News

What an amazing time at the annual Jazz Education Network conference just up the road in Atlanta, Georgia. The “Tribute to Benedetto Guitars” hosted by the University of North Florida big band, featured our own Howard Paul, UNF Prof. and notable Benedetto Player, Barry Greene, along with USU Prof and also notable Benedetto Player, Corey Christiansen. The guest of honor, however, was none other than 91 year old *legendary* jazz educator and old school Benedetto Player form back in the day: Jack Petersen. What a crew!

These two stunners have shipped out making the holidays bright for a few lucky customers. The Bambino Deluxe is in Black, while the other is a Bambino in Espresso.

It’s too late to order a new Benedetto in time for Christmas 2024 (although we have a few refurbished, consigned instruments in Bob’s Boutique if you need a special gift), but if you want something under the tree for 2025, we would advise you to let us know asap!

Benedetto Guitars is looking for an experienced Finisher to take over all responsibilities of our Finish Department.  This includes spraying lacquer, shading and bursting, level sanding, scraping binding, applying logos, etc.  We expect to train on the particulars of our instruments, but experience in a manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.  

Please send resume and Benedetto Employment Application to Damon Mailand:  dmailand@benedettoguitars.com

Two incredible guitars have been added to Bob’s Boutique, just in time for Turkey Day dessert! One is a brand new Bravo Deluxe in Autumnburst and the other is a STUNNING Bambino Elite built by Bob in 2000. It features an incredible quilt back, and would later become the prototype for the Savannah shop.

BG Artist, Wayne Wilkinson has a new guitar on the way, but while he waits for us to build it, we’re helping him ditch the old one! And what a beauty it is!

Click on over to Bob’s Boutique for details: https://www.benedettoguitars.com/product-category/bobs-boutique/

Benedetto Guitars is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Larry Perkins, our beloved Master Finisher and resident blues artist. 

Larry joined Benedetto in June 2011 when he arrived in Savannah from Phoenix, Arizona, where he had performed in bands and worked as a luthier in several guitar repair shops.  Prior to moving to Arizona, from 1996 to 2006 Larry was very proudly the first non-Gibson legacy employee hired by Heritage Guitar Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He kept photos of many of the celebrity guitars he had worked on over the years. 

Larry spent almost three decades working in the guitar finishing world. His reputation in the industry was unmatched, as his coloration and nitrocellulose lacquer finishes were considered flawless, and among the very best in the music world.  He regaled fellow employees and Benedetto visitors with stories of the processes and customers he had worked with over his lifetime. 

Larry was also a very talented blues guitarist who traveled around the world playing in blues bands. He spent three months leading the house band at The Crazy Elephant in Singapore – a highlight of his performing career. He remained active performing in Savannah and was a regular participant in blues jam sessions in Savannah and on Tybee Island. He had a beloved collection of guitars, amplifiers and pedals that he curated over his lifetime. 

 Larry considered Paw Paw, Michigan his home, and attended school there. He attended Western Michigan University where he studied science and played trombone. He also spent time performing in bands and working in Detroit before returning to Michigan to work for Heritage.  

 He was predeceased by his wife Kelly Perkins in 2018, his parents and his sisters. He leaves behind his nephew David and cousin Michael. He also leaves behind his extended family a Benedetto Guitars. 

Larry’s passion for guitars and music will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

For more about Larry, see this interview published in 2010. http://www.theguitarcolumn.com/2010/01/larry-perkins-on-his-bluesmans-journey.html

BG Pres/CEO, Howard Paul seemed to think that if he quietly snuck away for the day, we wouldn’t remember his birthday… Well, it’s pretty hard not to celebrate the boss who has your back, happens to be a world class jazz guitarist, and is respected across the industry by players and builders alike!

Happiest of Birthdays, Howard, from the whole BG crew!

(Photo by Mike Oria)

The last of this batch of consignment guitars to be added to Bob’s Boutique, we anticipate this Bravo Deluxe will be a very quick seller. Current build time for new orders is approximately 12 months, so having a 7-string available immediately is beyond rare.

This guitar is used/refurbished but shows minimal play wear and could almost be mistaken for a new guitar by the untrained eye. It includes a two-year warranty and an upgraded, deluxe Cedar Creek Case (the case is in pristine condition).