jbalch - Posted - 03/30/2012:  18:16:21

For sale by the maker:

ebay.com/itm/Bart-Reiter-Whyte...164506a53

Ho C Ying - Posted - 03/30/2012:  18:52:51

I thought Bart didn't build Whyte Laydie any more. It seems I was wrong.

jbalch - Posted - 03/30/2012:  19:09:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ho C Ying

I thought Bart didn't build Whyte Laydie any more. It seems I was wrong.

 

---

 Good reason to bid.....

XXXris - Posted - 03/30/2012:  21:22:32

The guy who bid $100 must be disappointed....

rubicon - Posted - 03/30/2012:  23:09:53

He doesn't build them for his dealers anymore ,  The fact that someone can't come in and order it gives him the option to build them as he sees fit ,with out being swamped with orders for it .I would also imagine the cost and time to build one makes it less lucrative for him as he would have to sell this model to  the dealer for less money than it is really worth,and  it is obvious a tremendous amount of workmanship is put into this instrument .just my opinion 

cockneybanjo - Posted - 03/31/2012:  03:45:38

it's difficult why anyone selling limited quantities of an established brand name item would get involved with selling to "the trade" at all. The whole point of selling to a dealer is to sell in larger numbers quickly; if you can sell anything you wish to produce quickly and at the full, final selling price the middle-man has nothing to offer

jbalch - Posted - 03/31/2012:  05:54:49

Consider that when Bart began building banjos back in the 1970s there was no internet. Retail dealer distribution was clearly the most effective way to sell.  Bart's business model was well established long before the internet change things so significantly.

I think it is to his credit that Bart has remained loyal to his dealer base.  After all, they helped him establish his brand and have provided a ready outlet for the kind of output Bart produces (a good bit more volume than an average one-man shop). Along the way, Bart has also narrowed his focus (and sharpened his skills) on producing banjos that retain hand-made quality - but with fewer frills - and can still be marketed affordably - even through dealers. Personally, I find the simplicity, affordability, and exceptional quality of Bart's banjos to be very compelling.

I agree, there are lots of reasons that newer makers today are far less likely to follow that path.  One big factor is that retailers are more inclined to buy from importers (Eastman, Recording King, etc.) simply due to price.  Small shop builders are compelled to concentrate on higher-end custom creations (not necessarily a bad thing).

Edited by - jbalch on 03/31/2012 06:08:25

Ho C Ying - Posted - 03/31/2012:  07:13:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by XXXris

The guy who bid $100 must be disappointed....

---

I think the price will be over $1500.

TopoG - Posted - 03/31/2012:  08:00:49

The guy who bid $100 must be disappointed....

Yes, I am very disappointed!   Sigh. Just letting out my emotions.

thefolkshop - Posted - 03/31/2012:  08:02:14

It better go for more than $1500.00 what with a new Vega 'Senator' having a dealer cost of over $1200.00.  Bart's banjos will always be very desirable.

darylcrisp - Posted - 03/31/2012:  08:07:58

my guess is it will go for $1700 at least.

d

Dexter - Posted - 03/31/2012:  08:35:22

I love it...I don't think Bart ever has a reserve set on Ebay....starts at $0.99. When I went to bed last night I think that's where it was sitting, with one bid. Got up this morning and it's at $1226 with 22 bids.....and there's still 9 days left on auction!  That's called a solid reputation.

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/31/2012:  11:35:40

Over $1,461 with 9 days to go. 

goose - Posted - 03/31/2012:  20:28:08

Would love to have it~

Quartermaster James - Posted - 04/01/2012:  12:10:42

Damn! And I already sold my soul for my Reiter FF!

Seriously though, this is exactly the banjo my BAS has been flaring up for lately.

Now, what do I have around here that I could sell in time...

rubicon - Posted - 04/01/2012:  13:40:51

It is now at  $1536, I agree with John Balch statements 100 percent the internet has changed the game That just goes to show how loyal Bart really is and no he never sets a reserve  I bet it pushes 1900 before it's done the inlay is top shelf ! LOOK AT THAT GRYPHON!!!!!! 

rudy - Posted - 04/01/2012:  18:33:28

It IS advertised as used, and odd that there are no photos of the pot.  I'd at least want to see what I was buying for $1500-$2000.  I'm sure it's a great instrument, as Bart has a very good reputation.

Dexter - Posted - 04/09/2012:  20:35:56

It went for $1946.55