Can you play both models and compare them? That would be your best bet if it's possible.
Buying used is always a good option for getting a better deal than buying new. But, while you might find the Elite model used, the Carl Jackson model hasn't been around that long. Finding a used one would be nearly impossible.

As far as I can tell from the specs, they're essentially the same banjo. Main difference being Elite has a mahogany neck and resonator veneer. Jackson is maple. I would expect all the other parts contributing to sound are the same. Mainly tone ring, rim and the fit of them plus the flange. You can't hear Inlay, color, and resonator veneer.

Might the maple neck sound different than the mahogany? Lots of people think so. But I think the longer scale length makes more of a difference. Is one of these a better banjo or one that anyone can objectively recommend over the other? I don't think so.

I could be wrong. But I'd say if you can't play either in person then choose based on which one appeals to you visually and sounds better to you in videos.

Mark makes a great point about buying used. I think used Elites go for $1200 or less. The Jackson is new.

Good luck.

There is a difference in sound between a maple and a mahagoni neck. For me mahagoni sounds more mellow than maple. But this is a question of personal taste. You can find wood comparison videos on youtube, eg:

youtu.be/zFYD0x70--s

Thus said I would vote for the Carl Jackson model.

I have always liked Carl Jackson and admire his talent, but prefer the normally sweeter sound of a mahogany necked banjo. If you have the opportunity to play any brand in both maple and mahogany, let your ear decide your preference.

Bro don't go into debt for a banjo. Deals with the devil always look good.

Just get a RK-R35 (maple) or RK-R36 (mahogany). It's the same banjo with less fancy glitz.

Debt is slavery. Never forget that. If you need a loan for something, you cannot afford it by definition.

Thank you guys for the replies.
Culloden Ederly instruments just so happen to have both models in stock but its a 4 hour round trip and about $70 dollars in diesel/ 4ish hours round trip in driving. Im not against it but its a factor.
Old Hickory Indeed your points are well taken, I am curious about how the steel vs brass rings might make a difference, As far as the neck goes, as I recall there is some difference in electric guitars (to which I am wholly ignorant of) with maple necks sounding softer as used in some pink floyd songs or whatever... but I digress.
pfalzgrass I agree somewhat, some of the videos I have heard, the Jackson sounds more "Banjo-ish". I know it's a very subjective word, but I dont know how t o describe it. Though, I wonder what processing was done on the audio if any to make the sound come forward.
lightgauge It is certainly a consideration as Ederly does have both. Time and cost to get there is a factor and to be honest the drive to Lansing is not one of my favorites, people tend to drive like the are a living version of a death metal song...
KCJones You make a valid and biblical point brother. Debt is slavery if you let it be. I have learned to turn the tables on it and instead make the debt my "slave", actually a better term would be the historical name for a female dog, though not to offend "slave" should suffice. I will instead put the cash in to a high interest savings account and just pay from my normal cash on hand. In a manner its "set it and forget it" without really forggetting about it. I wont bore anyone with the details, but should the need arise, I can pivot from there. All that being said, the debt does weigh heavily in my consideration and I may not use it in the end, however; the pros of this particular deal must be weighed accordingly.

So all that being said is the steel vs brass that big of a deal? I do wonder about corrosion on the steel ring, maybe Im making too much of it but I dont know. I have the bug to learn it and miss the one I returned already, so I'm being as patient as I possibly can.

Thanks again for all your help!

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

I am curious about how the steel vs brass rings might make a difference . . .
. . . is the steel vs brass that big of a deal? I do wonder about corrosion on the steel ring . . .

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What in the world are you referring to?

Old Hickory At some point I came across some information that there was a difference between brass and steel used in the tone ring or tone hoop, and somewhere I believe I came across a post that said the Jackson signature had a steel one while the elite had a brass one.

I also came across a post here that talked about it but on a gold tone banjohangout.org/archive/394668

Recording King only makes one pot assembly. It is the exact same on all models in their higher end lineup (35, 36, 75, 76, CJ). The 75, 76, and CJ have a slightly longer neck/scale, and they all look a bit different, but they're all essentially the same banjo.

With the CJ, the only thing you're paying extra for is glitz and celebrity endorsement. It's all the same banjo under the hood.

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

. . . somewhere I believe I came across a post that said the Jackson signature had a steel one while the elite had a brass one.

