Recording King was Montgomery Ward’s in-house brand name for guitars and other stringed instruments they sold in the 1930s. Kay and Regal made Recording King instruments, but the highest quality Recording King guitars were made by Gibson. Recording King even sold artist models bearing the names of several famous Gibson players, including Carson Robison, Roy Smeck, and Ray Whitley.


Recording King introduced two Ray Whitley guitar models in 1939—the Model 1027 and Model 1028—both built by Gibson. The Model 1027 seen here is the fancier of the two, featuring fancy fretboard inlays, Whitley’s signature on the headstock, the distinctive “batwing” bridge, and rosewood back and sides.

Serial number: EA614
Top: Spruce, sunburst finish
Back and sides: Rosewood, possibly Brazillain Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: Rosewood
Frets: 19
Bridge: Rosewood “flying bat” pin
Tuners: Nickel-plated Grover G-98 open gear with metal buttons