PickinFool - Posted - 03/12/2012:  12:15:20

Trying to decide between a Deering Vega #2 and a Reiter Regent banjo.  I can buy either a new or used #2 and the Reiter would probably a new instrument.  I've always thought of owning a Vega Tubaphone but also find that the Regent with a Whyte Laydie tone ring sounds nice too.  There is a difference in price of about $600, but that is not a real issue. After all, we are talking about BAS, aren't we?  Any thoughts, experiences?   Also, the Eastman EBJ-WL has caught my eye.

pastorharry - Posted - 03/12/2012:  12:42:05

All 3 are great banjos! Can you get to a store to test drive ? That's always the best plan.

jbalch - Posted - 03/12/2012:  13:22:35

I agree with Harry - all three are fine banjos. Trying them for yourself is absolutely the best. If you can't do that, consider the differences and decide which is important to you:

Tone ring - Deering (tubaphone), Reiter (whyte laydie), Eastman (whyte laydie),

Rim -Deering (3-ply maple), Reiter (3-ply maple), Eastman (traditional, thin, multi-ply maple),

Bracket band vs. Shoes -Deering (BB), Reiter (shoes), Eastman (BB),

Coordinator Rod vs. Dowel stick -Deering (steel rods), Reiter (stick), Eastman (stick),

Maker -Deering (small US factory), Reiter (one-man shop), Eastman (China),

Ornamentation -Deering (Traditional Vega style - modest - attractive), Reiter (simple Dots & Stars), Eastman (engraved pearl inlay - traditional)

Price/ value - You decide....

(linking this discussion to the Bart Reiter group: banjohangout.org/group/bartreiterbanjos)

Edited by - jbalch on 03/12/2012 13:25:12

10outlander - Posted - 03/12/2012:  13:53:37

Love my Regent.  Very playable.  Beautiful bell like tone.  Don't know to much about the Eastman.  I do have an Eastman F Style mandolin that is very nice quality. 

PickinFool - Posted - 03/12/2012:  13:59:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by pastorharry

All 3 are great banjos! Can you get to a store to test drive ? That's always the best plan.

---

Ideally it would be great to play all three but I live in an area of the Southwest that is not known for well stocked banjo stores.  I favor the tubaphone sound but love the simplicity of the Reiter Regent.

jmoathout - Posted - 03/12/2012:  14:08:49

Hopefully not too off point, but I recently acquired a Reiter Tubaphone (see Bart Reiter Group on BHO) and it sounds great.  I don't know of any available right now, but it might be worth looking.  I have/have had a Reiter Whyte Laydie and a GALAX both with Whyte Laydie tone rings and I like the warm sound.  But, I also really like the Tubaphone and want to explore it more when I get it back from a luthier who is dressing the frets.

jbalch - Posted - 03/12/2012:  14:40:28

Don't mean to muddy the water...but you might also consider an Reiter model called the Bacophone-plus.  It has a hybrid tone ring that is unique to Bart.  The tone ring is a Bacon FF-professional spun brass flange - on top of a whyte laydie scalloped band. 

The reason I mention is is that this combination (to my ear) is somewhat between a whyte laydie & tubaphone.  Specifically, it has the punch of a WL ring ... with a little more sustain (like a tubaphone).  I've enjoyed playing this combination for more than ten years.  it is my personal favorite set-up.

Here is a thread I started on one such banjo that I recently ordered:  banjohangout.org/topic/228846

These banjos are limited-production and not common.  But right now Bart is making a run of ten (10) that are availalable for order at Elderly instruments elderly.com/new_instruments/it...OPLUS.htm

PickinFool - Posted - 03/12/2012:  21:07:45

Thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate it. Keep the suggestions coming!

RWJones1970 - Posted - 03/13/2012:  03:23:47

My vote out of those 3 banjos is ofcourse for the Bart Reiter ! I have owned 5 Reiter banjos now and as I always say for the money you can't beat the Reiter. For me, his necks are a perfect fit, tone is fantastic, and his build is solid professional quality everytime ! I have yet to meet an unsatisfied owner of a Bart Reiter banjo.