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2005 Benedetto Benny
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
SN#: 188, certificate signed by the builder
Body size at lower bout: 14 3/8" Body Depth: 1 7/8"" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4"
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain solid spruce top; chambered solid figured mahogany body; one piece mahogany neck; solid ebony fingerboard; gold headstock logo on curly maple headplate; ebony truss rod cover; bound body; solid graphite nut.
Hardware: Hardware includes twin gold A-6 humbucking pickups; gold Tech-Tonic micro-adjusting stop tailpiece, master volume control and tone knob with coil tap switch; 3-way pickup selector switch; gold Schaller tuners with ebony buttons.
Notes: He wrote the book on archtop guitar building. Literally. The most influential jazz guitar builder of the late 20th century, Bob Benedetto virtually single-handedly jump-started the contemporary revival of fine handbuilt archtop guitars, and his client roster is an A-list of the topmost echelon of jazz guitar talent.
The Benny is Bob's innovative take on the contemporary solid body guitar. Featuring a solid bookmatched carved spruce top over a chambered mahogany body, the Benny delivers a surpassing variety of tonal colors, in an instrument that is notably lighter, more resonant and better balanced than the original. Jazz players will find the generous 1 3/4" fingerboard a welcome alternative to cramped electric necks, and the Tech-Tonic bridge allows the player to adjust not only for intonation, but for separate height on each string individually, a major improvement over the conventional Tuneamatic bridge. With master volume and three way pickup selector switch, the Benny also includes an ingenious push-button tone knob that allows the pickups to be switched from humbucking to single coil operation.
This example is in immaculate condition, in gleaming transparent claret finish, and is accompanied by its original certificate and brochure, both signed by the master himself. Benedetto has announced that this model will now be available direct from the factory only, and at full list price without discounts (currently $4800.) Perfect for jazz, blues, fusion, or any combination of the above, the Benny is a custom tailored guitar in an off-the-rack world: the first Les Paul for grownups. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings (.012-.054). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
