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
A Prewar Gibson-Made Banjo with a World-Class Tone Ring Upgrade
This is the real deal—a late 1930s Recording King banjo made by Gibson at their Kalamazoo, Michigan factory. This is NOT a modern Recording King made in China or Tennessee. This is a genuine prewar instrument from the golden era of American banjo manufacturing.
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.
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)
What’s Been Upgraded/Replaced
- Huber HR-30 flathead tone ring
- High-quality 5-string neck (we believe from Frank Neat) with Recording King peghead shape, adjustable truss rod (unlike the original), and modern tuners
- Tension hoop
- Hardware
As is typical with Recording King banjos from this era, there is no factory order number or serial number.
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. The combination of aged prewar wood and a Huber tone ring creates a voice that new banjos simply cannot replicate.
From a collector who knew what they had. Set up and ready to play by our luthier, Tara Buchy.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Era | Late 1930s |
| Model | #731 (Montgomery Ward catalog) |
| Made By | Gibson (Kalamazoo, MI) for Montgomery Ward |
| Brand | Recording King |
| Configuration | 5-string (converted from tenor) |
| Tone Ring | Huber HR-30 flathead (upgraded) |
| Resonator | Original maple, sunburst finish |
| Rim | Original 5/8″ maple |
| Flange | Original one-piece |
| Neck | Replacement 5-string, Recording King peghead shape, adjustable truss rod |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood with fan-shaped pearl inlays |
| Tuners | Modern upgraded tuners |
| Tailpiece | Original prewar Presto |
| Serial Number | None (typical for Recording King) |
| Condition | Excellent (vintage wear consistent with age) |
Highlights
- ✓ Genuine 1930s Gibson-made Recording King (Model #731)
- ✓ Huber HR-30 tone ring ($700+ value)
- ✓ Original prewar Presto tailpiece ($250 value)
- ✓ Original sunburst maple resonator
- ✓ Original one-piece flange and rim
- ✓ Professional 5-string conversion
- ✓ Adjustable truss rod (unlike original necks)
- ✓ Modern tuners for reliable tuning stability
- ✓ Set up by our luthier before shipping
- ✓ From a serious collector
Related 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 →
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