Gallery
Description
Features
Reviews
Q&A

Videos (2)

View Allarrow icon
Recording King RKO-3S Open Back Banjoplay button

Recording King RKO-3S Open Back Banjo

Basic Setup of Your Bluegrass Banjo with Jim Pankeyplay button

Basic Setup of Your Bluegrass Banjo with Jim Pankey

Recording King

collapse expand iconDescription

The Recording King RKO-3S open-back banjo, a retro-infused instrument with historic vibe and accessible sound. Like mail-order banjos from the early 1900s, the RKO-3S delivers authentic tone in a lightweight, road-ready package. Singer-songwriters, folk artists and troubadours will appreciate its blend of vintage style and versatile performance.

Maple Neck and Remo Banjo Head Provide Traditional Tone

The RKO-3S features a maple neck and Remo banjo head for classic, open-back sound. Its 11" pot and 26-3/4" scale length produce full, ringing tone that cuts through. The banjo head is securely tensioned for accurate pitch and sustain.

Satin Finish and Vintage-Inspired Details Evoke Retro Style

With a satin finish and retro-infused design, the RKO-3S brings historic banjo vibe to life. Dot inlays, traditional tuners and a bound rosewood fretboard capture the look of early 20th century instruments. An inlaid Recording King logo on the peghead completes the vintage-inspired aesthetic.

Accessible Setup Accommodates Players of All Levels

With excellent playability and forgiving setup, the RKO-3S suits beginners and pros alike. Its medium frets, 1-3/16" nut width and comfortable neck profile encourage fluid playing across the fretboard. An adjustable truss rod provides relief for different playing styles. Overall, the RKO-3S delivers a blend of classic banjo sound and modern, performance-ready design.

Recording King RKO-3S Open-Back Banjo
Recording King RKO-3S Open-Back Banjo
Recording King RKO-3S Open-Back Banjo

collapse expand iconFeatures

Body
  • Body type: Open-back banjo
  • Cutaway: Not applicable
  • Top wood: Not applicable
  • Back & sides: Mahogany
  • Bracing pattern: Not applicable
  • Body finish: Matte brown
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: C
  • Nut width: 1-1/4"
  • Fingerboard: Composite rosewood
  • Neck wood: Maple
  • Scale length: 26-1/4"
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Neck finish: Satin
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: No
Other
  • Headstock overlay: Black
  • Tuning machines: Ivory button
  • Bridge: Maple with ebony cap
  • Saddle and nut: Ebony saddle, plastic nut
  • Number of strings: 5
  • Special features: No knot tailpiece
  • Case: Sold separately
  • Accessories: Not applicable
  • Country of origin: China

collapse expand iconReviews

4.78

9 Reviews

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters

Best Uses

  1. Practicing7
  2. Back-Up3
  3. Concerts1
  4. Small gigs1
  5. "Old timey" music1

Cons

  1. Poor Tone Quality1
  2. Unassembled1

Describe Yourself

  1. Novice4
  2. Experienced2

Pros

  1. Good Tone6
  2. Consistent5
  3. Well Built / Quality4
  4. Long Life2
  5. Beautiful1

Reviewed by 9 customers

  • Perfect first banjo

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted9 months ago

    byMacy

    fromMinneapolis, MN

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Got this for my mom (huge fan of Noah Kahan's banjo songs). She loves it, great sound and size.

  • Grandson's Banjo

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted10 months ago

    byCaryn

    fromFrederick, MD

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    My Grandson is totally pleased with the quality of this banjo and is having a ball learning to play it. It is great quality and the sound is exceptional.

  • Don't think so

    3

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byTerry

    fromSan Marcos, CA

    Easy to play but strings buzz

  • Very nice

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byJohn

    fromKansas Wichita

    Worth every cent

  • First banjo, love it.

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted6 years ago

    byBenjamin

    fromUndisclosed

    The banjo is great. Holds tune a lot better than some beginner guitars I used to own. Very happy. Looks great, too. However, Guitar Center gets one star. The website said it would be available for pickup in store the day I ordered it. Didn't get to pick it up until 9 days later. I would not trust the in-store pickup dates. All the nearby stores still list that it's available for pickup today, which obviously is not true.

  • Excellent banjo

    5

    submitted7 years ago

    bySlog

    fromArkansas

    This is my first experience with a 5 string banjo although I have played guitar for 10+ years. For the price I am not sure you could beat this as a beginner banjo. The feel of the neck is wonderful and it is very comfortable to play up and down the fretboard. I have no issues with it staying in tune despite practicing for hours at a time. I purchased a floor model as they had no other in the store. The action on it is great and I have no complaints about the sound or playability. Cosmetically I love the look. Mine appears to be a much darker brown than what it is on the website, but that is no problem by me. I also am a huge fan of only 12 brackets as 24 looks too busy. My only complaint is that I wish it came with an armrest, but for $200 this is an excellent instrument that I would recommend to anyone

  • Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • Next

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted3 months ago

    asked byCorey

    fromTracy, CA

    What material is the head?

    What material is the head?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The head is the same wood as the neck: Maple.

  • submitted10 months ago

    asked byBanjo Brian

    fromManchester

    Do you have this banjo in your store? If another Guitar Center has it, how would I get it shipped to your store?

    Do you have this banjo in your store? If another Guitar Center has it, how would I get it shipped to your store?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    What store do you need it to be in? It can be shipped to any store.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byGregory

    fromPortageville missouri

    Are banjos easy to play ? What is the difference between open and closed back and which one would you get to start.

    Are banjos easy to play ? What is the difference between open and closed back and which one would you get to start.

    Open Reply - Ronald
    They aren't really easier to play than guitars or bases, but the smaller body may make it a bit easier. Open back means there isn't a resonator plate on the back of the drum.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byMoonmoon7

    fromKilleen TX

    This does come with a bridge correct? As i recive mine without one.

    This does come with a bridge correct? As i recive mine without one.

    Open Reply - Ronald
    It's not attached but it is included in the box.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byRandy

    fromL.I. New York

    In one of the reviews it mentions that the banjo needs assembly. Is this true?

    In one of the reviews it mentions that the banjo needs assembly. Is this true?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Yes it does. It can't be shipped with the bridge attached without risking damage to the banjo.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byKatie

    fromNew York

    Can you recommend a case that will fit this banjo?

    Can you recommend a case that will fit this banjo?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Take a look at Musician's Gear Deluxe Hardshell Banjo Case

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byLori

    fromUSA

    What type of strap would I use with this banjo and what armrest would work also? Thanks

    What type of strap would I use with this banjo and what armrest would work also? Thanks

    Open Reply - Beau
    This banjo would be compatible with any standard banjo strap. Unfortunately, we don't have an armrest for it.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked bySqueaks

    fromBakersfield

    Would you need finger picks for this type of banjo?

    Would you need finger picks for this type of banjo?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    You don't 'need' to have any type of pick but for playing finger style, yes, you would want finger picks.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byKay

    fromOH

    What kind of strap do you get with this banjo and how do you hook it on?

    What kind of strap do you get with this banjo and how do you hook it on?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    A banjo strap clips on. This particular model does not include a strap.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byChristina

    fromKlamath falls, OR

    How much does it weigh?

    How much does it weigh?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    6 lbs.
  • Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • Next