The term banjola was created by Edward Victor Dick in 1996 to describe his own version of a banjo mandola hybrid. It differed from the Pollmann instruments by having a larger body, a longer scale length, and employing a guitar style pin bridge. These innovations give his instruments greater volume and a more robust ton … Read more The term banjola was created by Edward Victor Dick in 1996 to describe his own version of a banjo mandola hybrid. It differed from the Pollmann instruments by having a larger body, a longer scale length, and employing a guitar style pin bridge. These innovations give his instruments greater volume and a more robust tone than the Pollmanns. The original prototype was purchased by noted songwriter and musicologist Dick Weissman.

In 1998 Edward built his first 6 string banjola. His intention was to expand the range of the instrument to that of the guitar (tuning gGCgcd). Examples of both this instrument as well as the 5 string version can be found on his 1999 Taptones cd. It was at this time that EVD also copywrited the name "Banjola."

In 2007 Edward redesigned both his 5 and 6 string banjolas, enlarging the bodies even further. He introduced several new models including a long neck version. In February 2008 Ken Perlman did another review of the redesigned Banjola in the Banjo Newsletter.