banjomole - Posted - 02/16/2008:  10:32:04

I am attempting to upgrade from a Deering Goodtime 2 and am trying to decide between a Recording King R80 and a Gold Tone OB250 (or OB250 Plus). Here in the UK it's a little difficult to find impartial (or even partisan) advice. I am a strictly bluegrass Scruggs style player. Does anyone in the Hangout have any suggestions?

cockneybanjo - Posted - 02/16/2008:  11:13:24

I can't think of anything more likely to attract partisan comments - but I would say that as you are in UK, contact Andy's banjos and ask about the Gold Tone. Andy has them in stock. I don't know who, if anyone, handles Recording King in UK

Edited by - cockneybanjo on 02/16/2008 11:13:48

Roll Player - Posted - 02/16/2008:  11:14:39

For bluegrass, a good RK would probably be a little better. The OB's have been upgraded since earlier models, but I believe they still use 14" Asian-style resonators. The RKs use the same design of a Gibson Mastertone pot, and have an excellent tone ring. The OB250+ also has an excellent tone ring but is more expensive.

My RK 80 has a great sound and rivals the Gibson Scruggs Standard I have. In fairness, I haven't encountered too many OB250s and only briefly played one.

Remember any good banjo can be set up for many different sounds. Because of this, I hesitate to evaluate any instrument I've never owned. So I can recommend an RK80, but only guess about the Goldtone.

Good luck finding your banjo

MoTomCat - Posted - 02/16/2008:  11:30:38

Hi Frank and welcome.

First I will say I own a RK-80, so take that into consideration. But I also own a Gibson RB-250, a Washburn B-15, a Tyler Mountain TM5-80, and have played a lot of banjos. I have never been impressed by a Gold Tone banjo, either playing or hearing it. To me, if it's opinions you are asking for, I place the Gold Tones I've heard and played in the same category as my Washburn: Definitley good enough to learn on and maybe a little beyond, but not in the same category as the RK. IMO, the Gold Tone is one of the better starter banjos, like I consider the B-15 and above Washburns, but I class the RK as an intermediate to professional banjo with plenty of range for anyone to get just about whatever sound they like from it. And I think it is every bit as good a banjo as my Gibson RB-250.

I would like to make one other suggestion too. No matter what banjo you get, I would factor in a professional setup for it. IMO, every new, and most used, banjos can benefit from a good setup to your preferences.

Opinions are like certain body parts, everybody has one, and I'm only sharing what I've found in the banjos I've owned and/or played.

Good luck in your quest.

Tom


Hey, if it's banjo, it's good!

george craciun - Posted - 02/16/2008:  12:12:12

Check out the Ozark 2141 G or similar models. They are Gibson mastertone replicas, rock maple construction, bell brass tone ringn and if you like a very audible, bright and sassy instrument, well finished with decent action, you will enjoy this one. They are available from Eagle Music Shop (Yorkshire) U.K. Incidently, they are not available here in the U.S. and I had my niece bring mine over (to Florida) on one of her visits. The RK would be my next choice. Good luck and don't stop plunking!

Back Porch Picker

savzac - Posted - 02/16/2008:  19:05:08

Welcome and let me say I agree with the setup.

I have an RK and I have done my own setup trials and I have had it setup one way and it sounds good, but there are different setups I have found that really make folks set up and go, what is that thing? Can I play it?

I'm a complete newbie at this so I'd love to let an experienced person set it up for me just one time to see what they can get out of it. I love the way it sounds when I set it up so I can't imagine it better!

