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Ridgerunner - Posted - 10/10/2022: 08:41:07
When did Bart first start building the Dobaphone? It does not show up in the list of open back models on his website. I am looking at one from a distance. I have read they are similar to the Standard only with a Dodson ring... is this true? I have not found much information out there about this model. Anyone have any comments about the Dobaphone model?
Culloden - Posted - 10/10/2022: 10:27:20
Bart Reiter is a member here; his avatar name is banjobart. You could send him a PM and ask him directly.
Ridgerunner - Posted - 10/10/2022: 10:40:21
quote:
Originally posted by Culloden
Bart Reiter is a member here; his avatar name is banjobart. You could send him a PM and ask him directly.
Thank you. I took your advice and send him a message.
KCJones - Posted - 10/10/2022: 11:19:49
I don't know the history, but I own a Dobaphone. It's without question the best sounding banjo I've ever played and I've played quite a lot. I ended up buying one after shopping for about 2 years searching for "that banjo" that had "the sound" I wanted. IMO, it doesn't really get any better than a Bart Reiter Dobaphone. I believe I own the last one ever made, special ordered from Elderly and included in the last batch he sent to them. My only wish is that I would have requested a full fretboard rather than one with a scoop, which came standard on all later Bart Reiters.
From my eye, it appears to be the same as a Standard but with a "Dobaphone" ring. I don't think the Dobaphone ring is a true Dobson, it's a combination of a Dobson sitting on top of a Tub-a-phone type ring. Mahogony rim and neck, ebony fretboard, and the typical hardware and inlay that you see on any other Bart Reiter. I have not disassembled the banjo to investigate the tone ring design, because it sounds so good I'm afraid to touch it.
Edited by - KCJones on 10/10/2022 11:20:48
jbalch - Posted - 10/10/2022: 13:46:21
Bart is retired from the banjo business. He might respond quickly (or maybe not - who could blame him?)
The serial number should tell you when yours was built. The list is on his website. reiterbanjos.com/serial.html
As for the model itself, I think it was an example of the kind of things Bart would make on a limited bases from time-to-time.
I have several of his "plus" models that were essentially a combination whyte laydie (or more rarely a tubaphone) with Bacon FF tone ring added on top (hence the "plus"). Those were made off-and-on over many years ... but never catalog items either.
I think the Dobaphone model was made occasionally and sold through a few of his best dealers and maybe on EbaY (as "used") direct to the consumer. I suspect they were all made toward the end of Bart's career. The Dobson tone rings might have been sourced from Balsam Banjo Works (Pisgah) - but that is a guess.
Edited by - jbalch on 10/10/2022 13:53:30
jbalch - Posted - 10/10/2022: 14:07:46
quote:
Originally posted by KCJones
I don't know the history, but I own a Dobaphone. It's without question the best sounding banjo I've ever played and I've played quite a lot. I ended up buying one after shopping for about 2 years searching for "that banjo" that had "the sound" I wanted. IMO, it doesn't really get any better than a Bart Reiter Dobaphone. I believe I own the last one ever made, special ordered from Elderly and included in the last batch he sent to them. My only wish is that I would have requested a full fretboard rather than one with a scoop, which came standard on all later Bart Reiters.
From my eye, it appears to be the same as a Standard but with a "Dobaphone" ring. I don't think the Dobaphone ring is a true Dobson, it's a combination of a Dobson sitting on top of a Tub-a-phone type ring. Mahogony rim and neck, ebony fretboard, and the typical hardware and inlay that you see on any other Bart Reiter. I have not disassembled the banjo to investigate the tone ring design, because it sounds so good I'm afraid to touch it.
Your banjo sounds like one of Bart's "plus" combinations - not just a run-of-the-mill Dobaphone.
I have a few of the banjos that Bart used to sell as "Bacophone-plus" Those were Whyte Laydie (or occasionally tubaphone) tone rings with a Bacon FF professional tone ring added on top. The combination is awesome (IMHO).
If yours has a Dobson tone ring added atop a tubaphone ... Bart might likely have called it a "dobaphone-plus". He often used the "plus" nomenclature to describe such combined tone rings.
The photos are a couple of "plus" tone rings in a Grand Concert and one that Bart called a "Bacopbone Plus."
Edited by - jbalch on 10/10/2022 14:09:28
Ridgerunner - Posted - 10/10/2022: 14:14:40
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
Bart is retired from the banjo business. He might respond quickly (or maybe not - who could blame him?)
The serial number should tell you when yours was built. The list is on his website. reiterbanjos.com/serial.html
As for the model itself, I think it was an example of the kind of things Bart would make on a limited bases from time-to-time.
I have several of his "plus" models that were essentially a combination whyte laydie (or more rarely a tubaphone) with Bacon FF tone ring added on top (hence the "plus"). Those were made off-and-on over many years ... but never catalog items either.
Is your banjo a Dobson tone ring on a 2-ply (1/2" thick) rim (as I suspect)?
John, thank you. I bought the banjo from a mom and pop shop in another state and do not have it in my hands yet. I bought a Bart Reiter based on all the good reviews I have read and seen about the banjos he builds. The banjo has a 2020 serial number. I am sure it will be a great banjo. I was looking at a Special and the Dobaphone and decided to go with the Dobaphone. It does look like a Dobson tone ring to me. I have attached a picture from the shop.
jbalch - Posted - 10/10/2022: 14:37:25
quote:
Originally posted by Ridgerunner
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
Bart is retired from the banjo business. He might respond quickly (or maybe not - who could blame him?)
The serial number should tell you when yours was built. The list is on his website. reiterbanjos.com/serial.html
As for the model itself, I think it was an example of the kind of things Bart would make on a limited bases from time-to-time.
I have several of his "plus" models that were essentially a combination whyte laydie (or more rarely a tubaphone) with Bacon FF tone ring added on top (hence the "plus"). Those were made off-and-on over many years ... but never catalog items either.
Is your banjo a Dobson tone ring on a 2-ply (1/2" thick) rim (as I suspect)?
John, thank you. I bought the banjo from a mom and pop shop in another state and do not have it in my hands yet. I bought a Bart Reiter based on all the good reviews I have read and seen about the banjos he builds. The banjo has a 2020 serial number. I am sure it will be a great banjo. I was looking at a Special and the Dobaphone and decided to go with the Dobaphone. It does look like a Dobson tone ring to me. I have attached a picture from the shop.
Looks like a standard Dobson (Dobophone). Nice banjo! I love Bart's instruments and own quote a few different models (but unfortunately not a Dobaphone).
I know that Bart became friends with Patrick David Sawyer (owner Pisgah). I think he visited the Pisgah shop on one of his motorcycle trips to the south several years ago. I seem to recall that Bart saying he was buying a few parts from them. That is why I speculate that the Dobson tone ring might be from Pisgah - rather than the Rickard ring that most builders use.
Besides that, Rickard Dobson rings are smaller diameter (10 7/8") and made to fit a drum shell rim. Bart's rims are true 11" size and would have required a deep rabbet cut in the rim to install the Rickard ring. I think the Pisgah ring might have been an easier fit on a Reiter rim. But all of that is speculation on my part....
Ridgerunner - Posted - 10/18/2022: 15:32:57
The new to me Dobaphone arrived. It has late 2020 serial number. There was plenty of dirt collected between the head and ring and the dirt showed through the head. So I took the banjo apart to clean and inspect. The banjo has a Dobson ring and a rolled brass hoop under the Dobson. I have ordered a new head from John Balch. It is a really fine banjo.
