bradeinhorn - Posted - 06/09/2016:  07:05:00

Shortly after receiving this banjo and deciding it was a keeper, I had Chloe at BrooklynLutherie.com add a little sparkle to emulate a look I admire on the Enoch Dobson model. Bart keeps the cost down and value high on the Buckbees by leaving off the fancier inlay and peghead of the pricier models, and I actually prefer his simpler paddle head design to many headstock choices out there. Found some cool vega star inlays at Depaule, and thought they'd go well with it, and also on the fifth fret. Results below as well as a video for a sound sample pre-new inlays. Sorry about the horizontal alignment, not sure why they upload that way.

Now for the important part -- really enjoying this banjo. Definitely offers some richer tone and resonance from Deering Americana I've been loving learning on (and plan to keep). So far I've only gotten to play it in a duo setting with a scruggs-style playing buddy of mine and it definitely cut through a lot better, and I imagine it will have a lot more presence in fuller band and jam scenarios. There is an eveness of volume/power up the neck, but the biggest area of tonal difference is on the bottom end. Without another word for it, the 4th string has a really nice tubby "bong" to it that I don't get from the deering or many other high end banjos I've played including 11" Reiters. 

The neck is a bit deeper than the Goodtime, and I'm getting used to that as well as the additional weight (significant difference). In comparison to the Goodtime, the overall build quality is much higher across the board. One stand out area is the scoop. On the goodtime, the stock scoops are really deep for some reason. On the Reiter it's just deep enough to get under at any point on it without getting hung up (which happens occasionally on the Goodtime driving my hand back towards the head.

One other note, I also switched out the stock d'addarios with Ome Medium strings which I like on first play last night. They have little fuzzy black ends that dampen the sympathetic tones which is a nice feature.

VIDEO: Hard Times Come Again No More (click to view)

montanamike - Posted - 06/09/2016:  08:30:36

Thanks for posting... I am considering adding a Reiter 12" walnut to my humble little collection. Looks/Sounds great to me.

mjt0229 - Posted - 06/09/2016:  09:06:28

Looks great and sounds nice!

ceemonster - Posted - 06/09/2016:  16:52:13

This is just how mine sounds, wonderful, and very nice playing, too. I am coveting those stars on the peghead and 5th, great idea!

bradeinhorn - Posted - 06/10/2016:  11:37:33

Cee-

luthiersupply.com/117/788/prod...star.html $20/star and then just paid a couple hours of skilled labor.

B

mushin - Posted - 06/14/2016:  22:13:50

I really like the stars! So funny, I also own a 12" scooped Americana and a 12" Walnut Buckbee.
I'm so happy with the Buckbee. I've owned a handful of banjos and this one is my favorite.
The OME mediums are my string of choice too.

I've been using a padded Long Hollow Leather strap, I really like it.

amazon.com/Tooled-Leather-Padd...ntries*=0