Hi, Just to say I love the new site.

Anyway, this is probably a question for Mr Hall.

Did Rickenbacker ever produce a left handed version of the Bantar? I realise that even if there was such a thing it would cost more than I could ever afford but I still live in hope...

Yes, Mr. Hall would be where the buck stops on this sort of info for sure.

My .02 on this, being that I am a Rickenbacker collector (nut) and I'm left-handed, I have yet to see one in my travels. I think it would be great if there was one around, or two--that way we could both have one, LOL..

Actually, what I would really like is 6 string/bantar twin neck but I guess the odds of that are even slimmer... (Say, none)

You guys are dreamers on all counts!

I'm sure with $10,000 and about two years they'd be willing to make ya one! :P

Only $10,000? Two years? For all the work that goes into setting up the machines and all the other issues that go into recreating an instrument that hasn't been produced in, what, decades? I'm guessing that if you could commit to an order of 50-75 units, they MIGHT be willing to produce one in 4-5 years. That will likely cost a bit more than ten grand, though.

Being that the Bantars were symmetrical in shape, I would think that it would have been fairly easy to do a lefty, when they were making them of course. A little change to the cavity routing, some dots on the under-side of the neck, a lefty TRC and pickguard and we're home (I think)...

(Edit): Well, that would work for the 4-string Bantar. The five string would have to have the extra wood on the upside of the neck, so not as easy as I thought....

The body may be symmetrical but the neck certainly isn't. Anyway, we don't do custom instruments, even for $10,000.

At the last Philadelphia Guitar show, I was lucky enough to see a Bantar in person (right handed model you know).

WOW

That checkered bound head stock was a milestone of guitar craftsmanship.

If I might add a note to this discussion...

Ric was not the only manufacturer of a "bantar" or "guitjo". I am currently restoring a circa 1920 Washburn "bantar" that somehow came into my mother's possession. I inherited it when she died and it has lain dormant around the house ever since.

I took it my local luthier here in Dallas and together we looked at the replacement parts in a standard banjo parts catalogue. Everything thing was there including the "flattened" fish-hook head adjustment rods and heads. Gary is working on refinishing the insturment and I have asked him to save what may be the original head. It has two small holes but is otherwise pretty stout. And someone turned the tuners over so it could be tuned lying flat on the lap like theRic models.

I am thinking of having and artist do a pen and ink drawing of the Washburn logo and the "bantar" on the head and then framing the piece.

According to Antiques Roadshow, I amy be screwing the entire thing up by having it restored but I am thinking of putting a pickup on it and playing it onstage. It certainly would be a unique look, eh?

any thoughts or comments?