Custom Pisgah Tenor Laydie 19-Fret - 11" Curly Maple 4-String Electric Tone Ring

At Banjo Studio, we are always on the lookout for 19-fret Tenor banjos that perfectly strike the balance between vintage soul and modern playability. This Custom Pisgah Tenor Laydie is an absolute powerhouse of an instrument. Combining Pisgah's world-class Appalachian craftsmanship with a popular tone ring design from way back in banjo history, this custom 4-string tenor is built specifically for players who want to stand out in both look and sound.

What is the Pisgah Tenor Laydie?

This is a high-end, openback tenor banjo meticulously configured for the speed, drive, and rhythmic precision of traditional music. Built with a highly desirable 11" rim, this instrument delivers a tight, focused acoustic response with a lightning-fast decay. It comes set up and strung with Irish Strings (tuned G, D, A, E), making it ready right out of the box for firing off blistering jigs and reels.

The History: The "Electric" Tone Ring & 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 wood-to-metal contact while maximizing the rim's ability to vibrate, producing unprecedented volume and clarity. At the turn of the century, as electricity was gaining widespread popularity, this ring was marketed with the saying, "Bright as light." If you are looking for a bright, clear, and commanding tone, this is the Holy Grail.

In 1901, Fairbanks loaded this Electric tone ring into a brand-new model featuring an uncolored, natural blonde maple neck and rim, calling it the "Whyte Laydie." For this custom build, Pisgah opted for a gorgeous, dark stained curly maple neck and rim, giving it a sleek, sophisticated aesthetic that redefines a classic.

The Custom Spec Breakdown: What Makes It Unique?

We didn’t want a standard layout, so this custom piece is loaded with premium upgrades that elevate its look and performance:

• Stained Curly Maple Neck & Rim: The beautiful, highly figured premium curly maple features a rich stain that highlights the wood's natural, tiger-stripe grain pattern. It departs from the traditional blonde look to offer an understated, heirloom appearance.

• 11" Rim & Remo Renaissance Head: The 11" rim provides excellent punch and note separation, while the Renaissance head reins in harsh, unwanted overtones. Together, they create a warm, plunky punch balanced by the shimmering high-end clarity of the Electric tone ring.

• Pisgah Hawktail Tailpiece: This premium tailpiece provides exceptional downward string pressure on the bridge, maximizing vibrational transfer to the head. It enhances sustain, stability, and overall tonal depth.

• Custom Scalloped Tension Hoop: The tension hoop is beautifully scalloped where the neck meets the body, giving your hands complete, unobstructed range over the fingerboard.

Why Banjo Studio Loves This Banjo

If you love playing traditional 4-string melodies but are tired of your banjo getting drowned out by loud fiddles, button accordions, or guitars at your local jam, this Custom Pisgah Tenor Laydie is your answer.

It provides the perfect blend of woody, old-time warmth, incredible note definition for intricate triplets, and the raw acoustic power that only a historic Electric-style tone ring can deliver. Because it is a highly specialized custom build from Pisgah, instruments like this do not come around often. Don't wait on this one—once it's gone, it's gone!