nyartist - Posted - 08/10/2016:  05:23:55

I have a 12" Reiter that I like lots. I'm looking to add a banjo but would not want a sideways addition - meaning I would want to add one that might be considered a better instrument. What comes to mind is Chuck Lee.. Are there others out there?

dpgetman - Posted - 08/10/2016:  06:36:47

I have a Reiter Bacophone, for example, which sits next to an Ome North Star in my cabinet.  I'd guess that plenty of folks would identify the Ome as the better banjo (prettier, more expensive, etc) but it gets played less than the Reiter because, the Reiter just feels, sounds, and plays better to my mind.  When I think about deepening the herd, I think about sounds I can't get out of my current instruments, but I can also see thinking about taking the sound you are getting and wanting to get it out of a prettier or in some other way more satisfying instrument.  

So, better in what way?

calden - Posted - 08/10/2016:  06:51:11

I have a Reiter Regent (11" head) and a Reiter fretless.  Last year I bought a Chuck Lee 12" with a wood rim, no metal tone ring.  Great diversity in sounds, feel, everything.  

Carlos

I hate typing on my iPad. Excuse the abbreviated English

jenorma1 - Posted - 08/10/2016:  07:57:49

quote:

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Originally posted by nyartist

 

I have a 12" Reiter that I like lots. I'm looking to add a banjo but would not want a sideways addition - meaning I would want to add one that might be considered a better instrument. What comes to mind is Chuck Lee.. Are there others out there?

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You could get a custom banjo built with just the specs you want (I have a custom built buckeye and wouldnt trade it for the world). Oftentimes theres a bit of a wait, but this guy is taking custom orders with a pretty quick turnaround:

windrosebanjos.com

I saw/played several of his banjos at Clifftop and I can't begin to describe how nice they were! All of that being said, I have fallen for every Chuck Lee I've had in my hands over the years - I dont think you'd be disappointed with that choice. As Carlos mentioned, the wood rim/no tone ring ones are really quite special.

John_J - Posted - 08/10/2016:  18:04:19

I strongly suggest that you drive up to Elderly and play some of their banjos before you 'upgrade'.  They currently have 4 Chuck Lee's, 4 Omes and 3 Rickard banjos, any one of which might fit your requirements very nicely....   If you play them all you will certainly fine one that says 'take me home'....   Have fun....     JJ

dbrooks - Posted - 08/10/2016:  18:45:00

Phil, I think it is tough to top a Bart Reiter banjo. You can get more ornamentation or more customization, but you will necessarily not get a banjo with a "better" sound. So it depends on what you mean by a "better" banjo. John Balch is a huge Reiter fan and makes the point that you can set up Reiters to get the sound you want. I would encourage you to contact John directly with what you are looking for. John's advice is solid, and he has seen lots of open-back banjos. His advice is gospel to me.

I have chosen to vary my banjos by trying a tackhead and a Bell minstrel (both fretless with low tuning). I also have 3 1890's Bay State banjos that also have different voices.

I guess my bottom line is that I don't see a better banjo than a Reiter as far as a mainstream clawhammer banjo. Others will have different opinions, and their opinions will be totally correct for them.

David

The Old Timer - Posted - 08/10/2016:  19:05:35

Have you considered the high grade Ungers? GORGEOUS.

banjered - Posted - 08/11/2016:  13:06:45

Gorgeous yes! incredibly so! But even here at $5K plus with the gorgeous eye candy you can get friction tuners (authentic) and the banjo may not sound/play better than Bart's. Very often more $ does not = a better banjo, just different. Banjered