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Aug 6, 2026 - 12:30:45 PM
52 posts since 10/16/2015

BHO's own Bob Smakula donated a fine fretless banjo -- that he masterfully crafted -- to the Beverly Heritage Center in Beverly, WV. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the BHC, so check it out and consider buying some chances on this fine banjo: beverlyheritagecenter.org/even...o-raffle/

Edited by - acasseday on 08/06/2026 12:40:13

Aug 6, 2026 - 1:43:23 PM
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3909 posts since 4/7/2010

acasseday

Thanks for posting this. I did not realize it was on the Beverly Heritage Center's web page already.

To tease our fellow banjo hangout members into buying some tickets, I will post additional pictures and a sound file on this forum in 2 days when my satellite internet bandwidth limit resets.

But to scratch the itch, you can go to smakulafrettedinstruments.com for a quick peek. The first collage on the home page slide show features the fretless tackhead banjo.

I can't say for sure what was more fun; building it, or playing it!

Bob Smakula

Edited by - Bob Smakula on 08/06/2026 14:45:45

Aug 6, 2026 - 2:35:23 PM
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70 posts since 7/9/2025

I have been known to miss things in plain sight but how do you buy raffle tickets from afar? Not that I don’t want an excuse to stop at jeffs ultimate grill in belington

Aug 6, 2026 - 2:52:04 PM
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3909 posts since 4/7/2010

I'll check in with them tomorrow and see how they want to handle non-local sales.

With you being a fan of Jeff's Ultimate Grill, it is important to know that Jeff's predecessor, Bob's Hotdogs, has re-opened in the Elkins Flea market Saturdays and Sundays. Once again a hotdog topped with home fries is available in in Randolph County, West Virginia. It's been too long!

Bob Smakula

Aug 7, 2026 - 10:55:04 PM

70 posts since 7/9/2025

Bob Smakula I was not privy to Bob’s but I am glad you said something. The coal miner looks good too! No rush on the information. Plenty of time with the raffle. Very cool of you to do that.

Aug 8, 2026 - 3:59:40 PM
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3909 posts since 4/7/2010

Here are some pictures of the banjo I made and donated to the Beverly History Center. The neck is poplar with curly maple peghead overlay and fingerboard. The rim is 14" thick maple and the head is goat skin.

Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com










Edited by - Bob Smakula on 08/08/2026 16:08:05

Aug 9, 2026 - 5:13:12 AM
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3909 posts since 4/7/2010

Sound file of Bob Smakula playing Sourwood Mountain on the fretless tackhead banjo.


Aug 10, 2026 - 6:08:14 AM

3909 posts since 4/7/2010

quote:
Originally posted by Bob Smakula

 The rim is 14" thick maple.
 


That would be 1/4" thick maple.

 

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

Aug 14, 2026 - 10:43:03 AM
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3909 posts since 4/7/2010

The Beverly Heritage Center now has an on-line link to purchase tickets for the tack head fretless banjo raffle.
beverlyheritagecenter.org/even...o-raffle/

And if you find yourself in Randolph County, the Beverly History Center is a fascinating place to visit. covering the earliest European settlers, area Civil War battle history, and even the fight between Beverly and Elkins over which town would be the county seat.

Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com

Edited by - Bob Smakula on 08/14/2026 10:45:57

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