Your answers are going to be dependent on personal preference. I’ve played both. I prefer the Recording King. To me the RK is a step above a similarly priced GT.

For that price range you could get a really nice custom made banjo made exactly the way you want it, with your choice of woods from Stone Banjo. Steve made me a banjo to my exact specifications for $1150. Just something to think about if you want something more personal. Stonebanjo.com

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Originally posted by NormanClegg

For that price range you could get a really nice custom made banjo made exactly the way you want it, with your choice of woods from Stone Banjo. Steve made me a banjo to my exact specifications for $1150. Just something to think about if you want something more personal. Stonebanjo.com

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I looked at your posts and saw your Stone banjo. It's beautiful! Sadly, it looks like they only do open-back banjos and I'm definitely looking for a resonator banjo. It's a good idea though to look into some custom options. Thanks!

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Originally posted by jdeluke137

Your answers are going to be dependent on personal preference. I’ve played both. I prefer the Recording King. To me the RK is a step above a similarly priced GT.

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That's the sense I've gotten in my research, that RK provides more banjo per buck at that price point. Do you know why that might be? Like are the parts better or do they have better quality control or something?

You could also get a "top of the line" used Recording King in your range...rk76, rk77, rk85.

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Originally posted by colinoc

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Originally posted by jdeluke137

Your answers are going to be dependent on personal preference. I’ve played both. I prefer the Recording King. To me the RK is a step above a similarly priced GT.

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That's the sense I've gotten in my research, that RK provides more banjo per buck at that price point. Do you know why that might be? Like are the parts better or do they have better quality control or something?

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I'll give you a specific example.  The RK 35 has knurled knobs on the resonator screws, like a high end banjo.  I was playing a +/- $1000 GT.  I think it was an Orange Blossom or something like that.  It had Phillips head screws holding the resonator on.  Also, the tone seemed "thinner" somehow.  

The Recording King RK-R35/36 is the better instrument compared to the lower end Gold Tone OB-150 and OB-250 series. Better hardware, better fit/finish all around. The tone ring in the RK-R35/36 is much better than what you find in the OB-150/250. Recording Kings are built in a Recording King factory with US-dimensioned parts, the Gold Tones use contract manufacturers and metric parts.

If you get into the nicer OB-2 and OB-3, it's more of a tossup. But then you're spending a fair amount more.

Neck profile is something that matters a lot when you get into better banjos. The RK and GT necks feel very different. You may have a preference, so it's advisable to try both in before you buy. 

Be advised: there are users on BHO with financial interest in both of these companies. They generally do not disclose this when giving recommendations. I have no affiliation with either company.

I have an RK-R36. I can't speak for the Gold tone. They do make fine instruments as well. I an extremely pleased with the RK, it's a beast with a very sweet tone. I DID upgrade to some Gotoh tuners, I recommend you would want to do the same. I also have a Purcell bridge on mine but that is the extent of the Mod's I have done. For the money, it is an awesome instrument.

Here is a nice option:  https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/99276   I have no connection.  You can also wait and watch for OB-3 (Twangers) that come up for sale.  Used RK-35's and -36's pop up here in the 700-800 range fairly frequently.

Not affiliated with either company, but have an OB-3 Twanger with a radiused fret board, and I love it. I’ve had lower end RK’s and the Twanger is light years beyond. If you can find a used one for sale, it would hopefully fall within your budget. If so, the Twanger is an exceptional banjo.

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Originally posted by colinoc

quote:Gotcha, yes he only does open backs. Well good luck in your search and take your time and find exactly what you want. Shopping for the right banjo can be a lot of fun!

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Originally posted by NormanClegg

For that price range you could get a really nice custom made banjo made exactly the way you want it, with your choice of woods from Stone Banjo. Steve made me a banjo to my exact specifications for $1150. Just something to think about if you want something more personal. Stonebanjo.com

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I looked at your posts and saw your Stone banjo. It's beautiful! Sadly, it looks like they only do open-back banjos and I'm definitely looking for a resonator banjo. It's a good idea though to look into some custom options. Thanks!

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Just want to go on record as having no financial interest in either company. Just providing info based on personal experience.

My second banjo (and first nice one!) was an RK elite-76… I wish I still had it, now that I have a few years of playing under my belt, to compare to other banjos I’ve encountered along the way.

