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Recording King RK-R20 Songster Banjo

  • Based on 27 reviews
Condition: New
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$599.99 Why this price?

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Availability: Only 1 left in stock, order soon!
Fulfilled by Pineville Music

Arrives May 10 – May 12
Order within 56 minutes
Available payment plans shown during checkout

Features

  • Mahogany Resonator & Neck
  • Multi-Ply Rim
  • Rolled Tone Ring
  • 26-1/4" Scale Length
  • Planetary Tuners

Description

RK’s Songster shows its roots with time-honored components that give a nod to bluegrass history right down to the original RK hex-stamped flange design. The mahogany resonator and neck combine with the rolled tone ring and classy gloss finish for true banjo tone and vintage bluegrass authenticity players won’t often find at this price. The Songster resonator banjo is the perfect high- quality entry-level banjo for a beginner, or any player looking to step up. Packed with historic banjo vibe, and built in the same workshops as the RK top-line Madison and Elite banjos, the RK-R20 punches well above its price class in sound and style.

Brand: Recording King


Color: Mahogany


Item dimensions L x W x H: 38.5 x 13.75 x 4.5 inches


Top Material Type: REMO Head


Back Material Type: Mahogany


String Material Type: Alloy Steel


Instrument: Banjo


Item Weight: 10 Pounds


Operation Mode: Manual


Number of Strings: 5


Item Weight: 10 pounds


Product Dimensions: 38.5 x 13.75 x 4.5 inches


Item model number: RK-R20


Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No


Date First Available: July 16, 2004


Back Material: Mahogany


Body Material: Maple


Color Name: Mahogany


Fretboard Material: Ovangkol


Scale Length: 26.25”


String Gauge: Medium


String Material: Alloy Steel


Top Material: REMO Head


Neck Material Type: Mahogany


Number of Strings: 5


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: May 10 – May 12

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Leasing options through Acima may also be available during checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Top Amazon Reviews


  • I want to be worthy of this banjo.
I started to play the banjo several years ago. I purchased a very cheap banjo and learned the basics, including the basics of maintaining and repairing the instrument. After several years, I was starting to think it was time to upgrade. That cheap banjo was a musical instrument - as long as you didn't play past the 10th fret. If you tried that, you would get this awful, thin, tinny sound. So this banjo looks better, it feels better and, most importantly, it sounds better. As soon as I played a few notes, my wife said that it has more presence: it sounds like a real banjo. "Yes", I said, sounding like an expert, "It has a tone-ring." Most importantly, it sounds good all the way up the instrument - like a soprano who knows how to hit the high notes. So now, when my playing sounds bad, I can no longer blame the instrument. I feel that this is a banjo that I must live up to, and be worthy of. I will never advance beyond being a beginner on the banjo, and I'm happy with that. I know that this is considered to be a beginner's banjo, and I think I'll be happy to play this banjo for the rest of my life. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020 by Benjamin E. Murphy

  • Great quality!
Great sounding banjo 🪕! Great price!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024 by walter mcpherson walter mcpherson

  • Sorry 3 stars because its made in china really.
MADE IN CHINA WTF. was not paying attention my fault completely I usually look. After getting my banjo, which is beautiful and my first one, I was soo excited. I was getting it ready checking the Resonator and hold down setting the bridge. found the manufacture sticker inside the rim made in china, WTF. first thought was send it back then get a Deering banjo they are expensive but worth it being MADE IN THE USA to me this is, they are one of just a handful of USA made banjo company. I figure that's fine this is my starter banjo, so I have time to practice and learn what I can on this Chinese made won and then when I'm a semi pro banjo God ;) I will buy me an expensive American banjo. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2024 by derek thayer

  • Great first banjo
I'm no banjo expert but I have been playing guitar for over 30 years. When I decided to start learning bluegrass banjo I did a ton of research and found a lot of people talking about this Recording Kind model as a good starting banjo. Trying to learn on a instrument that is TOO cheaply-made is never good, so this is a good place to start. Nice quality and tone at a decent price. I had a professional do the final setup as soon as it arrived, which you should do with any instrument. I've had a lot of fun playing this. Very happy with this purchase for my first (maybe only) banjo purchase. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2014 by Ohana Films

  • Received older model - all metal pieces were tarnished and pitted - fretboard not fully stained.
Well, not much to brag about here....Recording King. I wasn't expecting much from this; just wanted a good started for a friend. This instrument is not serviceable. - Crunchy tuners - Tarnished and pitted plating - Fretboard not stained - Tailpiece is loose and cheap junk The fellow that reps this company and plays all their instruments on-line would not be pleased with this. I hope that my recently ordered RP-342 Tone wood Reserve Elite 0 doesn't have quality issues. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2023 by Nancy Sizemore Nancy Sizemore

  • Great buy!
This banjo exceeded my expectations. The inlay on the peghead and neck is beautiful and the entire banjo is great looking. Plus it sounds fantastic - makes me a better player. One of my musician friends even commented that she didn't know I was that good a banjo picker until she heard me play this one (I'm not sure if that was a compliment). I am extremely happy with this purchase. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2011 by L. D. Clark

  • Great banjo
I received my banjo 2 days earlier than expected . It was not checked out before being shipped by the seller . There were 2 bad tuners . The seller refunded me half of the purchase price .
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2023 by Donald F.

  • missing bridge
Christmas morning, biggest gift that was highly anticipated for months....NO bridge. He couldn't play it without the bridge. I am working on correcting this error now. Hopefully it will be remedied quickly.
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2013 by Mandy Welsh

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