Smakula,
Smakula
Fretted
Instruments
PO Box 882, Elkins, West Virginia 26241
304-636-6710
Banjos, Contact us...
Page updated 1-11-12
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FIVE STRING BANJOSOpenback 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
We recently acquired a few banjos that are currently being restored by the careful hands of Smakula Fretted Instruments' master banjo technician, Andy FitzGibbon. On the bench are; A.C. Fairbanks Tubaphone #3 flowerpot original 5 string, Fairbanks Vega Tubaphone #3 original 5 string, Fairbanks Vega original maple neck Tubaphone 5 string, original Vega Tubaphone guitar banjo. They will be priced and photographed when the repairs are complete. Please email if you have an interest in these instruments. We'll send the details when they are available for sale.
New Enoch Dobson model. This long awaited Enoch banjo is a thrilling addition to the Enoch line. The neck is similar to the Tradesman instruments, being made of Walnut with an ebony fretboard, but the addition of the engraved pinwheel star makes it all the sweeter. The rim is improved over the Tradesman with the addition of a Dobson style tonering. This upgrade offers a brightness and clarity to the tone that has made this banjo the most played instrument in the shop. 11" or 12" rim and a 25 1/2" scale. Limited production, Priced with an Enoch gigbag at $1,650. If you are interested in an Enoch Dobson, Please email and we will put you on our want list. No obligation, but it puts you in line to buy one of these in demand banjos.
New Enoch Tradesman by Enoch Instruments. 11" or 12" rim with black finish, 25 1/2" scale, natural finish walnut or cherry 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; $975 fretted, $925 fretless. A fretboard scoop is a factory option at an additional cost of $35.
New Enoch Tradesman. Occasionally an Enoch Tradesman comes through with exceptional qualities. In a recent order we received a 12" Tradesman fretted banjo with amazing burled walnut necks. The figure on these necks is what you would normally see on custom Enoch banjos, but somehow this special wood wound up on the work horse line. All details are the same as the other Enoch Tradesman instruments, but for an extra $90, you get some great eye candy. $1,100 with gigbag. Photos
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. $1085 Photos
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, $955
Click here for a list of new Enoch Tradesman banjos in stock and ready to ship today.
1988 Goose Acres Electric. OK, I admit it. I left a sold Goose Acres banjo on my list of banjo descriptions for over a year so whenever someone did an internet search for Goose Acres banjo, they would eventually find my site. Well, now we have one of these custom instruments for sale. Similar to that last one, but a little cooler. This rare banjo was made at the high point of Goose Acres banjo production. With the late Peter H. Smakula, Bob Smakula, & Kevin Enoch making 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 straight maple with a natural blond finish. 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 Fairbanks shaped neck is back-strapped giving an elegant look to this amazing instrument. The blond rim is 11" with tortoise celluloid binding on the inside and the scale of the tortoise celluloid bound ebony fretboard is 26 1/4". The tone is full and snappy and the feel is precise. From the original owner, this banjo is in excellent condition and has the original hard case. $3,000. Sorry, this one recently sold. I wonder how long I can get away with leaving this discription on my website? Photos If you happen to have a Goose Acres banjo you are thinking of selling, we are allways interested. Contact us...