I do remember it being an excellent playing instrument. The nut width was perhaps a bit wider than the standard Gibson profile.  Didn’t sound quite as rich as the Sullivan v35 that eventually replaced it — but I certainly didn’t outgrow it, and even today it would probably serve me well… and may be more instrument than I really deserve.

I think I wound up selling it for around $900 in the classifieds; not sure you can find much better for that kinda money!

Buy a used RK 36, get a luthier to put a radiused fretboard on it....best of both worlds.

I'm kinda surprised that Greg Rich and RK has never offered a radius fingerboard option on at least one of the RK models

I’ve owned both rk 35 and 36. I didn’t really like the the 36 . I have an rk-35 I really loved until….. There was a blind sound comparison that was posted on here a couple weeks ago of several different banjos. The Gold tones won over overwhelming. I am now the proud owner of one of those Gold tones. It BLOWS away every other banjo I own . I’m a Gold tone man now. The banjo was crazy good and the case was really well built also . I had to eat a lot of crow, to get this banjo . Check the classified there is usually some good choices of both. You can’t go wrong with either . If you ever get a chance to purchase a banjo from Joe Zalic do so. He is a hangout member. His packaging and boxing were the best I’ve ever seen. Best of luck to you !

The Gold Tone OB-3 or Recording king RK-35 or Elite would all be really great options. Another really good one to consider would be a Gold Star GF-100 from between 1978 and 1982ish. Those older Gold Stars can be really really great.

Here’s a radiused OB3 Twanger from the classifieds. Top of your range? No harm in seeing if they’ll get closer to what you’re looking to spend. No affiliation with the seller, though I have purchased a banjo from them in the past, and it was a good transaction.

banjohangout.org/classified/101142

I recently bought an RKR-36 and am very happy with it. I have owned several American made instruments and won't say the quality isn't better on those but will say that I don't hear anything different and the playability is certainly what one would expect to be to make a player happy regarding that aspect of owning a banjo. In the end it is your decision though and good luck with what ever banjo you decide on.

Bobby

Forget the import banjos, just buy this:

banjohangout.org/classified/100145

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Originally posted by KCJones

Forget the import banjos, just buy this:

banjohangout.org/classified/100145

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Ohhhh... yes, what he said!!!

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Originally posted by KCJones

Forget the import banjos, just buy this:

banjohangout.org/classified/100145

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Ooo this and the other marketplace recommendations are extremely tempting. Normally, I'd buy this right now, but I probably won't want to actually pull the trigger on a new one until November or December. I'm moving soon to a more expensive city so I'm expecting a lot of unexpected expenses and I feel like I should take my time and buy a banjo once we're settled in the new place. But it seems like there are a lot of good used options on the site right now, which makes me think I'll probably be able to find something then as well?

All the intel on this thread is amazing. Thanks everyone! If I buy new, I think I know what I'm getting. But I'll also look for some good used options here when the time comes, which may be the better way to go.

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Originally posted by GeeBeeThreefinger

Here’s a radiused OB3 Twanger from the classifieds. Top of your range? No harm in seeing if they’ll get closer to what you’re looking to spend. No affiliation with the seller, though I have purchased a banjo from them in the past, and it was a good transaction.

banjohangout.org/classified/101142

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this is the best deal i have seen that comes with a radiused neck. if you you buy one without it ,,a new radiused neck will cost 1300 or more.  this may be your best bet... i have a custom radius neck by robin smith on my PW and i love it !!

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Originally posted by 1935tb-11

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Originally posted by GeeBeeThreefinger

Here’s a radiused OB3 Twanger from the classifieds. Top of your range? No harm in seeing if they’ll get closer to what you’re looking to spend. No affiliation with the seller, though I have purchased a banjo from them in the past, and it was a good transaction.

banjohangout.org/classified/101142

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this is the best deal i have seen that comes with a radiused neck. if you you buy one without it ,,a new radiused neck will cost 1300 or more.  this may be your best bet... i have a custom radius neck by robin smith on my PW and i love it !!

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Funnily enough, this GT radiused hit the classifieds a few days ago. I don't know the seller. https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/101285

i actually like the looks of that one better then the other one i saw...

Dollar for dollar I think the Gold tone is the best deal of the imports. 2 way truss rod in most or all of their banjos and lots of options. Quality control seems to be very good, they are playable and set up right out of the box too.