Mark Douglas - Posted - 07/21/2025:  07:15:26

It was just a matter of time before folks refused to pay the extremely

high prices being asked for used Reiter banjos! I think we are there now!



Reiter banjos on Reverb just sitting there and no one is buying.

Perhaps a combination of an uncertain economy and folks looking

at many other options available on the market.



I remember paying $800 for a Reiter Maple Special in the early 1990s.

Now some sellers want upwards of 2K for a used one.



Anyone else have thoughts on the asking prices of used Reiters?

Yeah....yeah, I know it is what ever the market will bear...blah, blah blah.

But the market seems to NOT be supporting these prices right now!

Edited by - Mark Douglas on 07/21/2025 07:17:41

Eric A - Posted - 07/21/2025:  07:42:31

Agreed. I said as much on a different thread lately. A pop when Bart retired, but now it seems the only ones moving are back to "normal" pre-retirement prices.

banjomobob - Posted - 07/21/2025:  07:53:38

$800 in 1992 is equivalent (approximately) to $1800 today, so that might be something to keep in mind.

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/21/2025:  07:57:08

The retirement/discontinuation theory rarely holds (e.g. Wildwood). It is an example of scarcity marketing. Look at all the rare and limited edition stuff on eBay.  Truth is, there are a lot of Reiter banjos out there.  And we, as a community, tend to circulate our instruments pretty regularly.  I may get one some day (I have seen his work, and it is excellent).   But I never buy into hype.

Edited by - Brian Murphy on 07/21/2025 07:58:06

Mark Douglas - Posted - 07/21/2025:  08:01:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjomobob

$800 in 1992 is equivalent (approximately) to $1800 today, so that might be something to keep in mind.

---

Correct. 

And if I were buying a new Reiter with case and warranty, I would expect to pay that price.

I think a hard case was included in the purchase of a new Reiter back then. Im talking 1988 to about 1997. 

Mark Douglas - Posted - 07/21/2025:  08:09:48

Elderly has three used Reiters in stock....not inexpensive!

But they are available if you care to pay the price. So far, no takers!

Quite frankly, I think they are not really motivated to sell them. Why?

1. Yeah, we have Reiters in stock.

2. They know someone will buy it eventually.

3. Used Reiters don't come through the door every day.

4. Just having them on the website creates interest.

5. The higher prices are expected when buying from a retail store.

Did I miss anything?

rinemb - Posted - 07/21/2025:  10:03:08

My first good clawhammer banjo was a Reiter. At the time, I was bouncing between buying the Reiter or a Ramsey. The maple Reiter has done well with time, for sure. I hope whomever the family member in charge of unloading my banjos, takes the time to research the values. Brad

the-fish - Posted - 07/21/2025:  10:27:32

I was really surprised some got listed and sold for what they did, throw a few Ramsey in the mix, some reasonable some ridiculous
Seen some great deals lately, some shooting for moon

Mark Douglas - Posted - 07/21/2025:  10:29:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by the-fish

Seen some great deals lately, some shooting for moon

---

Yeah....

And those shooting for the moon

don't really care if it sells...or not!

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/21/2025:  11:15:03

As far as I know Reiters did not come with cases unless a dealer chose to supply one.

Mark Douglas - Posted - 07/21/2025:  11:34:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill Rogers

As far as I know Reiters did not come with cases unless a dealer chose to supply one.

---

Perhaps you're right. 

I guess I was paying extra for a case and I didn't know it....LOL 

RDP - Posted - 07/21/2025:  11:43:04

I bought a reiter from elderly years ago new with a case. I sold it down the road and used the money to fund a A scale Lo Gordon banjo with a wood tone ring. Still have that one to this day. Lo Gordon is retired now too. I think it’s his son making the Pisgah band now. I don't trade around a lot. I still have my first banjo a Western Auto branded one that I think made by Kay or Harmony. 

Edited by - RDP on 07/21/2025 11:44:57

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/21/2025:  12:05:17

quote:

---

Originally posted by RDP

I bought a reiter from elderly years ago new with a case. I sold it down the road and used the money to fund a A scale Lo Gordon banjo with a wood tone ring. Still have that one to this day. Lo Gordon is retired now too. I think it’s his son making the Pisgah band now. I don't trade around a lot. I still have my first banjo a Western Auto branded one that I think made by Kay or Harmony. 

