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Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History

By Kristina R Gaddy (Author), Rhiannon Giddens (Foreword by)   An illuminating history of the banjo, revealing its origins at the crossroads of slavery, religion, and music. In an extraordinary story unfolding across two hundred years, Kristina Gaddy uncovers the banjo’s key role in Black spirituality, ritual, and rebellion. Through meticulous research in diaries, letters, (read the rest…)

Wire Armrest

These Vega Style Wire Armrests give the look and feel of vintage armrests from the turn of the century. Made in raw brass, they are made to match an 11″ rim, but can be carefully bent to fit other sizes including banjo ukuleles.   These armrests are fully adjustable and can sit high or low above the banjo head, depending on your needs.  Easy to install, this armrest attaches to your existing brackets.  All that is needed for installation is a bracket wrench that fits the size of your tension nuts. Can be used by both right and left handed players.

Maple Banjo Bridge

These banjo bridges are made in Maple with Ebony top and available in a variety of heights.   Standard spacing for 5 string banjo.

Fiddle Style Banjo Bridge

Banjo bridge innovation just raised the bar!  These beautiful “Fiddle Banjo Bridges” from Seeders Instruments are handmade using quarter sawn Maple and Ebony. It takes influences from the traditional violin bridge and its unique sound and vibration transferring principles. Every bridge has hand carved details and a compensated center string for improved intonation.  Add one to your banjo bridge collection.  It’s a joy to play!

POCKET-DIAL BY NASHVILLE BANJO CO

Proper head tension is the single most important factor to getting the best tone out of your banjo.

The Pocket-Dial is a simple, convenient and precise tool used to help measure and adjust the tension of your banjo head – one of the most critical factors in helping your banjo sound its best. It is small, lightweight, fits easily in your banjo case, and is specifically designed to work with both synthetic and natural skin banjo heads.

 

 

*This product will ship separately.

Banjo Roots & Branches

Banjo Roots & Branches – Edited by Robert B. Winans tells the story of the banjo’s journey from Africa to the western hemisphere. Blending music, history, and a union of cultures, Winans presents cutting-edge scholarship that covers the instrument’s West African origins and its adaptations and circulation in the Caribbean and United States.

The contributors provide detailed ethnographic and technical research on gourd lutes and ekonting in Africa and the banza in Haiti while also investigating tuning practices and regional playing styles. Other essays place the instrument within the context of slavery, tell the stories of black banjoists, and shed light on the banjo’s introduction into the African- and Anglo-American folk milieus.

Wide-ranging and illustrated with twenty color images, Banjo Roots & Branches offers a wealth of new information to scholars of African American and folk musics as well as the worldwide community of banjo aficionados.

Old-Time Superhero Stickers

Designed and created by the very talented artist and musician Gina Dilg, these beautifully vibrant and durable screenprinted stickers pay homage to our folk superheroes that heavily influenced the genre today. Designs are inspired by 1950s Superhero comics are high quality, weather and UV resistant.  Put them on your instrument case, laptop, water bottle, car, or (read the rest…)

Nylgut Frailing Banjo Strings

Pisgah Banjo Co partnered with Aquila Strings to provide simply the best simulated gut strings on the market today for banjo. Formulated specifically for open-back clawhammer banjo, minstrel banjo, and other old-time styles, these strings add mellowness and plunk to your tone, making your banjo sound like it is from the turn of the 19th century. The nylgut strings are strong and resistant to changes in moisture and humidity. They stand up to any playing conditions and are perfect for festivals, jam settings, or playing at home on your porch. Truly a pleasure to play, these strings feel like butter as you plunk along to your favorite tune!

 

RECOMMENDATIONS: Use a bowline hitch knot. You may need something to grab the end of the string to pull it tight when you tie the knots. Be sure to tune up slowly as you add tension. Please note, the nut slots and possible bridge slots may need to be widened to accommodate these strings. Forcing them through spaces too narrow and sharp can cause breakage.

Keep strings in the original packaging until you are ready to replace them.   Clip excess length of string close to the tuning peg after winding.  Clean strings after use with a cotton rag.  Replace strings every 1-3 months or as needed, depending on how often you play.

Note that using 5th string railroad spikes with Nylgut strings may cause breakage, due to their more delicate nature.  Adjustments at the nut / bridge may be required to accommodate Nylgut strings when switching from steel strings, due to their wider gauge.

Calton Case

The hardest working case in showbiz! Calton Cases are the premier luxury hard cases in the industry. These super durable cases are guaranteed to last a lifetime. With a reinforced fiberglass shell and rubber latch guards and feet, this case can withstand anything. Great for musicians who travel or for those who are looking for the best case money can buy.

Limited Lifetime Warranty through Calton Cases

 

Brown exterior & aqua interior, and available in 11″ or 12″. Fits standard and short scale Pisgah Banjos.