Help with info on this vintage banjo

[Rob01950]

Let me start by saying I know NOTHING about banjos. Yesterday my father handed me this banjo, branded as Thompson Odell "Artist" and dating to the late 1800s based on what little I was able to find online. It belonged to my grandmother and I recall seeing it maybe once or twice during my lifetime.

I would be very grateful for any info folks could provide on the maker and whether it might be worth getting cleaned up for other than sentimental reasons. The one thing that catches my eye is the MOP inlay. I can only imagine what it would cost for this work to be done custom on a new Martin! Thank you in advance.

[repete]

Send a message to my brother on smakula.com. He's a banjo geek and will have some info for you.

-r

[Rudy4]

If you really want information you're asking in the wrong place. Post in the collector's forum at Banjohangout.org

http://www.banjohangout.org/gotoforum/17

Also seems to be something wrong at the tailpiece; (top missing?) DO NOT let those steel strings dig into that skin head!

It appears from the photo that the bridge is located incorrectly. If you need basic setup information I have a bit available at my website:

http://www.bluestemstrings.com/pageB...tionTips2.html

[Aaron Smith]

Originally Posted by repete

Send a message to my brother on smakula.com. He's a banjo geek and will have some info for you.

-r

Any relation to Peter Smakula, the former founder/owner of Goose Acres Folk Music in Cleveland? I loved that guy, he taught me an awful lot about guitars and music.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by Aaron Smith

Any relation to Peter Smakula, the former founder/owner of Goose Acres Folk Music in Cleveland? I loved that guy, he taught me an awful lot about guitars and music.

Bob is Peter's son. Here's a nice little Bio of Bob:

http://glorybeamingbanjo.blogspot.co...b-smakula.html

[repete]

Originally Posted by Aaron Smith

Any relation to Peter Smakula

and thats why I'm repete.

Glad you have some good memories of the old man. He did enjoy folk music.

-r

[Aaron Smith]

Originally Posted by repete

and thats why I'm repete.

Glad you have some good memories of the old man. He did enjoy folk music.

-r

That is very cool... I went to Case, and spent a lot of time hanging around the store. Moved away in 97, was very disappointed when I heard the store had closed. As an engineering student, I thought it was very cool when your dad told me about his technical training. He had a reputation as being a grump when college kids came in, but when he figured out that I was genuinely interested in the music, I was always welcome there. Glad to hear that his sons are carrying on the tradition!

[repete]

The business of being grumpy? Hahaha.

Bob is in the business. I just enjoy fixing stuff. 3 brother isnt musical.

-r