2008 Doug Unger Presentation. Doug Unger's pearl inlay and engraving is some of the best in the world. He has the touch that makes you think 1903 Fairbanks. This banjo ranks up with the best of them. The inlays on the peghead and 26-1/8" scale fretboard are copies of Fairbanks number 7, with the addition of an art deco inlay that spells out Peninsula at the19th fret. For those of you out of the loop, Peninsula is the town in Ohio where Professor Unger lives. The wood on the neck is vivid curly maple varnish finished with an amber color. The 10-1/2" rim looks like Rickard work from Canada with the addition of vintage 2 point Vega shoes. The rim is finished black with a scalloped tonering and herringbone marquetry on the bottom edge. The vintage screw tension friction tuning pegs have modern beaded bone knobs and look stunning. A banjo that is playable art at it's finest. This excellent condition instrument is priced at $5,500 and includes a tweed TKL case. Sorry, This one is sold. Photos
1909 A.C. Fairbanks Regent. A good friend of ours marveled at the fact we seem to attract original Fairbanks and Vega banjos with the classic Griffin peghead inlay. "You must be on the Griffin migration pattern" he commented. I can't disagree since we are now offering yet another of these amazing original 100 year old five string banjos. This very clean example has a 26" scale ebony fretboard inlaid with dots, a star at the fifth fret and the bell thingie at the first fret. The dyed hardwood peghead overlay is inlaid with the griffin, a star and another bell thingie. This inlay pattern is most commonly seen on Fairbanks Whyte Laydie #2 banjos. The 10-13/16" spunover rim sports a new high-grade calfskin head and nearly all original hardware, one nut is a close, but not perfect match. The natural maple on the interior of the rim matches the neck. With a recent neck reset here in our shop, this instrument plays great. The slightly small size makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. The tone is sweet and precise. This excellent condition banjo is available for $2,600 and the price includes a newer Superior hard case. Photos Sorry, Sold
1890 Fairbanks Electric. This is one sweet banjo. Made in the first year of the A.C. Fairbanks Co.'s production, this banjo style was the first incarnation of the world famous Whyte Laydie. The heart of this instrument is the rim. The diameter of 11-1/2" offers a fullness of tone. The addition of the scalloped Electric tonering brought a clarity other banjos of the day did not have. The cherry neck has an ebony fretboard (installed by SFI a few years ago) with a comfortable 26" scale. At the time we did the fretboard work, we also installed Pegheds geared tuners and reset the neck making this legendary banjo ready for the next 120 years. The condition is in the very good to excellent range. The price, including a TKL hard case, is $2,000. Sorry, Sold. Photos
For those of you that are a little confused about the Fairbanks Electric name, it has nothing to do with humbucking pickups and Marshall stack amplifiers. In this model banjo's introductory year of 1890 electricity was becoming common in cities. Fairbanks used the comparison of the bright electric lights and the bright sound of their new model banjo as an advertising campaign. It would take another 45 years before a banjo shaped object would be amplified by electricity.
1928 Vega Tubaphone #3. Another original 5 string Vega banjo? How did we get so lucky? No major modifications or thoughtless "upgrades" have been performed on this banjo. Well, except for the name Rex scratched on the dowelstick. The 10 15/16" Tubaphone rim is in nice shape. One reason was the banjo came with a flush fit (no flange) resonator that kept the rim from being banged up. The tailpiece is an original 1920's Vegaphone Presto we modified for 5 string. The neck was professionally refretted and rebound here in the SFI shop. The peghead is inlaid with the word Vega surrounded by a floral vine. The original tuners are the diamond plate Grover Ideal and the banjo retains the original friction fifth string tuner. The mahogany neck's profile is slimmer than the earlier original Vega & Fairbanks five string banjos. It has some finish wear in the first position, but from the fifth fret to the carved heel it looks real good. Like any Tubaphone, this banjo has a bright tone with plenty of volume. A little too loud for your band mates? Take off the resonator! All in all the banjo falls in the very good plus to excellent minus condition categories. The price with the original hard shell case is $2,900. Sorry, Sold Photos
