Recording King RK- R85 Elite - Maple Neck and Resonator - Limited Edition

5
5.00/5 - 3 reviews

New product

The Recording King RK R85 limited edition Bright Cherry Red Maple model

This model was discontinued by Recording King in early 2019
The RK 75 and RK 76's are still going strong
Recording King RK R75  - RK R76

The Recording King RK R85 limited edition Bright Cherry Red Maple model you may have heard about was discontinued in 2017 or 2018 and was replaced by the RK-R85  Elite Flamed Maple The banjo as far as components, tone, construction, specs, hardware, type of wood, all of that is identical with the two different colored versions except now the RK 85 has the flamed maple.

List of FREE Items for this Banjo

  • Free Recording King Deluxe Arched Hard Case
  • Free Gold Member Lesson Access ($89 value)
  • Professional Banjo Set up ($25 value)
  • Free 5th String Free Capo Spikes ($24 value)
  • Free Zero Glide Nut ($75 Value)
  • Free US Shipping ($25 to $55 value)
  • $30 Intl. AK, HI Shipping Credit
  • 5 Free Ross Nickerson Book/DVD/CDs ($99 value)
  • Price Matching or Questions 1-866-322-6567

FREE ITEMS don't add to our normal discount price which is the lowest we are allowed to advertise by the manufacturer

RK 85 Demo Video
The Demo Video on this page is me playing the Bright Cherry Red RK 85 Limited Edition from a couple years ago. That model was discontinued. The Bright Red RK85 and this new Flamed Maple are the same banjo except the finish. The Flamed Maple version is staying in production. So, for video tone comparisons you can still use my video of the red RK85 to hear what these sound like,...just not what they look like. You would likely agree that they look awesome in flamed maple. They are the same structurally otherwise. 



Please call us at 941-441-5249 or 866-322-6567 anytime with questions or to order, or email us


Recording King RK R85-Elite

This model is designed after the original Mastertone banjos of the 1930's, the RK Elite 85 offers players classic vintage snap and handcrafted construction. Professional components like a classic Mastertone-style tone ring and true steam-bent 3-ply maple rim provide the fundamentals for traditional banjo tone. The highly-flamed maple resonator & neck and sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish result in a stunning banjo with excellent projection and beautiful aesthetics. With classic design features like the vintage-style double-cut Recording King peghead and custom Hearts & Flowers-style peghead and fretboard inlay, the Elite 85 combines historic banjo tradition with modern construction for a true top shelf instrument.

Buying a Recording King Banjo at BanjoTeacher.com
We want your business! We play banjo, know how to set up a banjo properly, have the ability to add custom options and we back up each sale with personalized, professional, knowledgeable service. We add an extra level of quality control that can't be matched by large chains or guitar shops that frankly don't have a clue about banjos. If you buy a Recording King straight off the net, what are you going to do if there is a high fret, a poorly cut nut or any number of possible small issues that cab become big issues when shipping across the country. Let us get it right for you, the first time! We care about banjo customers and it shows.

Read about our Recording King Professional Banjo set-ups, quality control, warranties, shipping and other important info for Recording King Banjos at BanjoTeacher.com
Recording King banjo Set-Ups at BanjoTeacher.com

What you get FREE with the RK R85 at BanjoTeacher.com
Banoteacher.com ships the RK 85 Elite free with free hard case and at the great price. We also include 5 banjo instruction DVDs and Online Banjo access with a retail value of 189.00 FREE. When investing in a banjo like the Recording King R 85 our customer service serving banjo players online since 2003 is unmatched.

BanjoTeacher.com is an authorized dealer for Recording King Banjos and we carry every model of Recording King Banjo and all other Recording King instruments as well.

Recording-King-210-banjoteacher-com.jpg
Ross Nickerson - Owner of BanjoTeacher.com

Nashville, 2016

CALL ROSS FOR AVAILABILITY.
1-866-322-6567

This model was discontinued by Recording King in early 2019
The RK 75 and RK 76's are still going strong
Recording King RK R75  - RK R76


More details

$1,849.00

  • NO - Snuffy Smith Bridge
  • YES - Install Snuffy Smith Bridge $29
  • NO - Upgrade to LIFETIME Platinum
  • YES - Upgrade FREE Gold to LIFETIME PLATINUM $35
  • No Free Zero Glide Nut
  • Yes- Add Free Zero Glide Nut

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or Price Match on Banjos 1-866-322-6567


