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2014 Benedetto Custom 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-2204, hand signed by Bob Benedetto
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body Depth: 2 1/2" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4" Neck depth: .78/.89, 1st/10th fret
Finish: Antique burst, nitrocellulose type
Materials: Solid carved bookmatched tap tuned spruce top with solid spruce braces; solid carved flame maple body and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; abalone headstock logo; solid bone nut.
Hardware: All ebony hardware includes tailpiece, fingerrest, knobs, tuner buttons, truss rod cover, and volume knobs; Benedetto Duncan B-6 humbucking pickup with volume and tone controls, 1/4" endpin jack.
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 was further refined by Jimmy D'Aquisto in the '70's.
Today, with 16" guitars enjoying yet a third wave of popularity, the Benedetto 16-B has pushed the evolution to an unprecedented stage of refinement. With all solid, tap-tuned tonewoods, the instrument is both lighter and more acoustically resonant, with a slightly slimmed body that glides easily under the arm.
Weighing in at a comfy 5lb. 4oz, this guitar is one of the lightest production guitars of its size anywhere. This offers increased acoustic response, better balance and a more comfortable playing experience, especially on gigs of extended duration.
This gorgeous example was custom built with upgrade features unseen on the standard 16-B. The tonewood was hand selected by the owner from exquisitely bookmatched AAA Euro curly maple, with astounding symmetry in the fiddleback flame. The spruce soundboard is also of Alpine origin, with some rare 'bearclaw' figure in the grain, carefully graduated, and parallel braced for a crisp, tonal response, with plenty of headroom. Finally, the body is custom fitted with vivid curly maple binding, a handsome contrast to the formal Cremona style sunburst lacquer finish.
The instrument has been maintained in 100% original condition, without pick, buckle, thumb, fingerboard or fretwear. Apart from a few incidental finish nicks, this gleaming guitar looks much as it did when it originally left the Savannah, GA workshop. A very special bonus is the custom molded Hoffee carbon fiber flight case, without question the lightest, strongest protection a guitar could receive, on the ground or in the air, and a value well over $1000 in itself.
Your ultimate gig guitar, and as refined a tool as any player could desire. These don't last: one only, call now.