Recent John Gough Neck on a Vintage Rim. This Fairbanks style 3 neck was made a few years ago by noted banjo neck maker John Gough. Crafted of mahogany, this neck has a carved heel, reproduction engraved flowerpot inlay and a scale length of 26-1/8" on the inlaid ebony fretboard. The 11" rim is similar to a Vega style N, but a little thicker. An odd issue with the rim is it has 2 1/2" holes through the rim that were for an electric light system that was popular in pre World War 2 days to dry calfskin banjo heads on humid days. This is a good, attractive plunky sounding 5 string banjo. Price is $2,000 with a gigbag. Photos
1927 Bacon Super Banjo. A new curly maple five-string neck adorns this vintage 11" diameter Bacon Super banjo rim and features well done reproduction fancy inlay in mother-of-pearl. The fretboard is Brazilian rosewood and is slotted for a comfortable 26-1/4" scale. The original dowel stick retains the Bacon Banjo Company's Super Banjo graphics. Sound? This one is loud and snappy. Perfect for a player that has to compete with a full band while playing melodic leads. The original resonator comes off easily allowing the banjo to be an openback when necessary. The banjo is in very good to excellent condition, comes with a modern TKL hard case at a price of $1,400 Photos
1979 Arthur E. Smith Shelburn II. This is one of the A.E. Smith company's better banjos. It has the mythical internal resonator with a Bacon style tone ring. The ornament is plain with dot inlays in the 27" scale bound ebony fretboard and a simple mother of pearl maple leaf gracing the peghead. Neck is straight maple with 5 veneers down the center. The 5 geared tuners are Schallers with pearloid knobs. The 11" rim is also maple and features the previously mentioned rim construction. The lacquer finish has quite a bit of checking, but is still mostly there. There is one issue; the heel cracked then the dowel was steamed out during a neck reset. That problem was correctly repaired, but it is visible. In very good minus condition and includes the original Ess & Ess hard case. Price is $2,000 Photos
Recent Mastercraft Bluegrass Classic, Left Handed. Though I recommend left handed musicians learning to play that they give right-handed instruments a try, every now and then it just doesn't work. And for those musicians we have banjos with the fifth tuner on the opposite side of the neck. This Mastercraft banjo is a modern Chinese made instrument with a traditional Hearts & Flowers inlay pattern on the 26-1/4" scale bound rosewood fretboard. The neck wood is mahogany and includes 4 planet tuners on the peghead and a standard geared fifth tuner. The 11" wood rim has a simple brass hoop tone ring. The resonator's flange is attached to the shoes with the bracket nuts, allowing you to easily convert this banjo to an openback if so desired. Tone is clear without being harsh or too loud. All in all a respectable banjo to start on. In nearly new condition, this banjo is $325 and the price includes the original hard case!Photos
1890 Lyon & Healy Left Handed Original Five String. We restored and sold this banjo about 3 years ago and now it's back and as big as ever. The scale of the ebony fretboard is 28-5/8" and the rim has a diameter of 13". Though not marked Lyon & Healy, this banjo has all the characteristics of the L&H Mystic line. The peghead on the birch neck is reminiscent of the S.S. Stewart shape, has an inlaid star and 4 newer small shaft planet pegs installed. The rim is spun over and features 30 brackets. The calf skin head was installed at the time of the restoration, as was the custom-made reproduction brass tension hoop. The tone of this beast is full and loud with a great sounding bass. The price, including a TKL hard case, is $1650. . The rarest banjo the right-handed staff of SFI will never be able to play. Photos.
1890's Mystic by Lyon & Healy. Here is an unusual Lyon & Healy banjo. The neck is fairly standard for a Mystic. Mahogany with a thin ebony fretboard with a 23-24" scale, but the 10" rim has 24 Buckbee style eagle brackets. I have never seen that combination before, but it looks good. It also may be a put-together from 2 different banjos. Unfortunately one of the eagles is broken, but we'll replace it when the right one comes through the shop. As it still retains the original friction tuning pegs, we strung the banjo with Nylgut strings. It is very comfortable to plan and has a great round sound. In very good condition for $750 and a gigbag is included. Photos
