Hi all.
I have a grin from ear to ear. Just played my RK35 on it's manufactured 13th birthday. This thing is amazing. I own a Stelling, and I've played Gibsons, Hubers, Yates, etc ... and this RK is right up there.
Spend 5K if you want to - but IMO a well set-up one of these is IMO no lesser than the great American builders out there.
Enjoy pickin'
cheers, Pete
Hey, don't you know that more is better? It's the American way! Spending more money for a banjo is like washing your car, which gives you better gas milage. Ha! banjered
I've owned an RK-R25, RK-R35, RK-R36, and RK-R80.
They're the only import banjos that can compete with the domestic products. Are they the same quality as Deering, Stelling, or Huber? No of course not. But they're darn close, close enough for most people, and for the price they can't be beat.
I have an RK77 Elite ,, it’s super.
quote:
Originally posted by KCJonesI've owned an RK-R25, RK-R35, RK-R36, and RK-R80.
They're the only import banjos that can compete with the domestic products. Are they the same quality as Deering, Stelling, or Huber? No of course not. But they're darn close, close enough for most people, and for the price they can't be beat.
Cheap adversarial foreign junk...... 
.........Just kiddin'
Edited by - banjoez on 03/21/2023 07:34:38
banjoez I agree with you. It is cheap adversarial foreign junk. But I paid $375 for the RK-R25, and under $800 for the rest. And I bought them all used, so no money went to the original maker. Not $2000-$3000 new. And none of them pretend to be a Mastertone, and none of them pretend to be from the USA. I only own the RK-R25 still, got rid of the rest. And I'll be replacing that as soon as I can find a decent made-in-USA woody.
I've also got a Gold Tone LoJo, because it's literally the only way you can own a 6-string octave banjo that isn't older than dirt. And I've got a Gold Tone EB-5, because it's the only way you can own an electric humbucker banjo that doesn't cost $3000. Bought them both used. They're both low quality across the board, in particular the tuners, neck profile, and finish are bottom barrel. But they're the only option, so you do what you have to in order to achieve your goals.
Edited by - KCJones on 03/21/2023 07:58:37
I am blessed to have a few awesome and kinda pricy banjos from old Gibsons, newer Gibsons Stanleytone , just got a really sweet Davis burled walnut that I love but I have an RK-35 over 10 years old and it stands toe to toe with any of the others. The fit and finish may not be as fancy but it is every bit as good a banjo that’s made .
quote:
Originally posted by Will FradyI am blessed to have a few awesome and kinda pricy banjos from old Gibsons, newer Gibsons Stanleytone , just got a really sweet Davis burled walnut that I love but I have an RK-35 over 10 years old and it stands toe to toe with any of the others. The fit and finish may not be as fancy but it is every bit as good a banjo that’s made .
Exactly my sentiments, Will!
The market is blessed these days with exceptional entry level/intermediate banjos. Always been a fan of how much banjo money can buy and enjoy comparing them to the higher end market. To me many on the upper end are way over priced for what you get (and I've owned many of them). For me it's always been about the tone and the gap has closed between the two to the point where a few of the latest examples may actually supercede the big boys. Even seeing a few top players grudgingly admit to it. Enjoy your 35 Peter!!
Edited by - banjoez on 03/22/2023 07:24:12
I'd say the market is pretty blessed at every level.
At the low end, you can go get a full-size resonator banjo on Amazon right now for $160 delivered to your door, including a gig bag, strap, tuner, picks, and extra set of strings. At the "mid"-range, you can spend $600-$1500 and get a banjo that is stage-ready. The top end of that range gets you a banjo that is every bit as good as pro-level banjos from a functionality standpoint. At the high end, even the top makers, you can get a "generational heirloom" quality banjo for under $5000.
Adjusting for inflation, banjos have never been cheaper or higher quality. They are insanely cheap at all points in the market, and they're better quality at all points in the market.
