Earls 5 - Posted - 01/14/2013:  09:54:05

Update on the M5 and M7 for those interested.



One of the benefits of building these first two is of course getting to be the first to pick them.

My very un -bias opinion  on them is WOW! Crack, volume,tone and overall playability is what you would expect in a banjo costing way more $$. Very pleased with the finished product. Really.

Edited by - Earls 5 on 01/14/2013 09:54:48

Shake-Boy - Posted - 01/14/2013:  12:14:38

quote:

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Originally posted by Earls 5

 WOW! Crack, volume,tone and overall playability is what you would expect in a banjo costing way more $$.

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WOW!  They go for 3 grand.  I'm about as noob as you can be here and think my new Goodtime 2 Classic sounds great.  I've done tons of reading on this site over the last couple months about scads of great banjos in the 1 to 3k range with tons of folks saying that moving beyond that is more about how much bling you want than anything else.  So seriously, on average, how much more would I normally expect to pay for a banjo with this much "crack, volume, tone and overall playability"?   

And with Jimbo and others singing the praises of the Asian RK-35/36 instruments and how wonderful they are to gig with and how they're all the banjo you'll ever need, is there really $2200 more "crack, volume, tone and overall playability" in the new models?  Is buying American the real incentive here or are these instruments truly a cut or three above the norm in quality and sonic ability?

I'm not trying to be a jerk,  although sometimes in my case the jerk-factor is pretty high,  I'm just a new guy trying to make sense of all the information here.

Sincerely,

Paul (Shake-boy)

Inappropriate language edited (italics).

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 01/14/2013 21:12:10

desert rose - Posted - 01/14/2013:  17:11:24

Its called "Crafted in America" as opposed to "Manufactured in Asia"

Is there a difference, yes. But as a newby to banjo an Asian high end banjo like RK would be perfect to you until the differences become recognizable and desireable

Scott

Edited by - desert rose on 01/14/2013 17:15:28

Shake-Boy - Posted - 01/14/2013:  20:28:57

@ desert rose



Thanks for the reply Scott. With such recognizable differences that are so desirable to banjo veterans I'm wondering why some very vocal hangout professional musicians would choose to gig with and promote these high end "Manufactured in Asia" RK-35/36 banjos. They've clearly implied (maybe even outright stated...I'd have to go back and find the info) that one of these two models is all the banjo they need and that's why they gig with them. They've also implied they're all the banjo I'll ever need.



Now the same company is going to promote "Crafted in America" and play both sides of the coin. If "Crafted in America" is so important why would I buy from a company that's still "Manufacturing in Asia"? I do tend to lean towards "buy American" but I'm not sure just how much I lean. Trying to figure it out.



From what I've researched, the day I first picked my Goodtime 2 I most likely became infected with a case of BAS. Only minor symptoms so far but I have to assume it'll become full blown at some point as I haven't heard of an antidote or vaccine. So I'm going to upgrade my banjo someday. At that point I'm going to want to buy the best banjo I can with regard to sound quality and playability. I don't care about bling. The maker of the new "Crafted in America" Recording King banjos states that his banjos have the "crack, volume, tone and overall playability of a banjo costing way more $$".  Is this really true or is it marketing hype?  He's implying it's a bargain. As a guy with money in the bank, a potential customer, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask what he really means. This new RK is a 3K banjo. What is "way more"?? Is it 4k, 5k, 6k? Seriously, what is a ballpark figure for what I should expect to pay for the same quality of sound and playability if I choose other than the Recording King American made banjo? If I can truly buy the new RK banjo for 3k having the same sound quality and playability of a 4k, 4.5k or 5k banjo with similar construction and decorative elements then I need to keep RK on my radar.

Edited by - Shake-Boy on 01/14/2013 20:33:10

Bill Rogers - Posted - 01/14/2013:  21:16:57

"Need" and "want" are different issues.  I have an old Gibson arch-top (far from the cost of even a top-end new banjo).  I could have gotten all the banjo I need for $1200 or so less.  But I wanted the Gibson.  I certainly fulfills my need, and I have no wish to get a more expensive banjo.  

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 01/14/2013:  22:41:18

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

"Need" and "want" are different issues.  I have an old Gibson arch-top (far from the cost of even a top-end new banjo).  I could have gotten all the banjo I need for $1200 or so less.  But I wanted the Gibson.  I certainly fulfills my need, and I have no wish to get a more expensive banjo.  

