Goose Acres T-11M Model 5 String Banjo (2006), made in Cleveland, Ohio, serial # 887, natural finish, laminated maple neck and rim, ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case.
Goose Acres was the family business of Bob Smakula and his father Peter H. Smakula, two names often spoken with a distinct reverence within the world of banjo lovers. After humble beginnings building dulcimers in the 1970's, a teenage Bob enlisted the aid of his father Peter, a German immigrant and all-around steward of American folk music. The pair grew a small repair operation and their "Thumb Piano Factory & Dulcimer Works" into the Goose Acres Folk Music Center. More than just a store to share the fruits of their own lutherie, it was a repair shop and a vital meeting ground that served all manner of local pickers and folkies all the way up to the likes of Norman Blake and Doc Watson. While Bob continues to this day to build and preserve fine folk instruments under the Smakula banner, Goose Acres ceased operations in 2006 and Peter passed shortly after in 2008.
This 5-string is the company's standard bearer, the T-11M featuring a maple rim with a simple Little Wonder style tone ring. Built in October 2006, it was one of the last instruments made in the Goose Acres workshop. The neck is in the classic Vega pattern made of 3-piece laminated mahogany with a thin center strip and topped with a dot inlaid ebony fingerboard. The headstock is faced in ebony and carries typical Planet tuners with large pearloid buttons and a small pearl "GA" inlay. It is a voluminous and brilliant sounding banjo with a chime-like voice. This is a very nice traditional old time banjo that in a pinch can sub in a Bluegrass jam!
Overall length is 36 3/4 in. (93.3 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
Overall this banjo remains in wonderful condition, showing just some marginal wear to the metal surfaces but hardly any actual marks from use. It plays very well; the frets have plenty of life in them, the tuners work splendidly, and it is fully set up and ready to pick. The only notable bit of wear is the existence of a few minor scratches and tarnish to the metal hardware. It resides in the original very good quality hardshell case it would have left Smakula's bench with in 2006. Inside the case is a wrench, an additional bridge and a bill of sale from Mr. Smakula himself to the individual from whom we purchased the banjo, as well as an inventory tag on the handle. Their personal information was blacked for privacy, but still present is a comment from Smakula noting that this was one of the last 10 instruments logged by Goose Acres. Excellent + Condition.
