Recording King RPH-05

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Featured in

Best Parlor Guitars: Great Sounds in Small Packages

0 wishlisted

2 saved

Page last updated Sep 02, 2025

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

Average Price: $175

Budget/Beginner

$200

$601+

Price Tier

In the Steel-string Acoustic Guitars category, Recording King RPH-05 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Step back in time with the Recording King RPH-05, a Dirty 30's single-O acoustic guitar that captures the soulful essence of early American blues. This guitar is a nod to the past, marrying vintage aesthetics with modern craftsmanship to deliver a rich, resonant sound. Whether you're a singer-songwriter looking to add a classic touch to your performance or a traveling musician in need of a reliable companion, the RPH-05 is an ideal choice. Its solid spruce top paired with white wood back and sides ensures a balanced, warm tone, while the dark sunburst finish gives it a striking, retro appeal. The real bone nut enhances its tonal quality, offering excellent sustain and clarity. All this comes at a price that won't break the bank, making it a fantastic option for musicians of all levels.

Key Features:

Solid spruce top for enhanced sound quality
White wood back and sides for a balanced tone
Dark sunburst finish for a vintage look
Real bone nut for improved sustain and clarity
Compact single-O body style perfect for traveling musicians

Product specs

Brand	Recording King
Model	RPH-05 Dirty 30's Solid Top Single-0
Finish	Satin Sunburst
Year	2010s
Made In	China
Categories	Parlor Guitars
Active Preamp	No
Back Material	Whitewood
Body Shape	0
Color Family	Brown
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Composite
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup	None
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Sides Material	Whitewood
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Spruce

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Recording King RPH-05?: The Recording King RPH-05 offers a warm and balanced tone, characteristic of its solid spruce top, making it suitable for fingerstyle and folk playing. Its parlor size enhances midrange frequencies, providing a focused sound.
Is the Recording King RPH-05 suitable for beginners?: Yes, the RPH-05 is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable parlor body shape and manageable size, which make it easy to handle and play.
What materials are used in the construction of the Recording King RPH-05?: The RPH-05 features a solid spruce top for resonance, with whitewood used for the back and sides, and a composite fretboard, offering durability and a classic acoustic sound.
Does the Recording King RPH-05 come with a built-in pickup?: No, the RPH-05 does not come with a built-in pickup, making it ideal for pure acoustic playing without electronic amplification.
How many frets does the Recording King RPH-05 have?: The Recording King RPH-05 has 20 frets, allowing for a wide range of notes suitable for various playing styles.
What is the body shape of the Recording King RPH-05?: The RPH-05 features a single-0, or parlor, body shape, which is smaller and more comfortable for players who prefer a compact guitar.

Videos

Add video

Mediocre Musician

REVIEW: Recording King RPH-05 Acoustic Parlor Guitar

Mediocre Musician

Recording King RPH-05 at The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

Recording King RPH-05 Best $275 guitar...........ever.

Robert Tedrow

Recording King RPH-05 $275

Robert Tedrow

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Affordable price for quality comparable to higher-end guitars
Attractive sunburst finish enhances visual appeal
Smooth neck satin finish for comfortable playability
Even and smooth fret wire with no burrs
Stays in tune exceptionally well
Minimal setup required for optimal play

CONS

Minor buzz requiring slight setup adjustment
Limited tonal variety compared to more expensive models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Recording King RPH-05.

Comparisons

0 0

The neck feels chunkier compared to a Yamaha FG700S, which might be an illusion due to the matte finish, contrasting with its shorter length.
Source
0 0

The RPH-05 is considered Recording King's equivalent to the Gretsch Jim Dandy, both being compact, portable guitars suitable for rugged travel scenarios.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The neck does not have a wide nut, unlike the Recording King RO-26, making it less suitable for fingerstyle guitarists who prefer a 1 3/4-inch nut width.
Source

User experience

0 0

Transitioning from a 14-fret guitar, the shorter neck of the RPH-05 requires some adjustment, especially for those used to longer necks.
Source
0 0

Owners appreciate the RPH-05 for its parlor size and 12-fret design, which appeals to those who prefer smaller guitars and a vintage aesthetic.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The RPH-05 is favored as a travel guitar due to its durability and low cost, making it ideal for outdoor use and rough handling without worry.
Source

Add review

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

ryangunwitchblack

189

almost 10 years ago

Best $200 parlor-size Single 0 acoustic ever

The sound and feel of this guitar was more interesting than several other single 0's at a much higher price-point, including a beautiful Alvarez I tried. I bought it thinking it would be my new beater but it has become such a prized guitar that I went out and got a Recording King RPH-03 Special GC Edition Matte Black to drag about. The necks on these guitars sport a nice satin finish and the fret wire was even and smooth out of the box with no burrs. No snags at nut or saddle. Stays in tune amazingly well.