Robert Benedetto founded Benedetto Guitars in 1968, and since then, he's built a strong reputation for high-quality jazz guitars. Best known for hollowbody archtops, the Benny is Benedetto's approach to a solid-body design, delivered with the approach and finesse of fine jazz guitars. With a carved Spruce top and chambered Mahogany body, the Benny provides a wide spectrum of classic and modern tones.
From 1999 to 2006, Benedetto hasda licensing agreement with Fender who owned Guild at the time. During that period, Robert Benedetto worked with the Guild R&D team to refine archtop designs, and as part of the deal a limited number of Benedetto guitars were built in the Guild Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. On the inside of the control cavity, this 2001 Benny proudly sports the Guild Custom Shop label, signed by Robert Benedetto. It looks absolutely gorgeous in natural lacquer finish that shows off the subtleties of the Spruce grain.
The Benny body measures 14-1/2" across on the lower bout, and it has a single Florentine cutaway. The sides are 2" deep, and the body is 18-1/8" long. In your hands, it doesn't feel big, and it doesn't feel small—it falls somewhere in between an LP and a 335, and it balances nicely on a strap. The scale length is 25", so bends are accessible without sacrificing dynamics. The A6 humbuckers were made by Seymour Duncan, exclusively for Benedetto. They are well-voiced, versatile PAF-style pickups. In combination with the solid woods and chambered body, the pickups help bring about a touch-sensitive feel.
This 2001 Benedetto Benny has been played, so it shows some general play wear in the obvious places. There are three top dings worth mentioning, both on the bass side—one at the waist and two on the edge by the strap button. There are some smaller dings on the edge of the back, as well as a few surface scratches on the back from buttons or buckles of some sort. There some bumps around the headstock edges, and the finish is lifting and bubbled on the side of the nut. Fortunately, no dings to the back of the neck or anything that affects playability—just a little honest play wear from professional use. The setup is low and inviting, which only feeds the touch-sensitive vibe. It includes its original hardshell case.
- Finish: Natural gloss
- Body Style: Singlecut, Florentine cut-away
- Top: Carved Spruce
- Back: Chambered Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard: Ebony, with binding
- Fretboard Radius: 12”
- Fret Inlay: Abalone floral inlay at the 12th fret
- Headstock: Ebony overlay with binding, and gold logo
- Binding: Top
- Hardware: Gold
- Pickups: Benedetto A-6 (neck & bridge) humbuckers, made by Seymour Duncan exclusively for Benedetto, with gold covers
- Tuners: Gotoh, sealed, gold with ebony buttons
- Controls: Master volume, master tone, push/pull tone for coil-splitting
- Knobs: Ebony
- Bridge: Wraparound tune-o-matic adjustable, gold
- Tail-Piece: Ebony, EPS
- Nut: Black phenolic, 1-3/4” width
- Body Size at Lower Bout: 14-1/2"
- Body Depth: 2"
- Scale Length: 25"