1920s Pacheco (Vega Whyte Laydie) Resonator Tenor Banjo

 

This is branded "J. Pacheco Mfg" on the dowel, but it wasn't made by Joseph Pacheco's firm -- it was made by Vega in Boston and even has a Whyte Laydie-style tonering installed. The rest of the details are all straight-up Vega, too, right down to the pie-plate resonator, engraved inlays, bracket band, and everything else. It has a good, strong, poppy sound to it and, post-repairs, now plays spot-on.

It's a local customer's instrument and appears to have been in the family since it was new. Max and I worked on it and it got a new head, new bridge, fret level/dress, cleaning, and setup work.