I currently own a Bart Reiter Regent which for me has been a great banjo. I am thinking about adding a Reiter A scale. When I look at the specs for Bart's A scale it is referred as an A flat that will tune to A etc. I have read in a number of places that a true A scale is 23 inch's. Does anyone out there play or has played one of Bart's A scale. I would appreciate any feedback about how they tune, play, and sound. Thanks
12 Comments |
 | boondocker53 says:
10/2/2015 9:47:10 AM
It will indeed tune to A. Bart recommended light strings for A tuning, so that's what I did. It was my go to banjo for open A and double D, preferring to use it rather than capo my Reiter Round Peak. I often wish that I had not sold it.
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 | dhinds4100 says:
10/2/2015 11:59:50 AM
Thanks for the reply. I have stuck with the strings that originally came on my Regent when it was new D'Addario J61. Can I ask what you used on your A scale? Also I assume that there is no issue with playing in A modal etc.? Sorry for all the questions but when playing your A scale did it feel different then your Round Peak. Is it like playing with a capo? Thanks Dale
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 | RWJonesy says:
10/2/2015 2:43:10 PM
Dale....the Reiter A flat Standard is the only banjo I own. I use Vega medium strings on mine. Go to my homepage and check the Ducks On the Pond and WVA Girls vids for an idea of what they can sound like depending on the setup of course.
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 | jbalch says:
10/2/2015 6:18:20 PM
In 1994 and earlier, Bart produced "true" A-scale banjos - meaning that they were the same as if you removed the first two frets from his standard full-scale neck. I have a banjo from what I think is the last batch of those custom instruments he made. He discontinued that "true" A-scale as an option - because there was no commercially available truss rod to fit that exact length. Bart made his own truss rods which I'm sure added significant time and cost to the process.
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| jbalch says:
10/2/2015 6:21:48 PM
Some time later, Bart re-introduced a short-scale banjo using a truss rod marked for guitar necks. The length of the rod dictated that the neck would be very slightly longer than his original old custom A-scale. So, Bart referred to it as an A-flat scale - mainly to acknowledge that it was a little longer than the original "custom" instrument.
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| dhinds4100 says:
10/3/2015 6:32:23 AM
RwJonesy, your banjo sounds great, of course your playing has a lot to do with that. I too am a big fan of Dwight Diller. Thanks for the comments, I am about ready to heat up the credit card if Eldery has an A flat in stock.
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| dhinds4100 says:
10/3/2015 6:34:12 AM
jbalch, thanks for the background on how Bart's A ended up as an A flat. Makes commercial sense. Have you played both?
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| jbalch says:
10/3/2015 5:42:56 PM
That 1994 custom grand concert was my main player for several years. In fact, it was the only banjo I owned for a good while. I used it exclusively on the Carry on John project. I have briefly played a few examples of the a-flat scale over the years. But honestly, I don't have much experience with them. Nonetheless, I am confident that they play and sound great. I wouldn't hesitate to own one - if I was seeking another short-scale banjo
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| dhinds4100 says:
10/4/2015 5:27:31 AM
Thanks, looking for new one out there and so far none in stock. Will have to keep looking for a new or used as I have decided I have got have one.
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| boondocker53 says:
10/5/2015 6:12:16 PM
I used D'Addario J-60 light strings on mine, as per Bart's recommendation. No problem with A modal. It felt about like playing my Round Peak without a capo, as the string tension with the lights felt about the same as the longer scale Round Peak with J61 mediums.
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| boondocker53 says:
10/5/2015 6:24:28 PM
BTW, Bart often sells his "used" banjos on ebay, so keep a lookout there, as an Ab may come up for sale.
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| dhinds4100 says:
10/6/2015 6:30:01 AM
Thanks Boondocker for the feedback and I will keep an eye on ebay.
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