Recording King Banjos

Recording King banjos are where the name started: Gibson built the first Recording King banjos for the Montgomery Ward catalog in 1929, and the modern RK-R20 Songster, RK-R35 Madison and Dirty 30's models have been regulars on our wall for years as the resonator and open-back banjos we hand to players who want a real instrument for the money. With the brand now under St. Louis Music, this page shows every Recording King banjo we have in stock, so if the grid is empty, call us at 417-720-1223 and we will tell you what is on order.

  • Gibson-built originals from 1929
  • Songster, Madison, Dirty 30's, Elite
  • St. Louis Music since August 2025
  • 23-Point Inspection on every banjo
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The Recording King banjo lineup

Recording King's modern banjos came out of the brand's 2007 revival under The Music Link, with Greg Rich designing the line, and they built the brand's reputation for delivering more banjo than the price suggests. The RK-R20 Songster is the resonator banjo we sold most often, a bluegrass-ready instrument with a flange and resonator that a beginner can grow into. The RK-R35 Madison steps up to a tone ring and a maple or mahogany resonator for the player who wants the full prewar-style sound, and the RKH-05 and RKOH-05 Dirty 30's resonator and open-back banjos cover the old-time side with a plainer, lighter build. At the top of the catalog sit the Carl Jackson Lonesome Dove signature model and the Elite series, with Flying Eagle and Hearts and Flowers inlays.

What changes under St. Louis Music

St. Louis Music took over worldwide distribution and product development for Recording King on August 1, 2025, and Chris Meikle told us the plan for banjos and mandolins is to keep the traditional designs and the existing builders while tightening the finish work and the setups, the same approach he used on Alvarez. Recording King's own site says the company is working to bring back many of its past models, and the Madison, Dirty 30's and Elite banjos are all listed in the current catalog. As those banjos reach us they will appear in the grid above, and every one goes through our 23-Point Professional Inspection before it ships.

Banjos at $1,000 and up, which includes the Madison and the Lonesome Dove, ship under our Dread-Not Guarantee: a full year to trade one in for up to 90% of the pre-tax purchase price in credit, less round-trip shipping, plus a 30-day in-home trial. Banjos under $1,000 fall under our 14-day evaluation period. For the guitars, see Recording King guitars, and for the whole story start with the Recording King brand page.

Why buy from The Acoustic Shoppe

  • A twelve-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer (2015–2026)
  • The #1 worldwide Eastman acoustic guitar dealer
  • Every instrument ships after our 23-Point Professional Inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes Recording King banjos now?
St. Louis Music has handled worldwide distribution and product development for Recording King since August 1, 2025. Chris Meikle, its executive vice president and chief operating officer, told us the plan is to keep the traditional banjo designs and existing builders while improving the finish work and setups.
Is the Recording King RK-R20 Songster a good first bluegrass banjo?
It is the resonator banjo we have handed to the most first-time bluegrass players, because it has the flange and resonator a bluegrass banjo needs at a price well under a tone-ring instrument. When you are ready for more volume and a fuller low end, the RK-R35 Madison adds a tone ring.
Do Recording King banjos come with the Dread-Not Guarantee?
The Dread-Not Guarantee covers new instruments at $1,000 and up, so the Madison and the Carl Jackson Lonesome Dove qualify: a full year to trade it in for up to 90% of the pre-tax purchase price in credit, less round-trip shipping, plus a 30-day in-home trial. Banjos under $1,000, like the Songster and the Dirty 30's models, get our 14-day evaluation period. Every banjo ships after our 23-Point Professional Inspection.
Four people sit around a wooden table with microphones, laughing and talking in a cozy, rustic studio. Musical instruments and vintage decor are visible in the background, including a large sign that reads TAS.