All Banjo FAQs

Written By: Patrick David Sawyer Disclaimer: This article is based on my personal experiences and observations within the banjo and music industry. While opinions are included, they are informed by the trends and developments I’ve seen firsthand. It’s an exciting time to be a banjo player—especially if you’re drawn to the deep, rhythmic groove of (read the rest...)

Written by: Patrick David Sawyer Photo by Andy Wickstrom If you’ve ever picked up a banjo with a warped or bowed neck, you know how frustrating it can be. The action is all over the place, intonation suffers, and the instrument just doesn’t play like it should. That’s why a truss rod is one of (read the rest...)

When I was a kid, we had a persimmon tree in our backyard. Every fall, I’d watch as the fruit ripened to a deep orange, knowing that once it softened, it would be sweet, rich, and unlike anything else. If you’ve ever bitten into an unripe persimmon, you know just how astringent they can be—but (read the rest...)

Written by: Patrick David Sawyer Photo By Andy Wickstrom As a banjo player, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of designing an instrument that perfectly suits your style, sound, and aesthetic. That’s where the Pisgah Banjo Design Tool comes in—a game-changing online configurator that lets you customize your dream banjo from top to bottom. Pisgah (read the rest...)

Written By:Brent Davis Photo by Andy Wickstrom This article was originally published in the Bluegrass Standard Feb. 1 2025.  Brent and Patrick met at the 2024 Banjo Gathering in Lansing MI. Here is a Link to the originally published article. Pisgah Banjo Company not only takes its name from a national forest in Appalachia but (read the rest...)

Written By: Patrick David Sawyer We are all guilty of waiting until a string breaks before replacing them.  I see this way too often at festivals, sessions and gigs which is unfortunate because a fresh set of strings can greatly improve the sound of your banjo.  The most effective way to maintain great tone, tuning (read the rest...)

Written by: Patrick David Sawyer As a banjo player, builder or enthusiast, you’ve likely come across the ongoing debate between dowel sticks and coordinator rods. A common misconception I’ve encountered over the years is the idea that banjos built with dowel sticks are unable to have the action adjusted. This simply isn’t true. Banjos with (read the rest...)

Written By: Patrick David Sawyer The Golden Age of Banjo Innovation The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a revolution in banjo craftsmanship, led by A.C. Fairbanks and David L. Day. Their groundbreaking designs, including the Electric AKA “Whyte Laydie” and Tub-a-phone tone rings, set new standards for tone and playability, influencing generations of (read the rest...)

Cover Photo by Andy Wickstrom Patrick David Sawyer: Founder & CEO of Pisgah Banjo Company Patrick David Sawyer, originally from Morganton, North Carolina, has been crafting banjos since 2005. He built his first banjo under the guidance of renowned luthier and Appalachian treasure Charlie Glenn of Beech Mountain, NC, while studying at Appalachian State University. (read the rest...)