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Damon Mailand Master Luthier and Production Manager

Master Luthier Damon Maitland working at bench

When Damon Mailand was recommended as Benedetto’s first Savannah hire in 2006, the endorsement was so strong that we couldn’t help but question its sincerity.

Damon Mailand Master Luthier and Production Manager

Damon Mailand inlays custom cremona benedetto guitar
Damon and Bob in the Savannah Shop

What we found (when Damon drove across the United States for a face-to-face interview) was in Bob’s opinion, perhaps the next generation’s greatest guitar maker. Benedetto hired Damon immediately, and he held nearly every position in the shop while being trained as Bob’s apprentice. Damon worked extensively alongside Bob, eventually taking over his workbench and inheriting his personal chisels. Today Damon carries on the greatest traditions established by Benedetto, and has personally made instruments for both Bob Benedetto and CEO Howard Paul.

Born and raised in Harlem, Montana, Damon began working with his hands at an early age. His father, a gunsmith, instilled pride in creating and repairing, and impressed upon him the importance of precision. His love of lutherie was sparked during a tour of Gibson Guitars’ acoustic division while he was attending Montana State University, Bozeman.

Damon moved to Georgia in 2004 to attend a guitar-making and repair school, Luthiers International, where he later taught the shop course for about a year. During this time, Damon discovered the exceptional craftsmanship of Bob Benedetto, and would spend hours supplementing his education with Bob’s instructional videos.

Damon grew up surrounded by music. His father played guitar and started teaching him chords at about four years old. Many other relatives and family friends contributed to the soundtrack of his childhood and supported his musical pursuits. By middle school he was sitting in with local bands, and started playing gigs in Savannah soon after he hit town. To catch him live, just follow his band Damon and the Shitkickers on Facebook or Instagram.

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  • Master Finisher Larry Perkins

    Lawrence “Larry” Perkins Master Finisher

    Lawrence “Larry” Perkins has worked as Benedetto’s Master Finisher since 2011, where he supervises all aspects of the Finishing Department. Born in Paw Paw, Michigan. Larry has studied music for most his life, beginning as a trombonist, and performing his first club gig at the age of 13. While studying music composition and arrangement at Western Michigan University, Larry began doing small repairs and guitar setup for friends. He was hired in 1996 by Heritage Guitars where he quickly moved into the finishing department due to his passion for the instrument and his attention to detail. A year later, he was supervising the department. During his ten years at Heritage, Larry did finish work on 7,804 instruments, including for Kenny Burrell, Roy Clark, Steve Howe, Gary Pucket, John Sebatian, Niki Fox, Charlie Daniels, Frankie Ballard, and Alvin Lee.

    Larry has been a club musician throughout his 41-year career, performing in the Chicago-Detroit corridor, resort towns along Lake Michigan, and even a six-month stint at a blues club in Singapore. His acts over the years have opened for such blues luminaries as: Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, Chris Duarte, The Kinsey Report, Rare Earth, The Guess Who, Shannon Kurfman, Hubert Sumlin, and Gatemouth Brown. He’s Benedetto’s “Resident Blues Guy,” but we let him work here anyway!

    His impressive repertoire of instruments include all brass, stand-up bass, electric bass, C-plectrum banjo, and of course, guitar.

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  • Luthier, Steve Holzknecht hold an in-progress guitar at his bench.

    Steve Holzknecht Senior Craftsman, Whitewood Department

    Steve Holzknecht first joined the Benedetto team in 2013. Over the next three years he applied his skills to carving top and back arches and setting necks, as well as every aspect of neck construction. He returned in 2018 to work in the Finish Department, apprenticing under Master Finisher Larry Perkins.

    Hailing from Sebastian, Florida, Steve first developed an interest in luthiery at the age of 15 while restoring a 1984 Kramer Baretta with his older brother in his father’s garage. Still in his collection, that guitar and others salvaged from eBay fostered a growing interest in becoming a better player and craftsman. Steve graduated from Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in the fall of 2011. Like many of our luthiers, Steve plays guitar and makes his own instruments on the side.

    Returning to Savannah with his girlfriend and their two dogs, Steve credits his family’s steadfast support for the opportunity to pursue a career he truly loves.

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  • Dylan Kennedy buffing a Benedetto Guitar body.

    Dylan Kennedy Final Assembly

    Dylan Kennedy joined Bennedetto in the Final Assembly department in 2020, where he is responsible for assembly and setup of every new Benedetto guitar. Hailing from a musical family in Nashville, Tennessee, Dylan grew up around guitars, building his first electric when he was 15 before moving on to graduate from the Master’s Program at Galloup School of Lutherie. 

    With big support from both families, Dylan relocated to Savannah with his wife, Alexis, and dog, Oliver. They often play music together, Dylan on the Mandolin and Alexis a singer, the perfect extension combining Dylan’s love for building instruments and performing musically. 

     

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  • Portrait of a John Garcia

    John Garcia Buffing Department

    Bio coming soon.

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  • Rodrigo Gomes at his bench

    Rodrigo Gomes Luthier

    Bio coming soon.

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  • Jackson Evans standing near work bench.

    Jackson Evans Customer Relations & Sales Manager

    Jackson Evans joined the Benedetto team as Customer Relations and Sales Manager in the spring of 2017. Originally hailing from the mountains of Utah, he relocated to Savannah in 2004 where he established himself as a reputable jazz guitarist. His experience in music education, performing professionally, and a strong interest in the technical details of the instrument give him a deep perspective and ability to expertly guide customers in the pursuit of their perfect Benedetto. 

    When Jackson isn’t playing or talking about guitars, he is an avid bicycle racer, and enjoys spending time with his dog Carter, and wife Maggie, a bassist and singer you may recognize from some of our demo videos. 

     

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  • Stephanie

    Stephanie Ward Office Administrator

    Stephanie joined us in 2011, learning all the behind-the-scenes Benedetto secrets right from the source with Cindy Benedetto as a mentor. Her charming demeanor and organized approach have made her a hit with customers and vendors alike and rendered her an infamous character to jazz guitarists around the world.

    Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia with a proud Scottish-Irish heritage, Stephanie came to us with a wealth of corporate experience from her time as the Executive Secretary of the Vice President of Human Resources at Great Dane Trailers. Combined with her musical experience as singer for the regionally notable Southern Rock band Bounty Hunter (with guitarist/singer/husband, Dennis) she is a perfect match to manage the business end of a unique company like ours.

    Away from her desk, Stephanie enjoys singing and crafting with a specialty in decorating the readily available seashells from nearby Tybee Island. She shares her home with her husband Dennis, son Stefan, and three dogs, Red Dog, Gracie & Marlee.

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