Recording King RK-Elite-75

This is my second Recording King banjo and as with the other one, it sounds great and is very playable. The build quality is however not top notch. The resonator does not fit perfectly to the flange, and the concentric ring inlays aren't perfect. The 'Presto style' tailpiece feels a bit flimsy but does the job but will most probably be replaced sooner or later.

My thinking and conclusion is; I pay roughly one third of a US built professional banjo. I get an amazing sounding banjo, but with lesser build quality. Is it worth it? Yes - In my book it is a good deal.

I've wanted to upgrade from a Deering Goodtime Classic for some time (good solid banjo but not very exciting). Research on banjo websites suggested Recording King as best bang for bucks.

This is an understatement. This banjo produces genuine bluegrass sound comparable with professional banjos four or five times the price.

Playable straight from the box, a few tweaks (head tension, new strings) had it playing just as I wanted. The sound production is clean, note separation clear, and sustain beautiful. Playability is great and very forgiving, even allowing a klutz like me to sound good. The manufacture, fitting and finish is without fault.

Thomann dealt with my order efficiently and quickly. The price was the best I could find (I couldn't find the RK75 in the UK at all). Tracking information kept me informed of where my banjo was at all time on its journey to me. I will recommend them to all my friends looking for instruments and accessories, without any hesitation, and will most likely use them again myself.

Overall, a very easy and pleasant experience ending with me having a banjo as close to my dreams as I can afford.