Smakula Fretted Instruments: New, Old, Vintage, Unusual and Better.

Smakula

Fretted

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Banjos, Contact us...

Page updated 4-9-08

FIVE STRING BANJOS

Openback 5 string banjos are a specialty here at Smakula Fretted Instruments. Everyone who works here plays clawhammer banjo a style well suited to the open back five string. We rarely have resonator Bluegrass banjos for sale, but from time to time we will have one or 2 in stock. Please inquire, as those instruments might not make it to the web page.

New Enoch Tradesman by Enoch Instruments. 12" rim with black finish, 25 1/2" scale, walnut neck with a Dobson-style profile and round heel, ebony fretboard with dot inlays. Geared planet tuners and cool octagonal dowel stick. Available fretted or fretless. In our opinion, the best new "utility" banjo on the market. GB; $895 fretted, $850 fretless. A fretboard scoop is a factory option at an additional cost of $30.

Enoch Tradesman Semi Fretless. So you like playing fretless banjo but are afraid of hitting a wrong note up the neck? Then this is your banjo. It's fretless to the 6th and fretted from #6 to 15. It's new with a gig bag. $995

Enoch Tradesman Flush Fret. Another banjo for the timid. Instead of raised frets, this instrument has inlaid white lines where the frets normally go. You can get the fretless sound and have the accuracy as long as you are looking. New with a gigbag, $875

1988 Goose Acres Electric. Here is a rare banjo made at the high point of Goose Acres banjo production. With Peter H. Smakula, Bob Smakula, & Kevin Enoch making the Goose Acres banjos at that time you know there is no better Old Time banjo. The heart of this instrument is the spun over rim with a scalloped tone ring. The Fairbanks Electric was the inspiration for this design, but I have to say Peter H. Smakula's metal work was more precise. The neck is made of figured maple with a brown dye. The engraved mother of pearl inlays are suggestive of a Fairbanks number 2 with a fancy peghead design, engraved diamond and star inlays on the fretboard. The heel carving is also reminiscent of the great old banjos of the 1900 era, but not a direct copy. The rim is 11" and the scale of the ebony fretboard is 26 1/4". The tone is full and snappy and the feel is precise. Need more? Kevin Enoch's signature is on the heel where the neck and rim connect. EC, OHC, $3,000

1903 A.C. Fairbanks Dogwood Electric. This is the most interesting banjo we have available right now. The neck is an original Fairbanks with the very rare Dogwood inlay pattern. When we received the neck it was attached to a1950's Kay rim (Huh?) and we were lucky enough to have a circa 1903 Fairbanks electric rim to mate to that rare neck. The mahogany neck retains all the original inlays. The previously mentioned Dogwood peghead inlay and engraved fretboard inlay that is a little fancier than the Fairbanks #2. The original dyed hardwood fretboard had been ruined by a botched refret before we bought the neck, so a new bound ebony fretboard with a 24 7/8" scale was installed. The Electric rim was refinished black by us with a French polish finish. The brass hooks and barrel nuts are new perfect reproductions. The shoes and bolts are the originals. Though a put together instrument, everything looks, feels, and sounds right. You will be pleased. EC, HC, $3,000

1903 A.C. Fairbanks Senator NO. 1. We received this banjo in near perfect condition. The imperfect part was there was no fretboard. Since we are good a that sort of work, it now looks like it hasn't been touched in its 105 year life. The neck is cherry, dyed a dark brown. The new ebony fretboard has a 26" scale with perfect reproduction inlays engraved by Kevin Enoch. The rim is a full spin over with a diameter of 10 11/16"All the original hardware is on the banjo and in great shape. Barrel nuts, no-Knot tailpiece and the A.C. Fairbanks plate. We did add geared tuners to bring it to the mid 20th century. EC-, HC, $2,200