No matter what banjo you try out, if it isn't setup right you will not be hearing what the banjo is truly capable of, that's why it's a good idea to listen to the same brands setup at different locations by different people, if that is possible...

banjomole - Posted - 02/17/2008:  05:41:31

Thanks to everyone for their advice. The reason for my plea is that on banjo model review sites (dare I say it - even in the HO reviews) folk naturally seem to sing the praises of the instrument they have spent their hard-earned wages on. We seem to be swamped with bright, shiny, probably ghastly asian cheapies in the UK. Gibsons, Stellings, Deerings and RKs are as rare as hen's teeth, and certainly not available on the average city high street (e.g. Leeds, York, Manchester etc). You have to put in a lot of mileage to find a dealership with both the range of instruments and expertise in set-up etc. I've already bought a 'pup' through ebay (although the Goodtime 2 was a steal!) The search for El Dorado continues. Once again thanks for the comments.
Frank

Edited by - banjomole on 02/17/2008 05:47:21

cockneybanjo - Posted - 02/17/2008:  10:00:22

you need to play any instrument before you buy it, once you get past the starter / intermediate level

sassie - Posted - 02/17/2008:  17:19:01

allo banjomole...i make u rite,we in a banjo desert here!!!!!.have u seen anywhere that sells th rk?....i think there is a guitar shop in london that sell em,but cant remember rite now..there is also a dude in cornwall that sell em....sorry for lack of details.its late...do try n test before u buy though..1000 quid is a lot of money a.. take it u no about andybanjo??

banjomole - Posted - 02/18/2008:  05:58:20

In response to Sassie, there's an RK R80 on ebay as we speak. Starting price £250 no bids and 2 1/2 days to go. Suspect the flock is circling, waiting til nearer the deadline!!!!
I've been talking to a guy in County Durham who assembles instruments from quality parts. I've been impressed by some of the results as played on youtube.
Research indicates much as has been said already. Once you get passed the early stages there are many dangers in buying instruments without playing them first, and that a quality set-up by someone who knows what they're doing can transform an ordinary sounding banjo. I've also discovered that even a big league instrument like a Deering Maple Blossom can fail to impress when it's been languishing in a store for months and months. The search goes on!
Frank

sassie - Posted - 02/18/2008:  06:35:02

I saw that on ebay,,,looks nice a...susspect i will go 4 over 600.might b a steal........that place in london is macaris.co.uk, they a few rk's.....or andy banjo for a piece of mind....good luck dude...let us no if u get out.......Z

banjerdaniel - Posted - 02/26/2008:  19:16:19

I am due to see Andy's Banjos to professionally set up my goldtone OB250. I'll let you know how it goes. I got the OB250 out of necessity rather than choice - it was the only bluegrass one of any decency I could find. For 3 years I have sruggled with either a mushy sounding 4th, or a harsh sounding 1st string depending on which gauge of strings I choose, how much I tighten the head or how much I turn the truss rod. All I'm saying is be careful of OB250s as I haven't been able to get mine to sound right yet. The sample clip on the goldtone web site sounds fine and I've heard good stuff on youtube so I don't know. I'll wait for my set up.

Good luck

Reneker - Posted - 02/26/2008:  22:05:37

RK.
I have played them both. They are both fine banjos. I liked the sound of the RK better. It is an advantage I have living close enough to JDMC to play several brands. It's not easy to get a banjo with the sound you want without hearing one in person. The RK is just my personal preference but I don't think you would go wrong with the Gold Tone.



Gold Star GF-85...Souped up!

5-stringreiny - Posted - 02/27/2008:  13:33:24

I'd vote for the RK - think the tone (and asthetics) of the Recording King are better...

nathan619 - Posted - 02/27/2008:  14:10:32

To me the RK's neck is a little on the slim side. I'm still finding myself pushing/pulling that first string off the finger board. Definitely play all the different models you can and if you find an RK to play, notice the neck while playing to see if it affects you. Other than that, the RK is nice. You can't go wrong wtih it.


Nathan
Sullivan Festival Deluxe
RK-80 Recording King

banjomon - Posted - 02/27/2008:  14:51:47

You've already gotten some good comments regarding both banjos that you've asked about. I own only one of these - the RK-R80, which I've owned and played exclusively for over a year.

My opinion is definitely biased but you cannot go wrong with an RK and you will most likely not find a better banjo until you are willing to pay at least twice (plus) the cost of an RK. That's not saying that you wouldn't be happy with an OB250......and that's not saying that they are a bad buy. Quite the opposite because I've heard of many that are happy with their Gold Tones. And so, you may be happy too owning one.

