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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7233 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: PBC factory
Year Purchased: 2016
Price Paid: 1195 ($US)
My style is mostly old-time mountain and folk. This banjo fits this very well. The sound is strong, in between bright and plunky. Volume is fine. I like it and my wife likes it. Since I don't gig and have not yet started to jam, this is enough. We chose this sound from among several PBC styles.
Sound Rating: 10
Setup is fine, no changes needed. I like this action, but I might lower it a bit later. Depending on how, over time, play up the neck goes. It should be easy to change.
Setup Rating: 9
Very nice looking. The cherry pot and neck with persimmon fingerboard is a good combination, especially with the brass hooks and trim. Nice inlay on the paddle. No flaws visible, no custom work
Appearance Rating: 10
Too soon to tell, but it should be great. This is a solid banjo with high quality parts, from the handmade bits to the tuners. I would not gig without a backup regardless of make.
Reliability Rating: 10
The service at the factory is great. I had a bunch of banjo types to try and compare, with great support from Patrick. He stands behind his products. I don't expect to need repair, but do expect that it will be done with the same quality as original construction.
Customer Service: 10
No weak parts. I really like the persimmon tone ring, although I was not sure at first.
Components Rating: 10
I really like the use of these woods in a mountain banjo. The only thing I added is an armrest from Little Mountain. Patrick was a gracious host as well as proprietor of what is now my favorite builder.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Pisgah Banjo Co.
Year Purchased: 2014
Price Paid: 1150 ($US)
The banjo has a great, old-timey sound. Very rustic, which is what I was after.
Sound Rating: 10
Very easy setup. The action is fine out of the box: just install the bridge and tune up and you're all set. The bridge itself looks like a shop-made bridge as opposed to a StewMac one, but I could be wrong about that. I asked Patrick to install two capo spikes, which are placed correctly and easy to use; I haven't done much else in the way of setup changes, and frankly I don't plan to do much except possibly change the bridge and head.
Interestingly, it's easier to play than my other banjo: I don't know why (neck angle? scale length?), but fingerings that I could barely manage on the other one are perfectly fine on the Possum. Go figure.
Setup Rating: 10
This is a beautiful banjo.
- The wood is nicely grained and the finish is flat (which I like better than a glassy, shiny finish).
- The hardware is raw brass instead of plated, which looks really nice against the wood.
- The headstock inlay is very simple, but elegant.
Appearance Rating: 10
I've had this banjo for two weeks; I don't think I can comment on reliability.
Reliability Rating: not rated
I bought this banjo directly from the company. Patrick is pleasant, responsive, and informative: a pleasure to trade with.
Customer Service: 10
- The tuners are Gotoh; I'd never used them before, but I like them a lot.
- Tension hoop may be slightly out of round, though I haven't taken it off to check.
- The wooden tone ring and 1/2'' rim make this a very light, comfortable banjo compared to my other one (a Whyte Laydie with a 3/4'' maple rim).
Components Rating: 9
I've had this banjo less than two weeks, so I can't really write an exhaustive review, but so far I love it.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music
Year Purchased: 2014
Price Paid: 1150 ($US)
Exactly what I was hoping for. The 12" pot with Renaissance head produces a round, full, mellow tone with great sustain. It is quieter than my Gold Tone with bare fingers (perfect for practicing) but slip a fingerpick on and it has plenty of volume.
Sound Rating: 10
Tom from JDMC called me the day after I placed my order to ask how I wanted it set up. The action is perfect clawhammer and he loosened the head a bit at my request to get a slightly plunkier sound. Threw in 7th and 9th fret spikes gratis.
Setup Rating: 10
Absolutely beautiful workmanship. Simple but classic design .No flaws or defects in the wood or finish.
Appearance Rating: 10
Expect to get many years of enjoyment out of this banjo.
Reliability Rating: 10
I originally contacted Pisgah by email to inquire about getting an 11" Possom with Cherry pot, vintage neck and S-scoop. Patrick responded within a couple of hours to let me know that the earliest delivery would be April but that they had just delivered an order to JDMC. 12" pot with straight scoop and Dobson heel, but happy to compromise to get it sooner rather than later. Limited lifetime warranty on all wooden components except bridge and fingerboard according to their website.
Customer Service: 10
Nickel hardware absolutely gleams. Gotoh tuners, no knot tailpiece. 5/8" (I think) uncompensated bridge. Everything looks.high quality
Components Rating: 10
It's a work of art at a fantastic price! Thanks Patrick and Topher.
Overall Rating: 10
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