I have an open back recording king and would like to get a resonator with tone ring used
For the same price i can get an rk35 or a fender Leo standard model feom the 70’s.
Any opinion!
Rob
I have a Leo, have never played an RK35, but based on what I've read about the RK - this is a no-brainer - RK35 all the way. Nothing wrong with a Leo, but the most important differences are in the pot and the composition of the tone ring, which leads me to suggest the RK.
The RK hands down.
Which RK do you have now? You have a hardware set already since RK has great parts.
You have other options. Put a better, more responsive rim in there, same neck, new tone ring, same hooks and stuff
$275 for a rim change, you get your old rim back. Choice of Maple, Cherry, Mahogany or Walnut, that's right.
I have the RK resonator, sometimes I use a magnet mount.
Some of the first changeouts I did were two Fender Leos, one Cherry, one Maple. Leos tube and plate is lighter, w open back heel cut.
The RK35 was designed to compete and they sell out. The tradeoff is a bronze tone ring and 10+ pounds, Greg Rich made sure these had the right tone ring and flange @ 6 million dots per inch.
That gives you more information, save some money and get a Helix rim change, usually about two weeks.
Or study how they will be shipping you an RK35
What recourse do you have like returning if damaged, think ahead.
Not shure going the way of adding a resonator and tone ring to my maple Madison open back is a viable solution economically. I don't have much choice of having a banjo ship to me as there are really not much choice up here, banjo are really not as popular in french community as they are in in anglo saxon community. Unfortunetely, most seller in the bho classified won't ship either. My bad, because i would have really like to buy used here. Will try to find a used rk35 or even best for me an rk36
Rob
the Fender Leo is a fine instrument.
The RK35's sell out, that tells.
