Late 1930s Recording King Tenor Conversion 5-String Banjo | Huber HR-30 Tone Ring
$ 4,499.99
Late 1930s Recording King Model #731 — made by Gibson at Kalamazoo for Montgomery Ward. This tenor conversion features a Huber HR-30 tone ring, original sunburst maple resonator, one-piece flange, and prewar Presto tailpiece. The replacement 5-string neck includes an adjustable truss rod and modern tuners. Prewar craftsmanship meets modern playability.
In stock
Late 1930s Recording King Model #731 — Gibson-Made, Huber HR-30 Tone Ring, 5-String Conversion
This late 1930s Recording King banjo was made by Gibson at their Kalamazoo, Michigan factory for Montgomery Ward’s mail-order catalog — a genuine prewar instrument from the golden era of American banjo manufacturing, now upgraded with a Huber HR-30 flathead tone ring. This is NOT a modern Recording King made in China or Tennessee. Model #731, professionally converted to 5-string with original one-piece flange, original maple rim, and original prewar Presto tailpiece. Available now at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
The combination of aged prewar wood and a Huber tone ring creates a voice that new banjos simply cannot replicate.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Watch: Recording King Model #731 Demo
A Prewar Gibson-Made Banjo
In the 1930s, Gibson manufactured banjos for sale by other companies, including mail-order houses like Montgomery Ward. These instruments were labeled with brand names like Recording King and bore no Gibson markings, even though they rolled off the same Kalamazoo production line as Gibson‘s own catalog models. Many were virtually identical to Gibson models of the era.
This particular banjo was listed in the Montgomery Ward catalog as Model #731.
The Conversion
This Recording King started life as a tenor banjo and has been professionally converted to a 5-string configuration with a high-quality replacement neck from Don Bryant. The new neck features the classic Recording King peghead shape with the original Recording King logo and elegant fan-shaped pearl inlays down the rosewood fingerboard.
The Huber HR-30 Tone Ring
The original hoop-type tone ring used on non-Mastertone Gibson models like this one has been replaced with a Huber HR-30 — one of the most respected flathead tone rings available today. Steve Huber’s HR-30 is renowned for its rich, complex voice with excellent note separation and powerful projection. This $850+ upgrade transforms the banjo into a professional-grade instrument that can hold its own against banjos costing many times more.
In short: a genuine 1930s Gibson-made Recording King with Huber HR-30 flathead tone ring — original prewar pot assembly, professional 5-string conversion, set up and ready to play by our banjo tech Tara.
What’s Original
Original late 1930s maple resonator with sunburst finish. Original one-piece flange. Original 5/8″ maple rim. Original prewar Presto tailpiece (a $250 value on its own). As is typical with Recording King banjos from this era, there is no factory order number or serial number.
What’s Been Upgraded
Huber HR-30 flathead tone ring. High-quality 5-string neck (we believe from Don Bryant) with Recording King peghead shape, adjustable truss rod (unlike the original), and modern tuners. Tension hoop. Hardware.
Why This Banjo Matters
Prewar Gibson-made banjos are increasingly rare and collectible. This Recording King offers the opportunity to own a piece of 1930s American craftsmanship with a modern tone ring upgrade that makes it gig-ready and studio-worthy.
From a collector who knew what they had. Set up and ready to play by our banjo tech Tara.
Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website. Need more options? Reverb offers Affirm, eBay offers Klarna.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Specifications
| Instrument Details | |
|---|---|
| Era | Late 1930s |
| Model | #731 (Montgomery Ward Catalog) |
| Made By | Gibson Inc., Kalamazoo, Michigan for Montgomery Ward |
| Brand | Recording King |
| Configuration | 5-String (Converted from Tenor) |
| Serial Number | None (Typical for Recording King) |
| Pot Assembly | |
|---|---|
| Rim | Original 5/8″ Maple |
| Tone Ring | Huber HR-30 Flathead (Upgraded) |
| Flange | Original One-Piece |
| Tailpiece | Original Prewar Presto |
| Neck (Conversion) | |
|---|---|
| Builder | Don Bryant (Believed) |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood with Fan-Shaped Pearl Inlays |
| Peghead | Recording King Shape with Original Logo |
| Truss Rod | Adjustable (Upgrade) |
| Tuners | Modern Upgraded |
| Resonator (Original) | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Maple |
| Finish | Sunburst |
| Condition | Excellent (Vintage Wear Consistent with Age) |
Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse is located in Yellow Springs, Ohio with additional operations in Atlanta, Georgia. Owner Geoff Hohwald has over 50 years in the banjo business, is the author of The Banjo Primer, and maintains one of the largest vintage banjo inventories in the country. Every banjo ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping anywhere in the United States.
Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list →
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between vintage Recording King and modern Recording King?
They share a name but nothing else. Vintage Recording Kings (1930s-1940s) were made by Gibson at their Kalamazoo factory for Montgomery Ward’s mail-order catalog. Modern Recording King banjos are made in Asia and Tennessee — good instruments, but completely different pedigree. This banjo is a genuine prewar Gibson-made instrument with the Recording King badge. Browse all Recording King banjos →
What is a Huber tone ring?
Steve Huber’s tone rings are considered among the finest modern flathead rings available, prized for their rich, complex voice with excellent note separation. The HR-30 in this banjo replaced the original hoop-type ring that came on non-Mastertone Gibson models. This upgrade transforms a good prewar pot into a professional-grade instrument. Shop Huber banjos →
Why buy a conversion instead of an original 5-string?
Original prewar 5-string Gibsons are extremely rare and expensive — most bluegrass-style banjos from that era were tenors built for jazz. A well-executed conversion like this one gives you the aged prewar wood, original hardware, and authentic 1930s craftsmanship at a fraction of what an original RB model would cost. The pot assembly is what creates the tone; the neck is the interface. Browse prewar Gibson banjos →
What is a one-piece flange?
Gibson’s earlier banjos used a two-piece tube-and-plate flange design. Around 1929-1930, Gibson introduced the die-cast one-piece flange. This late 1930s Recording King features that one-piece construction — the same type found on Gibson Mastertone banjos of the same era.
What was Montgomery Ward?
Montgomery Ward was one of America’s largest mail-order catalog retailers from the late 1800s through 2001. In the 1930s and 1940s, they sold Gibson-made banjos under the Recording King brand name through their catalog. These instruments bore no Gibson markings but rolled off the same Kalamazoo production line as Gibson’s own catalog models.
More Prewar Gibson-Made Banjos
Looking for other vintage Gibson banjos? Browse our prewar Gibson collection →
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com.
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Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH or Atlanta, GA locations.
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