Bart Reiter Standard Model 5 String Banjo (1991), made in Lansing, Michigan, serial # 658, natural lacquer finish, laminated maple rim, laminated mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
Bart Reiter banjos are among the most respected of all modern/old-time instruments, built along classic design lines to an amazingly consistent 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 fairly rare in the modern industry. Each instruments made by him over the decades is a gem and we are always happy to get on in stock.
This model is basically a re-creation of a later 1910/20s Vega Regent, built closely to the traditional Fairbanks/Vega specs. The rim is heavy maple with a plain Little Wonder style tone ring. The medium 26" 1/4" scale neck is laminated mahogany with an ebony center strip. The unbound heavy ebony fingerboard has plain dot inlay with a single star at the fifth fret. The headstock is faced in ebony with a single inlaid pearl star. The tuners are geared planets, including the 5th string. All hardware is nickel plated, original and typical for the period; the tailpiece is a repro adjustable "eagle claw" style.
This banjo is a fairly early example of Reiter's instruments, built in 1991 when his total production output was just 119 banjos. It is a relatively plain looking Reiter but an excellent instrument, with at least equal sonic qualities to the 1920s Vega originals. We think it sounds great (and plays perfectly) and is another fine example of this maker's consistently superb instruments.
Overall length is 37 in. (94 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 1/4 in. (667 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
This 30+ year old banjo shows signs of light use (looks like it's been to a few festivals!) but no notable damage or repair. The Fiberskyn head is a bit worn in spots from play, but still solid. There is typical wear from use and humidity particularly to the nickel plating, most notably on the hoop, and some very light general finish wear. The original frets are very clean with hardly any wear. Really "she's just 'bout broken in" as the old timers would say. Like Fairbanks/Vega before him Bart built his banjos to provide a lifetime of service, and this one's 30 years on and just getting started. This is a very good playing and sounding frailer from essentially the best modern builder of old-time banjos. Excellent - Condition.
