Originally a house brand in the 1930’s for Montgomery Ward, Recording King acoustic guitars and banjos were developed in a period known as the Golden Age of musical craftsmanship. Instruments designed during this era are among the most well-respected and sought-after fretted acoustic instruments available.
Building on this storied American tradition, our Recording King guitars, banjos and resonators carry on the legacy of these classic instruments using vintage designs and hand-assembled parts. Recording King’s luthiers have revived the past for today’s modern players, but have done so with a deep respect for tradition and history. Today’s reissues have the look, feel and sound of the classic models with impeccable workmanship and enhancements for contemporary players.
Here in America, Recording King is a brand name with a lot of American heritage. It’s a working man’s pre-war instrument, accessible to everyone, with incredible value and high-end features. That’s really important for all of us here at RK.
It’s only natural for us to produce RK banjos and guitars that pay homage to their original Golden Age craftsmanship. All Recording King models are made for the long-term – you can hand a Recording King instrument down from generation to generation. This is what we strive for in each handmade model.
Recording King's classic tricone resonator has three 6” Continental cones that transfer incredibly loud tones through the body of the guitar. The cones are positioned with two on the bass side and one on the treble side, giving an EQ balance with a sweeter, warmer sound. This tricone is made from nickel-plated bell brass and features a screen coverplate and T-shaped bridge with an ebony and maple saddle. The bridge is connected to the center of each cone so that when the strings are hit, the vibrations run through the saddle and then into the bridge. This tricone has a distinct tone and long sustain characterized by brilliant overtones and a natural ambiance only found in resonator instruments.
From our best-selling banjos to our all-solid, professional acoustic guitars, we proudly continue the tradition of one of history’s most revered instrument manufacturers.
