Bell vs a Hartel minstrel banjo? (can someone explain?)

[Jason Adam Young]

Hi Everyone my name is Jason. I'm new here and I was wondering what is the difference in sound quality and craftsmanship between both makers of the Boucher minstrel banjo? I know the Hartel Boucher is more expensive, perhaps a little more modified then the Bell Boucher. Although Im new to the Victorian fretless banjo, I have been a musician for years. I would greatly appreciate any info on this topic.

[Tim Twiss]

I've owned and loved both. You really need to take them for a spin yourself, unless you are strictly shopping with your pocketbook in mind. They are beautiful....and distinct. In my recordings, the Hartel is on all the Briggs stuff, and the Bell is all the others. I hear the tonal difference there.

[Chris Prieto]

I recently played a hartel and it was like butter. A joy to play. A little lighter than I imagined. Thick ol peg head and neat lil thumb groove by the bottom of neck by the rim. It's pretty old, so everything was nice and used.

I haven't played a Bell Boucher but I own a Bell Sweeney and it is a beast. Loud enough to wake the dead. Kinda beefy. Love it to pieces.

[Strumelia]

I have a Bell and a Hartel.   I find the Bell has a softer warmer rounder resonant tone, and the Hartel is crisper, punchier, cuts through a bit more.  I love them both!

[Jason Adam Young]

Thanks Tim,Chris and Strumelia for input. :)

[Michael Cypret]

Thanks for asking this question. I’m seriously considering purchasing a Minstrel banjo and wondered about the same thing. 

[Rob Mohr]

If I remember correctly from my previous shopping/buying, all of Bell's rims are the same size based on the original Boucher rim & tailpiece, necks & headstocks are near the originals. Hartel on the other hand bases his banjo on each original design, much closer to the originals. Though, the bottom of Bell's rims are relative to the originals as far as brackets being scalloped or sticking out (like mine). Not sure about Hartel, but Bell will customize/hybrid certain design features, like bottom of the rims...I own a Bell Stichter and love it...