Benedetto Bambino

This is a 2007 Bambino from the amazing Robert Benedetto's Georgia workshop. The guitar specs can all be found online at Benedetto's website, so go there for the specifics. As far as features, the most impressive is that it is an affordable Benedetto. I never really seriously thought of owning one even though I have owned many high end guitars, including vintage Gibson L-5s from the 1930s to 1950s. So, when Benedetto decided to make an affordable, compact jazz instrument, I just had to try one out. It did not disappoint. Again, check out builder's website for all the features. I am certain if you asked any guitarist who knows about archtop guitars who most certainly is the top builder, they would almost certainly answer, Benedetto. Again, a Benedetto under $2k, that is an amazing deal and any series jazz player should grab one before Benedetto changes his mind about selling affordable instruments.

What surprised me about the guitar is that it had a fairly nice acoustic voice. Yes, this is definitely a jazz box that is meant to be plugged in but the volume of acoustic sound that comes from this little guy is amazing. Not an acoustic guitar by any means but the sound is loud enough and balanced enough to practice without any amplification and still be able to hear the subtle nuances of different touch and timbre.

The fit and finish are perfect on this guitar and it arrived ready to play, right out of the box. That has never happened for me on a new guitar. I always find myself having to make changes, redo setups, etc. But not for the Bambino. Perfect setup. I have to say that this may be attributable to the dealer from where I purchased the guitar, Dreamquest. But either way, it was dead on perfect and I am a very demanding of a good setup. I have slightly lowered my rating on this category to a 9 as the neck, although it is fast and true, it is still too flat. Why are all the necks in the guitar world today flat? The old vintage necks are not all flat. Our hands are not flat, they are C-shaped and the neck of the guitar, I would expect, to be the same. Still, this is a personal preference so someone else may find the neck to be exactly how they would want it. Still, having said this one slight criticism of the neck, it still is dead on straight and fast. All the finish work is perfect. Frets are dressed perfectly, no flaws on this guitar anywhere.

This guitar appears to be incredibly well built. Heck, it's a Benedetto for criminey sakes.

No reason to contact them.

I have been playing, teaching, repairing guitars for nearly 30 years. I play, mostly, with a western swing group and an occasional jazz sit in but am getting older and not looking for as many opportunities to perform any more. I have taught hundreds and hundreds of guitar students both private and in large group classes at our local university. I am very picky about my instruments, there are few instruments I find that please me. I found the Bambino to be just as it is described, an exceptional jazz instrument that is easy to travel with and still has a great balanced jazz box voice. I would give it about a 9.8, not quite a 10, as I would still prefer a rounder neck., but I have rounded up to 10.

Antique sunburst. Laminated maple top & back, maple neck. Two nickel plated Benedetto A6 pups. Hollowbody Archtop without f-holes, 14 1/2" lower bout, 2 1/4" body depth, Florentine cutaway.
Neck is American Maple with ebony fingerboard, 12" radius.
Nut 1 11/16", bone. Scale 25" , 22 frets. Ebony bridge, adjustable with black wheels and posts. Ebony tailpiece. Master volume, master tone with push/ pull coil tap, 3-way pickup selector.
Fingerrest: Ebony , Finish Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer.
Strung with .012-.052 nickel roundwounds.

Tone is superb - surprisingly like a big jazz-box, but with more bite and definition. As expected, the sound is softer and thinner with the coil-tap on. Bass notes arent muddy at all, but then again I havent tried it with flatwounds yet. Unplugged, not much acoustic sound since it has no f-holes, but plug it in and it really sings. The pups are very quiet, and the VERY light body resonates beautifully. No feedback whatsoever. Warm, warm sound with superb clarity.

Exquisite setup. Plays like a dream, intonation perfect. Very light, easy on the back. The action can go ridiculously low without buzzing - I had to raise it slightly as I prefer med action. The neck is unbelievably playable all along it's length. I give it a 9 because the jack nut was loose when it arrived, and the volume knob was loose. I tightened both in 30 seconds, but I shouldnt have had to do it.

No reason to doubt it, but I always bring a backup. It's a very light hollow archtop with ebony bridge and tailpiece, so it "feels" delicate, but I've a feeling it'll hold up very well in any situation.

No experience, but I think Benedetto would probably entertain my questions if I ever have any.

Playing about 35 years. What I love most about the Bambino is that it's small, light, plays like butter, and approaches the sound of my other archtops without the bulk and cost. Sure, it doesnt have the airiness of my Hopkins Marquis nor the girth and authority of my L5CES, but I can play it standing all day without breaking a sweat. At its price, it has few peers. The guitar simply exudes quality, understated class and quiet elegance.