Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie submitted 4/18/2008 Submitter RWJones1970 Where Purchased Spruce Tree Music Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid 1800 ($US) Sound I play clawhammer style and this Reiter Whyte Laydie banjo is exactly what I have been looking for. Nice bright yet warm harmonic sound when played over the neck...which is where I primarily play. Sound Rating 10 Setup This WL was set up at a medium height with light gauge strings. I changed the frosted head and put on an elite fiberskyn. I also replaced the light with medium guage GHS 160 strings with the bronze 4th and added a heavyweight moon bridge as well. Setup Rating not rated Appearance I love the old Vega/Fairbanks banjos so it's no surprise I chose a Bart Reiter banjo. I love the classic Vega peghead shape with the well known Star, Griffon, Leaf inlay in the peghead and star at the 5th fret. I have looked at many banjos and this particular inlay style is one of my favorites.The entire banjo is constructed of hard rock maple with a natural finish. The fretboard is a nice dark smooth ebony. This particular WL is scooped which Bart does not normally include as a standard feature. Bart's inlay is unblemished. The appearance of the entire banjo is beautifully flawless. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I have only heard fine remarks concerning Bart Reiter banjos. It came to me from Madison Wisconsin to Upstate New York through UPS. It is built solid as a rock as there are no loose parts and no buzzing strings. The 5 star tuners are just fine as I rarely need to retune unless I am going to a different tuning. It appears very dependable and only time will tell the rest. I take excellent care of my instruments (some of you know well) so if something should go I will be surprised. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service 1 year warranty. Customer Service not rated Components For me, the standout components are the Whyte Laydie tone ring and the scoop. I also love the MOP Griffon and star inlay.......the whole banjo is just a work of art and craftsmanship. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I love everything about this banjo. When I first began my banjo journey it was Bart's WL model that caught my eye right off. Instead of buying it right away I have been through seven very nice banjos and lots of money before acquiring this one. Buy the one you want right off !!! It sounds similar to my old Ramsey Fairbanks Electric but yet the Reiter has a warmer, fuller, and brighter sound. Probably has something to do with the setup.....anyhow, I would be so bummed if this banjo ever was lost. Then I would get over it and buy another one if I had the funds to do so ! I might even look into Jason Romero and see what his WL version might look like...... Overall Rating 10