Chubby Dragon

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Bart Reiter Banjos

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349 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

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From kona on 1/19/2014 1:57:37 PM

Perusing Bernunzio's website today, I saw a listing for a 1989 Bart Reiter FF model, serial number 410 with internal resonator, back strap and some fancy inlays including the chubby dragon & griffin. It had just arrived on consignment and they didn't even have photos online yet. After two phone calls and an email with photos, its on its way out here. Wow.

I've been looking for another Reiter for a while and was really thinking about a bacophone plus, or maybe a plainer IR model. Even though my finances could be in better shape, I figured this wouldn't last long in the store. The price seemed quite fair, about what the last Grand Concert sold for here. The only obvious issues are a couple of dings to the headstock and that the prior owner installed two strap buttons directly into the rim (ouch, eek). Some of photos they sent me are here: http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/photos.asp?id=90341&albumid=8429

Any info on the banjo, general or specific, would be greatly appreciated. I have several questions. What model is it? FF Professional Deluxe? Perhaps it was a custom? Bernunzio's confirmed it has a bacon donut. Could it also be a "hot rod?" Does the heel cap inlay look familiar? It may have been from an estate sale lot, but Bernunzio's wouldn't say more. Bart responded to my query immediately and doesn't have any specific info, although he did say "I made a lot of fancy banjos, several hundred." Wow. It seems like a rare one, I hope its a keeper!

11 Comments
	keqwow1 says: 12/3/2013 5:42:52 PM Very nice. That is a nice find. Even though I am quite happy with my new Reiter tubaphone, if it had been at Bernunzio's when I was there last week it may have come home with me.
	jbalch says: 12/3/2013 5:52:16 PM That is an awesome banjo. Congratulations. I assume that it is indeed quite rare. Probably a custom order. I'm sure that Bart made plenty of fancy banjos. But I doubt that many had that inlay. The chubby dragon is spectacular. That large inlay on the heel cap is extra nice too. I think that the backstrap may be extended longer than normal (not sure). I guess it could be a "hot-rod" or "plus" commination. But I doubt it. I'm not sure how early Bart was doing that. Regardless, the original IR Grand concerts sound fantastic too. I have one with the WL tone ring added ... and another without. Both are awesome.
	jbalch says: 12/3/2013 5:55:17 PM Question - is all of the hardware gold plated? I see that the tuners are - can't tell about the hooks & nuts.
	Gordy Ohliger says: 12/3/2013 6:09:54 PM Oh My Gawd Sir~ This is lookin' pretty good. At one time I was hoping to get an original....then one of Bart's... and then I bought another WL of his. I do not doubt that this is a fine banjo. I recommend that you go out into the back yard and do a little dance!
	kona says: 12/3/2013 6:18:24 PM Thanks y'all. I feel very fortunate to have had your input over the past months. I'm hesitant to get too excited until I get my hands on it, but thats easier said than done. I posted a few more of the photos they sent. It appears to have been a player's banjo. Maybe the strap buttons are the quick release style? The tuners, which I'm not wild about, are the only gold plated hardware. From pictures of other fancy Reiters here, I'd guess that nickel plated tuners with ivoroid buttons would have been stock.
	russtul says: 12/4/2013 8:33:54 AM Very Cool !!! Lucky You!
	russtul says: 12/4/2013 8:38:01 AM Very Cool !!! Lucky You!
	jbalch says: 12/4/2013 7:44:23 PM I like "players" banjos. It is my opinion that the really good ones get played (a lot). There is nothing wrong with the honest evidence of that. Not too long ago I traded for Grand Concert #1143. I think some folks would overlook it because it is ... lets say ... well used. But it has "the" sound you want from a Reiter grand concert. Your has the look - I'd be willing to bet it has the sound to match.
	banjobart says: 12/8/2013 10:21:41 AM It's an FF Professional (old Reiter price list designation) with the backstrap w/inlay and heel cap inlay options. It is not that fancy; no heel carving, elaborate fingerboard inlay or peghead binding, about half fancy in my mind. I did make many banjos similar to this and variations. To see if it has a hot rod tone ring, look inside with an inspection or dental mirror and look for the scalloped peaks of a WL ring tucked under the Bacon ring. I added that feature and others upon request from the beginning of the Bacon models in 1987.
	kona says: 12/20/2013 8:47:49 AM Finally spending some time with this banjo after a long trip away. The tone is lovely and complex, rich on the bass and mids. Just what I hoped for from the Bacon ring & IR. I'm looking forward to playing around with the set up after I return from the holidays. Not a hot rod but "half fancy"...ha ha. Just about right for me. Thanks for writing Bart, and for making such an exceptionally fine instrument.
	jbalch says: 1/19/2014 2:28:33 PM Fantastic!
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