETA: I don't think that player hits the low E string once in that piece.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 ...the beautiful GLOSS finish... Oh! I was going to mention that in my post #322! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 That also demonstrates some top of the line recording equipment to pick up that tone, which indeed sounds good. That player has an interesting style. That piece sounded kind of 'ambient' to me, abstract... Steve Zook doesn't have top of the line recording equipment that I'm aware of. I do think he would do better by playing more "everyman" type styles, though. Watch the Iain Matthews video here to get a better idea of how it would perform for most people: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Oh! I was going to mention that in my post #322! Beautiful gloss, but WAY thinner than you'll see on other Pacrim guitars. It supposedly mirrors the classic nitro finishes, without the modern nitro finish price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Boy has this thread ever changed...we're not even discussing the same guitar anymore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Watch the Iain Matthews video here to get a better idea of how it would perform for most people: I wasn't familiar with him, but I see he's a career pro (from the 60s), and it shows. So is that some modified open D chord position he's playing there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I wasn't familiar with him, but I see he's a career pro (from the 60s), and it shows. So is that some modified open D chord position he's playing there? That's the Cadd9 position...mostly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickthemiller Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Sure thing! And with the AA grade sitka spruce top it handles hard strumming like a champ, as opposed to cedar, which doesn't. Sure is driftin' this thread but what the heck! - Gotta disagree about the cedar top - I just had a birthday so I decided one out - one in and sold a Sigma OMR-21 which I was gettin' a bit tired of. From the proceeds I bought a dread from Thomann (one of their own makes Harley Benton). It's an all solid - cedar top Mahogany back and sides. It weighs in at a feather-light 3.9 pounds (Yep - I couldn't believe it when I lifted it from the box. As I say it's a cedar top (straight grain) and it is loud. Not only that but it will take a hell of a thrashing and still sounds together (clear and sweet). I cannot believe the quality of this thing, well made well finished clean well set up and it was only £217, (exchange rate changed in last few days so it's even cheaper) about $300. Heres a link to the site. http://www.thomann.d...m_solidwood.htm I looked into who makes 'em and I found it was a company called Saein Musical Instrument Co., Ltd who make (of all things) Epiphone, Peavey and Ibanez guitars. I have really dropped on with this - even put the AJ-45ME down for a day or two Looking forward to seeing how you get on with the Recording King - it really looks nice in the clip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Sure is driftin' this thread but what the heck! - Gotta disagree about the cedar top - I just had a birthday so I decided one out - one in and sold a Sigma OMR-21 which I was gettin' a bit tired of. From the proceeds I bought a dread from Thomann (one of their own makes Harley Benton). It's an all solid - cedar top Mahogany back and sides. It weighs in at a feather-light 3.9 pounds (Yep - I couldn't believe it when I lifted it from the box. As I say it's a cedar top (straight grain) and it is loud. Not only that but it will take a hell of a thrashing and still sounds together (clear and sweet). I cannot believe the quality of this thing, well made well finished clean well set up and it was only £217, (exchange rate changed in last few days so it's even cheaper) about $300. Heres a link to the site. I believe you about your guitar...certainly. I've never owned a cedar top. I was referencing what I've seen online many times in professional and user reviews as well as general write-ups about the subject. Then again, they also say YMMV, and yours certainly seems to have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodger11 Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I just got Harley Bentons Casino copy for £100 - its a cracker! Have been looking at their acoustic and Mick might have persuaded me to try one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 ...I bought a dread from Thomann... As I say it's a cedar top (straight grain) and it is loud. Not only that but it will take a hell of a thrashing and still sounds together (clear and sweet). I'll join you on that. My all solid wood cedar over rosewood Epi AJ500RC is loud and thick, although I don't normally hit her too hard. She's a booming fingerpicker. Of course, that probably has a lot to do with it being a 12-fret slot-head, with the more sweet-spot bridge positioning. It is true that spruce is about 20% more dense than cedar, and it has a higher "modulus of rupture" (takes more to break it). But it's all relative. If you were on a deserted island and only had a decent quality all laminate guitar, I bet it'd sound great. B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickthemiller Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 If you were on a deserted island and only had a decent quality all laminate guitar, I bet it'd sound great. B) Cougar, If I was on a desert island with a tin box and an elastic band - I would play it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickthemiller Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I just got Harley Bentons Casino copy for £100 - its a cracker! Have been looking at their acoustic and Mick might have persuaded me to try one.... Dodger, I've been looking at the Harley Bentons for a while now - this dread is far better than an all solid Recording King I bought from Thomann a couple of years ago. They are great guitars for the money. I am tempted to get one of the mahogany solid top - laminate back and sides dreads. Got to sell one of my AJ220s first though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish_Rover Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 I just had a birthday so I decided one out - one in and sold a Sigma OMR-21 which I was gettin' a bit tired of. Funnily enough, I cured my bad cas of GAS (brought on by this very thread) by taking delivery of a Sigma OMR-1ST two days ago. It does need a setup, after the holiday weekend, but I am loving my new guitar! Solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, 1 3/4" bone nut and saddle- this is a guitar that will get played every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panther_dadX2 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I am new to this board but have been following for some time trying to learn as much as anyone could tell me about the Masterbilt AJ-45ME. I have only been playing for a few years and am still learning but have been without an acoustic for most of that time. A sad and untimely accident involving my first cheap beginner guitar and my college aged son left me with only my Epi Les Paul 1960 tribute. I decided to go for it with the AJ-45 ME and pre-ordered one from Sweetwater Sound in February. I am happy to report it shipped and arrived last week! So far it has surpassed my expectations. The build quality is great, the feel in my hands is wonderful and most importantly it seems easy to make sound good. For a beginner that makes me want to play and not put it down. I have always loved the original Gibson J45 but I don't think I will ever be able to spend that kind of cash. This is the next best thing for me I really love the tone and it should only get better as the top ages. I have a few pictures Sweetwater emailed me before shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickthemiller Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I am new to this board but have been following for some time trying to learn as much as anyone could tell me about the Masterbilt AJ-45ME. I have only been playing for a few years and am still learning but have been without an acoustic for most of that time. A sad and untimely accident involving my first cheap beginner guitar and my college aged son left me with only my Epi Les Paul 1960 tribute. I decided to go for it with the AJ-45 ME and pre-ordered one from Sweetwater Sound in February. I am happy to report it shipped and arrived last week! So far it has surpassed my expectations. The build quality is great, the feel in my hands is wonderful and most importantly it seems easy to make sound good. For a beginner that makes me want to play and not put it down. I have always loved the original Gibson J45 but I don't think I will ever be able to spend that kind of cash. This is the next best thing for me I really love the tone and it should only get better as the top ages. I have a few pictures Sweetwater emailed me before shipping. Hi Panther and welcome to the exclusive AJ-45ME owners club - ain't they just the business? I've been trying to tell this lot for weeks how good they are - but do they listen? No they winge about the satin finish - all I want them to do is get one in their hands - that's the measure of these guitars, the feel the sound, the playability. Hope you are enjoying yours as much as I am Mine - they are great guitars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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