Details
This Bart Reiter Professional was made in 1995 in Lansing, Michigan. From the front, it looks pretty much like any other open-back banjo but flip it over and you’ll see Bart did a fine job of recreating the hollow tone chamber found on circa 1910 Bacon banjos. This “donut” style shell adds a bit of extra pop and projection while still maintaining the sweet, plunky sound we love in open-back banjos. We sold a lot of these Professionals back in the day but we rarely see them used, which is a good indicator how much people like to hang onto them. Alas, none of the current crop of banjo makers has revived this style of shell and Bart Reiter's version is almost as hard to find as the originals.
This example is in excellent structural condition and original throughout. There's only very minor fret wear. The maple neck has a number of scuffs and dings, including some scrapes at the nut where it hung in a stand with less than perfect padding. Comes with the original hardshell case, with Bart's banjo-care advice sheet in the case pocket.
Specs
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Fingerboard
Ebony
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Neck material
Maple
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Neck shape
Traditional
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Nut width
1 1/4"
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Scale length
26 1/4"
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Tuners
Planetary
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Year
1995
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Diameter
11"
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Resonator
Yes
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Shell
two-ply laminated maple
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Tone ring
Bacon
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Case type
Hardshell
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Serial number
1270
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SKU
BARPRO-1270
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UPC
141476