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 Good answer.

desert rose - Posted - 01/15/2013:  00:42:51

GREAT answer

Shake boy

EVERYBODY has a different priority as it should be. Thats everybodys right. The high end Asian banjos today like RK and Goldstar JUST like the Goldstars of the early eightys can hold their own in performance with American banjos, there are pros using them quite happily. Thats no surprise.

Some demand made in America over anything else, some demand performance at the best cost point no matter the source, some like supporting individual craftsmen. There is no banjo Nazi police, you have a choice. But yes of course there are differences, a manufacturered instrument by defination doesnt have the attention to finest detail like a hand crafted instrument no matter the country, some of this is visual some will effect tone and playability. This goes for not only banjos of course. Blueridge and RK guitars have stretched the limits of Asian guitars like the banjos. I know for a fact the president of Martin has had some really bad days due to the performance and craftsmanship of these two brands.

You seem to have an agenda in mind and some misguided preconceptions. My advice would be to spend your time listening and reading before you jump to judgements

Scott

Banjophobic - Posted - 01/15/2013:  06:45:34

quote:

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Originally posted by Shake-Boy

 With such recognizable differences that are so desirable to banjo veterans I'm wondering why some very vocal hangout professional musicians would choose to gig with and promote these high end "Manufactured in Asia" RK-35/36 banjos. They've clearly implied (maybe even outright stated...I'd have to go back and find the info) that one of these two models is all the banjo they need and that's why they gig with them. They've also implied they're all the banjo I'll ever need.



 

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Shake

I'm one of these 'very vocal BHO professional musicians' who thinks very highly of the Rk-35/36 banjos and says so quite often. As to the question of  'why I would choose to gig with, and promote these high-end asian banjos', I can answer that pretty easily. The reason is simple: they  are great sounding and playing banjos. Long before any endorsement deal came into view, I was telling students and customers through my repair business, what a great value in a banjo these instruments were. 

I have played many kinds of banjos over the years, some American made and some not. For me, its all about playing an instrument that does the job I want it to do. I try to support American made whenever possible. Banjos are  my 'tools' for teh trade,  and if a tool doesn't do the job for me, I wont buy it, regardless of who made it or where. This Rk-36 of mine is being used as my go to 'road' banjo. It does the job I need it to do, in spades. I can now leave my vintage banjos at home. Heck this Rk-36 is getting played more than just for gigs. I like to teach with it and just jam with it too.

The quality of the parts, and the construction of them, is as good as banjos coasting thousands of dollars. If you are a new player, this banjos will not only be a great 'starter' banjo, but will be a banjo you can keep and play the rest of your life. If they are good enough for professional players to use on the road, to record with and to play all the time, they should be good enough for the average person too. Speaking for myself, even if no other professional player I know liked or  played an Rk, I would still get one and use it. I like what I like, regardless of what anyone else likes. 

jrmorrow - Posted - 01/15/2013:  08:08:25

Being a banjo nut of some degree, I enjoy what I can afford as I grow in my ability to hear the subtle differences in various banjos. I'm now back up to 5, one of which is under construction. I recently put together a banjo with all RK parts enjoying the process of fitting it all together with the best of my ability being more detailed than what you would normally get right out of the box. It sounds fantastic and I have less than a 1000 bucks in it. All of them sound great and are unique, from my TB 11 conversion with the HR 30 no hole and frank Neat neck and worked over by Chris Cioffi, definitely the best overall banjo I have, to the 81 Gold Star 85 and the RK custom.
Eventually, I will settle down with three, if I am able to sell for a decent price anyway. All of them will do the job well.

BlueRanchRider - Posted - 01/15/2013:  08:37:34

Shake-Boy, I too was much like you a couple years ago.  I got into the banjo scene with a cheap bottlecap banjo and later purchased a 'tone ring' banjo at the recommendation of a fellow picker.  After listening and tinkering and finally 'wasting' some money trying to get the recommended Asian banjo to sound good, i bought a Goodtime Classic 2 and was blown away by not only the sound but also the playability.  Low action, smooth neck, great fit and finish and I quickly realized the difference.  I sold the 'recommended' banjo and the Classic Goodtime and purchased the RK-R35 and the stage was elevated even more.  I couldn't believe the sound and all for $700.  I am going to head up to Arthur Hatfield's and pick on some of his banjos to see how much of a step there is, but for now, the RK-35 is all the banjo I'll ever need for the little pickin I do.

Give your ears some time to hear differences in banjos and the first chance you get go and play on some higher end banjos.  They may not be what  you need or ever will use, but you'll hear the difference.

