Pisgah Dobson 5 String Banjo (2025), ser. #3810

Pisgah Dobson Model 5 String Banjo (2025), Asheville, NC, serial # 3810.

Pisgah banjos are crafted just outside of Asheville, North Carolina in the Fairview Valley. The company states "Our banjos celebrate the rich musical and creative culture of the Southern Appalachians. Our mission is to create affordable, professional quality, handcrafted banjos using 100% Native Appalachian Hardwoods."

This Dobson model is a fine example of that dedication, a very interesting mix of 19th and 21st century concepts. In their own words "The Pisgah Dobson is perfect for those looking for a lighter weight banjo with good sustain and projection. Our Dobson tone ring, modeled after the original 1881 patent, is bell shaped and gives the banjo good sustain and resonance while only adding 9 ounces to the total weight. The Pisgah Dobson is very responsive, making it a joy to play!"

This example has a cherry wood 11" rim and a 26 3/16" scale cherry wood neck with a very distinctive Persimmon wood fingerboard. In a nod to modern playability this is fitted with a two way adjustable truss rod with headstock access via a magnetic truss rod cover. The V-profile neck is topped by a 19th century style paddle headstock with an inlaid wood 8-pointed star on the face and fitting geared Gotoh 2-band style tuners. The heel has a round mid-19th century round shape and a frailing scoop; it is fitted to the rim via a traditional dowel stick. The cherry rim is fitted with aged brass Balsam Banjoworks hardware, made in the USA. Pisgah notes this model's sound as "Plunky with good projection, responsiveness, volume, and sustain" and we'd have to agree, and add the instrument is a nice blend of tradition and innovation made by folks who obviously care.

Overall length is 36 7/8 in. (93.7 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 3/16 in. (665 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).

This banjo is basically new stock, showing just a bit of handling wear. It sounds and plays excellent and comes with the original branded heavy duty gig bag with hangtags. Overall Excellent Condition.