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2011 Benedetto 16-B
Status: For pricing and hold status for this instrument, please check 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 by found here. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please contact [email protected].
SN#: S-1977
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body Depth: 2 1/2" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4"
Finish: Opulent brown, nitrocellulose type
Materials: Solid carved bookmatched quartersawn spruce top with solid spruce braces; solid carved tiger flame maple body and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; abalone headstock logo; 5-ply bound body; bound soundholes; solid bone nut.
Hardware: All ebony hardware includes tailpiece, fingerrest, knobs, tuner buttons, truss rod cover, volume and tone knobs. Benedetto B-6 humbucking pickup, with push-pull coil-tap tone control.
Notes: The iconic name in the contemporary archtop guitar, Bob Bendetto has set the standard for the craft in over three decades of innovative custom luthiery. The 16-B series is the ultimate extension of a process begun over 60 years ago, with the introduction of the Gibson ES-175. Long prized by working players for its versatility and reliability, the 16" cutaway body with the built-in pickup was further refined by Jimmy D'Aquisto in the '70's. With its slimmer body depth and custom laminated soundboards, D'Aquisto's electric guitar was both more playable and sonically rewarding.
Today, with 16" guitars enjoying yet a third wave of popularity, The 16-B has pushed the evolution to an unprecedented stage of refinement. The deluxe model offers the lustrous opulent brown finish, with deluxe multi-ply binding and a black signature B-6 humbucking pickup. With its solid carved soundboard of fine grained spruce, parallel braced with carefully graduated parallel solid spruce tone bars, this example weighs in at an phenomenal 4lb. 14oz.: the lightest, most responsive guitar in its class we've found. This ultra-light construction offers both increased resonance and a more comfortable playing experience, especially on gigs of extended duration. The net result is an instrument more durable, feedback resistant and affordable than traditional acoustic archtops, yet actually lighter in weight than many of today's pricey custom guitars.
The slim, elegant D profile neck is a marvel of pure comfort, sitting effortlessly in the hand with a 12 radius fingerboard of solid dark ebony, matching the deeply lustrous tailpiece and fingerrest. Built with pride in the USA, the 16-B is unmatched in versatility, playability and sheer performance. And we wouldn't expect anything less from an instrument bearing the signature of the most renowned name in jazz guitar. This example shows extravagant tiger flame maple in the back, sides and neck, highlighted with a stunning true nitrocellulose finish. She's in immaculate condition, complete with her original Benedetto arched plush hardshell case, original tags and paperwork. This model is rarely seen on the vintage market, and is $9000 new, with a considerable wait. One only: call now.
Case: Benedetto deluxe arched plush hardshell case.
