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1999 Benedetto Seven String
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Serial #: 44299, East Stroudsburg, PA label, hand signed by the maker
Body size at lower bout: 17" Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25" Nut: 2 1/16"
Finish: Blonde finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; handcarved fiddleback flame handcarved maple back and sides; three piece tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo; ebony truss rod cover; 7-ply body binding; 5-ply neck and headstock binding; triple bound f-holes; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Solid ebony tailpiece, finger rest and knobs; gold Schaller tuners with ebony keys; compensated adjustable ebony bridge, Bendetto Armstrong S-7 floating humbucking pickup with volume and tone controls, endpin jack.
Notes: He wrote the book on archtop guitar building. Literally. The most influential jazz guitar builder of the late 20th century, Bob Benedetto almost 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. Many of Benedetto's design concepts have been adopted as benchmarks, and an entire generation of today's top-tier builders count themselves as students or disciples.
This rare and handsome instrument was built by Bob in his famed East Stroudsburg, PA workshop, which he established in 1990. The guitar shows exceptionally intense tiger flame in the superbly bookmatched back, sides, and neck, and at barely 5lb 6oz. the guitar is simply astounding in weight as well: it's quite likely the lightest full size seven string archtop we've ever had the pleasure to hold.
The voice is utterly marvelous as well: open, rich and clear, with a sumptuous warmth and depth from the hand graduated, tap tuned X-braced soundboard. Impeccably maintained, the guitar has 100% original hardware and finish, and appears virtually unplayed, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The gentle D profile neck is easy in the palm, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. A special plus is the custom fitted ATA certified Calton molded flight grade case: the best travel insurance a guitar ever had.
Handmade Benedetto guitars from this era are few in the best of times, with seven string models especially scarce on the vintage market. And with Bob's recent announcement of his retirement from day-to-day operations, we expect demand for his own handmade instruments to increase accordingly. A rare opportunity to own a true masterpiece of contemporary luthiery. One only, call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel strings (.013-.080). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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: Original deluxe black Calton molded flight grade plush lined hardshell case.
