Bart Reiter Tubaphone 5 String Banjo (2003)
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Item # 10724
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Bart Reiter Tubaphone Model 5 String Banjo (2003), made in Lansing, Michigan, serial # 2261, shaded mahogany finish, laminated maple rim, laminated maple neck with ebony fingerboard, black gig bag 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 fairly rare in the modern industry. Each instruments made by him over several decades is a gem and we are always happy to get on in stock.
This Reiter model is basically a re-creation of a 1910/20s Fairbanks/Vega Tubaphone, built closely to the traditional structural specs but with plainer cosmetics. The rim is heavy maple with the classic Tubaphone tone ring; the only difference is shoes are mounted directly through the rim, not via bracket band as vintage Vegas were. While some players may weigh in on the sonic differences this theoretically creates, we find it to pe a pretty minor factor in the overall sound of the instrument.
The medium 26" 1/4" scale neck is laminated maple; the heavy ebony fingerboard features plain dot inlay angmented by a single star at the 5th fret. The headstock is faced in ebony with a central single pearl star. The tuners are modern geared planets, including the 5th string. The finish on the neck and rim is a dark mahogany stain. Cosmetically this is a plain looking banjo but sonically it is an excellent instrument, with the calssic Tubaphone tonal qualities just lacking the decorative touches. We think it sounds great with a very well-rounded tone and plays perfectly. This is is another fine example of this maker's superb instruments, sadly no longer available except as used pieces.
Overall length is 37 1/4 in. (94.6 cm.), 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 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 is a very clean instrument, showing hardly any play wear for being almost 20 years old. The lower frets have the tiniest wear, that's about it. There are no alterations and all on the banjo appears stock. This is an excellent playing and sounding banjo, a lovely if not showy example of Reiter's always excellent work. Includes a typical gig bag. 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 fairly rare in the modern industry. Each instruments made by him over several decades is a gem and we are always happy to get on in stock.
This Reiter model is basically a re-creation of a 1910/20s Fairbanks/Vega Tubaphone, built closely to the traditional structural specs but with plainer cosmetics. The rim is heavy maple with the classic Tubaphone tone ring; the only difference is shoes are mounted directly through the rim, not via bracket band as vintage Vegas were. While some players may weigh in on the sonic differences this theoretically creates, we find it to pe a pretty minor factor in the overall sound of the instrument.
The medium 26" 1/4" scale neck is laminated maple; the heavy ebony fingerboard features plain dot inlay angmented by a single star at the 5th fret. The headstock is faced in ebony with a central single pearl star. The tuners are modern geared planets, including the 5th string. The finish on the neck and rim is a dark mahogany stain. Cosmetically this is a plain looking banjo but sonically it is an excellent instrument, with the calssic Tubaphone tonal qualities just lacking the decorative touches. We think it sounds great with a very well-rounded tone and plays perfectly. This is is another fine example of this maker's superb instruments, sadly no longer available except as used pieces.
Overall length is 37 1/4 in. (94.6 cm.), 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 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 is a very clean instrument, showing hardly any play wear for being almost 20 years old. The lower frets have the tiniest wear, that's about it. There are no alterations and all on the banjo appears stock. This is an excellent playing and sounding banjo, a lovely if not showy example of Reiter's always excellent work. Includes a typical gig bag. Overall Excellent + Condition.