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Bart Reiter Standard Banjo Reviews
Bart Reiter Standard
submitted 11/27/2010
|
Submitter |
ponty (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Elderly Instruments |
Year Purchased |
|
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
The sound is good, offering notes without much sustain and quick decay. Unlike the Galax, which was louder and more ringy. With the Ren head, there is plenty of volume and can be quite bassy. There where overtones produced with the No-Knot so I changed this for a Waverley. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
|
The banjo came with two different bridge heights. This is because I was told by Elderly Bart like the action low. The 5/8 ths is fine, and I had a Sosbee bridge so I used that. so I used that.
The fret edges where not well finished, and where sharp. Elderly where more than to fix this
but it wasn't practical to send it back from Bermuda. The local humidity seems to have helped with this issue. |
Setup Rating |
7 |
Appearance
|
Appearance is plain and simple - loverly! It has a fretboard star at the 5th unlike the Special.
All components were Stew Mac (I believe) wood work and finish excellent. The rim has a walnut rim cap which always looks good. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
There is a one year warranty on this banjo. It should last a life time - at least for me! |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
No really had any issues to contact Bart about. Elderly Instruments is my number one music store. Their website is so comprehensive. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Generally speaking I like the No Knot tailpiece. I wish better qualiy one were more easily available. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
I like it alot, wish I could play better. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Bart Reiter Standard
submitted 4/12/2010
|
Submitter |
mikey5string (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
ebay |
Year Purchased |
2010 |
Price Paid |
800 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
The banjo sounded kinda blah when i got it. The head was really loose. I tightened it up and the banjo came alive. Loud, clear & woody without being too "plunky". I put a cloth between the dowel and head to take away a bit of the volume. I don't play up the neck much when playing clawhammer but I did a check and all the notes sound good and clear. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Had to tighten the head (Renaisance). I keep it tight, almost as tight as I keep my bluegrass banjo. I tried a few bridges (Cotton Mill, Hatfield & Stock (Grover?) The Hatfield had a noticible difference, added volume and clarity. A bit too bright for me. I found that the bridge that came with it sounded best. Its bulkier than most BG bridges I have, its maple w/ ebony top.
Put a small cloth under the head by the neck to take some volume away. It also takes away just a bit of the edge of the tone in a pleasing way.
One thing about the banjo that I had to address was the frets. The ends of the frets were sharp and protruding a bit. If I ran a cloth down the side it would snag and tear and I could feel the sharp edges with my hands.
I fixed this by rubbing a piece of wood up and down the edge of the neck on both sides.
There are 24 hooks and nuts on this banjo and they are long enough to come to the end of the rim. This makes it uncomfortable to sit with for a while because it digs into your leg. I put a small towel on my thigh I keep in my case to wipe down my banjo. Im thinking of getting rounded hex nuts to see if they would help.
The banjo looks very well made besides that. |
Setup Rating |
6 |
Appearance
|
The banjo looks high quality. It has an understated beauty. There is a star on the peghead and one at the 5th fret (this is the only standard ive seen with a star on the 5th fret) there are dot inlays on the other usual spots.
The stripe down the neck is a nice touch as is the heel cap and rim cap. The wood looks great.
There were a few minor dings but I got the banjo used. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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This looks like a solid, sturdy, well crafted banjo. I plan on taking it everywhere with me. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I only think its under warranty to the original owner...who isnt me. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
No weak or cheap parts on it. The tuners are 5 star. Havent tried any other heads, I dont think I will. The banjo sounds awesome as it is. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
Great banjo. One I will have forever. Tone and playibilty are top notch. I would recommend a tight head and a heavy bridge, it made a world of difference.
I have a hard time putting this banjo down. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Bart Reiter Standard
submitted 6/29/2007
|
Submitter |
appicker (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Banjo Hangout Classifieds |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
A really nice and plunky banjo that sounds just like an old timey banjo should sound! The banjo plays wonderfully and has a full, rich tone that perfectly suits my playing style. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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The set up was perfect the action was not too high not to low no fret buzz no issues at all. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
What I like about this banjo other than its sound is that it is not a flashy looking instrument. To say that it is understated is well, an understatement. There is no fancy inlay work of even position marker on the side of the fret board. I am sure that these are cost cutting measure but instead of looking cheap Reiter has made an elegant instrument that can stand proudly next to any fancier instruments out there. Fit and finish are in a word immaculate. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Too soon to tell but given the level of workmanship that went into making this Banjo and having talked to other player that have older Reiter’s I expect that this banjo will be played by my son and his kids too. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
I haven’t needed any but am told that it is first rate. |
Customer Service |
9 |
Components
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There are no cheap parts on this banjo. The woods and components that are used are all top notch. There are no knots in the wood and the tuners are 5-star as is the head. No corners were cut to make this banjo. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I would recommend this banjo to any level player.
I would go out the day after the fire and replace this banjo (if I can find one that is).
I love this banjo not only for its ease of playing and understated good looks but I makes me want to pick it up and that make me a better player.
I have played some converted Vega little wonders a Stewart some other Reiter’s and a Dobson. The Reiter seem to fit me and my playing style better and I don’t have to worry about the durability of the instrument so I am more likely to take it with me. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Bart Reiter Standard
submitted 12/20/2006
|
Submitter |
curtiseller (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Elderly Instruments |
Year Purchased |
2006 |
Price Paid |
750 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
This banjo sounds and plays wonderfully. I was on the lookout for a Tubaphone, but stumbled onto this instrument and was won over. It has Snuffy Smith bridge which fattens up the sound a bit, but otherwise it's standard in every way. I play a three finger style to accompany my singing, and this banjo has a full, rich tone that perfectly suits my purposes. Bart's workmanship is outstanding.
