Behind the Scenes at PBCO

Written By Patrick David Sawyer Founder and CEO of Pisgah Banjos and Balsam Banjoworks I started Pisgah Banjos in 2012 with the goal of building high-quality, handcrafted, American-made open-back banjos. But early on, I ran into a serious challenge: finding good, American-made hardware. At the time, nearly all banjo hardware was either imported or poorly (read the rest...)

At Pisgah Banjos, we believe in crafting instruments that don’t just take from the earth but give back to it. Wood is the heart of our banjos—the very essence of their tone, beauty, and soul. But as makers, we recognize that every tree used is part of a larger ecosystem, one that has suffered greatly (read the rest...)

Written By: Patrick David Sawyer Why We’re Writing This We’re writing this article in response to recent trends in the banjo industry where certain companies have begun using the “Made in the USA” label in a way that we believe lacks full transparency. While they may meet the legal definition, they are not always forthcoming (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...)

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...)

Written by: Patrick David Sawyer At Pisgah Banjos, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a core value that drives everything we do. One of our proudest achievements in this commitment to the environment is our use of solar energy to offset 100% of our energy needs. This isn’t just a bold step for us as a (read the rest...)

Written By: Patrick David Sawyer: At Pisgah Banjos, we believe that craftsmanship and ethics go hand in hand. That’s why we are incredibly proud to be Living Wage Certified by Just Economics. This certification reflects our commitment to providing fair wages, supporting our workers, and ensuring that our team members can thrive—not just survive. But (read the rest...)

Pisgah banjos stands for women’s rights and their liberty to choose what is best for themselves, their families and their bodies. What does this have to do with banjos? Well, in our opinion everything. Where the US government fails to protect women, minorities, and vulnerable members of our society, it is our responsibility and duty (read the rest...)