Jay Eye Drink - Posted - 01/29/2026:  10:29:35

I inherited a Recording King RK-M5 a couple years ago, and I'm thinking of selling it. I can't find a ton of information about that model, or others for sale, online. I found enough information to know it's a professional grade instrument, and that I'll never play well enough to need a banjo this nice. It's like new and so is the case. I just figured I'd post here to gauge interest in this thing, and maybe find out what I could expect to be able to sell it for.

Edited by - Texasbanjo on 01/29/2026 14:31:18

pinenut - Posted - 01/29/2026:  10:46:19

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay Eye Drink

I inherited a Recording King RK-M5 a couple years ago, and I'm thinking of selling it. I can't find a ton of information about that model, or others for sale, online. I found enough information to know it's a professional grade instrument, and that I'll never play well enough to need a banjo this nice. It's like new and so is the case. I just figured I'd post here to gauge interest in this thing, and maybe find out what I could expect to be able to sell it for.

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banjo.com/product/recording-king-m5/

pickerssupply.com/?product=rec...del-banjo

The RK-75 model has similar specifications and may be an acceptable equivalent for pricing.

Edited by - pinenut on 01/29/2026 11:03:51

Texasbanjo - Posted - 01/29/2026:  11:12:47

What makes you think you need to be just so good to own and enjoy a nice banjo? If you like it, keep it. The more you practice on it, the easier it becomes and the more you want to play better.

I bought my Stelling years ago and felt the same way you do: I'm not good enough for this banjo. However, once I started playing that beautiful banjo, I yearned to be better and I worked hard at getting better. And for me, it worked. I ended up learning to play by ear, make my own breaks, join in jams and even started a band. So, if you like the banjo and can afford to keep it.... keep it. You might find that it's so much fun, easy to play that you are getting better.

On the other hand, if you just really aren't interested in playing banjo or getting better at it, then that's a good reason to sell it. It's up to you to decide which way to go: keep it and work at it to get better or sell it and be done with it.

JimmyBobby - Posted - 01/29/2026:  13:32:57

The banjo in question is one of the US made recording kings I believe? If so, I’d hang on to it. I haven’t seen too many of those go up for sale. Or hold on to it and let me save my pennies!

The Old Timer - Posted - 01/29/2026:  14:49:02

I doubt it can sell for $3000. I'd expect perhaps some market interest around $2000, give or take. But it might be a slow sale because that just weren't that many that ended up in many pickers' hands; not much word of mouth was generated on these. There was plenty of interest and hopeful high expectations, yes, but the end of the Greg Rick RK period followed fairly soon.

Good luck. And good luck if you keep it and learn to plunk on it, too.

RB3 - Posted - 01/29/2026:  15:08:39

I agree with Sherry's advice.

The notion that only accomplished players deserve to have good instruments is nonsense. Having a quality instrument that sounds good will provide a source of encouragement for you to practice and learn to play. A cheap instrument will do the opposite.

cottontop - Posted - 01/29/2026:  15:17:20

Like others have said, I agree that you should keep it and let it help you to play better. BTW, I looked at your profile and I have to say that I have lots of respect for you as my late father was also a millwright.
Best,
Joe