---

Tim Gardner is Lo's son and runs Cedar Mtn.  Patrick Sawyer owns and runs Pisgah.   Both great guys, but different dudes.

the-fish - Posted - 07/21/2025:  12:55:53

For years I never really considered a Pisgah banjo. Not because I heard anything negative, mostly cause I never seen or played one before
I did my homework, decided what I could want and I rolled the dice when I found one when I was searching for a fretless , it hit all I wanted and the store I bought it from was fantastic
Acoustic corner NC

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/21/2025:  12:57:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by RDP

I bought a reiter from elderly years ago new with a case. I sold it down the road and used the money to fund a A scale Lo Gordon banjo with a wood tone ring. Still have that one to this day. Lo Gordon is retired now too. I think it’s his son making the Pisgah band now. I don't trade around a lot. I still have my first banjo a Western Auto branded one that I think made by Kay or Harmony. 

---

I'm going to iindulge in an aside here. That Western Auto(!) banjo must be scarce as hen's teeth.  So it's a perfect example that scarcity equates to neither collectibility nor value. 

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 07/21/2025 12:59:49

RDP - Posted - 07/21/2025:  13:06:55

I’ve kept it basically stock for putting an elite head, two foot bridge, and a nice wood armrest. It actually is the one I take out to play most. But back to the reiter banjos. He made great banjos up till his retirement. I do have a mountain dulcimer he made still.

Edited by - RDP on 07/21/2025 13:08:47

KCJones - Posted - 07/22/2025:  04:34:04

I never saw Reiter prices jump after retirement. Maybe a few hundred. But you've always been able to get a Reiter for under $1200, and that has held true since his retirement. People posting nonsense asking prices doesn't mean anything.

Since we're on the topic, just last month I sold an 80s Wildwood Troubadour, open back with the bird inlay. It went for $1750+shipping. So there's a data point for you if you think Wildwood prices are going down.

People with no actual activity in the market have no perspective on actual sale prices or volume, and generally speaking their opinion on pricing can be disregarded entirely.

Mark Douglas - Posted - 07/22/2025:  04:38:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCJones

People with no actual activity in the market have no perspective on actual sale prices or volume, and generally speaking their opinion on pricing can be disregarded entirely.

---

That information is extremely useful. 

Thanks for providing some clarity!

Edited by - Mark Douglas on 07/22/2025 04:40:18

gbisignani - Posted - 07/22/2025:  07:14:02

I have to agree with KCJones. I own a Reiter banjo and have been watching prices since Bart's retirement. I didn't see any great jump in prices like I thought I would. The value of my banjo hasn't moved up or down much.

Mark D - Posted - 07/23/2025:  06:40:49

Bought a Reiter mahogany Bacophone Plus new from Elderly back in 2015 for $1595 (List was $2127).

Serial #4170. The Superior bump case was extra.



Always wanted to try one of his internal resonator models (or a Ramsey) and was watching the ones at Elderly and a couple of others - all $2400 and above. Was hoping to spend $1800 max, but ended up paying $2100 for a Professional from 1995 in great shape and was able to pick it up locally.



For a single man shop Bart was sure prolific as a builder and did consistently excellent work.

Edited by - Mark D on 07/23/2025 06:46:19

Mark Douglas - Posted - 07/23/2025:  07:02:34

Retrofit Guitars in Brooklyn has a 1996 Maple Special on Reverb for $2500.



Just one example. Many others I could mention.



Yeah.... there is no increase in prices of used Bart Reiter banjos,



Perhaps I was having a "senior moment"?



But I sure do wish I could find one of those Reiters (mentioned earlier in this thread) for less than $1200!

I'll look in the classified section of this site. Certainly there must be some bargains there!!!

Edited by - Mark Douglas on 07/23/2025 07:05:34

gbisignani - Posted - 07/23/2025:  07:37:34

even though I said I haven't seen much movement in the price of Reiter banjos..........every once in a while I do run across one for under 1,000. If you have patience you might find one.