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Dexter - Posted - 08/27/2011: 20:38:33
I've been playing about six months(I'm retired so I get to play a lot of hours a day)....and I play a goodtime. I really like it for the money, seems solid and to my ear has a good tone..also easy to play. I started with a morgan monroe mb-100 and the difference between the two is no contest. That being said, even though I will keep the goodtime I'm already beginning to look at what my next banjo will be. I play clawhammer and one banjo that keeps getting my attention is the Bart Reiter Galax. Other than the reviews I've read I was wondering if anyone has opinions pro or con about this banjo. Thanks
erikforgod - Posted - 08/27/2011: 20:53:58
Bart Reiter banjos look really great...cant say as I have never played one but TONS of people have em and seem to like em. Having said that, I am sticking with the Goodtimes....gonna buy a Goodtime fretless as soon as I can get my grubby fingers on one.
Dexter - Posted - 08/27/2011: 20:57:18
quote:I know you're planning on getting the fretless...I'll be looking forward to see how you like it. I'm surprised you didn't chime in on the raised 5th string bridge I'm using...it works great. Your fretless will be scooped. right?
Originally posted by erikforgod
Bart Reiter banjos look really great...cant say as I have never played one but TONS of people have em and seem to like em. Having said that, I am sticking with the Goodtimes....gonna buy a Goodtime fretless as soon as I can get my grubby fingers on one.
wormpicker - Posted - 08/27/2011: 21:06:57
I have a Bart Reiter Galax. It's a terrific banjo. Sounds great, plays great, looks great. Were I to do it all over again, though, I might pay closer attention to the comfort factor. Many of the newer banjo makes (Chuck Lee's come to mind) have nice rounded backs to their rims. My Bart Reiter has a squared off back of the rim (like most traditional rims, I suppose), and the brackets are pretty much flush with it. This makes for a bit of discomfort (for me) when resting the pot on my thigh or against my (somewhat padded) belly. That's just a minor point to consider, though. All in all, I love my Galax.
Paul
erikforgod - Posted - 08/27/2011: 21:07:03
Is the raised 5th alot higher and does it make it easier for you to play? Yeah I was originally thinking about getting it fretless without the scoop..but if it isnt scooped, I am afraid the joe hooks thimble pick will make short work of the maple on my neck LOL.
Yeah My wife and I are putting together a budget for the fretless....hopefully by christmas.
Dexter - Posted - 08/27/2011: 21:19:18
erikforgod....yes...the Bart Veerman raised 5th string bridge is great. It raises the 5th string 1/8" making it easy to grab the string over the neck. I discussed it in the building banjo section and someone was kind enough to post a picture of it if you haven't seen it.
wormpicker...thanks for the input.....sounds like we have similar anatomy so I'll keep that part in mind also!
wormpicker - Posted - 08/27/2011: 21:31:54
FWIW, I also wish I'd gotten my Galax scooped...
Paul
rubicon - Posted - 08/27/2011: 21:38:36
Bart makes a very nice instrument my friend has had two of them one an actual white lady the other an a scale galax great sound
jbalch - Posted - 08/28/2011: 04:58:39
I'm a fan and longtime player of Bart's banjos. I have four of them now...including a Galax-plus. That one is my favorite.
I prefer Bart's banjos because of their consistency of quality, performance, and value. The necks feel great in my hands. The components are all top-notch and professional-grade (Jimmy Cox rims, Stew -mac. hardware, etc). Bart does no custom work these days...but that means you get his small-shop, handcrafted quality at a very affordable price. These banjos are fully made by Bart in his small Michigan workshop. They can be bought at prices that are $ hundreds less than most custom builders have to charge.
Bart's banjos sound great as delivered. But they also respond very well to set-up changes and customization. I like to tinker...so I always swap heads and bridges...and often the tailpiece too. My Galax-plus has a Bacon tone ring installed over the standard whyte laydie ring. I use a calfskin head, Gary Sosebee bridge, and Presto tailpiece. Mine is scooped.
The Galax-plus is my main player. There are several recordings and videos on my homepage. See a few below:
I'm linking this thread to the Bart Reiter Group too banjohangout.org/group/bartreiterbanjos. ... Best Wishes!
blanham - Posted - 08/28/2011: 06:13:50
I have 2 of Bart's banjos, and really like them. I met someone at banjo camp who was really disappointed with her Reiter Standard banjo (same thing could happen with a Galax). It's like John said above, they really respond well to setup. That person's disappointment is probably due to head tension issues, something minor like that. Or it could be she was expecting a level of sustain you just don't get with that type of tone ring. "Try before you buy" of course, if possible.
One positive about buying a Reiter Galax would be that they are pretty easy to sell. If you find one used, you'll be able to get all your money back if it doesn't work out.
Dexter - Posted - 08/28/2011: 08:15:45
Thanks for all the great feedback...very helpful!
NDJohn - Posted - 09/10/2011: 06:01:53
I'd suggest that the neck dimensions are important, for playing comfort. My Reiters are between my Ramsey (quite substantial) and my Wildwood (quite narrow and thin front to back). Wyatt Fawley's vintage Vega reproduction necks are, like Reiters, very comfortable, as are Roger Siminoff's custom necks. John Balch spoke of consistency and high quality parts, which I've also found to be true with Reiters as well as the others I've mentioned.
Best,
John
sugarinthegourd - Posted - 09/10/2011: 06:20:28
I really enjoyed watching John Balch's videos above. Boy, he makes that banjo sound great. I had forgotten what a very, very good player John is!
