2008 Bart Reiter Special 5-String Banjo – Used

Bart Reiter retired from making banjos several years ago, and although other banjo makers have filled the void we still miss Bart because his work was so clean and consistent. This Special made 18 years ago is probably about as close to stepping back in time and finding a new Bart banjo as you’re going to get. The frets have almost zero wear, it doesn’t look like the original owner ever allowed the fingers of their right hand to even lightly brush the head. The design is the time-honored style of Vega banjos from the 1920s, but with a nice deep fingerboard scoop past the 17th fret, allowing you to get a warmer more plunky tone without loosening the head or stuffing a small towel under it.

A timeless design, flawlessly executed.