minestaken - Posted - 11/12/2011:  07:41:01

The reiter standard is my first banjo - I've had it for about 4 years.  It's a good sounding instrument for sure, but I've always had my eye on an enoch dobson.  The reiter can be a bit bright.  Although, I tamed this with a skin head (and lost a bit of volume).  Anyway, the enoch seems to be exactly what I want in a banjo (for now!).  The shorter scale on the dobson is a definite plus too.  The reiter can get a bit uncomfortable playing when sitting (not sure if an inch difference will really make a difference?)

What do you guys think?   

Mark

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 11/12/2011:  08:22:18

An inch makes a huge difference.  More comfortable to play, but the biggest advantage is sound.  My Chuck Lee is a 25.5" scale.  That means I can easily tune to G or A, double C or double D.  Tuning to A or double D to me sounds much better than capoing to the 2nd fret.  I love this about a shorter scale.

Go for it.

Oldpiper - Posted - 11/12/2011:  08:39:43

I agree with the ease of playing with a shorter scale. I have a fretless with the standard 26-1/4" scale and a Lo Gordon 25". The Lo Gordon is much more pleasant to play, especially at my age.

un5trung - Posted - 11/12/2011:  09:12:14

Neither banjo is better than the other, it's all a matter of your preference, your needs. In the best of all worlds you'd not need to sell the one in order to have the other, but in the best of all worlds I'd be a =lot= better looking! Hoestly, I don't think our advice can be of much use to you. You have to play them both and make your decision. This might help: on a sheet of paper write (or word process, if you're one of THEM!) the names of each model across the top. Then list your needs, preferences, and anything else that comes to mind down the left margin of the vertical axis. When you play them both place a one next to all your positive attributes (and a negative one if anf of ned items on the vertical axis are thing you =don't= want). In the end add them up and see which number is higher. Then throw away that pice of paper and go with your gut ;-)

Adam Kiesling - Posted - 11/12/2011:  10:32:52

I also think an inch can make a difference--I can feel it in my shoulder after playing a 26.25" scale banjo. I don't know if you have tried this, but one thing you might do is tune the first four strings (leave the fifth string as is) of your banjo down a step (gDGBD down to gCFAC) and capoing at the second fret. This will effectively shorten the scale down to around 25 inches and still give you the standard G tuning. There'll be a little less tension in the strings as well, which may or may not be to your liking.

Regarding the brightness of your Reiter: I'm not sure what bridge or tailpiece you already have on there, but you could try a heavier weight bridge or try a No-Knot tailpiece. You could also stuff the banjo with some foam, a sponge or a sock, all of which may be considered heresy by some. :)

banjered - Posted - 11/12/2011:  12:57:19

I had a Reiter Standard as my first "real" banjo and I got rid of it because it sounded too tinny. Not sure that is different than "bright". I always wondered if I had put a skin head on it that it would have made enough difference. Sounds like you did, and it didn't.  I don't care for the 5/8' thick rims either - unnecessarily over built and heavier. I like my Tradesman, light and does the job and a great tone. Banjered

minestaken - Posted - 11/12/2011:  15:15:35

Well, back from Elderly... without the Dobson. I really liked the scale, feel and build quality. I didn't like the tonality all the much. I wasn't prepared for the dobson style tone ring. I thought it would be along the lines of the tradesman with the wood tonering. It just wasn't for me.

@banhered: The skin head made a huge difference, and even more so with nylgut strings. In the end, I went back to steel strings cause I didn't care to much for the string tension and lower volume. Totally agree with your comment on the 5/8" rims.

banjered - Posted - 11/12/2011:  21:21:38

Adam Hurt has been a major catalyst for the popularity of Dobson ringed banjos. I believe he puts a big emphasis on putting just the right amount of stuffing in the pot to get just the right tone. The Reiter is a darn good banjo to keep playing while you "hunt." Don't be in too much of a rush, particularly if you have access to Elderly. I haven't ever played a Dobson ringed banjo and I am sure they are enough different that I wouldn't buy one without the opportunity to kick the tires and drive it around the block a time or two. probably a good call on your part for not buying...yet. Banjered

minestaken - Posted - 11/14/2011:  06:47:53

Thanks everyone.

I came home and plunked away on my Reiter -- es not bad :) Skin head, medium strings, and heavy moon bridge seem to tame it. After playing the dobson, I think i'm after the scale length more than anything. The inch does make a huge difference!

Aside from the tradesman, what else should I be looking at with the same scale length?

dbrooks - Posted - 11/14/2011:  07:46:37

I love my Reiter Regent A-scale. Bart makes an A-plus scale for several models, I think. You might watch for one of those.

David