1910 Washburn by Rettberg & Lange. It seems that after the turn of the century, You know, that one 111 years ago, some of the major manufacturers of musical instruments started subcontracting the manufacturing of their brands to other makers. In the last year we have had banjos that were obviously made by Cole, but were stamped Washburn. Now this one falls into our lap. Yes it has the George Washburn belt logo stamped into the dowelstick, but the construction doesn't look like the pre-1900 Washburns we all know so well. So it's a little different, it still is a rather nice banjo. The neck is blond birch with an ebonized hard wood center laminant. The 26-1/4" scale dyed hardwood fretboard is inlaid with on end slotted squares and complement the peghead inlays rather well. Gotoh planet tuners & a matching 5th with cream colored knobs make tuning as smooth as can be. The 10-11/16" spun over rim sports new hooks and nuts that would be unnoticed except we just told you. An interesting cocobolo armrest gives the banjo a comfortable feel when played. Tone is even with a certain brightness that is sure to please. The previous owner had us reset the neck last year, so the instrument plays precisely. A 101 year old winner. In very good plus condition and priced at $750 with a Superior II gigbag. Photos
2000? Deering Deluxe Openback. Hard to pinpoint the year of manufacture on this one as the Deering model/serial number sticker is missing. Likely it was on the pop on resonator that is no longer with the banjo. Though not knowing the year a banjo was built will drive some of my customers batty, they'll still love the hybrid bluegrass/old time sound that comes out of this instrument. The 11" rim has a Mastertone style tonering and full thickness maple shell. The mahogany neck has a 26-1/4" scale ebony fretboard with small diamond inlays. The Deering decal is proudly displayed on the peghead along with the Schaller planetary tuners. The snappy sound with low action is perfect for melodic playing or when you need a bluegrass banjo that's not quite so loud. In excellent condition with the exception of some filled holes in the side of the fretboard. Priced at $1,200 with a gigbag. Photos
Recent Deering Goodtime; These are rather decent USA made banjos that are lightweight with a bright snappy sound. This one was a trade in from a customer that needed to upgrade to the tone of an Enoch Tradesman. Used, but not abused and a great deal at $300. We even include a Superior Trailpack II gigbag. Photos
1970's Stewart MacDonald assembled Kit Banjo. Back in the 1970's most entry-level banjos were awful. Bad neck angle, improperly installed frets, nearly unusable tuning keys, and the list goes on. Stewart MacDonald of Athens, OH offered an amazing alternative to the unusable imports. For $99 you could buy everything to assemble your own banjo in one box. Who knows who put this one together, but they did a creditable job. The mahogany neck has a 26-1/4" scale rosewood fretboard inlaid with mother-of-pearl dots. The 11" rim is cast aluminum with an integral archtop tonering. Tuning pegs are Schallers. The bright tone the banjo produces is a good hybrid for Old-time and bluegrass styles. The banjo is in very good condition and includes a soft-shell, chipboard, case. The price is $350. Photos
1976 Harmony Bicentennial. The coolest of the Harmony Resotone banjos. Sure it has a plastic rim, but Harmony upgraded this line in 1976 with a Minuteman decal 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 red. EC-, SC $250 Photos
2007 Oscar Schmidt OB-5. A decent sounding resonator banjo to get you going for not too much money. This Asian made 5 string has an aluminum rim coupled with a mahogany neck with hearts and flowers inlay. You've all seen this same model banjo with several brand names on the peghead. This one happens to say Oscar Schmidt. It's in excellent condition and has a great condition soft-shell (stiff cardboard with a vinyl exterior and foam interior) case. For the $200 price, you can't go wrong. Photos
For the last few years we have been looking for a decent low cost and good sounding openback that is perfect for folks learning to play Old Time Music. There are several manufacturers out there making banjos similar to what I want, but their quality control is inconsistent. The banjo you receive could be completely different from the sample you saw. Then came Gold Tone's latest offerings. Nicely made instruments that look and sound the way we think Old Time banjos should be.
New Gold Tone CC-OT. This model has a mahogany neck with a 26 1/2" scale rosewood fretboard. The 11" diameter rim comes with a Remo Fiberskyn head The tuners are all geared. We upgrade this model with 4 to 1 Gotoh planet tuners on the peghead. The neck comes from the factory scooped near the rim for clawhammer playing and Gold Tone even includes a 5th string railroad spike capo. And to sweeten the deal a little more the package comes with a gigbag, a strap and an instructional DVD. List price is $499; we sell them for $365. This model is now being made with an optional shorter "A" scale. We have those in stock as well.
