Recording King RK-20
submitted 11/1/2009
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Submitter |
JedNeedsCoffee |
Where Purchased |
banjo.com |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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My first impression was that it is rather harsh. loud, yes..."bright", no. After installing a fiberskyn head and stuffing a sock behind the rod, the harshness was (naturally) toned down quite a bit and I found that these modifications brought the overall sound to just about where I want it. I like a banjo that sounds well with both Scruggs/Bluegrass and "folk-style" (which, yes, I realize is a nebulous term). The new head and sock provided a sound that lent itself well to both styles. |
Sound Rating |
7 |
Setup
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The first thing I noticed was that this banjo had held its tuning perfectly during transit because I didn't so much as have to fine tune it when I took it out of the box...all strings were dead-on in tune. The only thing that I found very disappointing was the fact that the lenght of the fingerboard was not matched properly to the tension hoop, in other words, it was too long and therefore the heel of the neck didn't come in full contact with the rim. This may or may not be a "set-up" issue but I can't see how the folks at banjo.com could have overlooked this...we're talking about a 1/8 inch gap between the neck and rim! I took the neck off and shaved the fingerboard down, which of course altered the overall action height, which I then had to readjust. |
Setup Rating |
6 |
Appearance
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Generally, a very nice looking banjo. Well done inlays, shiny chrome. Finish itself was pretty darn good except for the cracks (in the finish) which ran from bracket to bracket...almost as if the factory worker overtightened the hooks (or the brackets themselves) although when I got the 'jo, head tension didn't seem too tight. |
Appearance Rating |
6 |
Reliability
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For what it is, a relatively lower-end banjo, it seems as sturdy as one would expect for this price range. I've had it a year or so now and nothing has broken. Tuners hold good. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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I had purchased banjos from banjo.com before and was always treated fairly. Still, I am disappointed that the banjo had the obviously mal-fitted neck and finish cracks. One would think that such an item would have been returned to the factory/distributor rather than sold to a customer. I didn't raise a fuss with banjo.com about this, because personally, I didn't feel it worth the hassle of returning/re-shipping the item. |
Customer Service |
6 |
Components
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Personally, I wouldn't invest in any major upgrades. The cost of upgrading in relation to the value of the banjo itself would be disproportionate. I must say however that I AM quite impressed with the tuners, I can play this banjo for quite awhile and even leave this banjo sitting in the corner quite awhile and it holds perfect tune. Swapping out the head is the only "upgrade" I made. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
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I have mixed feelings about this banjo. Other than the mismatched neck and the finish cracks and the fact that I had to change out and stuff the head...it sounds good, plays good and looks good. Were it not fo the problems mentioned, I may have been happier with the purchase. Originally I bought it as a "knock-around" banjo, for camping etc., which it works fine for. I think I paid 375 +or-. My advice though (which you may take with as many grains of salt as you wish) if you are buying this as a "first" banjo, (i.e. to learn on)....save up some more money and get one in the next price catagory up. If you're buying it as a "second" banjo, or a knock-around banjo, I would say it's probably worth the $, (as long as it's under $400). |
Overall Rating |
6 |
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Orpheum Orpheum no.2
submitted 5/27/2009
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Submitter |
JedNeedsCoffee |
Where Purchased |
Ebay |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
405 ($US) |
Sound
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Sounds great (compared to others in the SAME PRICE RANGE). Best tone I've heard in a 'jo priced under $600. The mahog neck and maple rim and reso seem to produce a well balanced sound...not too mellow, not too sharp. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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It was, more-or-less set up. Just had to do some tweaking with the bridge position and string tuning. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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Looks great. Personally I would have preferred the reso without the circular inlays in the back, but then again that's a matter of personal taste. The mahog neck looks OK with the maple reso....which is good (not so much of a differentiation of color to make them look "mis-matched"). Peghead looks nice, (sort of strange seeing "Orpheum" on a contemporary banjo though....but it does look nice). Genuine MOP inlays in fingerboard are VERY nicely done! |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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Hardware seems good and has lasted so far. Might do an upgrade on the tuners and (especially) the tailpiece....seems kind of cheapo (as other reviewers have also said). |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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Haven't dealt w/the manufacturer (or should I say, importer...which I believe was/is Martin). I bought this as a NOS...I'm not sure this model is currently being made. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Again, the tailpiece needs to be swapped out. Maybe eventually the tuners (and the bridge), but other than that it's good-to-go as is. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
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I would recommend it. Based on what I paid for it, I believe I got a heckuva deal. Since you would probably find this only on the secondary market now (Ebay for instance) I'm sure the prices will vary greatly.....personally I wouldn't pay more than, say, $650 though (for new or NOS). For $405 for mine?...I don't believe I could have done any better in this price range. If it were stolen, I wouldn't necessarily insist on buying the exact same model, but probably something very similar (think Fender 58). |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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