banjonoah - Posted - 04/13/2015:  18:16:37

Hey guys, 



So I had an awesome weekend!  An old friend of mine (about 30 years older than me) randomly stopped by my house last night.  He was traveling through town, I had not seen him in at least 5 years and he asked to stay the night.  So he shows up with a banjo case and says - "here you go."  Apparently he inherited this banjo from his late uncle who willed it to him.  He doesn't play banjo and though I would use it (definitely will)  I opened it and it looks like a really nice banjo, though I have no idea what it is.  My first though was perhaps a Gold Star of some sort, though I didn't recognize the design except for the obvious gold star.  Still, I have never seen one like this.  I looked up the maker Bart Reiter and it looks like it might be the White Laydie model, which according to his price list on the website, is discontinued.  



Do any of you have any idea what kind of banjo this is and what it is worth?  Forgive my ignoance, I focus most of my banjo time on playing the instrument, and don't know much about models and brands.  



Thanks for any information.  I never really had an open back before.  I don't play any style in particular, though I do love jazz and classical arranging for the banjo.  So far this instrument sounds great and I am really happy to have acquired it.  

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banjukebox - Posted - 04/13/2015:  18:30:19

You scored a great banjo there. It's a Bart Reiter Whyte Laydye. Take a look:  reiterbanjos.com/

jbalch - Posted - 04/13/2015:  18:40:28

There is a serial number list here:  reiterbanjos.com/serial.html.  Check there and you can determine the age. From the hardware and engraved nameplate, it is a earlier example (1980s I'm guessing).

Bart Reiter banjos are very nice, professional-grade players.  They are hand-made by Bart in his Michigan shop.  Nice banjo - congratulations.

A used Reiter WL should probably bring $1600-1800.  If it was the deluxe model with bracket band - the value would be higher.

Edited by - jbalch on 04/13/2015 18:44:34

usmc2msu - Posted - 04/13/2015:  18:51:25

That's one good friend! Great banjo too!

banjonoah - Posted - 04/13/2015:  18:52:24

Thanks guys.  The serial number is 94, so I am guessing from the page John posted it is from 1986.  Wow, I just don't know what to do with this.  I feel like I out to learn some clawhammer, I just have no idea where to begin.  I took a clawhammer class over 15 years ago before I really took banjo seriously and hated it.  When I did begin to take banjo seriously, I went with picks.  Still, I have no commitment to any particular style - I usually just arrange my own stuff in my own style. 



Started playing tenor about a year ago.  I love the sound of clawhammer, I just don't like the sound I make on it, which I know will obviously come with practice.  I just don't know where to begin.  Any suggestions for some tunes to get the rudimentary frailing thing down?  This is for an experienced player who is very inexperienced with the claw.  



Thanks again guys!  



Noah

MusicManMike - Posted - 04/13/2015:  19:18:33

This is rad!!! Try some simple stuff first like Tom Dooley or Cripple Creek. Tons of excellent educational clawhammer stuff on YouTube. Hope you enjoy friend. Also don't worry about sticking to any one playing style. I heard "Blind Boy" Paxton say in an interview "it's an instrument with no real one way to play" 

Edited by - MusicManMike on 04/13/2015 19:21:27

davidwigal - Posted - 04/13/2015:  19:54:16

Wow... really?... no joke?...

CEParagon124 - Posted - 04/13/2015:  21:10:24

That looks to be in really great condition to be from 1986.

Older Reiters have some issues with the finish crackling. I don't see that on this one.

We should all have friends that generous.

Charlie Noyes

trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/13/2015:  21:35:59

You certainly aren't required to play it clawhammer style, it will fingerpick quite nicely. I'd throw a set of nylguts on it and let it sing like the original design was intended back in the day. A little bit of ragtime never hurt anyone...

Bill Rogers - Posted - 04/13/2015:  23:47:07

Reminds me of an old running-mate of my dad's I met briefly years ago.  He was playing a ca.1915 WL that had been given him by an old lady who attended a free concert he gave.  She said that it had been her son's, but he had been killed in WWI, and she had kept the banjo, but thought my dad's friend should have a nicer banjo....  Ya never know.

Paul R - Posted - 04/14/2015:  05:28:18

You couldn't ask for better. Value your friend! I hope he has an open invitation to use your guest room any time.

One of my students came to his first lesson with an open-back - no case. It's an S.S. Stewart from 1895 that he found in someone's attic. The guy told him to take it. He gave the guy $100. These things do happen ... occasionally.