Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie 5 String Banjo (2005)
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Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie Model 5 String Banjo (2005), made in Lansing, Michigan, serial # 2542, natural lacquer finish, laminated maple rim and neck, ebony fingerboard, tweed hard shell case.
Bart Reiter banjos are among the most respected of all modern/old-time instruments, built along classic design lines to a consistently very high standard. Bart Reiter recently retired after a long and very successful run as an independent banjo maker who never sold his name into big time production. We'd like to salute him for that, it is pretty rare in the modern industry. Every instrument made by him over several decades is a gem and we are always happy to get on in stock. This fancier Vega-inspired model was discontinued some time before Reiter closed his shop, supposedly due to pressure from the modern owners of the Vega trademark.
This higher-end Reiter model is basically a re-creation of a 1910/20s Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie, built closely to the traditional structural specs if with somewhat plainer cosmetics. The rim is heavy maple is fitted with the classic electric/Whyte Laydie scalloped tone ring; the main difference from the original is the shoes are mounted directly through the rim, not via bracket band as the period Vegas were. While some players may weigh in on the sonic differences this theoretically creates, we find it a pretty insignificant factor in the overall sound.
The 26 1/2" scale neck is laminated maple; the heavy ebony fingerboard features a couple of engraved shaped pearl inlays with a balance of plainer dots. The headstock is faced in ebony with the traditional "Gryphon" engraved pearl inlay. The tuners are modern geared planets with pearloid buttons, including the 5th string. The finish on the neck and rim is natural maple, the "Whyte" part of the equation. All hardware is nickel plated; the tailpiece is a repro "Eagle Claw".
Cosmetically and sonically this is a truly excellent instrument, extremely neatly built with the classic Vega "old time" sonic character. We think it sounds great with a very well-rounded tone and plays perfectly. This more upscale model is a particularly fine example of this maker's superb instruments, sadly no longer available except as used pieces.
Overall length is 37 1/8 in. (94.3 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 1/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This now 20-year-old banjo shows some very light wear but does not appear heavily played. The only real signs of age are some tarnish to the plating, a couple of dinks to the back of the neck behind the 14th fret and a few minor chips to the face of the headstock, right in front of the Gryphon's nose. There are no alterations except railroad spikes at frets 7 and 9 that were possibly added; these may be factory as we have seen them before. All else on the banjo appears unaltered, even the original frets have hardly any wear. This is an excellent playing and superb sounding example of a very classy modern old-tyme banjo, a lovely example of Reiter's always excellent work. It includes modern tweed HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
Bart Reiter banjos are among the most respected of all modern/old-time instruments, built along classic design lines to a consistently very high standard. Bart Reiter recently retired after a long and very successful run as an independent banjo maker who never sold his name into big time production. We'd like to salute him for that, it is pretty rare in the modern industry. Every instrument made by him over several decades is a gem and we are always happy to get on in stock. This fancier Vega-inspired model was discontinued some time before Reiter closed his shop, supposedly due to pressure from the modern owners of the Vega trademark.
This higher-end Reiter model is basically a re-creation of a 1910/20s Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie, built closely to the traditional structural specs if with somewhat plainer cosmetics. The rim is heavy maple is fitted with the classic electric/Whyte Laydie scalloped tone ring; the main difference from the original is the shoes are mounted directly through the rim, not via bracket band as the period Vegas were. While some players may weigh in on the sonic differences this theoretically creates, we find it a pretty insignificant factor in the overall sound.
The 26 1/2" scale neck is laminated maple; the heavy ebony fingerboard features a couple of engraved shaped pearl inlays with a balance of plainer dots. The headstock is faced in ebony with the traditional "Gryphon" engraved pearl inlay. The tuners are modern geared planets with pearloid buttons, including the 5th string. The finish on the neck and rim is natural maple, the "Whyte" part of the equation. All hardware is nickel plated; the tailpiece is a repro "Eagle Claw".
Cosmetically and sonically this is a truly excellent instrument, extremely neatly built with the classic Vega "old time" sonic character. We think it sounds great with a very well-rounded tone and plays perfectly. This more upscale model is a particularly fine example of this maker's superb instruments, sadly no longer available except as used pieces.
Overall length is 37 1/8 in. (94.3 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 1/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This now 20-year-old banjo shows some very light wear but does not appear heavily played. The only real signs of age are some tarnish to the plating, a couple of dinks to the back of the neck behind the 14th fret and a few minor chips to the face of the headstock, right in front of the Gryphon's nose. There are no alterations except railroad spikes at frets 7 and 9 that were possibly added; these may be factory as we have seen them before. All else on the banjo appears unaltered, even the original frets have hardly any wear. This is an excellent playing and superb sounding example of a very classy modern old-tyme banjo, a lovely example of Reiter's always excellent work. It includes modern tweed HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.