NEW PRICE! 18 " Benedetto "Custom 7 String" (like La Venezia model) 1993 Autumn sunburst Offers OK

On June 20, 2019, I added a YouTube video link of the guitar played both acoustic and through an amp. Check it out.

Last price drop. I'll probably take listing down in a few months and try again at another date. Make me an offer.

This is a truly unique 7 string archtop guitar. And it has quite a story behind it!

I have known Bob Benedetto for many years and owned a bunch of his guitars over the years. In 1993, he asked if I’d be interested taking some pictures for a book that he was working on called “Making An Archtop Guitar”. In exchange, he agreed to build me a guitar that would knock my socks off. It was off to East Stroudsburg, PA I went to photograph the man in action! I’m still trying to get those socks back on! The label inside the guitar reads "For my friend Jon". 

The guitar that is listed here is the guitar that Bob built for me in return for the photography work. There is a photo of me with this guitar on page 14 as well as the serial number, model, and year built on page 244. I even have the maple back cut-outs for this guitar. Bob, added some beautiful abalone inlays on the guitar, adding to its uniqueness.

The guitar is loud, has great sustain, gorgeous. With or without amplification.

Info:

Model: 1993 18” Custom 7 string (very much like a La Venezia model) built in E. Stroudsburg, PA. Serial number 30594

Finish: lacquer, Autumn-burst sunburst. Wood grain viewable through darkest parts.

Body width: 18”

Body depth: 3- 1/16”

Top plate: Hand-carved Spruce

Top Bracing: X bracing

Back plate and sides: Hand-carved European curly maple sides and back. Abalone inlay on lower bout side.

Headstock: Abalone “Benedetto” inlayed into walnut veneer

Frets: 21

Bridge: Ebony with inlay and adjusting height wheels

Scale: 25”

Fingerboard: Ebony with abalone inlay at 12th fret

Neck width at nut: 2- 1/16”

Tailpiece: Ebony with floral inlay

Tuning machines: Black Grover

Pick-up: Benedetto S7 floating pick up with volume control on pick guard. ¼” TR jack on tail piece

Strings: 1-6 Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swing 113 .013 to .053. 7th string D’Addario .080 “Van Eps”

Case: Original HSC, with a maroon color padded zipper cover that reads “Benedetto” on it.

Condition: This guitar is absolutely mint. There is literally not a mark or blemish anywhere on the instrument. It has rarely left my house. Frets are all in excellent shape, and the guitar needs no set-up. The pick-guard volume control is slightly noisy when adjusted, but not terrible. Amazing for a stringed instrument that is 25 years old. A truly remarkable guitar for 7 string player or collector. I am open to any reasonable offers.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Please note that due to the size, weight and cost to ship instrument, this is for local pick-up and viewing only.