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Hello!
This is my first post in this site, so forgive me if I'm asking a question that's been asked before.
I recently played a Benedetto Howard Alden signature guitar and it was phenomenal. The sound was wonderful, it maintained clarity when the tone was down, it sounded great with the tone up, the body resonated, it was just beautiful. It was far better that the 175's and other hollow bodies I know of. Only issue is it was priced at $4500 :/ does anyone know of something that might feel close, at maybe half that price or less? I like single pickups, I tour and gig a decent amount so holding up on the road is absolutely necessary.
Thank you!
Cody
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01-13-2017 07:21 PM
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Nothing very much cheaper is going to be close to a Benedetto, certainly not at half the price. You can sometimes (not often, but sometimes) find a used Benedetto for somewhere in the range between $2500-$3000, but this will be the Bambino or similar. $4500 for a Howard Alden model is a fair price used, fantastic for new.
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I don't know about half priced (at least new), but forum member Matt Cushman builds a Benedetto-influenced archtop with a starting price of $3600. I've had one of his guitars for 10 years and it is a wonderful instrument; I would assume that 10 years later his instruments are better than the ones he was building then.
Home
Mine has been my main guitar since I bought it from him via eBay. You can hear it here:
Recorded using GarageBand and the built-in mic on my iPad...
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Bob is a clever fellow.
He wrote a useful book about how to build a Benedetto-style archtop.
It has been used by many luthiers as well as companies, whose guitars can be purchased at the price point you seek.
I'd recommend you look for an Eastman archtop guitar, or a Yunzhi, or a Mr. Wu - most of which are Benedetto-influenced instruments.
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Sadowsky Jimmy Bruno, Jim Hall
(not half the price but less than Benedetto)
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I understand the guitar referred to in the original post is a Fender Benedetto Howard Alden Signature. It is known as a Benedetto Bambino Deluxe today. One big difference is that the Fender Benedetto HA has a 25.5" scale length. The current Benedetto Bambino Deluxe has a 25" scale length. So, Benedettos are not always the same.
I don't know about the magic sauce in the Benedetto Howard Alden you played. You can keep your eye out for a used Bambino Deluxe. Artisan Guitars had a used one in Red Flame on Reverb that with a 15% off Thanksgiving code came down to $3060 from $3600.
In the same form factor, you may look out for the Eastman El Ray. Also, the off-the-wall made in Aska, Japan Seventy-Seven Guitars Albatross Jazz for ~$1600 or the Stork Jazz.Last edited by Jabberwocky; 01-13-2017 at 09:39 PM.
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Oh yeah, Sadowsky SS-15. Westville Aruba! Hard to find these used so you are back in the $3300 to $4500 price bracket.
Originally Posted by HeyNow
Victor Baker archtops! He gets used ones occasionally.
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I second Cunamara's opinion about Matt Cushman's guitars; since I bought one (used) last summer, it has become my "go to" guitar. Great guitar at a reasonable price...
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Here's a Cushman for near $2k, obo. Great looking archtop too! Originally Posted by Cunamara
If I needed an archtop, I'd have bought it already.
Cushman Archtop Jazz Guitar | eBay
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Not this Mr. Wu. Its design was influenced by too much tequila! Originally Posted by Hammertone
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Never order a custom guitar while under the influence of tequila. I make it a practice to never be under the influence of tequila. Whiskey yes, but not tequila.
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Cody, call Benedetto Guitars. Given that you tour and gig they may give you an Artiste Price break on their guitars. It is worth a shot.
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I have heard a lot of really good Benedetto's online, but I have never played any. Having said that, I have heard a couple from people who have a lot of online content, that sound really, for lack of a better word, dead. There is one particular, that I won't mention here.
Has anybody else noticed this, or do I just not know how to judge a good guitar??
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Errr, you are not talking about the great PM, are you? Because that is how PM likes it and I sort of grok his vibe. Originally Posted by eh6794
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Metheny? No it isn't a superstar, but most people know of him/her.
Last edited by eh6794; 02-12-2017 at 07:27 PM.
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Find an Eastman AR810, or better yet an AR910 in a store. Try to try out a couple. Eastman approached Benedetto when they were a viola, cello and violin company looking to start making arch tops - Benedetto told them, go buy my book. Well heck they did and the AR810 and 910 are very heavily influenced by the Benedetto Manhattan. I have like the 5th Eastman AR810 prototype they made, it is such a dead copy of a Manhattan it isn't funny. They did change come of the cosmetics to avoid legal hassles. Try the AR810 or AR910s.
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Pat Martino and his Benedetto. And he is a superstar so that rules him out. Originally Posted by eh6794
Drop a hint!
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I sent you a private message. Tell me if you agree. By the way Pat's sounds great. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Welcome Cody,
I gig with a 90 Benedetto Cremona. It's obviously a totally different animal from the Bambino Deluxe, however I have played a couple of Bambinos and agree-amazing guitars.
Off the peg, the suggestions you have received are pretty spot on. Half price is tough-2500 or so is going to put you in top line Asian territory-not a bad thing. My backup guitar is a Eastman John Pisano and it's a fine instrument.
You've probably seen this, my guess is it will be a tough sell (if it's still on the market) due to the watercolor painting on the top plate. So 3500 asking might be wishful on the seller's part.
Used Benedetto Bambino Deluxe Custom 40th Anniversary | Electric Guitars | Music Go Round Lincoln
Otherwise, as mentioned there are several builders in the US that would probably do a great job of creating a similar guitar in the low 3K range-Steve Holst in OR comes to mind-his work is excellent.
luthier stephen holst archtop guitars
Good luck on your quest!
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You could do worse than look at some of the all-new Fibonacci models now becoming available. The 'Diablo' definitely has that vibe (maybe the Californian too ) and fits the bill price-wise:http://www.fibonacciguitars.com/diablo Originally Posted by Cody.carrig
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I got the opportunity to play the Benedetto that Jimmy Bruno gave to Howard Paul. Heart-stoppingly outstanding guitar. My newly acquired Eastman is pretty close but not quite as outstanding as the Benedetto. Of course, the price was right and I am very satisfied.
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