Just won a Benedetto

ingeneri · #1 12-11-2009, 04:58 PM

I emerged victorious as the only bidder for a Benedetto Bambino Deluxe on Ebay. These are among the new laminates being made at working musician prices.
Similar to a Jimmy Bruno, the Bambino has a smaller 14 1/2" body with 2 1/4" depth. This makes life in airports more bearable, but the construction still allows for a full and woody sound associated with a hollow body.
Here's a description with photos about a similar guitar on archtop.com
2008 Benedetto Bambino Deluxe
It's reportedly already on its way, so I'll hopefully have a tone report soon.

neilshane · #2 12-11-2009, 05:00 PM

Wow! Stunning instrument.

derek · #3 12-11-2009, 05:03 PM

Congrats. What color? Looking forward to the review.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #4 12-11-2009, 05:14 PM

A Benedetto! You sure you still want to hang out with us?

Steve Z · #5 12-11-2009, 06:59 PM

Congratulations. I was watching that auction and it was a steal of a deal! I have a Bravo Deluxe in the same Honey Blonde finish... gorgeous. I was itching to bid but couldn't justify anther archtop... now I am having "lack of bidding remorse

. I have to say that it seemed almost too good a deal. Please let us know how you like it once it arrives.

BTW - I see by your myspace page you are in DC. I recently moved from the Eastern Market area to Nashville... too bad the Smithsonian no longer has its jazz Friday night events.

lpdeluxe · #6 12-11-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

A Benedetto! You sure you still want to hang out with us?

Hey! I'll have you know, I once owned a, a, well, I forget what it was exactly, but it had a name a lot of people would recognize.

Oh, yeah: Ventura, that's what it was.

Beautiful guitar, ingeneri.

JohnW400 · #7 12-11-2009, 10:30 PM

Nice looking box

ok so how many large was it?

NSJ · #8 12-12-2009, 08:13 AM

Nice, congrats Ingeneri. Does this mean it's gonna be your main axe?

Dookychase · #9 12-12-2009, 08:18 AM

He probably bought it as a back-up. lol

mr. beaumont · #10 12-12-2009, 08:38 AM

big time score. congrats!

Abaddon2005 · #11 12-12-2009, 08:59 AM

i have that same model as my main guitar. it's a fantastic instrument. enjoy!

Steve Z · #12 12-18-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingeneri

I emerged victorious as the only bidder for a Benedetto Bambino Deluxe on Ebay... It's reportedly already on its way, so I'll hopefully have a tone report soon.

Has it arrived yet? I am really interested to hear how you like the Bambino Deluxe. BTW, I still have "non-buyers remorse" for not trying to grab that guitar

.

ingeneri · #13 12-18-2009, 02:48 PM

The Bambino arrived this week. I'm holding off on a tone report since it has thin round wounds and I want to get some proper Thomastik Swing .13s on it before making any comments. It also has a TOM bridge that I want to swap back to the original ebony as God and Bob intended.

Initial impressions are that its a beautiful instrument with amazingly perfect fit, finish and action. The neck has a hefty deep shape, more like a 50's guitar or my Heritages than my Vestax D'angelico. It's also extremely loud acousticly despite being a physically tiny laminate. It actually is only a tiny bit softer than my 18" carved Super Eagle. So, they're oviously using amazingly thin plates for the laminate wood.

The coil tap on the A-6 pickup is quite cool. It doesn't replicate a P-90 or anything, but the single coil setting does provide crystal clarity. There was no discernable increase in hum when in the single coil setting either.

It's too bad the seller didn't have any flats, with a winter storm approaching I could really use a small laminate guitar this weekend. More updates later.

mr. beaumont · #14 12-18-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingeneri

So, they're oviously using amazingly thin plates for the laminate wood...

what's bob's philosophy on bracing? that makes a big difference too...

glad to hear it's a keeper, though. When you play a well made instrument, in whatever price range, really, you know it, and it feels good, donnit?

Steve Z · #15 12-18-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingeneri

... Initial impressions are that its a beautiful instrument with amazingly perfect fit, finish and action... The neck has a hefty deep shape, more like a 50's guitar... It's also extremely loud acousticly...
The coil tap on the A-6 pickup is quite cool...

Well, that sure doesn't make my "non buyers remorse" feel any better...

Sounds like a great guitar that you should really enjoy playing - Congrats once again on a great score!

Meggy · #16 12-19-2009, 12:36 PM

I've just had a look at this thread, the guitar sounds like an absolute jem to me, just from your initial impressions. And I love the looks and the small body archtop design. I'm totally jealous!

