Buying a guitar - Johny King

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Michael Lester
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Joined: 5 Mar 2013 12:10 pm
Location: Illinois, USA

Buying a guitar - Johny King

Post by Michael Lester »

Our lives are full of digital 'ratings' these days - buyers and sellers sharing their views is so commonplace that many of us don't buy anything without a thorough review of consumer / seller comments.

But sometimes the experience is so pleasantly surprising that it should be shouted.

Today I received a GFI Ultra from Johny via FedEx.

Take a look at the packaging! I've never had anyone go to so much effort to insure that whatever I bought arrived safely. FedEx guy was pretty sure it was gold bullion…

The guitar arrived perfectly and is EXACTLY what Johny told me it was - no surprises.This instrument will give me years of pleasure.

If you visit this Forum to explore purchasing a steel guitar, I can’t imagine that you would do better than to visit with Johny King in Tennessee.



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scott murray
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Post by scott murray »

hear, hear!

Johnie is a great guy, a fine builder and player, and true lover of steel guitar. he knows the instrument inside out and is honest and real as they come. my main guitar came from Johnie and I couldn't be happier with it. you can't go wrong with Johnie (and Sue) King!
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
Bob Brooker
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Joined: 6 Feb 2018 8:53 am
Location: Tennessee, USA

Johnie Kings Pedal Steels

Post by Bob Brooker »

Excellent seller in every way. I have had many dealings with the Kings. They go beyond in ways I wouldn’t have even thought of. I purchased my Rittenberry from them and is fantastic!!
Bob Brooker
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Joined: 6 Feb 2018 8:53 am
Location: Tennessee, USA

Johnie Kings Pedal Steels

Post by Bob Brooker »

Excellent seller in every way. I have had many dealings with the Kings. They go beyond in ways I wouldn’t have even thought of. I purchased my Rittenberry from them and is fantastic!!
Larry Beem
Posts: 89
Joined: 31 May 2017 8:21 am
Location: Iowa, USA

Johnie King

Post by Larry Beem »

I too recently bought a Rittenberry from Johnie. He has figured out how to insure the guitars dont get beat up.

He is a pleasure to deal with and I would buy from him again without hesitation!
Williams 700 series D10 8 and 5,
Rittenberry Prestige SD10 4 and 5
Stereo Steel, NV400, Fender Twin Tone Master, Sarno BB, Lil Izzy's, Goodrich Matchbox......on and on ......
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Bill Terry
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Location: Bastrop, TX

Post by Bill Terry »

I'll join the chorus... I bought a volume pedal from him a few weeks ago, and it came packed exactly the same way, plywood box made exactly the right size with an inch or so of foam all around the pedal.

Let's be honest, a volume pedal is one of those things that just doesn't require that much concern when shipping, but Johnie took absolutely NO chances. I saved the packing, it's probably going to be useful. :-)

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Tommy Martin Young
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Post by Tommy Martin Young »

Just want to second and third the Johnie King experience!

I just bought a keyless 10-string console from him and couldn't be happier or more impressed with the case he made to ship it in and the quality of his build.
The One & Lonely Tommy Young

"Now is the time for drinking;
now the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot."
-Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65-8 B.C.)
David Mitchell
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Post by David Mitchell »

I've bought a lot of stuff from Johnie. He's the best for sure! I keep all the nice wood shipping boxes he builds to store parts in. Great guy to deal with!
john buffington
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Location: Owasso OK - USA

Post by john buffington »

Johnie & Sue King are 5 star for sure. I would not hesitate for a moment doing business with them again. The packing is what builders IMO should take lessons from. Never have I ever received a guitar, new or previously loved from anyone packed and secured as well as my most recent acquisition. Kudo's to the King family for sure.
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Johnie King
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Location: Tennessee, USA

Post by Johnie King »

Thanks guys
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Ross Shafer
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Location: Petaluma, California

Post by Ross Shafer »

From now on, I'm sending all the new guitars I build to Johnie to pack for shipping!

Hapy April 1st y'all!
Michael Lester
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Joined: 5 Mar 2013 12:10 pm
Location: Illinois, USA

Johnie King - fast forward one year

Post by Michael Lester »

My original post was about the purchase of a GFI ULTRA from Johnie.

A year later, I wanted to get back to a D10 - missed C6.

Johnie worked with me to arrange a trade / pricing on a CARTER Pro D10. As expected, it arrived packed perfectly.

Good people. Good Service. Honest discussion.

Michael Lester
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Kenneth Cartright
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Location: Missouri, USA

Johnie King

Post by Kenneth Cartright »

Johnie King is the best! I have purchased several steels from Johnie in the past few years. It's always been a great transaction, very honest man. And, Johnie packs a steel like no other! It will arrive safe.
Promat D10, Goodrich, Milkman
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Johnie King
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Location: Tennessee, USA

Post by Johnie King »

I have several good steels to trade or sell pictures below.
Sd10 brown Mullen sold
Williams wife body sold
Dark Maroon Sho Pro was traded
Sho Bud ldg sold
Red Carter Sd 10 sold.
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Elias Quirino
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Joined: 7 May 2020 1:18 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Buying a guitar from Johnie King

Post by Elias Quirino »

Hello everyone, i saw this thread and thought that I would chime in with my buying experience from Johnie. I met Johnie in Dec when I bought my GFI SD10 from him. Super nice guy. Very knowledgeable and patient enough to answer all my questions as I am new to PSG about 8 months to a year. He is a true professional in every sense of the word, and easy to talk to. He is an excellent communicator, whether by email or text. He responds quickly. I look forward to future purchases from Johnie. Thanks everyone, Eli
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Johnie King
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Post by Johnie King »

Thank you ELIAS “!!!!!
Jerry McKinney
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Location: Mississippi, USA

Post by Jerry McKinney »

I have bought 2 guitars from johnny. I highly recommend him. When I'm looking for something he is the first place I look. Cant beat him.
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Richard Alderson
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Location: Illinois, USA

Post by Richard Alderson »

I think I'll buy the Franklin just so I can keep the box !!
Derby SD-10 5x6; GFI S-10 5x5; GFI S-10 5x5; Zum D-10 8x7; Zum D-10 9x9; Fender 400; Fender Rumble 200; Nashville 400; Telonics TCA-500.
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Johnie King
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Post by Johnie King »

Well I still can be talked into shipping even too Ca.
I think the extra care in packing is well worth the effort.



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Last edited by Johnie King on 18 Nov 2021 8:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Johnie King
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Post by Johnie King »

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