I have sad news to report. I just learned that Snuffy has passed away. I don't have any details or arrangements yet., but I will be sure to post them here as soon as I know. He's done a lot for bridge development and was an accomplished luthier/repairman and darn good banjoist too. Say some prayers for his wife Jacque tonight.

Here's an update:

Snuffy passed away in his Shop Friday afternoon.  A memorial service and visitation will be held at 6:00 pm on Monday evening, at Slate Funeral Home - 132 E Dalton Road, King, NC 27021. Phone Number: (336) 983-5176. He will be buried in Arkansas.

Sorry to hear this. RIP

So sorry to hear!!!...He used to do Free set ups and tone ring fits at the MACC yrs ago. He set up my Granada and gave me sage advice about how NOT to treat a banjo... That day still remains very vivid in the minds eye. Yeah John,please post new as you get it.

Prayers sent up.

Sorry to here this. My thoughts are with his family.

Thankful for all he has done. Tried other bridges but always went back to his. Thank you. Rip

Sorry to hear this...thoughts and prayers out to the Smith family and friends...

So sorry to hear this sad news.

I'm sorry to hear about Snuffy's passing.  My prayers go out to his family.  The banjo world has lost an icon.

Praying for his family...

sorry to hear.. his bridge was on my banjo for many years.. still would be but I went back 5/8.

he will be missed.

Very sorry to hear this news,saw him at Galax back last august.A great loss,I've used his bridges for years! Prayers for the family.    Jim

RIP my friend!!

Edited by - fivedrive5 on 02/03/2012 20:58:37

Sorry to hear that. He had alot of history. Just bought a 9/16 SS from Elderly a few weeks ago.

Sorry to hear this sad news..

Sorry to hear this, prayers will go out to his wife.

Sorry to hear this, I'll be praying.

...I heard about his passing tonight on the way back from a picking party....what a shame...he was a good person, luthier, and banjo player...our thoughts and prayers go out to his good wife, ....

Edited by - DannyB4 on 02/03/2012 22:35:38

Sorry to hear this. He will be missed.

prayers to the family

He will be missed. Prayers to the family

I first got in touch with him in 1980, by letter of course. Ordered a bridge, he wrote back asking complete information about my banjo, setup, sound preferences etc so that he could choose the right bridge for me. I never got that first bridge, so after a while he sent me another one, for free. First met him in 1982, became friends right away. He put me up at his place (back then in was in Springdale, AR) for several days, in two different occasions, and taught me A LOT about banjos, setup, bridges, astronomy & telescopes, shooting pistols, dirt car racing, cats and dogs, Ducati motorcycles, Corvettes, you name it he was an expert at that. Showed me EVERYTHING about how he built bridges, he was selfish or secretive about it at all. He came to Italy and we went to Cremona for the Stradivari Museum, traveled Northern Italy with him and Jaque. His mother always came to see my band when we played in the Tulsa area, where she lived, and always brought me greetings from Joe (Snuffy's real name, she could never adapt to calling him Snuffy...). We haven't been in touch for the past 10 years or so because of his not liking (and possibly not even having) email, but in my mind he always was a true friend, and I know it was the same for me. It's a very sad day for me. I wish I could get in touch with Jacque so I can let her know how much I've been missing them, and I'll be missing Snuffy.

I hate to hear that Snuffy passed away. He was one of the the first "big" guys who heard me play and gave me a lot of encouragement early on. He was also one of the first people who sparked my intrest in pre-war Gibson banjos. I will never forget my first trip to his shop, in King, when it was in the smaller place and playing some of the first pre-war one piece flange Gibsons I would come in contact with. Thanks Snuffy, R.I.P.

Brandon

Sorry to hear this news. Prayers to his family...

So sorry to hear this very sad news.

Condolences to all.  A banjo icon of the highest caliber.  R.I.P.

The banjo world loses another great one. RIP Snuffy.

-matt