News

It’s sort of Dave Miner’s birthday!!! Leap year babies don’t get to celebrate often enough, so let’s just call this “Dave Day” and wish him the happiest of birthdays… Thanks for everything, Dave!

Allow us to introduce you to the eleventh guitar built for one of the most exclusive Benedetto collections out there: Vinodetto XI! What’s rarer than a Sinfonietta model? A nylon string Sinfonietta with a cedar top, flamed maple back and sides stained with Miner Benedetto Cabernet, Spanish cedar neck, and Barbera bridge saddle for amplification. Che bello!!!

We are thrilled to welcome an opportunity to a few fortunate customers to commission a new, very limited-edition collaborative effort as Robert Benedetto comes out of retirement to hand carve/graduate and assemble guitars in collaboration with Damon Mailand, Benedetto’s Master Luthier.

The project began with our Centennial Tribute to Lloyd Loar’s introduction of the modern Archtop Guitar in 1923.  Bob Benedetto, who retired from guitar building to Central Florida in 2014, was inspired to return to active building on a small and very limited scale from his home workshop.  Damon Mailand selected and pre-carved the tops, backs, sides, and neck blanks from our most select woods. Once in Bob’s hands the hand-graduation, binding, neck shaping and neck set magic is completed in Bob’s workshop and returned to Damon for final preparation, finishing, and component installation in final assembly. 

Founder’s Series models will give the most discerning players and collectors one final, rare chance to purchase a new, bespoke guitar from the hands of one of the 20^th & 21^st centuries greatest artisans, with the quality control, customer service and brand integrity of the world’s premier jazz guitar manufacturer.  Commission pricing will begin at $50,000 with lead times estimated at 7-12 months from time of deposit.  50% deposits required.  A custom flight case is included in pricing.  Contact Howard Paul or Jackson Evans (info@benedettoguitars.com, 912-247-4765) to discuss purchasing one of our current works-in-progress, or to custom order your own bespoke archtop.

Click here and head over to thejazzguitarlife.com to read a fantastic interview with legendary jazz guitarist, educator, and Benedetto Artist, Jack Peterson. As an added bonus, the interview was conducted by another fantastic musician, educator, and Benedetto Artist-In-waiting, Wayne Goins (we’re workin’ on it, Wayne)!

We’ve been sitting on this ridiculous Tamo ash veneer for some time now… Who wants to commission a Bambino Deluxe to show off this gorgeous piece?

Big thanks to seven-string guitarist and BG player, Ron Jackson for stopping by to tour the shop and play some guitars! Thanks to Michelle for the wonderful photo as well!

The Benedetto crew has been running full tilt this week with not one, but three gorgeous guitars heading out the door to their forever homes!