1925 Vega Whyte Laydie Number 7 openback five string banjo. This gorgeous instrument conforms to the catalog description if it's day. The neck is made of curly maple with a light burnt orange stain. The fretboard is ebony, with nine engraved Mother-Of Pearl inlays that nearly fill the fret space they occupy. The peghead face features Vega's engraved Flowerpot inlay while the back of the peghead has the shape known as the "Christmas Ornament". And in case you forgot this banjo's make, that inlay has Vega engraved in small letters in the middle. The carved heel looks as sharp as the day it left the factory. The rim features the famous Whyte Laydie tone ring and bracket band. Likely the only defect this instrument has is the 4 small holes drilled in the rim marquetry that I can only assume were for attaching some sort of resonator. The plating on the metal parts is good, other than a little rust on the hooks. The minor repairs and modifications we made to this instrument include; New fretboard binding (the original was quite cracked ans missing several pieces) geared tuners (Pre-war planets on the peghead and a Schaller fifth), a Fiberskyn head, and new frets. This banjo looks good and sounds great. What are you waiting for? 10 15/16" rim, 27" scale, EC, HC, $7,500

1926 Vega Style N, Converted To 5 String. This is an interesting conversion banjo. Not only was it converted from a tenor to a five string with a new neck by W. Fawley, but there is an added scallop under the original tonering turning an average banjo into something special. The neck is maple with an ebony 26 3/13" scale fretboard. Simple dots with a star at the fifth fret ornament the fretboard while the Vega torch graces the peghead. The rim has a diameter of 10 15/16" and retains most of the original hardware. The tone is mellow with a good volume, the same tone you would expect from an Imperial Electric. EC- SC $1,150

1920 Cole's Eclipse. Though this is one of the banjos made late in this firms history, it is still a high quality instrument. With it's 27" scale and the 10 7/8" head it has a bright and precise sound. The ebony fretboard is inlaid with dots, the peghead features an engraved floral design. Modern geared tuners have been installed. This is one clean banjo. EC, HC $1,900

1920's Orpheum #1. This orpheum #1 five string banjo is now better than new. How could that be you ask? Most importantly, the original dyed hardwood fretboard is now replaced with ebony. Those dyed wood fretboards were less expensive than ebony 80+ years ago. Unfortunately they decompose over time and cause lots of banjo problems. With the new ebony board (using the original inlays) this instrument looks right and feels solid. Other repairs include neck reset, new planet tuners, and a french polish refinish on the neck. The rim is all original and though not as squeaky clean as the neck, is in nice original condition. Scale length is 27", rim diameter is 12 1/8". Perfect for those wishing to emulate Charlie Pool or Walt Koken. EC-, HC $1850

1892 S.S. Stewart American Princess. A delightful small banjo from the late 19th century. The string length is 24 5/8" with a rim diameter of 9 7/8". As with all out vintage banjos, this one has been through the shop for a proper neck reset, refret, geared tuners, a new skin head and a good cleaning. There is finish wear on the neck and a bit of the nickel plating has worn to the brass, but it looks appropriate for it's age. VG, GB $1,150

1890 S.S. Stewart Thoroughbred, nice inlay, carved heel VG, HC; $1,250

1890 S.S. Stewart Champion. No surprises here. This banjo conforms to the catalog description of a SSS Champion style 2. A 27 2/4" scale and an 11 1/2" rim with a little more than dot inlays on the fretboard and peghead. One original factory feature I really like is the inside of the rim is painted to look like rosewood. We have this banjo set up with steel strings and geared tuners. I think you'll like it. VG, GB $1,000

1890s Fretless by H.E. Forest. This original fretless 5-string banjo is one of the odder banjos we have come across. The walnut neck is made of 8 1/4" laminations and the peghead shape has so many turns and points, you wonder what they were thinking. This neck is married to a 11 3/4" rim with an unusual cast bracket band, top tension stretcher band with 24 bolts, and the most inventive neck attachment hardware to grace our shop in the 17 years we have been in business. Once you get past the fact that this banjo is not the status quo, you'll find it is fun to play and great sounding. We have it set up with steel strings and Pegheds, four to one geared tuners that look like ebony friction tuners. EC, GB $1,200. Thanks to Richard Cicciarelli for publishing a book of banjo patents of the 19th century that helped us identify this instrument.

