Recording King "Ray Whitley" 1028 (1940)
Vintage
The sound is everything a Gibson devotee craves: booming bass, a dry, hollow midrange, and a bright, present high-mid & treble register.
Why We Love This
This Recording King Ray Whitley Model 1028 has just come into the shop in trade ~ and vaulted itself right to the top of the staff favorite list. Made by Gibson, but distributed via the Montgomery Ward catalog, the Model 1028 feels and responds every bit like a J-55 or Advanced Jumbo from this period.This particular guitar is very lightly built, which makes it a joy to play. The neck has a pronounced V profile, which has worn in well over the years and isn't particularly deep. The guitar has been refretted, a new nut has been installed, and an area of significant playwear near the bridge has been touched up with new finish. A very clean neck reset has been performed, and the guitar plays wonderfully under tension of light strings. One could certainly use mediums, though we don't think much will be added to the already splendid tone.
The sound is everything a Gibson devotee craves: booming bass, a dry, hollow midrange, and a bright, present high-mid & treble register. It's a great flatpicking guitar, with the sort of warm, familiar sound that'll have you lost in cowboy-chord dreamland from first strum. Priced with non-original hard case.
| Top | Spruce |
| Back & Sides | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Bridge | Rosewood |
| Nut & Saddle | Bone |
| Bracing | X-bracing |
| Construction | Hide Glue |
| Finish | Original lacquer w/touch-up |
| Carve | Soft 30's V |
| Nut Width | 1 11/16" |
| String Spacing | 2 3/8" |
| Scale Length | 24 7/8" |
| Headstock | Recording King Decal |
| Serial # | 327 F |
| Case | Non-original hardshell |
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.
Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
Accurate Listings
Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.
Shipping
With decades of experience shipping high-value guitars, we know how to pack and protect vintage instruments so they arrive exactly as they should: safe, sound, and ready to play.