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More info

Specifications & Features

  • MODEL: RK-ELITE-85
  • RESONATOR: HIGHLY FLAMED MAPLE
  • RIM: 3-PLY MAPLE
  • FLANGE: MASTERTONE-STYLE ONE-PIECE
  • HEAD: REMO FROSTED HEAD, 11" HIGH CROWN
  • TONE RING: MASTERTONE-STYLE
  • TENSION HOOP: 24-HOOK BRASS NOTCHED; ROUND AMERICAN THREADED HOOKS AND NUTS
  • COORDINATOR ROD(S): DUAL 1930’S STYLE
  • NECK: HIGHLY FLAMED MAPLE
  • FRETBOARD: ROSEWOOD; BOUND
  • HARDWARE: NICKEL-PLATED
  • TAILPIECE: PRESTO-STYLE
  • BRIDGE: MAPLE / EBONY; 5/8"
  • NUT: BONE
  • FRET MARKERS: CUSTOM HEARTS & FLOWERS-STYLE M.O.P. INLAY
  • INLAY: CUSTOM HEARTS & FLOWERS-STYLE M.O.P. INLAY
  • PEGHEAD: DOUBLE-CUT RECORDING KING
  • OVERLAY: ROSEWOOD PEGHEAD OVERLAY WITH MOTHER OF PEARL INLAY TUNERS: GOTOH PLANETARY
  • TUNERS WITH GEARED 5TH PEG
  • BINDING: IVOROID
  • SCALE LENGTH: 27-3/8"
  • ARMREST: INCLUDED
  • FINISH: FLAMED MAPLE
  • CASE: INCLUDED VINTAGE HARDHSELL CASE

Aug 5, 2018
5
(5/5
Rk-85 Elite
Dear Ross, banjo came yesterday in great shape. Love the finish on the Curley maple. Sounds very good vs my Mastertone. Cannot believe what they can do for less. Will have to check out Recording King guitars. Thanks for your attention on the order.
 

Feb 13, 2017
5
(5/5
Best instrument I have ever owned
Having played the violin for about 25 years and dabbling in guitar, mandolin, and the piano, I am no stranger to music and a good instrument. I started playing the banjo about 4 months ago after purchasing my first banjo which I thought was pretty decent. Starting to get into slides and hammer-ons, and hammer-offs, I realized the banjo I owned would not be sufficient to meet the demands of my new head-over-heels obsession. I tried a few banjos at the local music shop, including the Gold Tone OB250 and realized the banjo I had at home was a toy. I called Ross on my way home from the music shop and went over the different options and decided on the Recording King Elite 85. I had some concerns about the longer scale length, but Ross assured me it was hardly noticeable, and he was correct. I ordered it with the snuffy smith bridge and zero glide nut.I've had the banjo for a few days now and I am completely blown away. I find myself practicing a whole lot more with this banjo because it is such a pleasure to play. To get the full effect of tone, I went into the stairwell which has high ceilings and the sound could bounce off the walls, which was a transcendental experience. Every note on this instrument is amazing. In class, I learned that playing a B on the G string would always be sharp which is why that is often a started with a slide up to mask the intrinsic nature of that note on a Banjo. My teacher then followed up saying that banjos in the 4-5K range can play that note in tune. This banjo can play that note in tune; just a mere 2 vibrations/sec above a perfect B.I really can't say enough good things about how awesome this banjo or the service I received from banjoteacher.com. I will leave you with a recording I made with my old banjo vs new banjo. This was done using the backing track from the member's section of this site.With the RK 85 - <a href="http://rivalitsolutions.com/audio/CrippleCreek-wRK85.mp3" target="_blank" >http://rivalitsolutions.com/audio/CrippleCreek-wRK85.mp3</a> With the SX Banjo - <a href="http://rivalitsolutions.com/audio/CrippleCreek.mp3" target="_blank" >http://rivalitsolutions.com/audio/CrippleCreek.mp3</a>I just started working on Blackberry Blossom but oh my, does this RK85 SING! <a href="http://rivalitsolutions.com/audio/BlackberryBlossom.mp3" target="_blank" >http://rivalitsolutions.com/audio/BlackberryBlossom.mp3</a>
 

Jan 21, 2017
5
(5/5
Recording King 85 Elite
Got the R 85 yesterday and it is one of the best I have ever played. The response tine of the notes is almost immediate when your playing fast tunes like Foggy Mtn Brkdn. The workmanship is very good as well.The banjo was almost in tune right out of the box. Very impressive instrument I must say. Ty. Dave
 
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