Gibson Earl Scruggs vs Recording King RK-75 Banjo Comparison

[@JohnMooreVlogs]

I've added chapters to this video in the description so you can easily switch between songs and instruments. Enjoy

[@gordonsellenartist174]

They both sound great, my personal choice would be Gibson all day.🙃

[@beardedbiker2647]

Yeah the Gibson is hands down the “Banjo sound” I’ve grown up on. I’m so glad you played Reuben That’s the song I use to judge sound and one’s musicality. Anyone can play fast or play accurately but the really good ones do both and you knocked it out of the park….

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

I'd be more than happy with the Recording King!

[@FlatpickRei]

that RK on Reuben was ridiculous

[@jasonwood2603]

I've had a Gibson Earl Scruggs, and I have the Recording King now. It was nice hearing the comparison. Both banjos sound great. One is suited for certain styles and vice-versa. Thanks for the video!

[@bladerunner9646]

Thank you for your time and efforts. Both were fantastic. If I had to choose I would go RK.

[@thefamily2707]

Man that gibson twangs nicely! 😮

[@garrylarose1506]

Ive got a Scruggs edition honey, #0859. I love it, lot of people think the Gibsons improved after Greg Rich took over sometime in the late eighties. Ive played them both, both are great. Personally I find my honey banjo sounds superb and is beautiful. I actually got an amazing deal with it too. Bought it from the original owner who had all the receipts and everything, bought it and kept it in the case under his bed. Had the original strings, literally show room quality unused. A lot of guys like the look of a banjo when it looks well used, but I couldn't be happier with mine. Has the actual Earl Scruggs signature too. Not just the stamp. Ive had it set up and play it every day, when im not playing its displayed proudly on my living room wall, out of direct sunlight.

[@mattvincent5805]

The Gibson has the growl! I’d choose it. Great video. Thank you.

[@barbarasmith3579]

I LOVE the sound of the recording king on turkey in the straw John! Beautiful mellow sound! Great sound for sure! Thanks for THAT comparison!

[@banjofever1]

Great presentation! Kelly Emerson (Bill's son)

[@bomark2002]

Awesome videos man, I like both sounds, I can hear the mellow tone you spoke of in the RK, the Gibson has just a hint more of a punch to it but they are both awesome for whatever style like you said you want to play

[@jbcurdog72]

Great video and a great comparison, but the Gibson has the "it" factor in my opinion... but I would play the rk... I recently played a Goldstar and couldn't believe how awesome it was.

[@Montgomeryleather2]

Incredible talent

[@banjocatoscs]

Very nice picking sir. Two good sounding banjos. I have a Granada and an old mahogany Gibson parts banjo I go back and forth with. Of the two you played, I’ll take both:) But if I had to only pick one, it would be the Gibson. Thanks for the video, top notch!

[@brianthomas8858]

That gibson cracks like a whip. I like the recording king but the gibson is hard to beat. I had a couple gibson granada’s and both were snappy but when I put a solid heavy brass tone ring in one, it would make your ears ring… I’m bad to play near the bridge and roll hard.. but I’m strait old school bluegrass. I also loved your rendition of home sweet home

[@dchura123]

Thanks for this review. Earlier this year I picked up a used RK-76, the near-twin brother of the RK-75 on-line in excellent condition for an excellent price. I had an old Iida and the RK just sounds so much richer and smoother. Your review gives me even more confidence in my pick. Oh yeah, just in general I find your videos really informative and really enjoy watching/listening to them.

[@luminawarren8132]

iidas are super banjos you have to find the ones that have brass rings close to 3 pounds. iida slacked off later in production and started gypping their tone ring weight to 2 lb brass rings. iida also made the 70s fenders, alvarez and washburns.

[@LGBrownlee]

That Gibson just has that ‘pop’….I wonder if, given years of playing, like that Gibson, how the sound profile might change on the RK?

[@JohnMooreVlogs]

I wouldn't be surprised if the recording king started to get more "poppy" with a little bit of age as the wood settles and natural oils dry out. I've never played a new off-the-rack banjo of any brand that sounded like an old banjo so that makes this a bit of an unfair comparison considering the Gibson is 40 years older than the RK.

[@garyhighley9022]

Im partial to mahogany..and i have an RK 76 so im biased..but i like the RK sound in this video. That being said, the banjo i play 90 percent of the vtime now is a maple RK scout. It seems to be a little " sweeter" and mahogany like than other maple bnjos ive had. I love to own and play a good Gibson though.

[@louGriggs1944]

Going through the buying process right now and this video is extremely helpful. Thank you very much.

[@jaybenton7716]

Gibson wins. Nice playing as usual. :)

[@TheEricBode]

Great info and solid picking! Wonder if my asking about your banjo on your live video gave any inspiration to this video...🤔🤣

[@flycavsgopro9658]

Wow. I’m in the market for an upgrade and the Rk75 is on my shortlist but hearing it against the Gibson, I think I want that Gibson.

[@tonyparrish5366]

This is a great comparison. Thank you for all the hard work.