1880's Buckbee Fretless Made For Cubley. This oldtimer has a walnut neck with flush frets, a 10, 7/8" spin over rim, and is set up with Nylgut nylon strings. We instaled new Pegheds geared tuners that look like ebony friction pegs. and did a neck reset. Looks old, plays great! EC, GB, $850

1900 George Matthews fretless. I often say the British have there own way of making banjos, but this one is a close to an American style as they get. A 12 3/8" rim coupled with the 25 5/8" scale gives this banjo a great old time sound. The fingerboard is ebony with a star near the 5th peg and 5" of engraved metal leaves at the octave. The side of the neck is inlaid with 1/4" mother-of-pearl dots approximately where the frets would be if this were a fretted banjo the neck itself is walnut, and the rim is maple with a full spinover. Geared tuners on the peghead and a friction 5th peg. EC, GB $1,000

1960's Harmony Resotone. Steel reinforced poplar neck and a plastic rim. But, you know, these banjos really sound good for under $200. So give banjo playing a try and don't blow the budget. EC, SC! 175

1976 Harmony Bicentennial. The coolest of the Harmony Resotone banjos. Sure it has a plastic rim, but Harmony upgraded this line in 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States with an eagle on the back of the resonator and a Remo head with '76 printed on it. And to make it just a bit cooler the neck is painted blue. Exactly what or founding fathers had in mind. EC-, SC $250

New Saga SS-10P travel banjo. Looking at an Augusta Heritage Arts Workshop catalog a few years ago, I noticed a photo of a 9 year old girl trying to play a full-size five string banjo. It looked painful!. To make Old time music a little more fun for small kids, I decided to stock these new travel banjos. The short scale of 19 3/4" make it possible for kids to play with out stretching their left arm to their limit. We go the extra step to make these banjos sound and play great by replacing the plastic head with a new Remo Fiberskyn head and doing a complete setup. It really makes a difference. GB; $350. A fretboard scoop for playing over the neck is available for an additional $50.

New Saga SS-10. A new openback banjo that looks and sounds right, but will not break the bank. We set ours up with Fiberskyn heads to get more of an old time sound. A great place to start. New, GB, $350

2001 Saga SS-10. A lightly used introductory openback banjo. 11" rim, 26 1/4" scale. EC, GB, $250

Six String Banjos

1920's Majestic Guitar Banjo. Though we all get emails that size matters, this is on case where it really does. At 13 3/8" the rim on this Majestic is bigger than anything commercially available today. And what a sound that 13 3/8" makes. The coolest thunky banjo sound you could imagine. The neck is Brazilian rosewood with a crescent moon in the peghead. New parts include; Tuners, Tailpiece and the hooks and nuts. EC-, with wimpy gigbag. Sorry, Sold, but we have another in the repair shop that will be available in the future, so check back or inquire.

Banjo Research

J. French Cleve'd O. banjos. J. Lafayette French made banjos in Cleveland Ohio from about 1870 to about 1900. We are currently researching J.L. French and his banjos. If you have any information on J. Lafayette French the banjo maker, or his family we would love to hear from you. We are also documenting any banjos made by his company. Please click the contact button and let us know what you know. We will also gladly answer any questions about J. French banjos to the best of our ability. Check out the new in progress web site www.jfrenchbanjos.com

J. French Banjos, Contact us...

FOUR STRING BANJOS

1929 Vega Whyte Laydie Style R 19 fret tenor, 23" scale, 10 15/16" rim with Fiberskyn head, open back, new Gotoh planet tuners. Set up with jazz tuning, but Irish tuning is no problem. EC, HC; $1,150