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My search for "RK Carl Jackson banjo steel tone ring" turns up absolutely no mention of this banjo having a steel tone ring.

I have never read any mention of Recording King having a flathead steel tone ring.

The specs at the top of the Elite Hearts and Flowers page say "20 Hole Bell Brass Tone Ring." In the the full spec table it says "Mastertone-Style."  The top of the Carl Jack page says "20 Hole Flathead." In the full table it says "Recording King 20 Hole Flathead."

I have no reason to believe the Recording King 20 Hole Flathead tone ring in the Carl Jackson banjo is anything other than the same bell brass flathead Recording King uses in all of its professional grade banjos.

If you can't find whatever it is you thought you saw about this banjo having a steel tone ring, I think that's because it doesn't exist.

- - - - - - -

Though I believe it has nothing to do with this banjo, I believe the answer to your question about corrosion is: if the steel ring is nickel or chrome plated, that's going to protect against corrosion.

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

I also came across a post here that talked about it but on a gold tone banjohangout.org/archive/394668

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Not only was that earlier conversation about Gold Tone, it was about lower-end essentially beginner banjos. It was about tone hoops more than full-weight cast flathead tone rings. And it also  answered the question of corrosion by confirming that the Gold Tone steel tone ring was chrome plated.

Other than that, totally relevant.

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

With the CJ, the only thing you're paying extra for is glitz and celebrity endorsement. It's all the same banjo under the hood.

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I see that just about everyone shows the Carl Jackson Lonesome Dove at $2100 ($300 more than the Elite), while Banjo Ben has it for $1900 (only $100 more than the Elite).

I don't know if this is an up-charge for the decoration and name or if a similar increase in the Elite is on the way.

KCJones that really helps out a lot, I did not know they shared the same pot it really dials me in on this deal in terms of look

Old Hickory I must have conflated some post, I was burning the midnight oil when I was searching. I think your right that its an up charge based on the decoration. Ive seen the Elite go for as high as $2,000 and the Signature Jackson for $2,100 as you said so basically a hundred dollar up charge for it based on what you and everyone else has said.

Thank you so much for your help KCJones and Old Hickory ! I will give the full story on the deal when it is completed for sure. Its not a huge deal but, it is an interesting one at least to me.

Used gear division of Sweetwater has an RK Elite hearts and flowers for $1359 shipped. For some reason, the Hangout rejects the link, so if interested you'll have to find it for yourself.

But it sounds like you're headed toward a deal on the Carl Jackson/Lonesome Dove.

Old Hickory That is a pretty nice deal!

Here is the order update and the deal I got. I bought the Recording King Elite for 1799.99 (1934.99 with tax) 48 months financing! $40.31per month! While I like the idea of no payments buying used, I just could not pass on it. Ill do my thing and put the cash for it in a high interest savings account and let it do its thing.

Thank you Old Hickory, KCJones , lightgauge, pfalzgrass and Culloden for your help!

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

...1799.99 (1934.99 with tax) 48 months financing! $40.31per month!

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My arithmetic says that's 0% interest, which to my understanding is the same as cash. I see low interest or no interest as different from other debt. And I agree with you it makes way more sense to put the money (that you have)  to work for you rather than give it all to them. If they're not charging you for the use of their money, then paying over time makes sense.

That's a good price and good deal on a new banjo.

Old Hickory Your right! I forgot to add that detail. Yes its 0% interest /48 months /$40.31 per month

Both the Elite (MAP $1999) and Carl Jackson (MAP $2099) have the 27-3/8" scale. 

Besides the inlays, the only differences are that the RK-RCJ-SN is maple with a Padauk fretboard while the R75 and R76 Elites are mahogany with ebony fretboards.

There is only one in CJ gold and that's one that Greg Rich is engraving and plating for Carl Jackson. If you need such a custom job, I'm an authorized RK dealer and can hook you up.

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

Old Hickory Your right! I forgot to add that detail. Yes its 0% interest /48 months /$40.31 per month

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Now is a good time to buy an imported banjo as prices will increase soon with tariffs. 

quote:

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Originally posted by Pick-A-Lick

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

Old Hickory Your right! I forgot to add that detail. Yes its 0% interest /48 months /$40.31 per month

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Now is a good time to buy an imported banjo as prices will increase soon with tariffs. 

