mcginty2002 - Posted - 10/14/2025:  16:07:35

I’m looking to upgrade from a student banjo and I have the chance to buy a used Recording King Madison RK-R36 in great used shape for $750. It’s not local so I can’t play it first. Should I jump on it?

jdeluke137 - Posted - 10/14/2025:  16:26:02

That’s a good deal on an RK36, but my concern would be issues that you might not be able to see if not in person. Maybe there’s someone on the Hangout that is local to the banjo that could take a look at it for you.

pinenut - Posted - 10/14/2025:  17:18:44

The RK36 is fine banjo and might be perfect for you.

I feel that it's worth the time, cost and effort to hunt down a non-import, used. Here is an example:

seattle.craigslist.org/kit/msg...9273.html

pinenut - Posted - 10/14/2025:  17:27:32

Ummm... Guys chime in here. This is a the-good-sorta-bottlecap-flathead-get-it-now-it-will-be-gone in minutes find.





ebay.com/SagaBanjo

Edited by - pinenut on 10/14/2025 17:31:56

pinenut - Posted - 10/14/2025:  17:58:16

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

Ummm... Guys chime in here. This is a the-good-sorta-bottlecap-flathead-get-it-now-it-will-be-gone in minutes find.





ebay.com/SagaBanjo

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ebay.com/itm/397044330137?_trk...020.m5276

mikehalloran - Posted - 10/14/2025:  20:05:28

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

Ummm... Guys chime in here. This is a the-good-sorta-bottlecap-flathead-get-it-now-it-will-be-gone in minutes find.





ebay.com/SagaBanjo

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ebay.com/itm/397044330137?_trk...020.m5276

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That's the pre-assembled version of the Saga kit banjo. Cast aluminum pot with integral archtop tone ring. It was sold as the RB-3. 

mikehalloran - Posted - 10/14/2025:  20:07:26

quote:

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Originally posted by mcginty2002

I’m looking to upgrade from a student banjo and I have the chance to buy a used Recording King Madison RK-R36 in great used shape for $750. It’s not local so I can’t play it first. Should I jump on it?

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If it includes a case, that's a good price.

mcginty2002 - Posted - 10/14/2025:  20:23:08

It does. I found it through guitar center. I’ve never messed with them before, though.

pinenut - Posted - 10/14/2025:  20:29:22

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

quote:

---

Originally posted by pinenut

Ummm... Guys chime in here. This is a the-good-sorta-bottlecap-flathead-get-it-now-it-will-be-gone in minutes find.





ebay.com/SagaBanjo

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ebay.com/itm/397044330137?_trk...020.m5276

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Nice little StewMac kit too.

reverb.com/item/91368961-stewm...kit-banjo

KCJones - Posted - 10/15/2025:  03:54:02

That's a good deal and you probably won't find a better banjo for the price. But if you can swing the extra, that Deering is probably better.

The BHO hivemind has soured on Recording King, so keep that in mind when you read the responses.

mcginty2002 - Posted - 10/15/2025:  04:50:18

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

That's a good deal and you probably won't find a better banjo for the price. But if you can swing the extra, that Deering is probably better.



The BHO hivemind has soured on Recording King, so keep that in mind when you read the responses.

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Thanks! Out of curiosity, what's caused the hive mind to sour?

jethrobodine - Posted - 10/15/2025:  06:56:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by mcginty2002

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

That's a good deal and you probably won't find a better banjo for the price. But if you can swing the extra, that Deering is probably better.



The BHO hivemind has soured on Recording King, so keep that in mind when you read the responses.

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Thanks! Out of curiosity, what's caused the hive mind to sour?

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A bunch of arnchair experts with pack mentality. 

lazyarcher - Posted - 10/15/2025:  07:07:09

The RK is a great banjo, however you may have to make a few adjustments based on its setup and construction as there were some issues with this over the last year or so.
If you can wait a bit, I'd hold off and see what Greg Rich does at Gold Tone. He is going to introduce improvements to the present line and adding new stuff that I think will blow away the banjo scene.

mikehalloran - Posted - 10/15/2025:  10:15:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

The RK is a great banjo, however you may have to make a few adjustments based on its setup and construction as there were some issues with this over the last year or so.

If you can wait a bit, I'd hold off and see what Greg Rich does at Gold Tone. He is going to introduce improvements to the present line and adding new stuff that I think will blow away the banjo scene.

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Yeah but it won't be for $750.

Dean T - Posted - 10/15/2025:  10:19:45

I like buying from Guitar center, but some things to keep in mind:



They know nothing about banjos, and it’s likely been hanging in the showroom forever, mauled by customers. It will possibly arrive grungy and not well set up.



If something doesn’t move, they lower the price every few weeks, until it does. If you are patient, and willing to risk someone else snatching it, you can get great deals. I watched my banjo go from $2399 all the way down to $1099 just by watching it for 6 months.



