Recording King banjos in Galway: an update

The BIB has just stumbled across the news that Kieran Moloney Music in Galway city is offering special deals on Recording King banjos. The photo (left) shows an RK-35 model Mastertone-type 5-string.

The original Recording King banjos were made by Gibson in the 1930s for sale through the Montgomery Ward mail-order business. The brand has been recently revived to make quality instruments available at a budget price - designed by Greg Rich and made in China.

Kieran Moloney Music are the agents in Ireland, and can be found at 17 High St., Old Malt Arcade, Galway city; 'phone +353 (0)91 566488; e-mail. Check out the current offers here. And if you're visiting the Galway area, don't miss the chance to call in on Tom Cussen's Clareen Banjos as well.

Update 27 Nov.: Thanks to Enda Donnelly of Fair City Grass, who writes:

It's ironic you that you mentioned Recording King Banjos on the BIB yesterday; right now I have a top-of-the-line model in my workshop, getting fitted with 5th-string capo spikes for a new student of bluegrass banjo!

The model is RK-Elite-75. Richard, this one is a 'beast'. Terrific value for money, as good sounding as some costing two or three times more. It can be purchased online from Thomann Cyberstore for €769 incl. vat/shipping. That is how this customer got this one. 

Out of the box with little or no setting-up, it's a cracker. On YouTube you can see great players such as Kenny Ingram, Jim Pankey (who toured Ireland this year) playing on this model. Nice Christmas present! wouldn't you think?