hardeeflag - Posted - 08/21/2014:  17:09:58

---

Hi,

I've been complementing for a while to buy another Bart Reiter banjo to complement the Bart Reiter Special Fretless I have right now. I would want a fretted banjo. This Fretelss Special is the only one I have seen so I am not sure if it was a custom order back in the day. I was thnking aobut getting a Fretted Special but since this has the rolled brass tone ring I was thinking of something will a different characteristic. Perhaps a Regent or a Galax model? I also have a hankering for a 12" inch so was also considering a Round Peak but not sure since it also has the rolled brass tone ring and might be too similar. I almost not sure if s regent would be too bright with the WL tone ring.

Regent

Galax

Round Peak

Special

What do you think would be good for a two banjo arsenal?

superdave - Posted - 08/21/2014:  17:30:33

---

This sounds like a question for John Balch ! LOL I Have had several of Bart's banjos and now own a Tubaphone  with a mahogany neck. Which is the perfect combination for me. Even though,I want one more before Bart retires !

Dave

hardeeflag - Posted - 08/21/2014:  17:43:08

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by superdave

This sounds like a question for John Balch ! LOL I Have had several of Bart's banjos and now own a Tubaphone  with a mahogany neck. Which is the perfect combination for me. Even though,I want one more before Bart retires !

Dave

---

I'd love a tubaphone but they are no longer made and resale that I have seen is out of my price range. His soon retirement is why I was thinking of getting one more.

Oh I also forgot the Bacohpone model too.

richard baskowski - Posted - 08/21/2014:  20:11:56

---

I suppose your choice would depend on what kind of music you will be playing ,along with the tone you want to achieve. I have a bacon 3 professional, and have played his copies.the ones with the internal resonator. They are just plain fun and sound great. mine is set up with nylon strings for old time and classic play.the change from fretless will be...............        happy hunting     rick

Dale Morris - Posted - 08/21/2014:  20:55:50

---

Have you considered a Ramsey 12" Standard model (fretted)?

hardeeflag - Posted - 08/22/2014:  06:43:44

---

Yes I have.... 25.5" scale sounds good as the the thinner rim.

Mark D - Posted - 08/22/2014:  11:17:59

---

Years ago I was going to order a fancy Reiter WL, but ended up with a used long-necked tubaphone. Not bad a bad banjo, but many times I wished that I had stuck with the original plan.

Now a days I am considering a Reiter Galax or a Bacophone, but just based on the reviews of others. I have not had a chance to play either one. Where your fretless Special has the simple tone ring, I'd try either of the above models as a complementary sound. You'd have to consider the 12" too.

They do not seem to be readily available off the shelf, which I would expect for a well regarded maker selling a great product at a good price. Elderly does have them on order.

Mark

---

Edited by - Mark D on 08/22/2014 11:24:04

hardeeflag - Posted - 08/22/2014:  17:53:36

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark D

 You'd have to consider the 12" too.

Mark

---

I am definitely leaning toward a 12" for am ore deep round tone. I am considering a Dobson. I know kind so off what I originally stated but being a Civil War and 19th Century buff the tone is there for me. Can decide on this or a 12" woody. I was looking at the Pisgah Rambler Dobson. It has a historic approach with totally modern materials. Anyone seen or played one of these? However I think I want something in 25.5" scale.

---

Edited by - hardeeflag on 08/22/2014 17:56:14

ceemonster - Posted - 08/22/2014:  18:02:03

---

i love bart reiter banjos but got away from them after finding i did better with the shorter 25.5" scale lengths (Reiters come in standard 26 1/4" Vega-ish scale, or his 24 3/4"  "A-Flat-scale"). but....i really love the sound of the "dark wood" metal-tone-ring reiters--the mahogany WL Galax model, and the mahogany Bacophone model.  i also think that nobody's mahogany stain & finish is as luscious as Bart Reiter's.  whereas many mahogany stains go "red,"  there is almost a slightly golden quality to Bart Reiter's...

---

Edited by - ceemonster on 08/22/2014 18:09:37

hardeeflag - Posted - 08/24/2014:  12:22:32

---

Well I appreciate the offer. I have narrowed it down to a 12" head banjo. I cannot between a rolled brass tone ring or a dobson. I think the brass neck ring may prove for a more versatile to being adaptable to various setup.

Which do you like?

jessegw90 - Posted - 08/24/2014:  16:37:01

---

Hi, 

I went to the pisgah workshop two days ago and played the rambler Dobson, and all the others Patrick makes. I'm looking into getting a rambler Dobson at some point. It was a really wonderful sounding and playing instrument. There is a video by Donald zepp on YouTube which gives you an idea of the sound, having one in your hands is better though.

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by hardeeflag

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark D

 You'd have to consider the 12" too.

Mark

---

I am definitely leaning toward a 12" for am ore deep round tone. I am considering a Dobson. I know kind so off what I originally stated but being a Civil War and 19th Century buff the tone is there for me. Can decide on this or a 12" woody. I was looking at the Pisgah Rambler Dobson. It has a historic approach with totally modern materials. Anyone seen or played one of these? However I think I want something in 25.5" scale.

---

 

hardeeflag - Posted - 08/24/2014:  17:27:10

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jessegw90

Hi, 

I went to the pisgah workshop two days ago and played the rambler Dobson, and all the others Patrick makes. I'm looking into getting a rambler Dobson at some point. It was a really wonderful sounding and playing instrument. There is a video by Donald zepp on YouTube which gives you an idea of the sound, having one in your hands is better though.

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by hardeeflag

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark D

 You'd have to consider the 12" too.

Mark

---

I am definitely leaning toward a 12" for am ore deep round tone. I am considering a Dobson. I know kind so off what I originally stated but being a Civil War and 19th Century buff the tone is there for me. Can decide on this or a 12" woody. I was looking at the Pisgah Rambler Dobson. It has a historic approach with totally modern materials. Anyone seen or played one of these? However I think I want something in 25.5" scale.

---

 

---

I was on a tablet with a horrible key pad. Sorry for the typos.

I just can't decide between rolled brass tone ring and the dobson. I'll never get a chance to play one before though, at least a maker in my price range. I love the Rambler too but from recordings I think I like the walnut rim. Seems like less overtones. But that is listening with head phones on YouTube. Right now trying to decide between probably a Pisgah walnut Appalachia or Dobson. Kind of turn from the origin of the post but well. ...