About Us
Smakula Fretted Instruments (SFI) was founded in 1989 by Bob Smakula. For nearly 35 years this shop has focused on the sales and service of vintage acoustic stringed instruments. At any given time the workbenches will have late 1800’s five string banjos, pre world war two Gibson mandolins, Martin guitars from the 1800’s to present day, and a handful of fiddles and bows.
Bob started his first musical instrument business while in high school when he made his first lap dulcimer. Friends would ask if Bob could make them dulcimers as well. No teen can resist the lure of money, so Bob accommodated their requests and Goose Acres Thumb Piano Factory and Dulcimer works was born. Later partnering with his father, Peter H. Smakula, they grew Goose Acres Folk Music Center into a Cleveland, Ohio institution.
Since 1989, SFI has grown from Bob as the only one in the shop, to a full house with 3 employees, of which 2 are craftsmen dedicated to the invisible restoration of vintage instruments. Smakula Fretted Instruments can boast that all our employees are accomplished and award winning musicians.
Banjos are a specialty of Andy Fitzgibbon. He started his tenure here at SFI just after high school graduation when the music store he was working in fell down. He combines his expert metal and wood working skills for masterful restorations of circa 1900 Fairbanks and other banjos. He has also has occupied the employee of the month parking place for 24 years.
Guitars are repaired by Nate Druckenmiller. A woodworking major in college, Nate can replicate any style of guitar bridge to a forgery grade. He is equally skilled at precision fret work and neck resets. .
Gloria Mullennex is the shop assistant. She’ll take your order, find it amongst the thousands of parts and instruments, and pack it so it will safely and promptly arrive at your house in a few days.
Bob started his first musical instrument business while in high school when he made his first lap dulcimer. Friends would ask if Bob could make them dulcimers as well. No teen can resist the lure of money, so Bob accommodated their requests and Goose Acres Thumb Piano Factory and Dulcimer works was born. Later partnering with his father, Peter H. Smakula, they grew Goose Acres Folk Music Center into a Cleveland, Ohio institution.
Since 1989, SFI has grown from Bob as the only one in the shop, to a full house with 3 employees, of which 2 are craftsmen dedicated to the invisible restoration of vintage instruments. Smakula Fretted Instruments can boast that all our employees are accomplished and award winning musicians.
Banjos are a specialty of Andy Fitzgibbon. He started his tenure here at SFI just after high school graduation when the music store he was working in fell down. He combines his expert metal and wood working skills for masterful restorations of circa 1900 Fairbanks and other banjos. He has also has occupied the employee of the month parking place for 24 years.
Guitars are repaired by Nate Druckenmiller. A woodworking major in college, Nate can replicate any style of guitar bridge to a forgery grade. He is equally skilled at precision fret work and neck resets. .
Gloria Mullennex is the shop assistant. She’ll take your order, find it amongst the thousands of parts and instruments, and pack it so it will safely and promptly arrive at your house in a few days.