Played a BR Tubaphone today.

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Bart Reiter Banjos

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349 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: jbalch (owner)

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From jbalch on 3/5/2012 2:49:06 PM

I've owned and played dozens of Bart's banjos, but until today, I don't think I ever played a tubaphone.

BHO member : J M Oathout recently found one. He was kind enough to bring it over and let me play it for a while today.

Gotta say ... I really like it a lot. I has a great throaty tone and a big presence. The sustain is ideal ... not too much (for my taste - as I've observed on some other tubaphone tone ring banjos).

If you are lucky enough to have one of these...I'd say hang on to it.

6 Comments
	jmoathout says: 3/5/2012 2:40:35 PM I wrote previous owner "Ottawa" how much you liked it, and thanked him for letting it go.
	jbalch says: 3/5/2012 2:58:40 PM I've owned at least four (4) vintage Vega tubaphone conversions. I also once had a Wildwood Balladeer. All fine banjos to be sure... but none of them were long-term keepers (for me). But ... a banjo like yours would find a home and get plenty of play around here....
	jmoathout says: 3/5/2012 7:14:45 PM The Tubaphone setup was with D'Addario J61 medium strings, no-knot tailpiece, John-Balch-goat-skin head, and stock 5/8" bridge I took from a Reiter Round Peak. I plan to try a Gary Sosebee Cotton Mill bridge. I wish I could play it like John.... maybe when I'm 90. I'm undecided if my favorite is the Tubaphone, or a GALAX converted a to Bacophone-Plus with swap of the WL skirt with a Bacon-style donut. The skirt on the Tubaphone LOOKS like it could be swapped with a Bacon style skirt. I plan to try and got an unplated Bacon-style donut from Stew Mac. Anybody tried this? (Maybe I'll have it plated, but that's another discussion.) Marshall Oathout
	jbalch says: 3/6/2012 10:12:59 AM "The skirt on the Tubaphone LOOKS like it could be swapped with a Bacon style skirt. I plan to try and got an unplated Bacon-style donut from Stew Mac. Anybody tried this?" Marshall - when you try this we need to start another discussion and explore it further. Please take photos. It is a cool idea. When you first mentioned it, I was not sure if it was a good idea. I thought the combination of Bacon & tubaphione rings might have way too much sustain. But after playing your tubaphone, I think it might work quite well. I doubt it has been done before ...but well worth a try.
	RWJonesy says: 3/6/2012 11:26:57 AM I have never played a Reiter tubaphone but always hear great things about them. That is a remarkable thought to match up the Tubaphone with the Bacon tone ring. It would be worth the experiment if hasn't been done before, to hear what the tone would be like.
	Ottawa says: 3/6/2012 5:38:52 PM Hi guys. That Reiter was the best openback I've ever owned. I'm glad it's gone to a good home and is being appreciated. Have fun James and enjoy it! Like I said before- don't scoop that thing- I might want it back eventually! :)
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