Brandwave

Gibson vs Recording King:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Gibson had more branded searches than Recording King among banjo brands in New Zealand. Gibson had about 1,050 branded searches, while Recording King had 20. Gibson made up 15.2% of all banjo brand searches we track, and Recording King accounted for 0.29%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about banjo brands, Recording King appeared in three of the five answers and Gibson in two. Recording King was mentioned before Gibson in three out of four answers.

Among banjo brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Gibson, about 53 searches for every 1 for Recording King

Gibson 1.1K searchesRecording King 20 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Recording King, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Gibson in 2

Recording King in 3 of 5Gibson in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Recording King, named ahead of Gibson in 3 of 4 answers

Recording King first in 3Gibson first in 1

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Top banjo brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Recording King was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Gibson was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Recording King was listed before Gibson in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Deering1st
  2. Gold Tone2nd
  3. Recording King3rd
  4. Gibson4th
  5. Epiphone5th
  6. Fender–
  7. Ibanez–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Deering4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Gold Tone4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Recording King3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Epiphone2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Gibson2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Fender0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Ibanez0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about banjo brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Is Gibson or Recording King more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Gibson and Recording King by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven banjo brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Gibson and Recording King among banjo brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Gibson, Recording King. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFenderIbanezEpiphoneGibsonDeeringRecording KingGold Tone
Oct 202542.6%20.3%20.5%16.1%0.14%0.28%0.14%
Nov 202543.1%19%20.4%16.9%0.15%0.29%0.15%
Dec 202543%19.1%22.5%14.8%0.29%0.14%0.14%
Jan 202640.8%23.3%20.3%14.5%0.56%0.28%0.28%
Feb 202640.8%18.3%22.6%17.4%0.47%0.31%0.16%
Mar 202644.4%18.6%17.5%18.6%0.42%0.28%0.14%
Apr 202644%21.2%18.2%15.8%0.41%0.28%0.14%
May 202647.8%17.8%17.9%15.9%0.27%0.27%0.13%
Jun 202644.9%19.5%18.8%16.3%0.14%0.28%0.14%
Jul 202645.8%18.3%18.6%16.5%0.29%0.29%0.29%
Aug 202644%19.9%18.7%17%0.14%0.14%0.14%
Sep 202645.5%19.4%19%15.2%0.43%0.29%0.14%

How has the Gibson and Recording King comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Gibson was ahead of Recording King in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gibson’s share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand moved from 16.1% to 15.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Recording King’s share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand moved from 0.28% to 0.29%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 20.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand banjo brands in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Gibson lost share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand, from 17% to 15.2%.

  2. In September 2026, Recording King rose from 7th to 6th among banjo brands in New Zealand.

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Gibson’s and Recording King’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Gibson

3 branded search terms

  • gibson les paul
  • gibson sg
  • gibson sg standard

Recording King

2 branded search terms

  • recording king
  • recording king banjo

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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