1991 Benedetto Manhattan Cutaway Archtop Electric Guitar Blonde, Near-Mint w/ DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100, Case
$20,999.99
$20,999.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1991 Benedetto Manhattan Custom in near-mint condition, complete with the original hardshell case. Founded in 1968 by master luthier Robert Benedetto in Savannah, Georgia, Bob Benedetto is the most highly celebrated archtop luthier of the latter half of the 20th century, carrying the tenets of archtop craftsmanship forward from John D'Angelico and others. For contemporary handbuilt archtops, there is no better benchmark than Bob Benedetto's build techniques, and this Manhattan was handcrafted by Bob himself in arguably his most celebrated era, predating the buyout of the Benedetto name by Fender. This particular Manhattan has also been fitted with a genuine vintage DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100 pickup.
Tonewoods include a hand-carved, bookmatched spruce top, tap tuned and hand-graduated with notably tight, straight grain. The carved fiddleback maple back and rims are intensely figured, and the one-piece flame maple neck is capped by a bound ebony fingerboard. This Manhattan yields exquisite detail, with an exceptional dynamic feel; smooth, balanced response; and a natural compression in the midrange. The ebony fingerboard provides glassy articulation, the trebles are equal parts sweet and immediate, and the wound strings have a rich chop and airy warmth. The DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100 pickup has its own highly vaunted tonal color, responsive to player inputs. This Manhattan weighs 5lbs 13oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with nickel Thomastik 12s and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Flame maple (one-piece)
-Shape: Slender D, full shoulders, measuring .760” 1st fret, .860” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, multi-ply binding, pearl inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Schaller, gold-plated
Body Specs:
-Wood: Carved spruce (signed on the underside by Bob Benedetto), Fiddleback maple
-Pickups: DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100
-Controls: Volume
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, cello-style tailpiece, and pickguard
-Serialization: Label at bass-side F hole signed by Robert Benedetto, 91-suffix
The gloss Blonde finish highlights the extremely tight, three-dimensional and lively figuring in the fiddleback maple. Exceedingly well-kept for over three decades, there are just a couple faint marks and tiny dings on the body as a whole. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
The original Benedetto black tolex hardshell case with red plush interior is included.
Tonewoods include a hand-carved, bookmatched spruce top, tap tuned and hand-graduated with notably tight, straight grain. The carved fiddleback maple back and rims are intensely figured, and the one-piece flame maple neck is capped by a bound ebony fingerboard. This Manhattan yields exquisite detail, with an exceptional dynamic feel; smooth, balanced response; and a natural compression in the midrange. The ebony fingerboard provides glassy articulation, the trebles are equal parts sweet and immediate, and the wound strings have a rich chop and airy warmth. The DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100 pickup has its own highly vaunted tonal color, responsive to player inputs. This Manhattan weighs 5lbs 13oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with nickel Thomastik 12s and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Flame maple (one-piece)
-Shape: Slender D, full shoulders, measuring .760” 1st fret, .860” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, multi-ply binding, pearl inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Schaller, gold-plated
Body Specs:
-Wood: Carved spruce (signed on the underside by Bob Benedetto), Fiddleback maple
-Pickups: DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100
-Controls: Volume
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, cello-style tailpiece, and pickguard
-Serialization: Label at bass-side F hole signed by Robert Benedetto, 91-suffix
The gloss Blonde finish highlights the extremely tight, three-dimensional and lively figuring in the fiddleback maple. Exceedingly well-kept for over three decades, there are just a couple faint marks and tiny dings on the body as a whole. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
The original Benedetto black tolex hardshell case with red plush interior is included.
