The Latest, Greatest, Benoit Masterpiece

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 24 Dec 2005 8:02 pm

Carroll Benoit has outdone himself this time. I'm very fortunate to have such a fine working and creative relationship with a man who sees beyond the horizon.

Over the last several years, we have been fortunate to have many fine builders who push their skills and thinking to a higher level. This is also a tribute to them, in appreciation of them.

I've read threads on various forums where people are waving their flags shouting this builder is the best, that guitar is the best....etc....that's a train to nowhere.

Every top notch luthier and builder is appreciated and known for what their strength is. There's no "best." There's excellence in various areas.

I like to think that I've transcended that way of thinking and I'm in a higher place. After all, I live on the 22nd floor of a 34 story building....

So anyway, here it is.....

[This message was edited by HowardR on 24 December 2005 at 08:04 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 24 Dec 2005 9:47 pm

More! more !

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 24 Dec 2005 9:56 pm

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 24 Dec 2005 11:39 pm

Howard, I know you were advised to open the box carefully, but this.....
Happy Chankwanzamas

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 5:09 am

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 25 Dec 2005 7:03 am

Howard, that's a mighty fine headstock, but where's the rest of the guitar??? Please?

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 7:12 am

[This message was edited by HowardR on 25 December 2005 at 07:31 AM.]

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 25 Dec 2005 7:33 am

I feel like I'm watching a peep show.

I'll be right back, I have to get some more dollars!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 7:44 am

I'm trying to load these things on web pages as fast as I can. I'm still on dial up....too lazy to get cable....but soon.

Keep those dollars coming...

[This message was edited by HowardR on 25 December 2005 at 07:49 AM.]

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 25 Dec 2005 8:08 am

Tease! C'mon, out with it man!

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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 25 Dec 2005 8:22 am

I demand full frontal!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 8:23 am

Hey, I spent a night in jail 'cause of that one time....

[This message was edited by HowardR on 25 December 2005 at 08:26 AM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 9:03 am

In photographing close up shots, due to the direct flash, the finish looks uneven and blotchy. That is not the case at all.

So, may I present to you....The "D'Benoitto"

[This message was edited by HowardR on 25 December 2005 at 09:13 AM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 9:16 am

[This message was edited by HowardR on 25 December 2005 at 09:42 AM.]

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 25 Dec 2005 9:40 am

Looks great Howard. Can't wait to see it in person.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 25 Dec 2005 9:48 am

Yummie!!!!!!

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 25 Dec 2005 9:52 am

Howard, what a superior example of craftsmanship! Of particular interest to me is the cover plate. I assume Carroll carved or fashioned it as well.
Gorgeous! I'm happy for your good fortune. I'd love to own one of his creations someday.[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 25 December 2005 at 10:07 AM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 10:09 am

Whew! Gotta take a break from this...I've been on this box all morning photgraphing, uploading, downloading,....my eyes are going to pop out of my head if I don't break for a beer...

I'll be back to talk about this guitar, which I tried to show as best I could as it's a hand carved archtop.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 25 Dec 2005 10:10 am

Stunning. I look forward to some text when you get a chance. I'd like to hear what the two of you set out to create. What was the goal, intention, design philosphy etc. What is the cover plate? It looks so cool. What is the tuning? What does the bender do?

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 25 Dec 2005 11:26 am

HA I knrw the next thing was going to be archtop inspired!

So let's talk.... 9 strings..tuning?
Pedal?[This message was edited by AJ Azure on 25 December 2005 at 11:27 AM.]

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 25 Dec 2005 11:51 am

Phewwww ...

That is one serious Work of Art ...

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Aiello's Cast Steel Guitars


My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 11:54 am

Great questions Jon. There is a rhyme and reason behind the guitars of which Carroll & I collaborate.

Ever since I became aware of metal or glass on strings, I've always loved that sound. I started off listening to blues & rock slide playing. As soon as I heard bluegrass dobro, I couldn't get enough of it. Then it was pedal steel guitar. Now I'm talking 30+ years ago. I didn't know a pedal from a non pedal steel. Didn't matter. I bought all kinds of steel records & dobro records. Country, western swing, Hawaiian, rock.....so, the music could be anything. As long as it had some kind of bar on strings.

While much of the world views dobro as bluegrass and steel as country, we know better. We know that ANY music can be played on any tuning and any related steel instrument. I'm not speaking of preferences here. I'm speaking about capabilities.

Now, I'm into resonators. If any kind of music can be played on a resophonic guitar (Jerry D., Bob Brozman, Harry Manx, Rob Ickes, & many many others), why can't a resophonic guitar be built like any other guitar, or at least with certain characteristics and attributes?

Look at Chris Knutsen's instruments. Harp guitars, harp ukes, Hawaiians, Konas, Hawiian harp guitars, teardrop bout harp guitars. Why can't the resophonic guitar be taken to where it has never been before?

The answer is, it can. It has. Look at the Selmer/Macaferri style resonator. Look at the teardrop resonator. And now we have an archtop resophonic jazz guitar. The music has no limits. The resophonic guitar has no limits. They go hand & hand. They are like the Dali Lama and a NYC dirty water hot dog....ONE WITH EVERYTHING.

And that's my philosophy. Throw a joke in there too because if you can't laugh, what good is it?

Ok, that was Philosophy 101 1/2.....

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Dec 2005 12:06 pm

I will discuss the building of "The D'Benoitto" in a bit. I will find the photos of it's construction and load those. They are very interesting and I'm sure y'all would like to see them.

BTW, this was a three way collaboration. The coverplate was carved by my HAT BLOCK MAKER whose everyday business is carving some of the craziest shapes that you can imagine for hats![This message was edited by HowardR on 25 December 2005 at 12:11 PM.]

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 25 Dec 2005 2:35 pm

That headstock shape reminds me of something. Oh yeah… Santa's hat!

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 25 Dec 2005 2:39 pm

Howard, was this the instrument you played Derango Reinlhiebt on?