Bart Reiter Galax Banjo Reviews
Bart Reiter Galax
submitted 1/20/2011
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Submitter |
Bagie0 (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Private Seller |
Year Purchased |
2010 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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Great clawhammer banjo. Rings beautifully with White Ladie tone ring. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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Was set up to suit previous owner. I replaced medium strings with lights, standard bridge with Moon, and No Knot tail piece with a Waverley. Action was fine. Easy to change setup. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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Plain mahogany banjo with pearl dot fret markers and a star on peg head. Nice, understated look. A couple of inconsequential dings, typical of a used instrument. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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Seems sturdy and reliable and built to last. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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Once emailed Reiter about a previous instrument I owned. I thought his reply was a bit curt and abrupt, but maybe I'm a bit sensitive! Trying to get warranty work done from the UK is a non starter. |
Customer Service |
5 |
Components
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Standard bridge and 5 Star head are fine. 5 Star pearlescent tuner knobs are garish and cheap looking. I replaced them with 5 Star ebony knobs from StewMac and they look good. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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A well built banjo that sounds just great. If you live outside the US and can buy one locally, that's fine, but think carefully before you import one. Returning it for warranty work is not financially viable. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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Bart Reiter Galax
submitted 9/12/2008
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Submitter |
ponty (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Buffalo Bros. Ca |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
I bought this Galax as a second banjo to my Reiter Special. It has a great sound, differing from the Special in that the notes sound brighter and more ringy (!) It plays very nicely and the WL tone ring gives it a bit of a boost. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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The banjo was well set up, but I decided pretty much straight away to put a Moon medium bridge on it and medium gauge string by GHS. I dont think I will tamper further- its just fine. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Dark stained mahogany neck and maple rim, rosewood rim cap, and no scoop - made that way for me! All very plain but the Vega look-Great |
Reliability Rating |
not rated |
Customer Service
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I have Emailed Bart Reiter once before and got prompt replies. Buffalo Bros. are great service excellent and 100% upgrade - well, unbelievable! |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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Components seem very reliable, I assume from Stew Mac. % star tuners work very well.
No upgrades required |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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I think this will be my last banjo purchase. Along with my Special which now has Nylgut strings they make an excellent pair. If I had to sell one of them, it would be a near impossible decision. Price wise, I think they are very well priced. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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