Honeyblonde Cremona

Serial #S2242GP

This custom Cremona, S2242GP (Golden Period), 16” is a one-of-a-kind guitar that was built for Bob Benedetto by Damon Mailand (Bob’s longtime apprentice, protege, and successor at Benedetto Guitars) as Bob’s retirement gift in 2014. The inside of the back is signed by all of the employees working in the shop at the time of completion. Bob had accumulated many of his guitars over the years, but in retirement he wanted something traditionally ornate and unique yet comfortable enough that he could use to reignite his musical career performing solo, with small combos, and even some big band gigs based in Ocala, Florida. The 16” x 2-1/2” with a built-in pickup in a Cremona package provided Bob with the best of everything! Bob is still very active, but his public performance days are behind him, and he wants to pass this instrument to the next curator.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity!

This instrument’s unique specifications include: 16” x 2-1/2” body (16-B pattern) with traditional “F” holes, body and fingerboard and with flame maple; 25” neck scale with 1-11/16” ebony nut; all very select European tonewoods with highly flamed European maple bookmatched back and one-piece highly flamed neck; “Cupid’s Bow” motif at fingerboard terminus; Cremona headstock with burl wood face and snakewood tuning buttons, a gold A6 pickup and all ebony appointments. Bob’s “floral motif” is repeated throughout. The warmest of blonde finishes is created by exposing the stark white European tonewoods to ultraviolet light in a tanning booth for months on end, resulting in a gold hue that can only be approximated by stain.