New Gold Tone CB-100. This is the next step up from the Gold Tone CC-OT. Upgraded features include a maple neck with slightly fancier inlay and an archtop tonering with Remo Renaissance head for a brighter sound. List price is $$699. Our price with a gigbag is $525.
New Gold Tone WL-250. The addition of the Whyte Laydie style tonering makes this imported banjo a little brighter and clearer that the other Gold Tone banjos we sell. The comfortable, slim, maple neck is finished in a walnut color and features cloud inlays on the fretboard. 11" rim and a 26-1/4"" scale. The list price is $999. Our selling price with a gigbag includes is $665.
New Gold Tone CEB-5 Cello Banjo. Who would have thought that the banjo world in the 21st century needed a Cello banjo? Gold Tone has come through with a well built and good sounding instrument tuned to a low pitch, With a 14" rim there isn't a cooler imported banjo on the market. List price is $1,319. Our price with a hard case is $880. Yep, it's fun to play!
New Recording King RK-025-BR. Reminiscent of Gibson's RB-175, this openback had a bright snappy sound that works well for melodic playing. The maple neck has a 27-1/2" scale rosewood fretboard, the 3/4" thick maple rim is 11" in diameter and cut at the top to resemble a Mastertone flat head tonering. To be clear, there is no tonering on this banjo. The head sits directly on the wood. A decent banjo at a reasonable price. $400 with a Levy's gigbag.
Six String Banjos
New Gold Tone BT-2000. Gold Tone has made the best sounding new Guitar banjo money can buy. With the 12" rim,9this banjo has all the growl and funk you need in a guitar banjo. Not a wimpy, tinny sound you get from the easy to find 11" Asian imports. The list price is $919. We offer this model at $665 and include a good gigbag.
Banjo Research
J. French Cleve'd O. banjos. J. Lafayette French made banjos in Cleveland Ohio from the 1870's 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 in progress web site www.jfrenchbanjos.com
J. French Banjos, Contact us...
Banjo Rims
1927 Vega Whyte Laydie Style R Banjo Rim. Occasionally as Smakula Fretted Instruments we get an orphan banjo rim. This one came to us with the original tenor neck that had been unprofessionally repaired using a one eighth inch thick aluminum plate to repair a headstock separation. As that neck could not be economically restored, we offer you a nice original Vega Whyte Laydie rim to install your own custom neck. The diameter is 10-15/16" and has a new Remo Fiberskyn head. As there were several missing hooks and nuts, we opted to replace them all with perfect modern reproductions. You would never know if I didn't tell you. The only minor issue is a 1/2" section of binding is missing. Either replace it, or let it be an honest 85 year old banjo part. The $1,000 price includes the original dowel stick and the neck attachment hardware.
FOUR STRING BANJOS
1919 Vega Style R Whyte Laydie Tenor Banjo. This 17-fret neck tenor banjo is set up for Irish playing. Tuned an octave below a mandolin, it has the punch and cutting power you need for a session. The instrument has a blond maple neck with a bound ebony fretboard with simple inlays consisting of dots and a fifth fret star on the fretboard and a star on the peghead. The fret scale is 19-3/4" and rim diameter is 10-11/16". Though 93 years old, it looks like it was made only a few years ago. The metal on the rim looks great. New German made small shaft tuners with ivoroid knobs give it the vintage look and help you stay in tune. The original pie-plate spin-on resonator will help cut through the rest of the band. When we received the banjo we noticed the frets were loose, so out they came and new frets installed. The neck angle is good, so this banjo plays like a dream. With a nice original hard case, the price of this banjo is $1,450. Photos
1930 Vega Style L Whyte Laydie Mandolin Banjo. It has been raining Vega banjos lately here in Randolph County. Certainly a few great instruments have come out of the woodwork this past month. This example is one of the few playable mando-banjos I have run across. Good neck angle, for decent string height and new frets installed here at SFI keep the buzzes away. Like most Whyte Laydie banjos, the neck and rim are finished in natural blond maple. The ebony fretboard has a 13-3/4" scale and is inlaid with 4 mother-of-pearl dot position markers. The 10-1/16" rim has 26 original brackets with open ball nuts. The new Remo Fiberskyn head keeps the banjo's tone from being too crashy. The metal is still shiny enough to see yourself after 82 years. In excellent condition, this hard to find example of Vega's great work is only $1,100. The original case is not so great, but as soon as I find a better one, I'll include it. Photos
