frank vignola guitar envy

[stevedenver]

live and let live
but
make sure you have a guitar, any guitar, and enjoy it!
and
i think mr beamont sees it quite clearly

as for fenders and archtop-i have played those old roger rosemeisel (sp?) guitars-with a bolt on neck-and i will simply say-it was like seeing a fish in a tree -something about fender and archtops just doest do it for me-kinda like seeing a rembrandt by dot matirx -and they didnt feel too good in hand, under the arm or in the ear-but that was a long time ago
i have always loved guilds

the new benedettos are 'only' half the price of those built by the big b himself

i just tend think there may be a better value-not a lower price mind you

see 'we guitarists' are pretty traditional

[fumblefingers]

Originally Posted by NSJ

I got to learn a bit about the recent history of Fender--sometime in the mid 90s, they decided to challenge Gibson on the arch top front and move away- a bit-- from their usual assortment of "plank"/"slab" guitars. Thus, they bought up Guild, licensed designs from Jimmy D'Aquisto (alas, Jimmy was to pass away soon thereafter) , and bought in and hired arch top master, Bob Benedetto, in-house.

I got to see an actual what looks like a Benedetto, but with the cursive "f-e-n-d-e-r" letters on the headstock. That was weird.

Alas, it was not to be, and, although they still own Guild (as well as Gretsch, I believe), Fender moved away from the arch top business in the mid 2000s and returned to the world of "slab"/"plank" guitars.

There are probably some bargains to be found, used, from that brief time Fender decided to produce beautiful arch tops in competition with Gibson.

One of the absolute bargains you will find from that period (can be had for about 400-500 USD used) is the DeArmond X-155 (made by Fender under the auspices of Guild)--Guitar Center used to sell them until about 2006, when they were discontinued. These are fantastic bargains, gigable guitars, great components.

yeah.

i own one of those Guild/Benedettos. i have more expensive guitars too. they tend to stay in their cases a lot.

funny that.

[Patrick2]

The Guild Benedetto Johnny Smith Award is a great guitar. I own a 2002 opulent brown model. Its' tone is just amazing. Great player too. I'm currently negotiating with a broker for a Guild Benedetto X700. They're just amazing guitars. This particular X700 has just a single neck pup . . mounted in the top with parallel bracing. I didn't even know they made an X700 like that. That's kinda like a Gibson L5 Wes Montgomery. I'm hoping the broker and I can come to terms.

[fumblefingers]

good luck, sounds great.

i think these Guild/Benedettos were bargains considering their build quality, materials, luthiers involved (same guys), and pricing - relative to the flagship models.