I'm hoping to get some suggestions for a moderately priced travel banjo with a neck that's similar to my Hatfield Buck Creek.
I currently have a Hatfield Buck Creek that I'm super happy with it. I don't think I'll ever part with it.
One of the things I really love about it is the neck. It has a comfortable rounded C-shape with a 1.38" nut, and I'd describe the neck thickness as somewhere between medium-thick and chunky. It just fits my hands perfectly.
When I bought the Buck Creek, I kept my beginner Oscar Schmidt OB5 as a travel banjo—something I could take on vacation without worrying too much about damage or theft.
After spending a lot of time playing the Hatfield, I've really gotten used to the feel of its neck. Going back to the OB5, the neck feels very slim. My hands are on the larger side, and near the nut they almost wrap completely around the neck, which just isn't as comfortable or enjoyable to play.
Since this would only be a vacation banjo, tone isn't nearly as important to me as the feel of the neck. In fact, I actually kind of like the tone of my OB5. It's really just the neck that I'm not happy with.
I've done quite a bit of research, and it seems the only reasonably priced travel banjo with a neck that's closer to my Buck Creek is the Recording King RK-25. I've been keeping an eye out for a used one, but they seem to be pretty scarce. I haven't had the chance to play an RK-25 yet, but everything I've read points me in that direction.
I'd appreciate any suggestions for moderately priced banjos with necks that might fit what I'm looking for. If you've owned or played an RK-25—or another banjo with a similar neck profile—I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I love my RK-25. It's my "beater"/camping banjo. The woodie 2pf pot is great because it's super lightweight compared to a 1pf full weight flathead. The woodie pot is shaped with an 'intergral tone ring' to mimic a flathead. I don't think it lacks any tone at all, my enjoyment contains no asterisks. It's a good banjo with good neck feel and good tone. You can still find them but yes they are rare nowadays. You can also look for an RK-R30, which is the same banjo but with a full weight tone ring. There is also the RK-R50, which is similar but has a 1pf and no tone ring at all. Also the RK-35 or 36, which are still in production and easy to find. They will all have basically the same neck.
I can say that the RK-R25 neck is comfortable to me. It does lack a volute, if that matters to you. I just measured and it is 1-3/8" wide, and it has a 26-1/4" scale. I've only played a Hatfield once, in a store, so I can't speak to it's neck feel or say if the RK-R25 is similar.
I'd think a 1-3/8 inch nut is rare among all banjos, let alone moderately priced ones.
Gold Tone offers a Cripple Creek with wide neck (1-5/16) for $800 (resonator version). I think their regular necks are borderline chunky above the fifth fret, so this might come close to what you want.
Edited by - Old Hickory on 07/01/2026 12:19:28
How about a new neck for your OB5?
Correction: Old Hickory, you got me thinking...
In my original post, I said the nut width on my Hatfield Buck Creek was 1.38". I was going by some decimal measurements I had written down from a while back. I just measured it myself, and the nut on the Hatfield is actually 1¼" wide. My Oscar Schmidt OB5 measures 1 1/8" at the nut.
The Hatfield's neck is also much thicker than the OB5's, which is probably the bigger difference in how they feel.
Steve, I don't know... putting a new neck on a beginner banjo just doesn't seem worth it to me.
Edited by - Kevin S on 07/01/2026 15:06:53
Then look for a used Deering Goodtime. 1-1/4 inch nut. All Deering's will have 1-1/4-inch nuts. But only the Goodtimes are moderately priced.
I don't think anyone's neck profile will be an exact match for a Hatfield. I have to say I've played a couple of Hatfield's and don't remember them the way you describe. So I can't point you to anything specific I think you'll like.
Also, it surprises me that an RK-25 would have a 1-3/8-inch nut. I'd expect RKs to be 1-3/16 to 1-1/4.
Good luck
I'll remeasure with a caliper and get back to you all. That was a quick look with a 25ft tape so maybe a bit off.
My mistake, I don't know how to read apparently... The RK-R25 has a 1-3/16" nut. Thank you Ken for catching this.
It's actually between 1-3/16" and 1-1/4", so maybe it's 1-7/32". But my dime store caliper only shows 16ths.
Edited by - KCJones on 07/02/2026 09:14:16
I played this exact Gretsch model for many years before upgrading. I had a buddy who had one of the early versions of the RK 25 and his banjo and my banjo were very similar in terms of specs. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they used the same hardware and came out of the same factory.
The neck profile skewed on the chunkier side. Considerably thicker than something like a Deering.
Point being: Of you can't find an RK 25 readily available, this Gretsch is priced well and might check all your boxes.
ebay.com/itm/257515041744?_skw...lid=10049
My apologies. I misread the banjo you are talking about. The link I sent is close in specs to the early versions of the RK 20 not the 25
quote:
Originally posted by TScottHiltonI played this exact Gretsch model for many years before upgrading. I had a buddy who had one of the early versions of the RK and his banjo and my banjo were very similar in terms of specs. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they used the same hardware and came out of the same factory.
I saw your later correction that you meant RK-20. Yes, the first version of that banjo was made by someone else and rebadged as an RK. It was available under several names. I remember Gretsch and Fender. Pretty sure the Morgan Monroe name was on one. There was a Gold Tone model that was structurally similar, but cosmetically different.
The RK-25 was a 2-piece flange banjo with no tone ring of any kind. A woody. Sounded great. I regret I didn't buy one when Guitar Center and Musicians Friend were running the close-out.
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