Recording King Century33 Mandolin

**BeachMando** · May-22-2018, 12:12pm

I was thinking about picking one of these up as a beater to take to festivals, but there is zero information out there about them.

Was wondering if anybody here had a chance to play one.

The aesthetics are... unique, but I actually kind of like them.

EDIT: There is a shop by me that has one, but before I drove the hour there and back figured I would check to see if they are worth the trip.

**MikeEdgerton** · May-22-2018, 12:58pm

Here is a recent thread discussing them. These just kind of dropped out of the sky. Not a whole lot of buildup to the release.

They are kind of a copy (in spirit I guess) of the Gibson Century of Progress instruments.

**BeachMando** · May-22-2018, 1:04pm

Thanks! I tried a search, but didn't turn up anything, huh.

Anyway, useful thread, sounds like they are nothing special beyond the cosmetics, bummer.

**MikeEdgerton** · May-22-2018, 4:20pm

But you would look great playing one! There are quite a few mandolins that look cooler than they sound

**lflngpicker** · May-22-2018, 4:29pm

Here is the prototype, as far as I can tell:

https://reverb.com/item/6521878-gibs...8aPD_BwE&pla=1

**BeachMando** · May-22-2018, 8:43pm

Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton

But you would look great playing one! There are quite a few mandolins that look cooler than they sound

Ha!

Originally Posted by lflngpicker

Here is the prototype, as far as I can tell:

https://reverb.com/item/6521878-gibs...8aPD_BwE&pla=1

Now that's a beauty! Little expensive for a festival beater though!

**Jim Garber** · May-23-2018, 9:30am

Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton

They are kind of a copy (in spirit I guess) of the Gibson Century of Progress instruments.

Originally Posted by lflngpicker

Here is the prototype, as far as I can tell:

https://reverb.com/item/6521878-gibs...8aPD_BwE&pla=1

Mike E beat you to it, lflngpicker.

Too bad about the RK version. If it had any tone at all (like some of their guitars) it would be cool to get even if it needed some set up. The one I played at GC we seriously disappointing. I suppose a laminated mandolin with a solid top sounds worse in general than a laminated guitar with the same. My daughter's $99 RK guitar is quite decent sounding and plays nicely.

**CWRoyds** · May-23-2018, 10:54am

Played one at Guitar Center yesterday... Meh...
Not inspiring for sure, although it was a bit better than the other crappy mandolins they had.
Basically, all the mandolins they had were crap, but this one at least had some personality.

At least Recording King is trying to make interesting instruments.
I tried a few of their parlor guitars, and I actually liked them.
Sounded pretty good and were fun to play.