Recording King M5

$3,947.24 Price Tier: High-end

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Page last updated Jun 20, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 20, 2026.

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3.0 (2)

$3,947.24 2 available Used

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Average Price: $3,947

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

Price Tier

In the Steel-string Acoustic Guitars category, Recording King M5 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Discover the Recording King M5, a premium steel-string acoustic guitar that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern enhancements to deliver rich, resonant sound. Perfect for both passionate beginners and seasoned musicians, the M5 offers a classic look and feel that is sure to inspire creativity. With a solid spruce top, the guitar provides exceptional tonal clarity and projection, ensuring your music is heard with precision and depth.

The Recording King M5 is designed for comfort and playability, featuring a mahogany back and sides that contribute to its warm and balanced tone. The slim neck profile makes it easy to navigate the fretboard, allowing for fluid chord transitions and intricate fingerpicking. Whether you're strumming by a campfire or recording in a studio, the M5 is versatile enough to suit any setting.

Attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the M5, from its elegant binding to the smooth, satin finish that enhances its natural beauty. This guitar is not just an instrument; it's a companion in your musical journey, ready to accompany you wherever your creativity takes you.

Key Features:

Solid spruce top for enhanced tonal clarity and projection
Mahogany back and sides for a warm, balanced tone
Slim neck profile for comfortable playability
Elegant binding and satin finish for a classic aesthetic
Ideal for both strumming and fingerpicking styles

Product specs

Brand	Recording King
Model	M5
Year	1936 - 1940
Made In	United States
Categories	Archtop Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp	No
Back Material	Maple
Body Shape	Archtop
Color Family	Brown
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup	None
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Sides Material	Maple
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Spruce

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the back and sides of the Recording King M5?: The Recording King M5 features a maple back and sides, which contribute to its bright and clear tonal characteristics, making it well-suited for genres that benefit from pronounced articulation.
Does the Recording King M5 come with a built-in pickup for amplification?: No, the Recording King M5 does not include a built-in pickup. It's a purely acoustic archtop guitar, so any amplification would require an external microphone or pickup system.
What is the top material of the Recording King M5 and how does it affect the sound?: The top of the Recording King M5 is made from spruce, which is known for its strength and lightweight properties, providing a balanced tone with good projection and clarity.
Is the Recording King M5 suitable for fingerstyle playing?: While the Recording King M5 can be used for fingerstyle, its archtop design and maple construction are traditionally more aligned with genres like jazz or swing, where strumming and picking are more common.
How many frets does the Recording King M5 have?: The Recording King M5 is equipped with 20 frets, allowing for a range of notes suitable for various playing styles and techniques.
What is the finish of the Recording King M5?: The Recording King M5 features a sunburst finish, giving it a classic and visually striking appearance that enhances its vintage aesthetic.

Videos

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Jim Pankey

Recording King M5 and Cheat-a-Keys

Jim Pankey

Comparing the Recording King M5 and RK-75 Elite

Jim Pankey

Recording King M5 - A Second Look

Jim Pankey

Banjo.com Video: Demo of a new Recording King "American Made" M-5 5 String Banjo

banjodotcom

Recording King M5 USA

Jim Pankey

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Recording King M5.

Build quality

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The heavy poly finish on some Recording King models can affect resonance, though it may provide durability.
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There is mention of Recording King having structural stability issues over time, particularly in comparison to Eastman and Blueridge, which are considered more reliable.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some owners experience humidity sensitivity with RKs, affecting playability compared to other brands like Martin.
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Recording King guitars are noted for variability in fretwork, with some models having decent setup while others experience issues like neck warping and bridge detachment within 6-18 months.
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It's advised to ensure a generous return policy when buying Eastman guitars online, as firsthand playtesting might not always be possible due to stock availability.
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User experience

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An RD-328 from Sweetwater arrived well set up, but another in-store model was poorly maintained, indicating variability in initial setup.
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An owner stated that Recording King guitars provide a sound quality that is a middle ground between the "Martin growl" and "Gibson thump," with good note separation and midrange.
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Comparisons

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An owner prefers their older RD-10 over many D-18s, suggesting it holds its own against higher-end models.
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An owner described the Recording King RD-318 as having mahogany back and sides, drawing a comparison to Martin's 18 series, while the RD-328 uses rosewood like the 28 series.
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Eastman guitars are preferred for their brighter, modern sound, while Blueridge is suggested for those seeking a Martin-type sound, particularly with deep bass.
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Recording King is considered a better value option, while Eastman and Blueridge are often seen as superior in terms of sound and build quality despite the higher price.
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