1960's Kay Tenor banjo. Here is a nicely made solid tenor banjo that is perfect to start your tenor banjo career with minimal investment. The maple neck has a 23" scale rosewood fretboard with dot inlay. The 11" rim has 20 brackets and is set up with a resonator in the Vegavox style, that is the flange 1" below the top of the head and the resonator is extra deep (2-3/8"). The chrome-plated hardware is in excellent condition, like the rest of the banjo. We have this instrument strung with heavy strings for Irish tuning, but we will be glad to restring to jazz tuning on request. The price is $350 and a chipboard case is included. Photos1927 Vega Tubaphone Style 3 Plectrum. A nice original 4 string banjo from the Vega Banjo Company's most prolific period. This banjo came from the granddaughter of the original owner and is in very nice shape. The mahogany neck has an ebony fret board with 22 frets and a 27" scale. The inlays are simply mother of pearl dots with a star at the fifth fret. The peghead is dyed hardwood inlaid with the word VEGA surrounded by a viney design. As with every mahogany neck Tubaphone number 3 banjo I have seen, the heel is carved. The 10-15/16" rim conforms to the catalog description combining the world renowned Tubaphone tonering with a laminated maple rim and the addition of a bracket band to avoid drilling through the rim to mount shoes. Though Tubaphone banjos are loud to start with, the addition of the pie plate resonator with 28 individual flanges gives the banjo the punch to compete with the rest of your band. If you need a vintage plectrum with a dignified yet assertive personality, don't let this one get away. This instrument is all original with the exception of the new Remo smooth top, bottom frosted head and the addition of German made small shaft geared tuners. Perhaps not original from the 155 Columbus Ave. factory, but has been on the banjo for many years, is the nickel-plated pickguard. It kind of looks goofy and it would definitely get in the way of my playing, but fortunately it is easily removable. In excellent condition and including the original (and in very good condition) hard shell case, this banjo is priced at $1,200. You can not buy a new plectrum banjo this nice for this little.Photos
BANJO UKES
1922 Mauna Loa, by Lyon & Healy, Banjo Ukulele. This banjo uke has a longer than standard, scale, (15-1/8"), and a 17 fret neck on an 8" diameter rim. These details combined with the new Remo Renaissance head and a resonator on the rim give you the brightness and volume you have been looking for. The resonator, original to this banjo, has the Lyon & Healy stamp. This instrument is in very good condition and includes a Superior brand gigbag. Price for this weapon of jam destruction; $300 Photos
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. Photos
Banjo Uke Hard Case. Designed to the specifications of Kevin Enoch, this banjo case is certainly the nicest one on the market. It fits openback banjo ukes with an 8" diameter rim, 23-1/2" total length and a maximum depth of 3" (from the bottom of the rim to the top of the bridge). The simulated leather covering is brown, and the lid is arched for extra strength. Very nice. Retail price is $120, our discount price is $95. Supply is limited, so order soon to avoid disappointment. Photos
New Wire Armrest for Openback Banjo. One of the most important accessories we sell is this reproduction Vega and Fairbanks style wire armrest. Adding comfort to holding the banjo allows you to concentrate more on playing. Any banjo we sell that did not come with an armrest has one of these installed before the sale. And if you need one for your other banjo, they are only $15. Photos
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 UPS. Cost to ship a mandolin is $15 to $25. Cost to ship a guitar or banjo is $20 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.
Sales Tax
We are legally obligated to charge 6% West Virginia sales tax on anything purchased here at the shop or shipped within the state of West Virginia. We do not charge sales tax on orders sent out of state.
To Order
Please call us at 304-636-6710. For 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 sfi<at>smakula<dot>com You will have to change the <at> and <dot> to @ and .