Founded in 1968 by American luthier Robert Benedetto, Benedetto Guitars, Inc. of Savannah, Georgia is celebrating 50 years of jazz guitar excellence. The internationally renowned company builds some of the world’s most collectable and expensive instruments while still focusing their production on the needs of professional and aspiring jazz guitarists.
Born in the Bronx, New York in 1946, Benedetto’s great American journey has taken him from his personal workbench as an independent luthier, through prominence as author of the highly acclaimed 1994 publication “Making An Archtop Guitar,” to overseeing construction via licensing agreements at Fender & Guild guitar companies (1999-2006), to chairmanship of his own Benedetto Guitars, Inc. manufacturing company (since July 2006) in Savannah, Georgia.
Benedetto guitars have been played by five generations of jazz masters including Johnny Smith, Kenny Burrell, Bucky Pizzarelli, Martin Taylor, and Pat Martino as well as Howard Alden, Dan Faehnle, Jack Wilkins, Ron Eschete, Frank Vignola, Chico Pinheiro, Jimmy Bruno, Earl Klugh, Andreas Varady and many others. The Benedetto guitar appears on countless recordings, videos, and TV and film soundtracks, and has been featured in books, magazines and museums (including the permanent collection of The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History), and on concert stages and jazz festivals around the world.
President/CEO of Benedetto Guitars Howard Paul notes that “Bob’s unparalleled career has impacted the entire industry, and raised the bar for luthiers, manufacturers, and players alike. His 50 years of experience, experimentation, collaboration with the greatest players of their day, and willingness to share his secrets and know-how can be heard and felt in every Benedetto guitar made today, as they reflect Benedetto’s character and talent.”
In 2012, Master Luthier Damon Mailand took the reigns of Production Manager, training new luthiers, carving magnificent arch tops at Bob’s personal workbench, and providing the quality control to maintain Benedetto’s unimpeachable reputation as the best in the world.
Every single Benedetto guitar is made here in the United States, all under the same roof, at our shop in Savannah, Georgia.
Howard Paul, President/CEO, Benedetto Guitars, Inc.
