In 1999, Benedetto signed a licensing agreement with Bill Schultz, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments, to produce Benedetto jazz guitars in the Custom Shop as well as a series of ‘Guild Benedetto Signature Models” which included the Artist Award (later Johnny Smith Award) and the X700 Stuart.

THE FENDER & GUILD YEARS

In 1999, Benedetto signed a licensing agreement with Bill Schultz, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments, to produce Benedetto jazz guitars in the Custom Shop as well as a series of ‘Guild Benedetto Signature Models” which included the Artist Award (later Johnny Smith Award) and the X700 Stuart.


John Sebastian is lovin' playing the red Benedetto Fratello, Fender Winter NAMM booth 2005

Benedetto with Jeff Linksy with his new BAMBINO (#453400) at the Fender booth, NAMM Jan 2000

Music Zoo's Tommy Colletti and Bob Benedetto (with Benny!) Winter NAMM 2005 (Fender booth)

Fender's Dan Smith loves this Benedetto archtop at the Winter NAMM Show Jan 29 2001!

Fender CEO Bill Schultz with Benedetto Signatuare Guild Artist Award Nashville NAMM 2001

Benedetto Frank Vignola, La Venezia and Manhattan models at the Fender booth, NAMM circa 2004

Benedettos at the Fender booth Winter NAMM circa 2003

Bill Colwell Bob Benedetto and Gordon Parkman with Benedetto Signature models at the Guild factory, Westerly RI, 2000

Bill Colwell playing Guild Benedetto Signature Stuart X700 at the Guild factory in Westerly, RI, March 2000

Dan Smith, Bob Benedetto, Mike Eldred - Fender Custom Shop, Corona, CA 2000

Howard Paul, Johnny Smith and Bill Doyle (holding one of three guitar backs with 80 jazz guitarist signatures!) Los Angeles NAMM Show, 2000

Guild Benedetto Johnny Smith Award label

Guild Benedetto Signature Johnny Smith Award, 2004

Benedetto with Luthiers Harry Fleishman and Donnie Wade, Fender booth at NAMM 2000

Johnny Smith signs a limited number of Guild Johnny Smith Awards while Benedetto looks on, Corona, 2004

With Tom Wheeler, Fender booth NAMM 2000

Fender CEO Bill Schultz with Bob Benedetto, NAMM 2000

With Bruce Bolen and Ritche Fliegler, Fender- Guild booth NAMM 2000


With legendary Bruce Bolen, NAMM, LA 2000

with Guild's Marketing Guru Bill Acton (r) - NAMM 2000

Willi Fritscher, Tim Shaw and Benedetto, Guild Factory in Westerly, Rhode Island - 2000

Tim Shaw and Benedetto circa 2001

Bill Colwell and Benedetto hit the right note, Guild, 2000

Guild Benedetto Johnny Smith Award

Bob and Guild's Chris Palmisano, Westerly, RI, 2000

Benedetto & Willie Fritscher discuss arching, Guild Guitars, Westerly, 1999