Coming soon: Bart will be offering BANJO BUILDING CLASSES at his Michigan workshop.
12 Comments |
 | GrizClaw says:
2/25/2013 12:54:23 PM
I checked website...I've always thought it would be great to build one of Bart Reiter's or Mike Ramsey's banjos....but $2000 seems really steep to me. Materials plus a couple hundred bucks and seems like Bart makes money. Student does alot of the finish work and ends up with a "Reiter" banjo at a good price. Great banjo but resale will always be lower. Cost of class just kind of surprises me.
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 | jbalch says:
2/25/2013 2:11:53 PM
With travel, lodging and the tuition, It would be a bit of an investment ... no doubt.
But you do get to build your own banjo - and it would be a unique chance to learn directly from one of the world's most most prolific and experienced banjo builders. I'd say that is worth a good bit ... if you are serious about the craft.
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| GrizClaw says:
2/25/2013 3:42:59 PM
I agree......any banjo I built with Mr. Reiter I would keep....so resale would not be an issue...I just wish it was more in line with a poor retired man's budget!
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| jbalch says:
2/25/2013 4:36:28 PM
I understand...& I don't disagree.
I once heard of another builder (will remain un-named) who charged a consultation fee - by the minute - for phone calls.
In the bigger scheme of things, Bart charges relatively little for his time and labor. If he charged a lot more ... I'd probably have only two or three (instead of five or six) of his banjos ;<)
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 | banjobart says:
2/25/2013 6:21:01 PM
The wood and USA hardware for a banjo cost me $400 plus a $100 case. Call it $500 and I buy in large volume to get the best price available anywhere. I spent many thousands setting up the school building with maple top workbenches, five complete hand tool kits, a shop full of quality machines, new drywall, wiring with both 110 volt and 220 volt, state of the art bright lighting, heat, air, windows, fans, filters. At $2,000 per student times 8 students a year it will take many years before I break even on the school venture.
The school is a separate building and address from the production banjo shop, which only has room for my apprentice and myself it is so full of machines, wood and benches. Students will leave with a banjo and case that would cost them $1,500 in any store. Plus, I will show them the one armed banjo maker joke free!
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| GrizClaw says:
2/25/2013 6:38:08 PM
Bart, I meant no disrespect and it's obvious I didn't realize the scope of your venture. If I had the money I'd reserve a seat at one of your maple tables just for the experience (to be able to tell the grand kids that I once made a banjo with Bart Reiter) and the one armed banjo joke would be a bonus. I should have also given you credit for being one of the fairest priced banjo makers out there...Regards, Rick
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 | keqwow1 says:
11/29/2013 7:54:16 PM
$2000 does seem pricey at first, but considering the cost of materials, use of tools, and just simply cost of class, it is actually pretty reasonable when you get to come home with a banjo. If Bart gets it up and running again, I'll definitely be on the class roster, if not this coming year, then next.
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 | pjxndvm says:
6/15/2014 1:04:23 PM
I can't find any current information on classes. Are they still going to be held?
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| jbalch says:
6/15/2014 3:05:30 PM
I think Bart decided not to pursue offering classes. Hopefully he will do so at some point down the road.
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| pjxndvm says:
6/15/2014 3:42:01 PM
Oh, was looking forward to it, but I understand it might be a hard thing to get started
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| pjxndvm says:
6/15/2014 7:18:18 PM
If Bart does decide to start a class, and I don't see it, if someone would message if they think about it, that would be great
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 | tkcamper says:
11/30/2014 12:33:55 PM
Still hoping this happens....
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