NAGD: Johnson JO-16 OOO size.

Niallmo

Update: it's here! Pics below. http://www.instrumentpro.com/fullsize/http://www.instrumentpro.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/JO-16_01.jpg

I think these may be alternate brand Recording Kings.

Anyway, just won it on eBay. Very cheap. Should suit my quest to play a bit of finger style. Picking it up on Wednesday.

Solid Engelmann Spruce Top
African Mahogany Back & Sides
Natural Finish
Fully Scalloped Forward-X Bracing
Classic Butterbean Tuners
Hand-cut Abalone/M.O.P. Detailing
Grained Ivoroid Binding
Soft-V Mahogany Neck
14th Fret Neck Joint
Rosewood Fretboard
Vintage-Style Beveled Pickguard
Bone Nut & Compensated Bone Saddle
Dovetail Neck Joint
String Spacing: 39mm
Nut Width: 46mm
Scale Length: 24.9"

thermionic

I think that's what they were called before they acquired the rights to the Recording King name. Bound to be a good one.

Niallmo

Ah, I do remember that now, thought I recognised the Johnson brand.

Bidley

Specs look tasty, looking forward to seeing pics!

Heartfeltdawn

Johnson is an interesting brand. I had a Johnson Gretsch clone years ago. Pretty sure it was made by Peerless as it was esentially identical to what became the Peerless Tonemaster. Most Johnsons are built in China as the acoustic at the top of the page is but some Johnsons definitely aren't and can crop up at a stupid low price. 

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p137/thesilentdawn/Johnson Gretsch Country Gentleman/DSC00827.jpg

Niallmo

Well, it's seemingly little used. No fret wear and that horrid black dye all over the fretboard.

Here it is as I got it. Dead strings and had been cleaned but not everywhere.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/E72D472F-F4C4-438C-B19B-BD51CA5E6ED8_zpsudurbyvg.jpg

It's got some inlays in there somewhere...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/34A757B3-D5FB-42B3-A8D3-EFE0794806CA_zpsnnzms9ou.jpg

Strings off for a clean and sort out the fretboard. Used a kitchen type green scourer with some lemon oil first to take the black dye off.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/3533D773-AB63-41AA-A2F8-86B7B050996A_zpsthgfeiaq.jpg

Then some Gorgomyte cleaner to get everything shiny and hopefully bring out the inlays. Some fretboard conditioner liberally applied and then left to dry. Quick polish with a cloth and it's looking good.

It's got a lift on the bridge at the treble side but it's stable. I've put twelves on it and it's not lifted further so far. It's a bit of bellying that seems to have caused it. I'll be taking it to my local Luthier soon to have it hopefully reglued and a bit taken off the bridge. It's not massively high at 3mm bass 2.8 mm treble at the 12 th fret but I think it could go lower without compromising the tone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/A0919ED7-042F-4668-B101-4DBB5C3BA973_zpsz47wtnzv.jpg

Can't see the lift much but it's there.

The Tone: wow! It's big and ballsy. Seems to like flat picking and strumming as much as fingerpicking. Makes my Epiphone aj220 sound like an unplugged electric!

So, here it is in the sunshine...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/55FDFEE7-5E6C-46C1-A651-594908ACED0D_zpsc51xdyzr.jpg

Oh look; inlays!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/5F07F209-B536-4269-9DBD-A74843914146_zpsd50c1hsa.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/339067A9-2411-491C-A85F-0D47793A1B7F_zpsxazif8yh.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/Niallmo/FB69E956-FCDD-430F-8202-FEB0DA8DDB12_zpskiy1wkvo.jpg

usedtobe

Nice score!

thermionic

Sounds like their reputation stands, again.

There was a good article in Guitar and Bass a couple of years ago about repairing a Recording King. They didn't scrape the finish off the top before gluing the bridge in the early ones, and lifting was a common problem apparently.