[Since I submitted this review I've replaced the bridge with one of Greg Galbreath's handmade bridges. It totally opened up the sound! The banjo is significantly louder, the tone is much more even and there is a lot more detail in the bass.] |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
The setup from Elderly Instruments was just about perfect. I haven't changed a thing |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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It's very simple and traditional. There's a star in the peghead, and dot inlays on the fretboard. It's a Mahogany neck and maple rim. The tuning pegs have ebony buttons which is a nice detail. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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Everything feels solid. I've taken it out on tour twice with no backup, and it's been totally reliable so far.
[Since I originally submitted this review I've taken this banjo all over the US, Canada and Europe. It's gotten me through hundreds of shows with no backup and has never let me down!] |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
|
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Solid appointments all around. Five-Star planetary tuners with ebony buttons. No Knot tailpiece.Renaissance head. I did end up making two small changes: I added a veg style armrest, and switched to a Buckeye Bridge which made a world of difference.
No reliability issues to report. About a year ago I had to replace one of the tuning pegs, but that was broken by an ill-advised onstage leap under a low-hanging beam! |
Components Rating |
not rated |
Overall Comments
|
For the price, I can't imagine a better banjo. It sounds great, it plays great and it looks great. I played a Gold Star banjo for years, and the weight became to much too deal with. I've had a hard time finding a lighter banjo with a tone that I liked. This banjo more than fulfilled both needs! |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Bart Reiter Standard
submitted 8/7/2005
|
Submitter |
centaur (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Janet Davis Music |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
Really nice plunky sound. Sounds like an old timey banjo should sound. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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Setup was very good for frailing. Can't think of anything I would change right now |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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For a mid priced banjo, it is beautiful. Very clean, great finish. The appearance was one of my deciding factors in buying this banjo. I didn't really want an overly fancy instrument. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
High quality. This is a banjo that will outlast me. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
N/A |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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All components appear to be high grade. No complaints |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
For the money, you would be hard pressed to find a better banjo if old time/frailing style is what you like. It sounds great, it looks great, and it is moderately priced. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Bart Reiter Standard
submitted 7/1/2005
|
Submitter |
BConk (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Ebay |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
I like the sound of this banjo. It's rich and full and well balanced with good brights and decent bottom and it has good volume and decent sustain. It's a good sound for clawhammer as it is, in my opinion, but if I wanted it plunkier I'd swap out the frosted top head that it came set up with and replace it with a Fiberskyn or, more likely a Renaissance head. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
The banjo came second hand to me but it was purchased by the original owner only a couple of months prior to me buying it. The original owner bought it from Elderly where they set it up very nicely and swapped the stock fiberskyn head for the frosted top it wears now. The action is very nice at a hair or two under 1/8" @ the 12th fret. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
It's a rather plainly decorated banjo but looks nice just the same. A simple MOP star on the thick ebony overlay - single dots at 3, 5, 10 and 17 and double dots at 7, 12 and 22 adorn a nice ebony fretboard that is without binding.
The mahogany neck is stunning - the very rich satin finish is flawless, the heel cap of ebony sits on top of a contrasting veneer of maple then another of ebony. The neck is the best part of this banjo - easily worth most of the price I paid for the banjo (I got a good deal)
The two ply maple rim is also very nicely made with a simple black opaque stain finish on the edge. I'd probably find a rounded profile rim cap a little more comfortable against my belly.
The only complaint I have about the appearance is that the maple rim and the mahogany neck do not appear to match well - not in terms of fit, which is flawless, but in terms of color. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
This is a very well made banjo with quality hardware. The craftsmanship is superb. It looks like it will be around making music longer than I will be. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
N/A although the Ebay seller was great. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Again - the neck is amazing....I very high quality piece of work with an incredibly smooth and rich finish. The rim is also good quality and the parts are fitted with exacting precision, but they don't look that great together (neck and pot) |
Components Rating |
not rated |
Overall Comments
|
For the prices I see them selling for - I think the banjo is a bargain. It is low enough in price to be a higher end beginner's banjo and it is a perfect intermediate banjo that offers a level of playability and quality that I suspect many professionals would find pleasing as well. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Bart Reiter Standard
submitted 1/16/2005
|
Submitter |
Unknown |
Where Purchased |
Elderly Instruments |
Year Purchased |
2004 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
Sound is great right out of the box, very rich and full, clear and not too bright, excellent tone. Cant wait to hear what it sounds like after it gets played in real well. Originally had a 12" from another maker although it was nice I found it was too bassy of a sound than I was looking for. 11" is the way to go for me. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Setup was perfect right out of the box, action right at 1/8" at the 12th fret, very comfortable and effortless to play. Only changes I may make down the road would be to try a renaissance head instead of the fiberskin and add a moon bridge but not any time soon. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
The banjo is very simple in appearance but the craftsmanship superb, has simple star inlay in the head and abalone dots on the fretboard, nothing fancy, just the way I like it, the neck appears to be mahogany with a maple rim, fit and finish is excellent, no flaws or scratches to be found. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
The hardware is all top notch stuff incl 5star tuners, I dont expect to have a problem with any of it, I if wear something out, I'll replace it as necessary but I dont see that happening anytinme soon. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I sent Bart a few msgs before I purchased it, dont expect to ever need any warranty work but I know Bart would take care of anything that needed attention. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Like I said above, all the hardware appears to be top notch, tuners are 5star, and a fiberskin head. I would see no need to replace any of the components other than it being for personal preference such as the head or bridge mentioned above for example. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I would highly recommend this banjo, it was an absolute bargin for the price paid, if you closed your eyes you would think you were playing something 3 or 4 times the price, as a matter of fact the one it replaced was almost twice the price and I much prefer this one. Highly recommended, Bart does a fantastic job! |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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