All Banjo FAQs

By Patrick David Sawyer | Founder and CEO, Pisgah Banjos  Disclaimer: The views expressed here are based on my personal experience as a professional banjo builder and designer. They reflect years of hands-on work, research, and close collaboration with other respected luthiers in the field. At Pisgah Banjos, we draw deeply from the rich history (read the rest...)

Written by: Patrick David SawyerPisgah Banjos At Pisgah Banjos, we’re honored to spotlight artisans and colleagues who we have worked with over the years. It’s been a real privilege getting to know Ryan Navey, a true craftsman, fiddler, banjo player and owner of  Carolina Banjo Company.  I first met Ryan when he started purchasing banjo (read the rest...)

We’re thrilled to announce that Pisgah Banjos will be heading up to New York this summer as an official sponsor and vendor at the 2025 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival! We’ll have a booth set up with a limited selection of Pisgah Banjos, and we couldn’t be more excited to hit the road and be part (read the rest...)

Written by Patrick David Sawyer If you’ve spent time walking around Asheville, you’ve probably noticed Wyatt Grant’s artwork—even if you didn’t know his name. His bold, geometric style shows up on murals, taproom walls, signs, and posters throughout the city. There’s something about it that immediately feels familiar, like a barn quilt you’ve passed on (read the rest...)

Written by: Patrick David Sawyer Founder/CEO Pisgah Banjo Company A Case for TKL: The Backbone of Banjo Protection In the world of instrument protection, TKL has long been an industry standard. Known for their rugged durability, no-nonsense design, and American-made reliability, TKL hardshell cases have earned their place as the go-to option for countless musicians—banjo (read the rest...)

As tariffs and trade restrictions ripple through the global economy, many companies—particularly in the instrument-making world—are bracing for impact. For Pisgah Banjo Co., however, this is not a moment of panic. It’s a moment that reaffirms the decisions we made long ago: to build something local, sustainable, and resilient. From the start, we chose a (read the rest...)

Written By: Patrick David Sawyer When it comes to open-back banjos, rim size is one of the first choices you’ll face—usually between an 11” or 12” pot. Both are standards in the industry, and while they might seem like a small difference on paper, they each bring a distinct tonal personality. The 11” rim is (read the rest...)

We’re thrilled to announce that Pisgah Banjos has partnered with Folkway Music in Waterloo, Ontario—our exclusive Ontario retailer. Folkway isn’t just another music shop; they’re a high-end acoustic music haven with an unmatched reputation for quality and expertise. Despite the frustrating tariffs and trade tensions, we’re pushing through because we believe Canadians deserve access to (read the rest...)

Written by: Patrick David Sawyer Every detail in banjo design plays a role in shaping how an instrument sounds and feels. One often-overlooked but crucial choice is the heel shape and its relationship too the rim. At Pisgah Banjos, we primarily use two distinct heel styles: the Folk-style heel (aka Dobson heel) and the Vintage-style (read the rest...)