About this banjo
The Elite Flamed Maple
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Highly Flamed Maple Resonator & Neck
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20 Hole Bell Brass Tone Ring
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Bound Ebony Fretboard
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27-3/8” Scale Length
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Deluxe Hardshell Case
Modeled after the original Mastertone banjos of the 1930’s, our 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.
Banjo Specifications
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: | VINTAGE CHERRY BURST FINISH |
CASE: | INCLUDED VINTAGE HARDSHELL CASE |
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Bonuses When You Buy From Banjo.com
FREE PROFESSIONAL SETUP
Every banjo is carefully setup before shipping saving you from the "some assembly required" hassle.
*FREE RAILROAD SPIKES
Also know as the 5th string capo, we recommend installing spikes on the 7th & 9th frets. This is a free service we include for all 5-string banjo purchases.
FREE STARTER PACK
Start pickin' the day your banjo arrives. We include:strap, tuner, and picks.
FREE SHIPPING
Every banjo shipped to the Continental U.S. / APO includes free USPS Priority Mail shipping.
FREE BANJO LESSONS
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FREE SUPPORT
Prior to being shipped, we carefully inspect and test every banjo. If you have any issues with your banjo, call us and and we will help.
*We can add these as a free service when you purchase a banjo from us. When you add this banjo to your cart just select that you want the capos. What is this? When you use a standard capo on your banjo fretboard, fretting strings 1 through 4, you’ll need to capo the 5th string separately. The 5th string starts at the 5th fret. If your standard capo is on the 2nd fret, you also need to capo the 5th string two frets higher, at the 7th fret. We recommend installing railroad spike capos on frets 7 and 9 (A and B). We install them on the fretboard just under the 5th string, an idea that was developed and used by Earl Scruggs himself. We use them, and so do most of the professional players we know. When you’re playing, you don’t really notice the spikes because they’re out of the way, but they’re always there when you need them. Simply slide the 5th string under the spike. When you’re done, slide it out.
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Barry at Banjo.com helped me make a great choice on purchasing a new banjo. He answered my emails and phone calls promptly. After a few conversations I went with his newly designed Bish Line Coal Dust. I ordered it and he kept me updated on its progress. It arrived in perfect condition and it's even nicer than he described. I will keep Banjo.com at the top of my list for any future purchases and would highly recommend them to others. Thank you again to Barry and his staff.
I couldn't be more pleased with this lovely instrument and the customer service
I recently purchased a Deering Sierra mahogany open back banjo from Banjo.com. Since I live in north Georgia, only two and one-half hours from the home of Banjo.com, I was able to visit the Banjo Barn where Barry give me the opportunity to "test drive" several banjos and he assisted me in narrowing down to my final choice. I must say, I couldn't be more pleased with this lovely instrument and the customer service I received from Barry and Banjo.com. Thank you!
Barry Waldrep –
This is a maple banjo with a sunburst finish, same tone ring as the 75 & 76. A very popular seller and a great banjo for the money.