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 01/15/2013:  11:28:21

quote:

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Originally posted by desert rose

There is no banjo Nazi police.

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 Come here often?  

~Pete

desert rose - Posted - 01/15/2013:  16:31:45

grich - Posted - 01/15/2013:  17:48:36

Edited by - grich on 01/15/2013 17:50:25

schwimbo - Posted - 01/15/2013:  18:04:34

Greg,

Thanks for the assistance. :-)

grich - Posted - 01/15/2013:  18:34:46

Your welcome ... I don't have to tell you what the next call will cost you do I  ! 

grich - Posted - 01/15/2013:  18:52:19

Edited by - grich on 01/15/2013 18:54:31

Earls 5 - Posted - 01/15/2013:  19:21:18

My hat is off to Ed Weber - nice looking job on those custom shop banjo's friend! Nice engraving by Greg Rich. And lets not forget Don Hunters finish MAGIC as well.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/15/2013:  19:35:29

PRETTY!

Dave1climber - Posted - 01/15/2013:  21:10:24

One of those would look even better if it was in my house.  

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 01/16/2013:  02:46:29

Greg, have you thought about changing the name from "Recording King" to Recording Bling" ?  

MBCrawford - Posted - 01/16/2013:  03:57:04

That is one great looking banjo, great job there guys..............

grich - Posted - 01/16/2013:  09:36:28

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 01/16/2013:  10:44:33

quote:

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Originally posted by grich

 

Greg, have you thought about changing the name from "Recording King" to Recording Bling" ?   Funny you mentioned that because I told our production manager Travis Atz that if he could find a heavy gold chain he could wear one of those pot assemblies around his neck at the NAMM show this week !

  !!!!!

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nittio - Posted - 01/16/2013:  14:21:25

Greg what color would you call that and what type of finish is it ? Way cool !!
.

nittio - Posted - 01/16/2013:  14:22:04

Greg what color would you call that and what type of finish is it ? Way cool !!
.

grich - Posted - 01/16/2013:  16:52:52

All the finish work was done by Don Hunter who worked with me at Gibson , that color  sunburst is called Argentine Grey 

There's not much I can say about Don Hunter as a person .... because he's not ! 

grich - Posted - 01/16/2013:  16:52:53

All the finish work was done by Don Hunter who worked with me at Gibson , that color  sunburst is called Argentine Grey 

There's not much I can say about Don Hunter as a person .... because he's not ! 

OOPS !  I hate it when this happens ....

Edited by - grich on 01/16/2013 16:56:39

Earls 5 - Posted - 01/16/2013:  17:08:17

Greg does this mean Don will be spraying parts for you till the cows come home  Those nuts look like they are in a tight spot ! Cause damn

Earnest T. Bass 

Edited by - Earls 5 on 01/16/2013 17:13:32

grich - Posted - 01/17/2013:  15:36:31

edweber - Posted - 01/17/2013:  15:52:39

Don truly was THE "Touch up King" at Gibson. No one could hold a spray can with such finesse, such command. He could make magic with his spray nozzle, let me just set that record straight.

Randy Escobedo - Posted - 01/18/2013:  07:46:03

Real nice banjos there! I am looking forward to picking on them at SPBGMA. Greg, someone asked me this morning if you were going to be giving tours of the old plant? Like Bill Monroe used to tell me "Never Forget The Good Old Days".

Also, how will your coffee compare to Arthur's? Beverly makes a mighty fine pot of coffee!

Edited by - Randy Escobedo on 01/18/2013 07:47:53

Earls 5 - Posted - 01/21/2013:  13:56:03

Ok G IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR AN UPDATE.... 3 Days and counting down to winter NAMM 2013 ! Any new factory models in the banjo line ?

Will there be a walnut banjo in either the factory models or the USA models anytime soon?



Enquiring minds want to know 

Edited by - Earls 5 on 01/21/2013 13:57:59

Chloesbane - Posted - 01/21/2013:  16:37:13

CAUSE DAMN!

Dan Drabek - Posted - 01/21/2013:  18:45:37

Greg, It looks like you have too much time on your hands--thank goodness. 

Love the tabloids. 

Earls 5 - Posted - 02/02/2013:  15:14:10

quote:

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Originally posted by Dan Drabek

Greg, It looks like you have too much time on your hands--thank goodness. 

Love the tabloids. 

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Dan - I just love the little ROFLMAO Man ! I want me one of those