truenorth53 - Posted - 02/25/2014:  11:46:07

I am looking into  purchasing a Bart Reiter 5 string, open back banjo.  I believe the model is Buckbee any advice, input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I currently have a Morgan Monroe Cameron Model and  just what is the White Lady Tone ring about?

Edited by - truenorth53 on 02/25/2014 11:51:15

rinemb - Posted - 02/25/2014:  12:02:49

Any Bart Reiter is a good banjo.  WL tone rings have been considered a sought after feature on old Vega banjos and many builders offer modern style WL rings as a feature.  Many of us like them in conjunction with bracket bands on the rim, though many modern banjo builders don't mess with bracket bands.   Many of us may describe a WL tone ring with different and confusing descriptions, such as having an old time growl, or having less sustain and more ring than its counterpart Tubaphone TR, which having more sustain may be better accompanying singing.

Go listen to banjo playing here and on youtube where different TRs are identified while playing.

Folks with more knowledge than me will surely chime in.  Brad

rinemb - Posted - 02/25/2014:  12:09:33

Doesn't the Reiter Buckbee, usually have the "rolled brass" tonering.  I have a Reiter with this tonering.  My first quality banjo.  This TR has been long a standard TR for some old time punch and volume and plunk.

Though my favorite player is a Chuck Lee woodie and a Chuck Lee custom with WL tonering.

Brad

truenorth53 - Posted - 02/25/2014:  12:15:58

The Buckbee Reiter does indeed have the rolled brass TR, but my Morgan Monroe has a WL tone ring and i guess I am wondering what I am changing by changing Tr's.  Thank you for your input.

rinemb - Posted - 02/25/2014:  12:37:18

I believe "Zepp's"  sound files or videos here and or on youtube demonstrate the sound of different tone rings.  I may let those more experienced describe the side by side variance in tone, sound and volume between the WL on your banjo and a rolled brass TR on other rims and banjos.

Brad

usmc2msu - Posted - 02/25/2014:  12:55:23

I have the Galax with a WL and I've tried the Buckbee several times. In short, at least to me, the WL is brighter and the brass plunkier sounding. I'm probably oversimplifying, but that's what I tend to do. As far as Reiters go, I really like mine and I tried many before I chose it. Good luck!

jbalch - Posted - 02/25/2014:  13:10:52

Bart himself is currently offering one on ebaY :

ebay.com/itm/121282171071?_trk...BIDX%3AIT

mbuk06 - Posted - 02/25/2014:  13:54:03

I play two Bart Reiter banjos: an 11" with a White Ladye ring and a 12" with rolled brass hoop ring. In my experience defining tone by the ring alone is not very useful. So much depends on other set up factors.  I've changed Bart's standard spec by fitting skin heads,  down-pressure tailpieces to replace the no-knot and different bridges. Head tension has a dramatic effect on tone too.

Bart Reiter makes wonderful, high quality banjos that are a joy to play. That's a given. My suggestion is to listen to a bunch of sound files of his different models with different set ups here in the music archive. Let your ear steer you to the combination you like best rather than thinking in the abstract about the tone ring in isolation.

My guess is you'll be surprised how the same ring can sound surprisingly different depending on set up. 

The Old Timer - Posted - 02/25/2014:  15:03:27

In general, for an identical banjo with identical set up, the Whyte Laydie tone ring will be louder, ring-ier, and has more sustain than the simple rolled brass tone ring. The WL banjo will also be MUCH heavier. There's a lot of metal in a WL tone ring!

In short, I'd characterize the difference in sound as the WL will have more of a brass band metallic volume and sustain, where the simple rolled brass tone ring will be quieter (but not hard to hear), more "woody" and less sustain. This is often abbreviated as "plunkier", but these simple brass hoop tone rings do have their own certain sound. An all-wood banjo rim is obviously the "plunkiest".

Dale Morris - Posted - 02/25/2014:  15:44:24

I don't have a Reiter Buckbee, however, I do have a Reiter Standard and a Reiter Special - both are going up for sale (out of space). Give me a holler if you want to see photos of them.

RV6 - Posted - 02/25/2014:  17:53:07

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

but these simple brass hoop tone rings do have their own certain sound. An all-wood banjo rim is obviously the "plunkiest".

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Probably true in general and kind of what I was expecting but my tone-hooped Reiter Buckbee is more "plunkier" (mellow) than my wood rim RK OT25 which was a surprise to me.  Both banjo's are set up with goatskin heads, Chris Sands nylons(med) and walnut bridges.  The Buckbee is lighter in weight, as well.  5.8# vs 6.0#

Bob