Bart Reiter: Special

Submitted by Penguinche on 10/10/2018

Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments

Year Purchased: 2018
Price Paid: 1295.00 ($US)

Sound

I am still tweaking the setup, and I am sure I will settle into a sound that I prefer more. Outside of needing to tighten the head - shipped from Lansing Mich to Portland OR over 8 days. I have not changed any other aspect of how Elderly has it set up.

To my ear the tone is very open and 'throaty.' pretty solidly in the mid tone range, not super bright or plunky. From what I hear, with some setup changes, I think this will end up being a really nice clawhammer/oldtime banjo.

Update; Had the banjo for a few weeks now. Lord has it settled in! This banjo sounds fantastic. You can really change the sound by varying where you are playing with the right hand. I really love the sound now.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The banjo came set up with an Elite Amber head. It was shipped with the bridge upright and set correctly. The action is great and very easy to play. As I mentioned I needed to tighten the head when it arrived, but the weather had everything to do with that.

I am almost surely going to switch out to a fiberskyn head. I will mess around with different strings, likely trying a medium set next.

The bridge seems great. If I do change that, it will be over time as I hone in the setup I want.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

This is a damn fine banjo. The walnut cap on the rim really sets off the look. The neck is perfect. and the hardware is great. Just a simple, straight ahead banjo made with real experience and craftsmanship. The model I bought has a scooped neck and the transition there is smooth. Just overall great lines and finish.

I think the only thing I would have preferred is black nuts on the tuners rather than white. Totally personal preference.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The hardware is great. Quality components from stewmac. The tuners are great, responsive an hold their place.

The satin finish is gorgeous and seems like it will last a good long time.

This is a banjo made for playing and I have every confidence in taking it to shows, jams and the like.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

No experience yet, we will see...

***It made me choose something, so default 10

Customer Service: 10

Components

All the components are good, and I don't see any immediate need to upgrade anything on the banjo. Just might change the head for other tone options.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This is a fantastic banjo. For the price, I cannot imagine doing any better.

Seriously, if you want a great sounding banjo that will last decades, and don't care much for additionally fancy add ons, buy this banjo.

Overall Rating: 10