And so what I've said so far is of no real benefit to you at all. But I would like to say this in regards to a previous statement -
Quote:
you need to play any instrument before you buy it, once you get past the starter/intermediate level.
Unquote

I've always been of the opinion that - yes - it is wise to play any instrument before you purchase it. But I have come to realize that it is far more important to try out ALL beginner instruments more so than a higher end instrument. In other words, all (or most) of the beginner instruments look great but often times sound and plays like crap (comparatively). And the only way you're gonna know for sure if you can live with the crappiness really depends on you playing the instrument. From there it's a no brainer.

With a well made, higher end instrument you are less likely to get a piece of junk like you would in a lower end instrument. So your risk factor is much lower - if you never get a chance to play it before you purchase it. This is not always true......but for the most part it seems to work out.

I've said all that to say this: Don't be afraid of purchasing an RK before you actually get to play it.....unless you are physically challenged in some way and just HAVE to play the thing.

The RK is NOT a low end instrument by any means and their reliability, craftsmanship, playability, sound and tone are impeccable so you are at a very low risk of being disappointed by not getting to play one before you purchase it. I can't speak for other brands in this regard, but my experience with RK has been nothing less than stellar. And I'm pretty sure that the majority of other RK owners will agree.

To date, I've bought 3 instruments without playing them prior to purchasing: A Gibson Les Paul, RK-R80 banjo and a Beard Gold Tone solid mahogany resonator guitar. To date, I've not regretted purchasing any of these without previously playing them. So what I've said above has proven itself at least 3 times over.

It is definitely something to consider. Good luck with your purchase!

thkidd - Posted - 02/28/2008:  09:28:07

I own an OB-250, and I've never played or heard an RK, so I can't give you a good comparison of the two. Based on the comments and opinions I've read on here, most seem to prefer the RK, so if all things were equal (price, availability, etc.), the RK might be the better choice. However, if you can actually play the OB-250 before you buy it, and not the RK, then that might sway me in favor of the OB.

Here's a link to a BHO member playing another member's OB-250:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9yDqoc8Y7A

There are several other videos of him playing the same song on several different banjos, and in my biased opinion the OB-250 stacks up pretty well against the others. I think this proves that set up makes a huge difference, and also that a lot of cheaper banjos can sound really good in the hands of a good picker.

Good luck on your choice; I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Darrell

"Measure your wealth not by the things you have but by the things for which you would not take money."

Chandler32 - Posted - 03/02/2008:  16:00:36

hi there Banjomole. where abouts are you based? I'm in Leeds. Have you been to Eagle Music near Huddersfield? they are a main Deering dealership and have a few others as well. There is also Frets old and New in Liverpool which have Gold Star and Stelling instruments.

saloonatick - Posted - 03/02/2008:  22:00:06

Hi there;
I'm facing the same quandry, Leaning very heavy toward the RK80 or RK85. I really would like to get a gibson RB250. Here's more on the subject. good luck USA/Korea/China - Opinions please!

country frank - Posted - 03/03/2008:  06:42:34

Frank, Macaris in central London deal in the RKs'

http://www.macaris.co.uk/

As does Hanks;

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/direct...92/10047.php

Andybanjo.com does the Goldtones and the Goldstars, try a Goldstar GF, RK and every other thing you can get your fingers on.

Oh, try here too;

http://www.hobgoblin.com/

They do Deerings.





Regards from London.

http://www.myspace.com/thehangingropesuk

http://www.banjomafia.com

banjerdaniel - Posted - 03/12/2008:  20:18:40

I got my OB250 looked at by Andybanjo and it was in a terrible state from the London shop I got it from. I realy got duped, believing an OB250 should sound like that - it just wasn't set up at purchase. For this reason I would strongly suggest buying a banjo very safe in the knowledge it is set up right.

Anyway, I played a nice, new, well set up ob250 from andybanjo and thought it sounded great, but extremely loud. In the end I opted for the hybrid open back bg250 from gold tone, because it is cheaper than an ob250 and plays really well for a quieter, more family friendly, bluegrass sound. It also has potential as a really nice frailing banjo, again, depending on how it is set up.

In other words don't worry too much, just get it set up and try before you buy.