Recording King RK- R85 Elite - Maple Neck and Resonator - Limited Edition
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
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.
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
Ross NIckerson's Christmas Banjo Book/DVD/CD
Available in Download too
Gift Certificates - $25 $50 $75 $100
---------
Call or email us for Best Deal
or Price Match on Banjos 1-866-322-6567
All Major Credit Cards, Paypal, Paypal Credit and AfterPay Accepted
Use Paypal when checking out and Select Paypal Creditd
--------------------------------------------
Pay in 4 Easy Payments with No Interest
Select "AfterPay"when checking out
--------------------------------------------
Featured Banjos
Bela Fleck ML-1 Baritone Banjo
--------------------------------
-------------------------------
-------------------------------
Sign Up for our Newsletter
Sign up and Receive Tips On Learning Banjo and a Free Banjo E-Book
-----------------------
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
John Knasas Aug 5, 2018 | 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. |
Recommended to buy: Yes |
R Chad Feb 13, 2017 | 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> |
Recommended to buy: Yes |
David Kilcollins Jan 21, 2017 | 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 |
Recommended to buy: Yes |
Accessories
30 other products in the same category:
- About Us - Contact
- Books, CDs, DVDs
- Supplies
- Banjos
- Learn Now
- Reviews
- Lesson Site
- Workshops
The Banjo Cruise
The Banjo Cruise
The Banjo Cruise Workshop is held in a large private conference room that is essentially sound proof and separate from all other passengers. The workshop takes place during the days we are at sea so you can visit all ports and still have plenty of time for fun with your spouse, family or friends while on the cruise. The class sizes are small ensuring that each student receives the assistance and encouragement they need.ST Pete Banjo Camp
Annual Banjo Workshop weekend in Sunny St Pete Beach Florida!
The Academy of Performance Arts with Ross Nickerson
Banjo camp seminar and group banjo lesson workshop in the USA for bluegrass 5-string banjo in Florida at sunny St Pete Beach. This is an annual Florida banjo event and held during the winter months for locals,winter residents and students who want to escape the cold while improving their banjo playing, and having fun doing it.The Banjo Safari
The Banjo Safari
Join me for an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience traveling to Africa for an African Photo Safari. I am to be teaming up with our professional Safari guides Kevin and Tricia Dooley on an adventure that none of us will forget. We'll spend our mornings and late afternoons exploring the wildlife of South Africa, and the mid day will be filled with a banjo workshop that should be fun and rewarding. - Resources