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Your cart is empty.Our Madison RK-R35 gives banjo players the option of a high-quality, great-sounding banjo with a classic Mastertone-style tone ring and flange. The Recording King Madison RK-R35 is built around a 3-ply steam bent maple rim, from the exact same construction and materials used in the best-selling RK-R80. It has a maple neck with an adjustable two-way truss rod and a comfortable rosewood fretboard. With a 24-hook brass tension hoop, players can adjust the head tension as precisely as on any world-class banjo. The planetary tuners, geared 5th peg and dual coordinator rods are effective professional components, and add an authentic feel to these impressive banjos. The Madison RK-R35 has a maple resonator with a hand-rubbed brown matte finish. We build it with a Mastertone-style bell brass cast tone ring and a Mastertone-style one-piece flange. The Madison peg head and fretboard feature our Seagull inlay, for a banjo that looks as classic as it sounds. The American threaded nickel-plated hook and nut hardware, as well as the true presto-style tailpiece and armrest are the same as featured on the popular RK-Scout. Like the other Madison banjos, the Madison Deluxe comes standard with an authentic Remo head. Features/Specs: Mastertone-style Bell Brass Cast Tone Ring Mastertone-style One-piece Banjo Flange Maple Resonator Maple Neck with Adjustable Truss Rod 3-Ply Steam Bent Maple Rim 24 Hook Brass Tension Hoop Rosewood Fretboard Seagull Fretboard Inlay Bone Nut Recording King Compound Angle Peghead Black Peghead Overlay with Mother of Pearl Inlay American Threaded Hooks and Nuts Dual Coordinator Rods Planetary Tuners Presto-Style Tailpiece Maple/Ebony 5/8" Bridge Remo Frosted Head, 11" High Crown Hand-Rubbed Brown Satin Finish Nickel-Plated Hardware Limited Lifetime Warranty
Kacey
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2021
I love my rk-r35 and so will you. I see people all the time saying "buy American", in theory I agree but value and quality MUST be there. You get BOTH of those in this Banjo. The sound is just what you expect a banjo to sound like - it's responsive, it loud, it's amazing!My first banjo was American Made - not going to say the name (Deering)... spent $500 it had:*No tone ring*Cheap guitar tuners*No neck rod - so no way to adjust the bow or correct it - and can only use "light" strings or the head will break, seriously not making that up...*No resonator*No armrestBuy from an American company, get a quality made instrument with quality parts, get a quality and semi professional banjo - get the Recording King rk-r35 and be happy!
Kurt Phillips
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2019
Great banjo for the price!
Terry Bates
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2016
Amazing instrument! After I set mine up the way I like (replaced white frosted remo head with 5 Star clear head), I simple do not have the words to describe how good the tone is!! I have been hitting a banjo for like 40 years, believe me if this banjo is set up correctly it can sound better than any other new, or old vintage banjo on, and off the market! No need to pay one dime more for the Gibson prewar tone in a new banjo made in China. Top quality, this really is. It was purchased from another large musical instrument dealer. Most advise overnight shipping of instruments is the best what to go in order to reduce likelyhood of breakage in shipping, it worked good for me.
Monica
Reviewed in Canada on March 15, 2016
Purchased for my husband. It has now become his first love...sigh!
Mopo
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2014
My son is almost 10 and has been playing banjo for 2 years. After about a year, he clearly needed an upgrade from his beginner banjo to match his talent. We wanted to get him something that would last him a long time, so we didn't end up having to buy another. I found him a new RK35 for about $600. His teacher, a professional, was very impressed with this instrument and thinks it rivals the sound of his $4,000-$5,000 Huber. I wanted American made ideally, but this is a quality instrument no question. My son may never need another banjo. Extremely happy with it!
BGallagher
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2013
This banjo has the sound of my old Earl Scruggs Mastertone but at 1/4 the price! Well built, quality components, rich bluegrass sound, and a very good feeling neck. This banjo could be the last one you will ever need as it is priced aggressively yet has professional build quality and sound. I expect to play in many jams with this banjo and I highly recommend it. Good seller and communication with prompt, well-packaged shipping.
Skyflyer
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2013
I had planned on buying a $5,000 banjo, but I thought I would try this banjo after seeing some reviews. I am truly blown away by the quality, tone and playability of this banjo period, but especially for the money. It is worth every bit of $1,500. at the $900 street price, it's a steal. I was able to get it on a sale for about $650 from Amazon. Thank you Amazon!!!I am enjoying playing bluegrass, claw hammer, folk and melodic styles on it. I usually like to buy American (certainly not Chinese), but for now this is the right banjo for me. Where the money is made, the first 5 frets, it is easily playable, and has got great tone. Some cheaply built banjos "peter-out" up the neck, but not this one. It is very playable well above the 12th fret.I purchased a gator gig bag for it, some National NP-2 finger picks, a Pro-pik thumb pick, a Goldtone mute, and some GHS "Almost medium" strings, a few instruction books and am set to go.Bottom line, don't hesitate to buy this banjo for bluegrass, claw hammer or folk, especially if you want a good banjo and are on a budget. Then have it set up properly or better yet learn to set it up yourself!
Robert Schlotter
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2013
This is a GREAT banjo. Even though it is Asian made you are still getting a great quality made banjo. It plays & feels great. The Recording King Company has really done a great job with this banjo. The Mastertone style tone ring and flange are of good quality and together give you that sound you expect to hear from a higher priced American made banjo. I would highly recommend this banjo if you are not ready to spend $2000+ on a quality professional banjo. The reason I did not give a 5 star rating is because this banjo does not come with a case. I will definitely be purchasing another Recording King banjo in the near future.
Chris & Tammy Lee
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013
It is definitely not a cheap beginner's banjo. This is a professional level banjo without the extras which brings it's price under 1000$. It has adjustable rods, a tone ring, planetary tuners, remo head, 3 ply resonator etc. For just a few hundred bucks more than the commonly recommended Deering Goodtime for beginners you get a banjo that will probably be all the banjo you'll ever need. Plus if you buy a beginner banjo and sell it you'll get as much back as you would if you buy this and decide it's not for you. Highly recommended.
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