Brand: Bart Reiter Banjos
Instrument Categories: Banjos, SOLD
The Bart Reiter Special Open Back Banjo is hand built in Reiter’s shop in East Lansing, Michigan, USA and are well known for their quality and tone.
Here we’re looking at a Bart Reiter Special banjo, built during 2008 and featuring local Maple for the neck and rim, with Indian Rosewood used to cap the heel and the bottom of the rim. The fingerboard and head plate are Ebony, with tasteful Star and Dot Mother of Pearl inlay set on the head plate and fingerboard.
This open back 5-string banjo is in very good condition with minor fret wear, and a little chipping to the Rosewood rim cap on the bass side.
This Bart Reiter Special is sold without case, but cases and gig bags are readily available.
Here is Bart Reiter’s ‘Statement of Origin’:
“Statement of Origin: Bart Reiter Open Back Banjos are made entirely by me in my East Lansing, Michigan shop. The rim blanks are made in Vermont or Maine of local hard maple. I fashion the necks from rough planks of Michigan maple or African mahogany. The fingerboards are made of Indian ebony.
Stewart-MacDonald Five Star hardware is used throughout, being made in Ohio or Montana. A few small items of hardware such as fifth pegs and tailpieces are now made in Asia as the USA made equivalent is no longer available. Thank you for your interest in my product,
Bart Reiter”
And from his site:
Recognized for their artistry, craftsmanship and performance, Bart Reiter Banjos were one of 26 select Builders included in the North American Banjo Builder Series. The series – filmed entirely on location by Craig Evans – became a permanent part of the Smithsonian Folkways “Instrument Builder” Collection in late 2013. Enjoy a short excerpt from Craig’s interview with Bart at the banjo workshop.
- Model: Special
- Year: 2008
- Finish Natural Gloss
- Class: Used
- Serial Number: 3500
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 05/12/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Instrument Weight: 6.93lbs 3.15kg
- Scale Length: 26.25in 666.7mm
- Nut Width: 1.25in 32mm
