By Patrick David Sawyer, BanjoFAQ.com
At Pisgah Banjos, our mission has always been to build instruments that are easy to play, easy to maintain, and designed with the working musician in mind. For years, every Pisgah Banjo has included a two way adjustable truss rod, giving players the ability to fine tune neck relief for better tone and playability. As with everything in our shop, if there is a way to improve function and user friendliness, we pursue it.
Today, we are excited to announce a new standard feature on every Pisgah Banjo: the Magnetic Truss Rod Cover.
Why Move the Truss Rod Access to the Headstock
Previously, adjusting the truss rod required removing the neck from the pot. Although effective, this method was slow and relied on trial and error. You had to remove tension from the strings, unbolt the neck, make a small adjustment, reinstall the neck, bring it back to tension, evaluate, and repeat as needed.
By relocating the adjustment point to the headstock, the process becomes fast, accurate, and intuitive. Adjustments can now be made with the strings at full pitch, which provides immediate feedback and allows the ideal neck relief to be dialed in efficiently. For optimal performance, Pisgah recommends a neck relief of about .008″ +- .003″, measured at the seventh fret.
Every Pisgah Banjo now ships with a T-handled 9/64 inch adjustment tool needed for this purpose.
Why Magnetic Covers Make Sense
The idea of magnetic truss rod covers has existed in the boutique guitar world for years. The first notable modern banjo builder to adopt this idea and make it standard on all instruments was Will Seeders of Seeders Instruments. His use of magnetic covers demonstrated how practical and musician friendly this feature could be.
Recently, many working banjo players have simply removed their truss rod covers for easier access on the road. While convenient, this can leave the headstock looking unfinished or rough. A magnetic cover eliminates the need to choose between function and appearance. It removes instantly, snaps back into place cleanly, and keeps the headstock looking tidy while allowing fast access to the truss rod.
Designed for Real World Musicians
Musicians who travel frequently know how drastically temperature and humidity shifts can affect an instrument. Neck relief changes as conditions change. Being able to make a quick and precise truss rod adjustment under full string tension is a powerful tool for any working player.
With the magnetic cover, the process is simple. Pop the cover off. Make the adjustment. Press the cover back into place. It is ideal for touring musicians, festival players, or anyone who performs in a wide variety of environments where stability and quick setup control are essential for the show that night.
A Commitment to User Friendly Design
Pisgah Banjos is committed to building instruments that players can understand, maintain, and adjust with confidence. The magnetic truss rod cover and the headstock truss rod access point reflect this mission. They are small refinements that add up to significant real world ease of use and long term serviceability.
Important Setup Disclaimer
Truss rod adjustments should only be performed by a professional setup technician or someone with appropriate experience and knowledge. This information is based on years of hands on expertise and thousands of completed Pisgah Banjo builds.
A truss rod is designed to control neck relief only. It should never be used to change the action height of a banjo. Action must always be adjusted through proper bridge height selection or other approved setup methods.
Improper truss rod use can damage the instrument, compromise stability, and may void the Pisgah Banjos manufacturing warranty. When in doubt, always consult a qualified professional.
