Ephraim - Posted - 08/17/2010:  06:57:25

Want simple open back for playing at home with family and friends. Torn between these two.

Anyone know both of these banjos well enough to compare their key traits and differences? I know they both have lots of fans...

I know Reiter Standard has a tone ring, but not sure how crucial that is for someone just playing at home 99.9% of the time.

Perspectives appreciated in advance....

GMB - Posted - 08/17/2010:  07:12:02

I have an Enoch Tradesman. It is a walnut neck 11 inch pot model. I've had it several months and I find the volume is more than adequate...lots of pop and easy to play. Simple appearance but the quality is obvious as soon as you pick it up. Hope this helps, Jerry

jbalch - Posted - 08/17/2010:  07:21:48

These are extremely different banjos. Both are well made and dependable. Both have comfortable necks. But for tone and playability, they have very little in common.

Disclosure: I have owned both. But I'm on record as a player and fan of Bart Reiter banjos....

Some differences:

Rim size & type:
Tradesman: 11" and 12" rims available - very thin multi-ply
Reiter: 11" diameter - two-ply maple (1/2" thick)

Tone ring:
Tradesman: none (generally tubby sound)
Reiter: rolled brass (depending on set-up can produce a range of tones...generally brighter)

Set-up:
Tradesman: relatively high string action scooped for playing over the board
Reiter: lower string action (usually not scooped)

Scale length:
Tradesman: shorter - approx: 25 1/2" - I Think (if it is important...you should confirm)
Reiter: longer - 26 3/16"

Neck:
Tradesman: graphite re-inforced (non adjustable)
Reiter: truss rod (adjustable)

Bottom line: I personally like Bart Reiter banjos. I think they are very versatile. I love the sound and feel. I usually change the set-up to my own preferences (skin head and Sosebee bridge). Depending on set-up these banjos are useful for a wide range of playing styles.

I think Enoch tradesman is a truly great instrument for some styles. But I think they are less versatile.

Best wishes!

Edited by - jbalch on 08/18/2010 10:50:28

Bill Rogers - Posted - 08/17/2010:  18:10:11

I agree with John; I've owned neither, but have played a fair amount on both. Quality is not an issue here. Let your own taste guide you. As John indicated, the Reiter can be set up to sound a lot like a Tradesman, but the Tradesman can't be set up to match a Reiter set up for crisp punch and volume.

rinemb - Posted - 08/18/2010:  07:05:18

I own a Reiter and have played tradesmans. Agree with previous posts. I would add that if you are buying used, I would take either, on first available, at great price. As I recall on the used side...Reiter standards about 750-850 used, and Tradesman about 650-750 used. But I don't follow that market much lately, so others might correct me.

Brad

mikehalloran - Posted - 08/18/2010:  07:19:07

Both do excellent work. The only Reiter I own is a Vegaphone conversion from the days when he did fancy inlays. His current banjos are plainer but no less well made.

I like heavier strings and, if you do too, you will find that they sound better with a longer scale. With standard light strings, this isn't an issue.

banjered - Posted - 08/18/2010:  19:02:03

I owned a Standard years ago and now own two Tradesmans. The Reiter is well crafted with excellent materials. I got rid of it because it sounded harsh to me, kind of like a marble rolling around in a metal garbage can. I didn't know much about set-up back then. These days I'd try different bridges or as John says, a skin head. I am not a fan of the 5/8" thick rims either - it made the banjo too heavy along with the extra metal. I really like the more comfortable light weight of the Tradesman and I find it can have a large variety of tones and volume depending on how you play it. Personally if I were going to get a metal tone ring banjo again, I'd probably get a tubaphone (if I was up to packing all that weight around). Either one is a fine banjo but in five years who knows what your developed/experienced ears will vote for? TC

jbalch - Posted - 08/18/2010:  19:38:01

Tom:

I think you make very good points ... I certainly understand why you (and many other players) find the Enoch Tradesman to be an ideal banjo. It is all about personal preference. Perhaps the best advice is to get your hands on the banjos themselves and decide what best suits you.

I wanted to follow-up and comment that I generally do not like the way Bart sets-up his brand new banjos. As I said before...I'm very quick to change things. My Reiter banjos now have calfskin heads, Sosebee bridges and Presto Tailpieces.

In the past, I've seen new Reiter banjos ship with 5-star (mylar) heads, waverly tailpieces, and generic bridges. If you crank a 5-star head really tight...even on an open back rim...you can get a sound bright enough for picking bluegrass. On the other hand with a thick calfskin head and a well-chosen bridge, you can sound purty-near plunky. But...I really appreciate that range and versatility.

Bart changes his specifications from time-to-time. But the website says he now uses an "Elite" head and no-knot tailpiece on the Standard model (reiterbanjos.com/standard.html). I'm, not sure if the head is a Renaissance type or not. If so that might create a warmer...more open tone (than the 5-star). Also...the rim on a Standard model is 1/2" thick (two ply maple). The thicker 5/8" three-ply rim comes on the Special model and some others.

(Additional disclosure: My current Reiter banjos are Galax-plus and Grand Concert models...not the Standard). My cds were recorded using the Grand Concert(s) There are sound samples of my Galax-plus on my BHO homepage.


Best Wishes!

Edited by - jbalch on 08/18/2010 19:47:12

rinemb - Posted - 08/19/2010:  07:14:14

John, what number on a drumdial do you crank your thick calfskin head to?
Brad