Recording King has introduced the latest in their growing line of affordably priced tone ring banjos, a signature model for Sonny Osborne.

This new model is called The Scout, and is a maple banjo with nickel plated parts. The peghead has “The Osborne” inlaid in mother of pearl script, and Sonny’s signature is engraved on a block in the 12th fret.

The neck is made from figured maple and the one-piece resonator is flamed maple, both finished in a sunburst. Sonny has long been known by his nickname, “Chief,” and both the peghead and the fingerboard inlays are styled in an arrowhead design.

Sonny also markets a high end, professional grade banjo of his own, known as The Chief. It is made in the US from what Sonny deems to be the best materials available, and sells for nearly $5,000. The Recording King banjos are made in China, though designed by US banjo experts like Greg Rich and Scott Zimmerman.

No pricing information for The Scout is given on the Recording King site, but we will update here as soon as we obtain that information. The RK banjos typically sell between $1,000 and $2,500.

Detailed specs can be found online.

UPDATE 10:00 a.m.: The Osborne Scout retails for $2295, with hard shell case and limited lifetime warranty.