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Or maybe they won't! Who knows?

If anyone is looking for an economic bellwether, I'd say people getting a 4-year note for a mid-range Chinese banjo is a pretty good one.... and I thought car loans were getting bad...

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

quote:

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Originally posted by Pick-A-Lick

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

Old Hickory Your right! I forgot to add that detail. Yes its 0% interest /48 months /$40.31 per month

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Now is a good time to buy an imported banjo as prices will increase soon with tariffs. 

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Or maybe they won't! Who knows?

If anyone is looking for an economic bellwether, I'd say people getting a 4-year note for a mid-range Chinese banjo is a pretty good one.... and I thought car loans were getting bad...

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I do find it interesting that the retail price of Recording King banjos has remained static at least since 2020 when I bought my RK-R36, until just lately (pre-tariff) when I've noticed prices increasing. That's seems like a long time to hold steady prices. 
One additional thought; financing a small dollar investment at 0% interest is a decent step for a young person to build a reputable credit rating. The sooner the OP gets a banjo in hand, the sooner music can be learned and played. 

quote:

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Originally posted by Pick-A-Lick

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

quote:

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Originally posted by Pick-A-Lick

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnySilver

Old Hickory Your right! I forgot to add that detail. Yes its 0% interest /48 months /$40.31 per month

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Now is a good time to buy an imported banjo as prices will increase soon with tariffs. 

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Or maybe they won't! Who knows?

If anyone is looking for an economic bellwether, I'd say people getting a 4-year note for a mid-range Chinese banjo is a pretty good one.... and I thought car loans were getting bad...

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I do find it interesting that the retail price of Recording King banjos has remained static at least since 2020 when I bought my RK-R36, until just lately (pre-tariff) when I've noticed prices increasing. That's seems like a long time to hold steady prices. 
One additional thought; financing a small dollar investment at 0% interest is a decent step for a young person to build a reputable credit rating. The sooner the OP gets a banjo in hand, the sooner music can be learned and played. 

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@Pick-A-Lick You make a great point for young people building credit. Guitar Center offers 6-12 months and that can be very affordable depending on what they spend. My son bought a bass and amp that day and got the 0% for 6 months. I was lucky and negotiated the 48 months with them through the call center, the only fly in the ointment so to speak is that it came damaged in shipping, but were working through that.

@KCjones I appreciate what your saying. I'm a cash flow guy and look at this way, in four years will the dollar be stronger or weaker? If weaker then I will actually pay less for it over four years, if stronger, then I've still bought it at a discount. In this instance I still have control of the money it cost for the banjo and I can do one of three things now with this money, I can put it into a high interest savings account @ ~3.7% or I could use the money to cycle 4 week T bills @ 4.25% ish the only caveat being every 4 weeks I have to roll it into the next auction every 4 weeks for the next 48 months. The third option is to keep it in the savings account still but have it on hand for other opportunities that may arise. Personally, I like having the cash on hand gaining interest. I realize not everyone may be able to do this and frankly 0% over 48 months is very hard to come by, especially on something like instruments, but this is a great deal.

Worst case scenario and not likely to happen, say I get bored of the banjo and decide its not for me (not happening I am totally in love with playing) I could sell it for lets say 1k, I would deposit it into the same savings account with the other money and continue to pay out the credit card @ 0% for the remainder of the 48 months and continue to get the interest on the original money plus the money from its sale. Sometimes you leave money on the table if you don't use credit to your advantage. Worst worst case scenario, it all goes to hell and I cant make the note, God forbid, I find myself completely broke with no options, in that case the big banks can eat it and I wont even feel bad about it.

The best thing about any of the Elite Recording King banjos is the man that designed them, Carl Rich. I own the RK 75Elite, I've had it for a couple of years. It is amazing. The scale length is 27 3/8". There are some doubters calling out that it isn't as good as a regular scale banjo. That is totally their opinion, and I respect it. Whatever the controversy is, the banjo plays a bit better than my old Gibson. Due to the scale length it definitely has a much larger tonealpallet. I'm sure the people that get the Carl Jackson signature model banjo will be completely stoked as I am with my RK75. I played the Twanger, it was awesome, but the RKis a step ahead with their awesome growl.

That would be designed by Greg Rich.

That's correct, I had Carl Jackson on my mind, and inserted his first name for Greg. Thank you for the correction.