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That's a mouthful huh ?? Always wanted an AA and had a chance to downsize the stash and get this marvelous piece. Of course Patrick Amato had a hand in this deal, when didn't he, and so I quote an email from Mark I got laying out some of the history. God Bless You Patrick, hope you're smiling down on this one too.
Michael,
I want to thank you for some great transactions. I worry a lot about shipping and am relieved that turned out okay. I’m sure the Heritages will do well, too.
I’m happy you’re getting my precious guitars. Most wouldn’t appreciate the craftsmanship and materials involved in producing them. It’s has taken me a lifetime to understand as much as I do, but I know that there is more to learn.
The Johnny Smith is a wonderful guitar. Patrick and I had the pleasure of playing three examples of this model. Patrick was a no bullshit guy. He checked out this particular JS for me before I bought it. He called me and said I must get it because it is the best.
The checking bothered me a little but not much. It was horrible to Patrick. For half a year he cajoled me to get it refinished. I finally did after Patrick said that Pete won’t be around forever and I should take advantage of his supreme skills. So I took the plunge.
Patrick was right. Even though it took forever for Pete to fully strip the guitar, the instrument was much more vibrant without the very heavy lacquer on it. Pete said he never saw such thick lacquer before.
In the white, the guitar was too beautiful to tint. That was obvious to Pete and me. So Pete put a thin layer of nitro on it like the high end Gibsons used to get. Now the guitar looks better and sounds very much alive.
I hope you enjoy reading the article I included in the case.
Mark
Unlike #3 getting here at 09:20 on Tuesday the AA was on a truck all day, the driver got here at 4:30pm !! The shipping box wasn't hot, nor the case, but the guitar itself was warm. So I took it all into the office and let it rest all night. I just tuned her up and plan on spending the afternoon on the porch with her (it's gorgeous today).
Big
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05-18-2017 01:19 PM
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Ya baby !!! A great big congrats Mike. I love Guilds. Do enjoy my friend. She is a beaut ! and yes blondes DO have more fun..
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"and yes blondes DO have more fun.."
platinum!
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As a fellow Guild Benedetto owner, congrats and welcome to a small club. These guitars are up there with the best of them.
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Beautiful guitar Mike ! She still looks new. I always loved young blondes. Enjoy, AG
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Must apologize, in Mark's letter he is referring to Pete Moreno, who spent most of his lifetime doing warranty repairs for Gibson. When Graceland wanted to restore a couple Elvis' guitars it was Pete Moreno who did the work.
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Congrats again, again, again ;-)
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Mikey,
This is by far one of the most strikingly beautiful guitars I've ever seen. I love the white wood.
You really don't see many of these around anymore. I don't think there were more than 18 signed right?
Enjoy it big fella. You don't mess around..
Joe D
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beautiful wood, and i'm sure removing the excess lacquer really opened up its tone..also allows it to further "ripen" with time..a beaut
enjoy
cheers
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WOW! Cool guitar! Congrats man!
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What a beauty and certainly one of the best to add for your amazing collection. I love the headstock of the Artist Award. The spec on the Johnny Smith Benedetto plus the wood used to make that beauty. Enjoy it.
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BigMike,
You COULD pizz me off,
but you don't.
Congratulations!
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Congratulations BigMike! What a beautiful blonde .....
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?Had a chance to unwind some and play the JS, it really has a lovely spacing of the strings that was very conducive to my playing chords, it's definitely a wonderful guitar. Wanted to thank many of you for the compliments on this one... Thanks.
Big
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Glad you are happy and it all worked out well.
Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ
That's one heck of a guitar you got there Mikey. Enjoy it.
JD
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The Guild AA is by far one of the best jazz boxes in the world. Far better IMO than a LeGrand. I've owned both.
I am sure you LeGrand owners would strongly disagree but like I said......IMO. The AA has a very warm acoustic tone.
I would sure like Guild to start carving archtops again.
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I own two LeGrands and a Gibson Johnny Smith. They are fantastic guitars, but they are all different, each with its own distinct "personality and voice". I find it hard already to compare these three. But if ever a Guild Benedetto Johnny Smith came along i wouldn't hesitate trying it and i'm quite sure i'd like it too. In fact since seeing the pics of Big Mike's blonde i really wish this will happen one day ..... Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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I have owned three Guild Artist Awards, two Benedetto models from Westerly and a vintage (1971) example also from Westerly. All three had different voices. I have played other AA's from various periods and all have sounded different. There is a lot of variability here (like all true acoustic archtops). Originally Posted by JazzNote
Bob Benedetto's changes to the Artist Award were enough to bring Johnny Smith back to Guild (The Artist Award started life as the Johnny Smith Award in the late 50's). The Guild Benedetto AA's and JSA's are indeed special (and very rare) guitars.
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Great... Another Guitar I have to try out now.
JD
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The Guild Benedettos have a very full neck profile (I think you would like it) but be forewarned that they have a 25 5/8 scale length. Some find this a challenge. The original 50's JSA had a 24 3/4 scale. Guild changed to a 25.5 scale in the late 60's and went to the 25 5/8 scale when they went from a single coil PUP to a humbucker. Originally Posted by Max405
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Just like "The Princess and the Pea", I suppose that the difference between 25 4/8" and 25 5/8" scales can be felt by some. I didn't notice.
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MG, I think SS pointing that out because he knows I've cried about longer scale instruments in the past.
He's just lookin out..
JD
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Brief hijack. It isn't worth a separate thread.
Got a couple of "new" pickguards today from BigMike. Both are blondes and once belonged to Patrick.
The little spikey, pointy one may have come from a single mounted pickup Golden Eagle or Sweet 16.
The rounded one came from my single pickup Super Eagle. I've been waiting for this for well over a year, and here it is.
They look better and more 3D in person.
The pointy one BigMike donated to Pete Moreno.
These pickguards are hand fitted, so they are not exactly interchangeable even within the same model.
Here's the Super Eagle with the original and the ebony pickguard, the latter being Patrick's favorite type of PG.
Thanks, BigMike. What a gent!
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Well I'm not Joe and talented playing the Johnny Smith stuff.
I'm a guy that plays oldies (being an OG that means shit from the 40s, 50s, 60s mostly) and hymns.
Yesterday when I did tune up the JS I played IN THE GARDEN, the string spacing and voice were very nice and I found myself doing an Alan Jackson-ish country version of the song, singing more fully and carefully like I was in front of a congregation belting it out. It so moved me I almost was in tears when I was done.
Yeah I am BigMike the guy buying gear and having fun, but I have an ever grateful part many of you don't know of or see and I was flat out moved spiritually with the JS. I can't wait until next Monday when Mary Ellen above me in 2-C goes out with her girlfriends at 8am and I can plug her in and play. It's very, very quiet here and amps just aren't very practical to use here. Ya gotta be here a while to get a grasp on. The advantages of being here FAR outweigh any minor inconveniences.
Big
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