Recording King "Ray Whitley" 1028 (1940)

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.