[@MarvinRWard]

I used to own a home made style banjo that sounded like that. I let it go for $500.00. Dumbest thing I ever done. You sound great!

[@archtopp1]

I am the owner of a RK 75 and its a great banjo for the money and it holds its own next to banjos that cost much more. I think in this video, the Gibson has a little more tone and it has more punch up the neck. Its a difficult comparison on video. I know the Gibson is much more expensive, but teh 2 sond close. The Gibson, to my ears, sounds better. Just my 2 cents. Nice video, though..

[@russellyork7652]

Interesting comparison. I'd like a comparison of the Gibson Earl Scruggs with an RK 85, which is maple like the Gibson. I have an RK85 elite. It sounds a lot like the Gibson, but of course I can't play anything like you can, John. Thanks.

[@mikeondrick2507]

Killer Fourth string on the Recording King. Good pop.

[@85rockhound]

I have the Gibson Scruggs Standard. Both sound great, but different. I might have to get the RK-75 to keep my two Gibson's company!

[@bluegrassboy]

I'm really a guitar player, but I love messing around with a banjo. My last 3 have been chinese brands and I just couldnt really love any of them though I couldn't put my finger on it. But I didn't have a good US made banjo to play side by side. Thanks for the video

[@alexrudisill4935]

I own both and humbly do say my recording king has potential but is missing something. Yours my friend does sound great. I'm a Hatfield man. Thanks for the video.

[@garyhighley9022]

It's all about set up. My RK 76 sounded great for many yrs, but I put it away in the case for over a yr, pulled it out, put new strings on it and it sounds kinda dead. I'll have to figure out what it needs eventually. Maybe I got a bad batch of strings.

[@luminawarren8132]

RKs are hit and miss. Its due to the mass production and production rate required. You cannot rush the creation of quality. My RK right now came w a plastic nut and pip. Everyone knows thats faulty quality.

[@davidlundmark9359]

@@luminawarren8132 What RK did you get?

[@luminawarren8132]

@@davidlundmark9359 it was a first generation rk35. I know there are some good ones but ive been thru 5 recording kings and 4 of them sounded terrible. All set up the same. One of the maples I had sounded amazing but the other 4 were terrible.

[@davidlundmark9359]

@@luminawarren8132 ah okay interesting, I just ordered a brand new RK35 a couple of days ago, I'll guess I have to hope it sounds good then lol

[@tonywall58]

Those rks are fabulous banjos

[@michaelvanbuskirk8845]

I wonder how the Recording King RK-R35 would sound compared to the Gibson since it's maple as well?

[@garyhammond2213]

I have an Earl Scruggs Mastertone which I like. I had and sold a Gibson RB-250. I regret selling it. It was easier to play and just sounded good.

[@jimbennett1519]

I am late to the party but in my humble opinion the gibson banjo would be my pick. They are both pretty good banjers but the gibson has that sound. I personally play an Ome jaggernaut one silver chime I bought new in 1978 I believe and it is a killer banjo

[@livioguardi2074]

They both sound good but actually to my ears is the Gibson that has a mellower sound!

[@higheststandards3344]

I love the tone of the rk 😩

[@davidlundmark9359]

Same 🥵

[@underratedspectator2211]

Thanks for your content!

[@markfields863]

I bought the Recording King because of the price of Gibsons. I love the Rk but, the Gibson has the old feel classic banjo sound to my ear.

[@ProfileP246]

Wow! gibson!

[@Banjo63]

Great comparison! I have to say the RK sounded really good, but the "crack" of the Maple on the Gibson won my vote. PS - What type of mic do you use for these KZbin recordings? Always sounds really good!

[@JohnMooreVlogs]

It's a rode videomic. Great little mic for the money.

[@Banjo63]

@@JohnMooreVlogs Thanks!

[@garyhighley9022]

I have a RK 76 mahogany and a Flint hill 300(RK Osborne scout) which is maple....so depending on my mood I play whichever. I think overall I like the smooth sound of the Elite... but enjoy the quick note response of the maple banjo.

[@Jdluke61]

Gibson 👍

[@johncostelloe743]

Hi John I liked them both for me though the Rk is my pick

[@davidanderson1951]

They both have their own characteristics the recording king us very mellow on some tunes but the Gibson has the pop on the hard driving tunes very nice comparison

[@peterreno4203]

You could comfortably play either in a band. Both sound 👍 just different.

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Both sound really great - but I expect the Recording King is a lot less expensive?

[@lukasrh]

great Video John, thank you. just out of curiosity: did you change anything to the setup of your Gibson after the latest live stream?

[@richardgarrett7044]

Gibson hands down, just my opinion.

[@bobbyjackson3632]

In my opinion if your going to compare Banjos it needs to be Mahogany against Mahogany and vice versa

[@evanmcroberts5427]

I currently play a 2008 Gibson Parts rig (neck is the only legit part) fox thin maple rim, tennesse 20 nickel plated ring I played a brand new RK75 and may honestly sell the parts rig for one. The feel of the 75 is very nice I love my parts rig but I’m falling for the warmth/ growl of the 75

[@sameubanks7349]

Gibson for me.