If you are by chance in the military, you get a 10% discount, but you have to ask for it.



They accept offers. Just email them an offer, and you might be surprised.



And a little trick I discovered by accident… sign on to their website, and put the banjo in your shopping cart. Make sure and fill out the contact info. BUT DONT BUY IT. Just let it sit there. They will see this, and will possibly email you an offer with a better price. You can even go back and forth for an even better deal. They give very little for their trade ins, and are always very motivated to move them.

And, if you have any problems, or wish to return it, you can go to a local GC and they will take care of it. I've never had any issues with these folks, they have always been super nice, and always willing to make things right

Edited by - Dean T on 10/15/2025 10:23:20

mikehalloran - Posted - 10/15/2025:  10:23:43

quote:

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Originally posted by mcginty2002

It does. I found it through guitar center. I’ve never messed with them before, though.

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I found that banjo and it has a case. GC will ship it to the closest store at no charge or ship directly to you—they charge for shipping used instruments. You have a 30 day return period.

Or.... you can keep asking questions and qualifying till someone else snags it. At that price, someone will.

We've not soured on RK around here. Before TML went under, there were some instruments with quality issues. Again, you have a 30 day return window. Unless there's something wrong, you'll keep it.

lightgauge - Posted - 10/15/2025:  14:33:08

Shutting down manufacturing does lead to some souring opinions on a brand.

mcginty2002 - Posted - 10/15/2025:  14:40:18

From looking at the pics, I'm wondering if it is actually an RK R35. As far as I know the only differences are mahogany vs maple and satin vs gloss finish. If it's a 35, would you still go for it? Do you have thoughts on woods and finishes? Thanks for your help!

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Originally posted by mikehalloran

quote:

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Originally posted by mcginty2002

It does. I found it through guitar center. I’ve never messed with them before, though.

---

I found that banjo and it has a case. GC will ship it to the closest store at no charge or ship directly to you—they charge for shipping used instruments. You have a 30 day return period.

Or.... you can keep asking questions and qualifying till someone else snags it. At that price, someone will.

We've not soured on RK around here. Before TML went under, there were some instruments with quality issues. Again, you have a 30 day return window. Unless there's something wrong, you'll keep it.

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earlstanleycrowe - Posted - 10/15/2025:  20:05:04

If this is the one you're looking at

guitarcenter.com/Used/Recordin...tarcenter

I think it's an RK-35. Still a good price, and I really like buying from Guitar Center with their 45-day return policy.



This is an actual RK-36: guitarcenter.com/Used/Recordin...tarcenter



They have another used "RK-36" that's also a RK-35 as well.

Edited by - earlstanleycrowe on 10/15/2025 20:06:13

mcginty2002 - Posted - 10/15/2025:  20:24:57

I was poking around the guitar Center website, and I actually found a 35 for a little bit less. Then, just to complicate matters more I found a good condition gold tone OB 150, with a hard case for $550. Now I just don’t know what I want anymore! Lol! Anybody have thoughts on the OB 150 versus the RKR 35/36?

Edited by - mcginty2002 on 10/15/2025 20:25:58

KCJones - Posted - 10/16/2025:  05:15:53

Word to the wise, posting good deals on BHO and delaying the purchase typically leads to the banjo getting sold out from under you.

I'll eat my hat if anything new Gold Tone puts out is under $2000. Their current top line banjos start at 2k and prices aren't going to drop with the new ones. They'll probably be the cream of the crop, probably better than the RKs or maybe just about the same, but they ain't gonna be $750 with a case.

JS1219 - Posted - 10/16/2025:  05:49:36

I got my 36 last year from the advice I got here at BHO, and I love it.
I got mine for $800 with the RK case and a Lakota strap, so $750 is a good deal.

Juan Solo

banjoez - Posted - 10/17/2025:  05:55:59

A well fit 20 hole RK pot assembly makes one of the finest sounding modern banjos out there. Get 'em while you can, there won't be any more. I know guys with original prewar flatheads that use them in their knock around banjos. For those that don't know, the tone rings were made with a formula from an actual sample of Earl's Granada according to GR.

Edited by - banjoez on 10/17/2025 06:06:12

rsrcwhite - Posted - 11/27/2025:  09:59:05

I own an RK 36...love it. Just get it properly set up. I just upgraded the bridge. Its a good quality banjo

CapoNFret - Posted - 11/27/2025:  13:45:21

To Mike Halloran...That price seems low. In 2019 or 2020 I looked at one at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI, and they wanted a brand new RK-R36 with hard case for $1250.00. And at that time, the Recording King banjos like that model was THE SELECT banjo. Even Jim Pankey was giving lessons with his RK-R35, and that model sounded just super in his hands.