 BENEDETTO GUITARS | | ACOUSTIC ARCHTOP | Robert Benedetto's custom archtop guitars are individually handcrafted in the USA. Prices include hardshell case and Benedetto suspended jazz pickup. As of March 1, 1999, he no longer makes standard models. Used prices have been intentionally omitted, since each Benedetto instrument must be appraised individually to ensure accurate value. All current instruments are custom order only, one-of-a-kind, and individually handmade with prices starting from $60,000.
Effective March 1, 1999, Benedetto has licensed his name to Fender Musical Instruments Corporation for his standard models to be made by Guild at the Guild custom shop in Corona, CA. Initially, the first three Benedetto models listed below were offered by Guild. Additionally, Benedetto personally worked with and instructed Guild's custom shop guitar makers as to the exact specifications of his model designs.
The Frank Vignola model was manufactured during 2004-2005. This Django-esque Benedetto guitar, designed by acoustic jazz master Frank Vignola, featured an arched top and back.
Benedetto plans on producing his line of carved archtops, including the Bravo, Fratello, Manhattan, and the La Venezia, under his own trademark at his new facility during 2007. | | AMERICANA | | - 18 in.body width, carved select aged spruce tops, non-cutaway body, carved select flamed maple back with matching sides, black/white binding, three-piece flamed maple neck, large flared headstock, neo-classical (no inlays) fingerboard, narrow Chuck Wayne-style finger rest, gold Schaller tuners with solid ebony buttons, disc. 1999. |
| CREMONA | | - hand carved/graduated/tuned European cello wood top and back, matching sides, fine line binding, flamed maple neck, large flared burl-veneered headstock with elegant mother-of-pearl/abalone inlay, gold Schaller tuners with gold (or solid ebony or mother-of-pearl) buttons, disc. 1999. |
| FRANK VIGNOLA MODEL (NO. 395-9905) | | - single cutaway acoustic archtop, carved hand graduated and tuned select Sitka spruce top, carved two-piece select mahogany back and matching sides, one-piece mahogany neck, 21-fret ebony fingerboard with 12th fret abalone inlay, three-per-side black chrome Schaller mini tuners with ebony buttons, adjustable ebony bridge, black hardware plating, available in Natural, Natural with Bordeaux back and sides, Natural with Espresso back and sides, or Opulent Brown finish, mfg. 2005-07. |
| Frank Vignola Deluxe Model (No. 395-9900) | | - similar to the Frank Vignola Model, except has a European spruce top and select European flamed maple back and sides, available in Gypsy Maple, Honey Blonde, Natural, Opulent Brown, or Violin Burst finish, mfg. 2005-07. |
| LA VENEZIA (NO. 395-9800) | | - select aged spruce hand graduated and tuned archtop, highly flamed European maple back/sides, ebony fingerrest and fretboard, 25 in. scale, available in Autumn Burst or Honey Blonde finish, mfg. 2000-04. |
| LIMELITE | | - carved select aged spruce tops, carved flamed maple back with matching sides, three-piece flamed maple neck, large flared headstock, split fingerboard inlay, traditionally shaped bound pickguard, intricate inlay work on the pickguard/tailpiece, gold Schaller tuners with solid ebony buttons, disc. 1999. |
| THE 7-STRING | | - seven-string configuration, carved select aged spruce tops, carved flamed maple back with matching sides, black/white binding, three-piece flamed maple neck, neo-classical fingerboard, narrow Chuck Wayne-style finger rest, gold Schaller tuners with solid ebony buttons, disc. |
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