[@waveegravee]

String gauge information for both banjos would have been of interest.

[@beefusthemighty]

For me, it's not just about the sound you can get out of the banjo, it's how easy it is to get that sound. Response is a big deal to the player. A banjo that you have to dig the sound out of, or that only sounds good when you play full-force is a problem for me. I found that my RK sounded OK but I had to pick it a little too hard.

[@goldenbergconstruction1656]

The Recording King.

[@johnbrown-td2tl]

How bout you do a video on the goldstar gf200 vs rk75 their both around the same price point

[@josephanderson7237]

There is a buzz in the Gibson when in D tuning. Maybe the action is a bit low.

[@richardgarrett2946]

Gibson! Hands down!😂

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

That Gibson wails!

[@tedtedsen269]

sad, people judge one banjo better or worse than the other when they can see what is being played, then it is the eyes that decide which is better and not the ears because you know what you hear

[@steveday9823]

Great picking! Gibson wins this competition but just by a hair.

[@bushwacker3292]

Little age on the RK it be just fine

[@reallyoldtom9352]

What strings on each?

[@garyhopkins4863]

Comparing apples to apples this isn't. Should be maple vs maple or hog vs hog and green vs green or seasoned vs season. They should sound different.

[@royliquor3315]

What year is your Gibson?

[@justinnorrie3594]

The Gibson is like a party trick. It's fun the first time you hear it, but it gets a bit old after the third or fourth time. Very in-your-face. Not much subtlety. I'll take the RK. (Who am I kidding -- I'd take either of these awesome banjos.)

[@Pete-z6e]

The RC was Sitaring.

[@johnbrown-td2tl]

Goldstar gf200 vs rk75 plz

[@peteleoni9665]

Sure is obvious that you do not have to spend 3k anymore. Also I note more note "definition" on the RK. Both great banjos and there is no "winner" here. I suspect any variation is mainly due to different head tension, string height and general setup. Thank you.

[@peterreno4203]

Spot on

[@dirtylaundrythemusic]

Wow that Gipson don’t hold notes that long up high

[@dannymuhammad8321]

There's a huge flaw in your test.. When you went to the recording King you should have still been playing shocking the corn. Back-to-back. That's the best way to get an immediate Blind test.. But I thought your whole videos outstanding.. For me the Gibson is just a little bit better and it has the Gibson name which travels through time much better.. If you want to sell it or if you want to give it to your grandkids

[@luminawarren8132]

The blaylock tone ring in a maple set up will have WAY more power than a mahogany. The ES is just a better banjo. I had a RK 75 and had nothing but bad tone out of it. I set it up multiple ways and really it was junk. I sold it. RKs are hit and miss.

[@coltknight3945]

I thought the Gibson spanked the RK. Way more power, volume and tone.

[@sethlandry9122]

Gibson

[@billybudd45]

Recording king sounds good, but the Gibson wins 🏆

[@luminawarren8132]

The truth is the Earl Scruggs is going to sound better. RK makes good instruments and however they are hit and miss. Even tho the Scruggs is better it will not have the true tone test of sounding like Earls banjo. These were aftermarket luthier banjos w a Gibson name and honestly unless they were made in the Kalamazoo luthier ring these are not really Gibsons. Gibson messed up when they left michigan. Better luthiers, craftsman on site. Quality is always better when the supervision is local to the production site.

[@josephanderson7237]

Gibson is clearer. I hear the separation in the notes with nicer overtones.

[@dannymuhammad8321]

Well the Gibson sounds like girl scrugs and the other one doesn't.. It sounds good but it lacks mid-range.. Like almost every banjo that isn't a Gibson or stelling.. Of course there are exceptions to that rule.. I can be persuaded to like the recording king until I hear something that is real.. Then I know the difference immediately

[@dannymuhammad8321]

Bingo.. Mid-range

[@bsharporbflat8378]

The Gibson is way more resonant, nearly natural reverb

[@luminawarren8132]

Maple will always have a better projection, snap etc.

[@dwaynecollins5514]

Well, i don't know if is a joke or what but the Gibson is much better, even my 1977 RB250 sounds better than the record king! just my 2 cents

[@dougshelton69]

Gibson is king

[@peterreno4203]

Gibson has more punch. RK pretty up the neck!

[@alexcerondeoliveira6576]

Os 2 tops ,mas gibson é gibson....

[@LadislavDitte]

Rozdiel minimálny obe banja zneju rovnako

[@charlesjohnson4544]

Can you speak without using your hands ??

[@pipperxxx]

I love and own a RKR30 BGM.. But that Gibby is awesome, you might need to set them up the same first to get a better comparison. Great job , thanx

[@luminawarren8132]

The RK 30 being a tube and plate will sound amazing. These are typically louder and have better intonation.

[@shartmeself]

The Gibson has a uniquely bluegrass timbre to it while the recording king sounds more versatile and could probably fit several styles.

[@jameswilkey941]

Gibson. Sound. Batter. To .me. James said that to you