Please post some further impressions when you do get it sorted with the bridge and the flats - I never understand why people insist on replacing wooden bridges with TOM's myself either. What finish is it by the way?

ingeneri · #17 01-04-2010, 05:57 PM

Follow up review: I used the Bambino at my two brunch gigs this weekend. With sub-freezing temps, it's perfect as a hardy laminate while my carved Super Eagle hybernates.

I put on a set of Thomastik Swing .13 flatwounds. I was having a problem getting the sixth string to stay in the tailpiece. Every time I started tightening, it would pop out. Being 100% sure the problem was me, I nonetheless called they company for advice. Bob Benedetto himself called me back and explained a quick and easy trick he does (bend the strings 90 degrees about 1" from the ball) that instantly resolved all problems. Besides being grateful for the customer service, I was thrilled and embarrased to be talking to the archtop God about something so trivial.

The guitar's A6 pickup had a gigantically wide tonal palette. I was playing through my Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue, which can be pretty bright to begin with. The first day I had the tone turned down to about 7, and was finding the guitar too bright. However, the next day I tried bringing the tone down further. As you know, this often leads to the dreaded humbucker mush. But instead, it got me that dark trad flatwound sound I was seeking. Lesson learned: every setting on this guitar is a useable sound and it can pretty much satisfy just about any tonal preference.

The 25" scale length was great. I find the shorter 24.75" length on the 16" guitars a bit constricting, but, while I prefer it, the longer 25.5" scale can be a bit much. The Benedetto's scale was perfect. I could blaze through single note lines without any strain and didn't feel cramped in the least with my chord work. If I ever order anything custom, this is the scale I'll be going for. That Johnny Smith is one smart guy.

I haven't played this in a loud setting yet, but don't anticipate any problems. If feedback rears its ugly head, the guitar comes with a set of customized plugs for the F-holes.

One final note, this thing is so unbelievably light. You hardly notice it hanging on your shoulder. The only fatigue you'll ever get is from standing up.

All in all, a successful road worthy guitar that is as airline proof as humanly possible but at the same time makes no sacrifices for playibility, tone, or even looks.

randyc · #18 01-04-2010, 06:55 PM

Very professional - and useful - review! Have you other guitars that are similar to this one? (If yes, mightn't a comparison be of interest, as in cost-benefit analysis?)

cheers,
randyc

ingeneri · #19 01-05-2010, 12:11 PM

Randy- The only comparable guitar I'm aware of is the Sadowsky Jimmy Bruno, which I've never played. The Ibanez GB 10 is similar in size, but has a thicker top and floating mini-humbucker pups.

All my other guitars (Heritage Super Eagle and 575, D'angelico NYL2) are full sized traditional archtops. So there really isn't much of a direct comparison I could make. I will say the Bambino's size makes it feel more like a solid body, despite the light weight, and I do miss having the archtop heft under my arm.

As for cost/benefit, the Bambino was going for 60% off the new sticker price. It seemed like too good a deal to pass up (sorry Steve Z), and I'm glad to say the guitar is living up to expectations.

Mr. B- The Bambino has parallel bracing, unlike the carved mega-bucks Fratelleos, Manhattens, etc... that are x-braced.

Steve Z · #20 01-05-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingeneri

...As for cost/benefit, the Bambino was going for 60% off the new sticker price. It seemed like too good a deal to pass up (sorry Steve Z), and I'm glad to say the guitar is living up to expectations...

It really was an unbelievable deal and I am glad you are enjoying it... I just waited too long to try and bid, oh well. Next time a sweet deal like that comes around I'll definitely grab it.

Thanks for the great review.

randyc · #21 01-05-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingeneri

Randy- The only comparable guitar I'm aware of is the Sadowsky Jimmy Bruno, which I've never played. The Ibanez GB 10 is similar in size, but has a thicker top and floating mini-humbucker pups.

All my other guitars (Heritage Super Eagle and 575, D'angelico NYL2) are full sized traditional archtops. So there really isn't much of a direct comparison I could make. I will say the Bambino's size makes it feel more like a solid body, despite the light weight, and I do miss having the archtop heft under my arm.

As for cost/benefit, the Bambino was going for 60% off the new sticker price. It seemed like too good a deal to pass up (sorry Steve Z), and I'm glad to say the guitar is living up to expectations.

Mr. B- The Bambino has parallel bracing, unlike the carved mega-bucks Fratelleos, Manhattens, etc... that are x-braced.

Oh yes, I had a senior moment and forgot that you're discussing a smaller scale body, sorry!