glennw - Posted - 07/13/2026:  15:56:11

Banjo Hive Mind-

I have a student who has a Fairbanks Electric with a deteriorated fretboard. The pot looks good, though. I believe this banjo needs a new neck with a truss rod. So my two questions are 1} can anyone identify the model number, and 2) who is the best person around to build a new neck for this instrument? My concern is that only replacing the fretboard might not prevent the neck from bowing, so I'm thinking a new neck with reproduction inlays and a truss rod would be the best solution here. Photos are attached.

Thanks,

Glenn Weiser

Edited by - glennw on 07/13/2026 15:59:20

Fairbanks neck

csacwp - Posted - 07/13/2026:  16:50:59

Just replace the fingerboard (the inlays can be reused) and string it up with gut or nylon strings. It wasn't built with steel strings in mind. I'd reach out to Bob Smakula about getting the work done.

Edited by - csacwp on 07/13/2026 16:52:13

glennw - Posted - 07/13/2026:  16:55:27

John-

Thanks for that information.
So who is the best person to replace the fretboard, if that's the way to go?

-Glenn

csacwp - Posted - 07/13/2026:  18:01:07

quote:

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Originally posted by glennw

John-



Thanks for that information.

So who is the best person to replace the fretboard, if that's the way to go?



-Glenn

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Contact Bob Smakula.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/13/2026:  21:15:08

What John said. Bob Smakula will know who might be available and capable of the work.

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 07/13/2026 21:21:39

KCJones - Posted - 07/14/2026:  07:44:23

Bob Smakula Karl Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com/

glennw - Posted - 07/14/2026:  08:18:57

OK, thanks. We will contact them.
Can anybody ID the model # and put a value on it when repaired?

Glenn

Bob Smakula - Posted - 07/15/2026:  04:22:27

csacwp glennw



John; Thank you for the referral, but my shop no longer accepts repair. I am in phase one of retirement and need to work on the instruments in my inventory that need restoration, so I can sell them before I close my shop. My parts business is still active and I am willing to do minor repairs and adjustments for local customers.



Glenn; My long time banjo repairman, Andy FitzGibbon still does restoration work on his own. He is backed up with many interesting banjos in his repair queue, but I am sure he would be willing to talk to you about what is necessary to restore your student's Fairbanks Electric.



Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

Edited by - Bob Smakula on 07/15/2026 04:23:40