I recently received my grandfather's banjos, and I am interested in getting them fixed up/restored and trying to learn how to use them (I play the guitar, so I am hoping some things translate easily/quickly).

Anyway, these were his banjos from somewhere around the 1940's-50's (though probably made a bit earlier than that I'd say). Dad had them in a cupboard, and they are not in awesome shape. I think structurally they are OK, but the skins(?) are torn and they could do with a re-varnish I think. The frets look OK to me. I have no idea of the action as neither are strung. There are two - one is quite short and seems to be an 8 string version (there are 8 tuning pegs - perhaps it is like a 12 string guitar version of a banjo?). The other seems to be normal size, and takes 4 strings.

Not sure if it matters, but the brand is English: they are both Windsor "Whirle"s.

I guess my question is, does anyone have experience with banjos and do you think a luthier would be a good person to go see about getting them fixed up? I ask because our town has a luthier, though I think he focusses mostly on guitars from what I've seen.

Obviously I am not a banjo expert, but if I could get these working and playing I'd like to learn to use them.

Thanks for any help.

James.