Recording King RK-OT25-BR Madison Open Back Banjo, Scooped Fretboard

Good quality, playability, pleasant tone, and nice price for me. It suits for old-time-clawhammer style, very well. And....it looks simple?....No! it's very cool! I'm happy and excited to play this banjo.

I couldn’t believe that the banjo was not put in a better, heavier box for shipping. The neck was split and broken at the head stock. All the strings were haywire. The fifth string tuning key was laying in the box. It was a mess. I immediately sent for a return label and it is on its way back. I ordered the same banjo from a reputable music company. It was shipped in a large box with the banjo box inside with lots of air-filled padding. The differences in the 2 instruments is overwhelming in weight, appearance, and quality. Don’t know what’s going on here. Lesson learned.

I have been playing stringed instruments well over 40 years. A weekend gigging musician. I am fairly new to banjo and I am only interested in playing clawhammer styles at this time. Since I have experience with many stringed instruments, the banjo is proving to be satisfying and I am learning quickly.I sought advice regarding this purchase from members at the forums on the banjohangout.com website. I was struggling to decide between buying a USA made Deering Goodtime 2 banjo and this banjo. I have played Deerings many times.The majority of the folks on the forum suggested that the Recording King banjo was the best bang for the buck. Some said I couldn't go wrong with either this or the Deering. I would agree. Many also suggested I try to find a used banjo to get a better instrument in my price range. I didn't find anything used that was affordable.This instrument cost more than the Deering, quality-wise I would say it is a much better instrument. It feels real and looks real and sounds real. There isn't a sense it is a beginners instrument or toy. Looking back, the Deering is just a step up from a $200 beginners banjo but for much more money.Sound-wise, there is no comparison. Hands down the RK sounds much better. Loud and much more mellow sound. The hardware is very good from what I can tell. The action or play-ability is fine right out of the box but I will also tweak it to be exactly what I want.I would not hesitate to suggest this banjo to anyone that is an intermediate player. It is an outstanding buy when compared to other brands in this price range. I couldn't be happier. Let's hope I feel that way a few months from now. A thank you goes to the good people on banjohangout forums for helping me choose wisely.

I got this banjo after months of researching old-timey scopped neck banjo and I think this is the best deal for the money. I have only been playing a couple years but I was ready to upgrade from my starter banjo and I couldn't be happier with my choice. It has a great solid sound and feel. I get a lot of compliments on its looks and sound.

Came out of box with the 5th string tuner ripped from the wood of the banjo neck.

I love this banjo. It is a huge step up from the aluminum pot entry-level resonator banjo I have been playing and I couldn't be happier. I play 3 finger style without finger picks in a sort of mellow folkie way and the sustain is wonderful. I do think it needs some setup and possibly a new nut but I assumed that would be the case purchasing from Amazon.

I have played with the Rouge travel open back banjo for a year now. I decided it was time to have something a bit better quality. I started looking around and when I found this at first it was just to far out of my price range. I have seen great reviews all over the place. After two weeks of researching between the Banjohangout.com and reading reviews on other retail sites I ordered one. I must say I absolutely love it. It does have a bit of weight to it, but the sound is really old timey. Its also really LOUD. I cant play with my homemade finger pick for clawhammer because its too loud and I wake everyone up. I have to play with no pick and still have a some cotton wedged in between the rods and the skin head.This instrument doesn't look very pretty compared to all the inlays of other instruments of this price range, but its the sound that counts, least in my book. This definitely has it. Planetary tuning pegs are great. The only issues I have had with this instrument is that it takes a bit to get use to playing on the scoop if your not sue to it. Also it doesn't have a spot to add a strap. This means you have to get straps without clips and put them on the ring retention clips. I'm not a fan of that but all in all I love it. This is only my second banjo so im no professional with buying them or knowing much, but I can say this is a great instrument. Between the reputation behind the Madison Recording King brand and word of mouth this is an Awesome instrument. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a medium level banjo without a moments notice.

This is my first banjo, and I'm new to banjo (I am a ukulele player) so I don't have a lot of experience with banjos. Out of the box I was pleasantly surprised. My impression so far with this instrument is very good. It came set up well from what I can tell, and the construction while fairly utilitarian is quite nice and feels substantial. The neck is nicely finished. The stain and finishing on the pot is very basic, but overall it feels like a quality instrument and like the real deal. I think that if the pot had a nicer finish to match the level of the finishing on the neck it would be ideal, but overall it's not a big deal and not that noticeable. This is not meant to be a blingy banjo, but constructed well where it counts. I like to tone but I do think it sounds significantly better with a sock or some kind of mute in the pot. I plan to put Nylgut strings on it. Setting up the bridge was very easy, and the intonation seems spot on.I would buy again and would recommend to others.