peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/21/2015:  05:53:08

About 10 years ago I bought a second hand Bart Reiter tubaphone with customised inlays on it.

I would like to have these replaced with the originals.

Is this possible (I'm in the United Kingdom) and what kind of price should I expect to pay?

Many thanks for your interest

Peter

jbalch - Posted - 07/21/2015:  06:56:29

Peter:

Are the "customized" inlays original to the banjo?

If so ... since Bart no longer offers such work, you might be better off to sell your custom instrument and buy a standard model.

Can you post photos here on the forum?  I'm sure folks would be interested to see what you have.

Edited by - jbalch on 07/21/2015 06:58:05

mikehalloran - Posted - 07/21/2015:  08:50:31

"Curioser and curioser", said Alice

We need pictures!

Jimmy Sutton - Posted - 07/21/2015:  16:12:01

Being in the UK I suggest that you contact Dave Stacey at Letchworth in Hertfordshire, banjo builder, renovator and repair man. He is a BHO member. He works on my Bart Reiter model and my Kevin Enoch. Virtually all of my banjo picking friends in London go to him.

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/22/2015:  01:02:38

Thanks guys,
I will post some pictures just for your interest but it might take a day or two.
I have heard of Dave Stacey - and live not too far away!
Cheers

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/22/2015:  12:08:55

Hi again,
Here are the three inlays. The heel (not shown) has a standard scallop inlay.
I think the previous owner must have been Welsh (the dragon) and a keen fisherman.
The serial number on the dowel is 2109 and it has the Bart Reiter plaque.
I think I traced the serial number back to Elderly Instruments and they claimed it had original inlays when sold. So I guess the guy I bought it from is responsible.
The inlays are very nice I should say (but I am not into fishing or bird watching!)
I could continue to live with them but would like to change the dragon at least.
I cannot show it in the photo, but at one point the dragon inlay looks slightly raised - almost as if a transfer had been stuck on - I don't know how these things are adhered to the neck.
I can somewhat justify the Welsh dragon since I was 'born-again' in Wales some years back!
Let me know what you think.

Headstock Dragon

5th fret Kingfisher

12th fret Fishes

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/22/2015:  12:34:29

Hi once again,

Now I have got the hang of this I have posted some other features referred to.

It's a beautiful banjo which I have had stored for years because I have been travelling a lot (and use a Goldtone Whyte Lady as a travel banjo). So I played it again today for the first time in about 6 years.
The action is so low compared with the Goldtone (which has spent some years in India and Ethiopia and no doubt suffered from the climate). The Bart Reiter did sound very 'metallic' and I wonder if this is because it has a Kershner tailpiece. Would I be wise to change to a no-knot?

Many thanks for your interest,

Peter

I

Scallop heel

Name plate

Serial number

jbalch - Posted - 07/22/2015:  13:13:39

That is not your "run-of-the-mill" Bart Reiter.  Regardless of originality, I like it.  Bart is a member here on the BHO - why don't you send him a message to ask if he has information about the banjo.

You can definitely change the tone by modifying the set-up.  A Kershner tailpiece tends to impart a "cutting", bright (even: thin) tone.  A no-knot or Presto (raised up high to reduce pressure on the bridge) will definitely "open" the sound.  A taller bridge will raise the action. Different bridge types (and wood) also affect tone significantly.  I am admittedly prejudiced - but I think a hide head is  a huge improvement on a tubaphone too.

Edited by - jbalch on 07/22/2015 13:18:05

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/22/2015:  14:37:58

Thanks John for a lot of good advice.
I'm assuming you produced the CDs 'Carry on John' and 'Hot Biscuit Jam'.
I have them both and they're excellent.
I have the tab for the first - is there a tab book for 'Hot Biscuit'?
Thanks again,
Peter

jbalch - Posted - 07/23/2015:  12:20:14

Thanks!   I never produced a complete TAB book for Hot Biscuit Jam. But I have a few of the tunes in pdf.  E-mail me privately and I'll send them to you.

J.Albert - Posted - 07/23/2015:  15:16:27

I wouldn't touch those inlays.

They're superb.

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/24/2015:  05:48:36

Thanks Albert - perhaps I'm just fussing!!

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/24/2015:  05:49:56

Whoops! Sorry John - Albert's your surname!!!!!

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/24/2015:  11:27:38

You may care to know that I contacted Bart Reiter and told me the banjo had gone to Elderley Instriments for sale in 2002. It had the standard inlays (stars and dots).
I bought it in 2006 - so if there had been just one owner before me, he had the inlays customised but only kept the instrument for 3-4 years. Interesting (while 'quite interesting').
Thanks for the responses.
Peter

Dan Drabek - Posted - 07/24/2015:  14:41:37

I would keep the inlays. They are well done, and are part of the banjo's history. Changing them back to the original pattern will not make it more "original."

It does look like the engraving could use re-inking. 

DD

mikehalloran - Posted - 07/24/2015:  14:52:07

There's a chance these are not inlays but overlays. Overlays are quite thin and stick on top. There are a number of companies offering them. If overlays, they can be removed revealing the original inlays underneath.

peterreynoldsuk - Posted - 07/25/2015:  04:57:50

Hi Mike,
Do you know I think you may be right. If you look close at the photo of the fish it looks as if there is an edge around it. There is also a slightly raised point around the dragon.
It would also fit (to my mind) someone customising the inlays and parting with the instrument in only 4 years.
So do I try to pick the overlay dragon off?
Will it come off like a sticky label - or do I risk damaging the face of the headstock underneath?
Am I in danger of having to enter the murky waters of 'solvents'?!!
Any advice is most welcome.
I really don't like the dragon much - and I do like the understated original star design.
If the others are overlays I would still prefer the originals.
Cheers,
Peter

Dan Drabek - Posted - 07/25/2015:  07:15:56

I've never seen engraved overlays. Are there any signs of fill around the pearl? Use a magnifier.

DD