Recording King "Ray Whitley" 1028 (c. 1940)

$13,500.00
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Product information

Gibson aficionados seeking the power, dryness, and punch of one of the company's 1930's Jumbos may find all they'll ever need lurking beneath the hood of this rare Recording King "Ray Whitley" model 1028.

Only produced for two years, the Ray Whitley models were sold through Montgomery Ward and positioned as budget-conscious alternatives to their more recognizable Gibson brethren.

This guitar is the most stripped-down of the Whitley variants, featuring Mahogany back & sides and the larger pickguard also associated with Gibson's rare J-55. One could almost think they're playing a Gibson J-35, but for the more V-shaped neck of the 1028 and its lack of an adjustable truss rod (a cost saving measure).

The guitar's voice is LARGE, present, and midrangey, with excellent horsepower when used to anchor an old-time band.

This 1028 has weathered the years very well; and our shop has just prepared it for its next 85 years. Our techs performed a neck reset, re-fret, and repaired two back cracks. Three previously repaired top cracks are stable, and do not require further attention.

The guitar's surfaces show the expected lacquer checking, scratches, and dings. And if we can indulge for a moment, this thing just plain looks cool! Priced with non-original hardshell case.

Specs

Top
Red Spruce
Back & Sides
Mahogany
Fingerboard
Rosewood
Bridge
Rosewood
Tuners
Original machines w/new buttons
Scale Length
25.4"
Nut Width
1 11/16"
String Spacing
2 5/16"
Case
Hardshell

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