Bart Reiter Round Peak Banjo Reviews
Bart Reiter Round Peak
submitted 2/22/2010
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Submitter |
blanham (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Turtle Hill Banjo Co. |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
1150 ($US) |
Sound
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This is my first openback banjo, so I cannot compare it to any other openback banjos. However, I love the sound. I would not characterize it as loud or bright. On the other hand, it is not muffled. It has a great, full, old-time sound, without too much sustain. Another thing I like about it is its light weight. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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The setup was okay when the banjo first arrived, but the head needed tightening. I think it is normal that a new plastic head would require a second round of tightening after a few days of stretching. The action was just fine, as shipped. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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This banjo has a simple, vintage appearance, and is very attractive. I have not found any flaws in the craftsmanship or in the finish. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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The quality of the finish is excellent, and seems like it will be durable. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Bart Reiter has been quick to reply to my emails, whenever I've had a question. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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I think the component that stands out is the neck. It has a great neck shape that is wide enough for clawhammer playing, but not too wide. The tuners are good quality 5-Stars, with the standard pearlescent plastic knobs. My only complaint is that the nuts on the brackets were the flat-end nuts, which are too sharp for an openback. I replaced them with a set of ball-end nuts. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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For playing solo, or with a mic in a group, this banjo definitely sounds great. It has plenty of volume in a small jam. In a large, loud jam, it may not be loud enough, unless you wear a pick. I will upgrade a few components, but for such a reasonable price, you can't expect more than this. Overall I would rate it a 9.5.
(Update after 1 year: I've started to notice that the tone of this banjo is getting even better with age.) |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Bart Reiter Round Peak
submitted 10/12/2009
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Submitter |
veijo (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
The Music Emporium Lexington MA |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
1095 (including TKL ($US) |
Sound
|
BR Round Peak suits my clawhammer style fine although I don't play Round Peak style- My style is more into modern melodic clawhammer with Scandinavian twists every now and then. The sound is richer and fuller than any of my recent banjos. I think there's every tone I need and if I wanted to adjust it it means that I'd have to stuff the rim with t-shirts or use a thinner bridge etc. It is also the first banjo whose sound I didn't need to adjust. It sounded fine right out of the case as soon as I had the bridge perfectly placed. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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I received it well adjusted like another Reiter (Grand Concert) 17 years ago. The action was quite low without any buzzes and my personal liking is a little higher - so I switched to a Moon bridge which is a little higher. The quality of the banjo is so good that all adjusting is easy. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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Round Peak with stained mahogany woods looks stylish and I like the simple decorations; there's a star in the headstock and round dots on the fretboard. All materials seem to be high quality. I was a little disappointed about the neck finish - since it is mahogany with strong 'orange peel' appearance - the thin nitrocelluloid keeps it quite bumpy. I wonder if it just that I'm accustomed to very smooth polished necks? I'll bear with it but it may happen that I'll let someone put a heavier finish and sand it more even. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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All metal hardware is 1st class and I believe it will last like my other Reiter has. The finish is thin (see> Appearance earlier)
I might be able to use this banjo solo and unamplified in a small club if I needed. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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I've only dealt with Joe Caruso from Music Emporium and he was great. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Well, it's all fine but I really like how the banjo looks inside: The dowel stick, rim and neck are beautifully stained. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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This is the banjo I have been waiting for. The earlier Reiters have been quite trebly and right with less bass but this 12" mahogany rim together with brass tone ring together with Bart's high level craftmanship make it the perfect banjo for yours truly. Deep and clear. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Bart Reiter Round Peak
submitted 2/18/2009
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Submitter |
nyartist (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Zepp Music |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
995 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
I just love the sound of this played over the scoop. Seems like the more the practice progresses the better it sounds. Could be my imagination but it really is happening every day I pick it up to play. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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Zepp did a fine job with the set up. I just replaced the bridge with a 5/8" Kat Eyz that I had lying around. Head was tight- no problems with the set up. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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It sure is easy on the eyes. Bart has a reputation of being a meticulous craftsman and it's a well deserved reputation. I owned a different Reiter banjo a bout a year ago but as I become a better player I seem to be appreciating what he builds more and more. Nothing fancy. I tried fancy before and I'm happier how with less bells and whistles. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Beautiful finish. I expect it to get better with time, not to wear thin. Like I said the more I play it the better it sounds. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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I emailed Bart with a question about putting on a calf skin head and he dissuaded me from doing that. He responded within one day of my email. Mark at Zepp's was great to deal with. I actually put in the order for the banjo when I was traveling in Buenos Aires! |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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I must say that I love the tuners. I had a Chanterelle recently and it seemed I was always tweaking the tuners. I never could find out what tuners he used. These are 5 star and just perfect. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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I've owned a bunch of banjos and as I grow as a player I find more to appreciate about all of them. At this point in time I couldn't be happier. If it was stolen I'd call my boys in Brooklyn and have them look for the thief. Seriously though - if it was stolen I'd look for another one. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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