Pisgah: Possum (11' walnut)

Submitted by susiebanjo on 3/6/2025

Where Purchased: Eagle Music in the UK

Year Purchased: 2025
Price Paid: £1599 (GBP) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

I play Old Time music and chose this banjo for the wood tone ring. Just used it at my first session and wow did the sound cut through without losing any warmth when driven hard.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The set up was perfect for me right out of the gig bag.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

I really dislike bling on banjos so the Pisgah banjos appeal, to me for their earthy, woodiness. I don’t want bling, I want honest to goodness workmanship and a great sound and that’s what I got. The walnut is a rich, warm dark brown and the persimmon used for the headstock inlay and fingerboard blends perfectly with the walnut. I chose walnut for the warmer tones as well as a fiberskyn head for a little more plunk and the whole thing is very easy on the eye.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The workmanship on this banjo is mighty impressive. It just feels like it is built to last without feeling chunky or cumbersome. Lovely aged brass hardware and a really nice finish in the wood. I’d be more than happy to gig with this as my only banjo and to rely on it to deliver.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

I bought through Eagle music as I am in the UK so I didn’t have any direct contact with PBCO during the making of the instrument. As the exclusive dealer in the UK, Eagle Music honours the Pisgah limited lifetime warranty on faulty workmanship for the life to the original owner - and there’s no way I’d sell this beauty! Still top marks though to Pisgah for choosing Eagle Music who I have shopped with for many years and always received the very best of customer service.

Customer Service: 10

Components

There is nothing on this banjo that would need to be changed. Maybe I’ll slip a moon bridge on there simply because I like the aesthetic but it’s not necessary. The intonation is fine as is. Nothing about this banjo looks or feels cheap.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I was aware of Pisgah banjos even before they became available to buy in the UK but I couldn't imagine the taxes and shipping if I bought straight from the company. As soon as I heard that Eagle Music were selling them in the UK, I put my order in. I did play the Appalachian in store before making my order for the Possom which is essentially the same banjo with a different tone ring. Figuring heavily in my choice was Pisgah's environmental stand, as well as their political stand. They seemed like a company I wanted to support. I also loved the idea of having a banjo made of hardwoods local to the company so I knew that the wood in my banjo had been listening to old time music for a couple of centuries. A romantic notion maybe, but it felt as though it might add some authenticity. I cannot say how delighted I am with the warm tones, the lightness of the bank in its gig bag and the overall plain but well made appearance. I am well and truly smitten and would definitely recommend Pisgah Banjo Company and the Possum in particular. This is my fourth banjo and I can see it fast becoming my go-to. 

Overall Rating: 10