1987 Goose Acres “Galax” model
1987 Goose Acres “Galax” model. In the late 1980’s, the design of Goose Acres banjos really came together. The building team included Peter H. Smakula, Bob Smakula, and Kevin Enoch. One humorous memory was the 3 of us trying to come up with significant model names for the instruments. Both Kevin and Bob like the Galax moniker, as we were trying to build a banjo that suited the Galax old time banjo style that was gaining popularity then. Old Pops Smakula was not in to that name and he eventually dubbed similar Goose Acres banjos “Tradition”. For the record, in the Goose Acres instrument log book this banjo, in Kevin Enoch’s hand writing, is listed as a Galax. The banjo’s neck is made of walnut and has an ebony fretboard with a 26-1/4” scale and a few pearl dots for position markers. The peghead is decorated with the Goose Acres “GA” logo that unintentionally resembles the anarchist’s symbol. The walnut dyed maple rim diameter is 11” and has a nickel-plated tone hoop. Metal parts made at the 2175 Cornell Rd, Shop include the hooks, the tension hoop, tone hoop, and the patented Peter H. Smakula dual acting truss rod. The peghead geared tuners were manufactured by ABM and the 5th tuner is a Schaller. The shape of the neck was influenced by the Fairbanks-Vega banjos of the early 1900’s. Comfortable and easy playing. Tone is warm, round, and precise. If I didn’t already own a similar instrument, I would enjoy keeping it, especially after the spa treatment of new frets, cleaning, and a new head. The condition is excellent. Priced at $2,000 we include the original TKL hard case decorated with a few easily removable Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area bumper stickers.