I am selling my very well-looked after Bart Reiter Special open back banjo, supplied with a hard case. The 11” rim is made of three-ply maple (5/8” thick) with a rosewood cap, a rolled brass tone ring and 24 L-shoe brackets. The neck is also made of maple, with an ebony fingerboard and peghead cover, with simple but attractive mother of pearl inlay, characteristic of Bart Reiter banjos. The neck is reinforced with an adjustable truss rod and features a frailer’s scoop – a nice addition by the maker that is not a standard feature on these models. After purchase I added a nickel armrest and replaced the pearloid tuner buttons with ebony ones. These fit the geared Five Star tuners perfectly and better suit the overall ‘blonde and dark’ look of the banjo. I also had a very nice John Balch mottled calf-skin head installed, which produces a warmer sound. (The original pearloid buttons and renaissance head can be provided if preferred.) The banjo can be seen and heard here: youtube.com/watch?v=CwdGv91jWIc. (Apologies for the quality of the recording, but it was taken on an old iPhone.)
Bart Reiter banjos have an excellent reputation. They are carefully made, very reliable and are rare in the UK owing to the cost of importing them. This is therefore an opportunity to buy a sought-after banjo (set-up by the maker himself), which is in excellent condition and shows no wear. I am very sorry to sell it, but a banjo of this quality, which was made less than two years ago, should go to someone who is likely to play it more often than I am currently able to. The banjo produces a great sound and is suitable for playing at home, but is easily powerful enough for any session. Ideally, the buyer would collect, but shipping can be arranged at the buyer’s expense.
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