Pisgah Whyte Laydie - 12" Curly Maple 5-String Openback S-Scoop

At Banjo Studio, we are always on the lookout for openback banjos that perfectly strike the balance between vintage soul and modern playability. The Pisgah Whyte Laydie - 12" Curly Maple 5-String Openback S-Scoop is an absolute powerhouse of an instrument. Combining Pisgah's world-class Appalachian craftsmanship with one of the most revered tone ring designs in banjo history, this is an openback built for players who want to stand out in both look and sound.

The History: The "Electric" Tone Ring and the Whyte Laydie

To understand the uniqueness of this banjo, you have to look back to the late 1890s. The legendary A.C. Fairbanks Banjo Company introduced the "Electric" tone ring, a revolutionary design consisting of a heavy round tone wire resting on top of a scalloped brass circle, all wrapped up in a spun metal sleeve. This scalloped design minimized the wood-to-metal contact while maximizing the rim's ability to vibrate, producing unprecedented volume and clarity.  At the turn of the century, electricity was gaining popularity so it was connected to electricity with the saying, "Bright as light."  If you are looking for a brighter tone, this is for you. 

In 1901, Fairbanks loaded this Electric tone ring into a brand-new model featuring an uncolored, natural blonde maple neck and rim. They called it the "Whyte Laydie" (using the archaic spelling). It instantly became the gold standard for classic old-time, ragtime, and clawhammer banjo players, celebrated for its brilliant white aesthetic and a punchy, clear voice that could easily cut through an ensemble.

Why Choose the Whyte Laydie Over Other Pisgah Models?

Pisgah Banjo Co. makes an incredible lineup of instruments, but the Whyte Laydie offers a distinct tonal profile. Here is how it compares to other popular Pisgah configurations:

• Whyte Laydie vs. Pisgah Dobson: While the Dobson tone ring is famous for its warm, sustaining, and deeply "plunky" low-end with a sweet highs, the Whyte Laydie is much punchier and significantly louder. If you find the Dobson a bit too dark or lingering, the Whyte Laydie gives you faster decay, sharper note separation, and a distinct, crisp "pop."

• Whyte Laydie vs. Pisgah Little Wonder: The Little Wonder tone ring provides a great, simple brass ring brightness. However, the scalloped construction of the Whyte Laydie offers a much more complex, three-dimensional tone with greater headroom, resonance, and projection.

• Whyte Laydie vs. Pure Wood Rim (No Tone Ring): A standard wood-rim Pisgah gives you that ultra-traditional, thumpy clawhammer sound. The Whyte Laydie retains that woody warmth thanks to its 12" maple rim, but injects a sparkling high-end and massive acoustic amplitude that a wood rim alone simply cannot match.

Crafted to Perfection

This banjo isn't just a historic tribute; it’s a modern masterpiece. Built with a stunning 12" steam-bent curly maple rim and a matching curly maple neck, it delivers a visually arresting, figured-wood grain. The native Richlite fingerboard is outfitted with a elegant S-style frailing scoop, allowing you to play comfortably over the neck for that extra-plump clawhammer tone.  As with other Pisgah, it is fitted with the Pisgah Frailing Notch.  The tension hoop is scalloped where the neck attaches to the body to allow you open range to frail in that section of the playing area.  

Finished with USA-made aged brass Balsam Banjoworks hardware, a two-way adjustable truss rod hidden beneath a sleek magnetic cover, and high-performance Gotoh tuners, this instrument is as reliable on the road as it is gorgeous on a stand.

Why We Love This Banjo

If you love the clawhammer style but are tired of your banjo getting drowned out by loud fiddles or guitars at your local jam, the Pisgah Whyte Laydie is your answer. It provides the perfect blend of traditional old-time warmth, incredible note definition for intricate drop-thumb patterns, and the raw acoustic power that only a historic Electric-style tone ring can deliver.