Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie 5 String Banjo (2005)
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Item # 11866
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Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie Model 5 String Banjo (2005), made in Lansing, Michigan, serial # 2612, natural lacquer finish, laminated maple rim and neck, 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 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 Reiter model is basically a re-creation of a 1910/20s Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie, built closely to the traditional structural specs with somewhat plainer cosmetics. The rim is heavy maple is fitted with the classic electric/Whyte Laydie scalloped tone ring; the main difference from Vega's original is shoes mounted directly through the rim, not via bracket band as the originals 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" 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, including the 5th string. The finish on the neck and rim is natural maple, the "Whyte" part of the equation. Cosmetically and sonically this is an excellent instrument, very neatly built with the classic Vega "old time" sound. We think it sounds great with a very well-rounded tone and plays perfectly. This is another fine example of this maker's superb instruments, sadly no longer available except as used pieces.
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 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
this now almost 20-year-old banjo shows only some very light wear; it does not appear heavily played. The only real signs of age are some tarnish to the plating and a few minor chips to the edges of the headstock. There are no alterations except railroad spikes at frets 7 and 9 that were possibly added; all else on the banjo appears stock, even the original frets have hardly any wear. This is an excellent playing and sounding example of a very classy modern old-tyme banjo. Banjo, a lovely example of Reiter's always excellent work. It includes a well padded modern 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 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 Reiter model is basically a re-creation of a 1910/20s Fairbanks/Vega Whyte Laydie, built closely to the traditional structural specs with somewhat plainer cosmetics. The rim is heavy maple is fitted with the classic electric/Whyte Laydie scalloped tone ring; the main difference from Vega's original is shoes mounted directly through the rim, not via bracket band as the originals 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" 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, including the 5th string. The finish on the neck and rim is natural maple, the "Whyte" part of the equation. Cosmetically and sonically this is an excellent instrument, very neatly built with the classic Vega "old time" sound. We think it sounds great with a very well-rounded tone and plays perfectly. This is another fine example of this maker's superb instruments, sadly no longer available except as used pieces.
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 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/16 in. (33 mm.).
this now almost 20-year-old banjo shows only some very light wear; it does not appear heavily played. The only real signs of age are some tarnish to the plating and a few minor chips to the edges of the headstock. There are no alterations except railroad spikes at frets 7 and 9 that were possibly added; all else on the banjo appears stock, even the original frets have hardly any wear. This is an excellent playing and sounding example of a very classy modern old-tyme banjo. Banjo, a lovely example of Reiter's always excellent work. It includes a well padded modern gig bag. Overall Excellent Condition.