Robert Benedetto is widely
acknowledged as today’s foremost maker
of archtop guitars. Over a prolific
four-decade career, he has personally
handcrafted nearly 800 instruments,
including 500 archtops. “My roots are in
jazz guitar. It’s been my love and my
focus since Day One.”
Robert Benedetto was born October 22,
1946 in the Bronx, New York, into a
family of artists, cabinet makers and
musicians. He made his first archtop
guitar in 1968. His reputation grew as
he crafted guitars for noted players
Bucky Pizzarelli, Chuck Wayne, Joe
Diorio and Cal Collins, and, later,
Johnny Smith, Jack Wilkins, Ron Eschete,
Martin Taylor, Howard Alden, John
Pizzarelli, Andy Summers, Jimmy Bruno
and Kenny Burrell (collectively known as
“The Benedetto Players”). His guitars
appear on countless recordings, TV &
film soundtracks, in videos, books,
magazines, museums (including the
Smithsonian Institution) and concerts
worldwide.
Bob & Cindy, present
In 1975,
Bob and Cindy were married. For over 30
years, Cindy has photographed and
extensively documented Bob's guitars and
their players. In 1994, they published
the landmark book, Making an Archtop
Guitar, following it in 1996 with its
companion video, Archtop Guitar Design &
Construction . That same year, Cindy
organized the Benedetto Players in
Concert series. In 2004, Mel Bay
Publications produced the acclaimed
"Benedetto: Body and Soul" DVD, a
biography by William Doyle.
From 1999-2006, Benedetto had a
licensing agreement with Fender Musical
Instruments to produce his models in a
small, controlled manufacturing
environment. In 2006, Benedetto joined
forces with Howard Paul to bring
Benedetto Guitars to the next level,
manufacturing a broad line of more
affordable professional instruments
without compromising the unparalleled
Benedetto worldwide reputation for
singular quality. The company, to be
located in Savannah, Georgia, will play
a part in both the business and cultural
communities.
To date, Bob and Cindy maintain close
contact with players and fans.
“I can
think of no two people in the history of
lutherie who have done more to increase
appreciation for the archtop guitar than
Bob and Cindy Benedetto.”
Randall Kremer, Smithsonian
Institution