1924 Ludwig Dixie, cool gold diamond celluloid inlays, Walnut neck and resonator, new geared tuners VG, OHC; $450

1940 B&D Serenader Silverbell 19 fret tenor banjo. Yes, this banjo was assembled in the Gretsch era of the famed Bacon banjo company. The good news is all the parts are from the earlier era. This banjo is a nice high quality instrument. The peghead has nicely engraved pearloid, the fretboard is ebony with attractive mother of pearl inlays. We recently refretted the banjo so it plays like a dream. Here's more good news; The mute is all there and works perfectly. Set up in Jazz tuning. EC, OHC. $1,250 When requesting pictures of this instrument, don't forget to ask for a close-up of the Alfred E. Neuman "What Me Worry" decal on the case!! Too Cool!

1925 Paramount Style A Plectrum. This is a good example of Paramount's lowest cost model. Maple neck, rosewood fretboard with fancy (but not too fancy) inlays. I like this model best of any Paramount because they used fewer dyed veneers in construction. Those veneers tend to decompose over time and make the instrument unstable until they are replaced. All original hardware including Paige pegs and flip tailpiece. Metal is EC, wood is VG. With a nice Ess & Ess hard case I bought new in 1980 and didn't need until now. $1,200

BANJO UKES

1920's British Banjo Uke. Though it has a retailer's decal on the back of the peghead, I am confident that Mason's Music of Toronto, Canada did not manufacture this banjo. The instrument has an archtop 7 7/8" rim, with a custom Remo Fiberskyn head installed. The scale is 13 1/2". With the original resonator, the tone is snappy. VG, OSC, $225

1925 Epiphone, new ebony fretboard by SFI, 13 7/8" scale, 8 1/2" rim, heavy! EC; $550

1925 Epiphone, 13 7/8" scale, 8 1/2" rim, heavy!, EC+++ with OHC that is also EC+++ $700

BANJO RIMS

1890 Lyon & Healy Mystic, 11 15/16" spunover. Need a nice neck! $400

1890 Baystate, 10 15/16" spunover, fibersyn head, EC $300

1928 Vega Vegaphone Professional, Tubaphone tonering, 10 15/16" rim $800

1925 Vega Style K 10 1/8" rim $250

1930 Orpheum #1, 11 /8" EC $350

1925 Washburn Style C, doughnut tonering $275

1890 Buckbee, Spunover,11" dia, 2" deep, VG $150

Guide to Abbreviations and Physical Condition;

New; An instrument that came to us from the manufacturer. It has never been owned by a consumer and has it's full warrantee.

Mint; As the instrument came from the factory. No blemishes at all

Near mint; Almost as it came from the factory

EC; Excellent condition, a very clean instrument that has a few minor blemishes

VG; Very Good Condition, reasonable wear for its age.

GC; Good Condition; plenty of player wear.

Plus or minus indicates the condition is half a grade better or worse.

HC; Price includes a Hard case, either made of laminated wood or ABS plastic. Hard cases offer the most protection for your instrument. The disadvantage is they are heavy.

OHC; Original Hard Case, the hard case purchased with the instrument when it was new.

SC; Softcase, refers to a chipboard (stiff cardboard) case,

OSC; The chipboard case sold with the instrument when new.

GB; Gigbag, a padded cloth bag. Usually with shoulder straps.

Shipping

We ship most of our instruments via DHL, as FedEx no longer will insure older musical instruments. Cost to ship a mandolin is $15 to $25. Cost to ship a guitar is $15 to $50. The cost of insurance is extra. We will be happy to quote before shipping.

Small goods like banjo heads and other parts cost $5 per order for Priority Mail shipping in the contenental US no matter what the order size. The cost of orders headed out of the contenental US will be quoted before they are shipped.

To Order
Please call us at 304-636-6710. As payment we accept checks, wire transfers and MasterCard & Visa.

Email; Occasionally a customer will let us know that the "Contact Us" button will not work on their computer. If you have that problem, please use smakula<at>meer<dot>net You will have to change the <at> and <dot> to @ and .