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 solid-body construction, delivered as only a maker of fine jazz guitars could. With a carved Spruce top and chambered Mahogany body, the Benny provides a wide spectrum of classic and modern tones.
This Benedetto Benny was made in 2009, and it features a custom Moss Green finish. It is an absolute stunner. There is some gold sparkle in the green, and it is accented so nicely by the gold hardware. The Ebony fingerboard only has a single floral inlay at the 12th fret, which is slightly understated, but it completes the classy look. Ebony knobs match the Ebony tuner buttons, which fit the curves of the classic Benedetto headstock shape perfectly. It's worth noting the unique control layout, too—volume, tone, and the three-way switch are neatly tucked away in an accessible spot.
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 2009 Benedetto Benny has been babied, so it is very clean overall. Nevertheless, there are a few scuffs on the peghead, and three tiny dings on the treble side of the top in the picking area (see photos). The frets are in excellent shape, and the playability is fast and super low. This 2009 Benedetto Benny includes its original hardshell case.
- Finish: Moss Green, gloss, custom color, one-off
- Body Style: Singlecut, Florentine cut-away
- Top: Select spruce, carved
- Back: Mahogany, chambered
- 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"