SaludaSue - Posted - 12/08/2015:  12:32:46

I am looking at the Enoch Tradesman or a Bart Reiter.  I play clawhammer.  Recommendations?

Edited by - SaludaSue on 12/08/2015 12:39:02

Mark Johnson - Posted - 12/08/2015:  12:45:17

You can't go wrong with either one, both are super great makers with dependable quality and resale value.

As I'm sure others will say... listen to a bunch of videos and recordings here, and take note of what sounds you gravitate towards.  Even between the two banjo make options you list you have varieties in terms of tone rings and pot sizes.  If you realize you really like the way a whyte laydie tone ring sounds, for example, I'd suggest going for a Reiter with a whyte laydie tone ring.  If you seem to prefer 12" banjos, go with either maker but in a 12" model.  

jbalch - Posted - 12/08/2015:  13:03:41

There was a recent thread requesting set-up advice to make a Reiter sound more like a Tradesman.   The discussion included comments about differences and similarities ... as well as pros & cons of each. 

You might find it interesting:  banjohangout.org/topic/311634

ancient tones - Posted - 12/08/2015:  14:13:51

I would say to play as many as possible and buy the one you resonate with the best. About two hours drive for you in Asheville NC (actually Black Mt.) is Acoustic Corner.

Last week they had a wall full open backs from Noel Booth, Mike Ramsey, and Pisgah. It's the best selection of banjos I know of in this area. Not the makers you mentioned but certainly in the same league.

11 or 12" pots, regular scale, short scale, frettless....lot's of choices and a fine staff.

I'm just a customer of theirs. No other interest or affiliation.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 12/08/2015:  15:03:27

Assuming steel strings here, I will generalize wildly and say the Tradesman is best for solo or duo and the Reiter (and there are a bunch of different Reiters) best for playing with a group. A fuller resonance vs. better projection. Reiter is sturdier, Enoch is lighter and handier. I love my Tradesman but suspect that I might love an Enoch Dobson even more. It never ends------

Parker135 - Posted - 12/08/2015:  18:41:50

I started with a Goodtime open-back, which served me well as a beginner.  While an expert player can make most any decent banjo sound good, my instructor dropped some serious hints that I might want to upgrade.  While traveling in VT, I stopped in at Maple Leaf music and was lucky enough to buy a pre-loved Brooks.  It's an awesome banjo with a Bacon tone ring, and one that I'll probably never sell.  It's a bit heavy though.  We like to RV-camp, and so I decided to upgrade from the Goodtime to something else relatively light.  After a bit of searching and patient waiting, I was able to buy an 11" Tradesman from Bob Smakula.  I love it.  It's extremely versatile, beautifully made, light, and plays remarkably like the Brooks.  It doesn't have the presence of the Brooks, but it's a perfect banjo for what I'm doing.  I really like the 11" size, by the way.  The 12" ones sound a little tubby for me.  I like the pop of a smaller head, I guess, which I changed to a fiberskyn, by the way.  I've never read a single negative comment about the Reiter banjos, and I'm sure they're a good choice.  But I really love the Tradesman!  Good hunting for that banjo.   

banjobrewer - Posted - 12/09/2015:  03:38:11

Try to play some Pisgahs. They are well made and sound fantastic. They also sell for less then most comparible brands.