Latest Benoit Masterpiece

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 27 Jul 2003 2:58 pm

Well, once again, Carroll Benoit has gone beyond the bounds of every day luthiery in creating another unique, one of a kind resophonic instrument.

I call this one "The Selmernator."

[This message was edited by HowardR on 27 July 2003 at 03:59 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 27 Jul 2003 3:09 pm

This is a large body in the style of the famous Selmer/Macaferri jazz guitar made popular by Django Reinhardt and his contemporaries.

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 27 Jul 2003 5:54 pm

Howard that is a beautiful speciman ,, I`m not familiar with the other brands you mention,, But I1m sure you are proud of the new one,, I will see Carroll on Sat. night , take care

R. L.

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 27 Jul 2003 8:30 pm

Howard - Please post all the details...How did he do the sides? Divulge all the different wood he used! Looks like you have another winner!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 Jul 2003 2:14 pm

The top is European Maple with a burgundy stain, and a nicely figured Walnut inlay. The Walnut inlay has subtle multi earth tones. The sound grilles are maple. The neck is a combination Hard Curly Maple & Walnut. The fretboard is Madagascar.

Howard that is a beautiful speciman

R.L., that's what my doctor told me...

[This message was edited by HowardR on 28 July 2003 at 03:24 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 Jul 2003 2:29 pm

The back is Flamed Walnut. The sides are Birdseye Maple and Walnut.

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 28 Jul 2003 5:59 pm

Breathtaking!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Jul 2003 3:13 pm

Aside from its beauty, this is the best sounding 8 string that I have ever put my hands on. As good and great as some 8 strings sound, compared to a 6, they are somewhat thinner in tone.

This one is a cannon and I believe that is due to the size of the body. The string spacing is a hair wider than 1/4" at the nut & 3/8" at the saddle which allows me to dig and grab pretty well.

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 29 Jul 2003 7:02 pm

Why the cutaway body on a squareneck?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Jul 2003 7:21 pm

A cutaway on a squareneck serves no practical purpose of course. It's there for asthetics (it's pleasing to me), uniqueness, and because it is of the Selmer Jazz guitar design.

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 29 Jul 2003 7:32 pm

Absolutely stunning, Howard.

I've only been on the Forum for a year or so -- but I remember the debut of "The Phoenix." Do you have previous Benoits that I should search for?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Jul 2003 7:57 pm

No Russ, nothing prior to The Phoenix. These two are one of a kinds.

I have one more project in mind working with Carroll and it is really going to take some doing as it will be the biggest challenge yet. Too soon to get into it right now though.

Anyhow, back to the "Selmernator." There's more to this guitar than meets the eye. What's truly unique about this one is.....well, keep watching..

Larry Tresnicky · Post by **Larry Tresnicky** » 30 Jul 2003 6:44 am

Howard, I'm envious of your creative ability - Talked to Kenny yesterday & he told me about this post. Even more beautiful than he described it. Great about the sound - one never knows when you do something exotic! Phyllis passes on the congrats. Carroll Benoit has sure got to be proud of his new baby. Keep it up Benoit.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 30 Jul 2003 7:48 am

Thanks Larry & Phyllis.

Larry, I hope you're keeping that cooler stocked with some cold ones....the Dallas Show is coming up in only 8 months....I'll send you some ice if you run out..

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 30 Jul 2003 9:49 am

that's a Beauty Howard !

et Vive le Jazz Hot !

------------------
Steel what?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 30 Jul 2003 3:31 pm

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 30 Jul 2003 7:42 pm

Looks like Howard has come out of the closet!

Graham Griffith · Post by **Graham Griffith** » 30 Jul 2003 9:36 pm

Howard, pardon my ignorance ... what is the attachment on the headstock?

Graham

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 31 Jul 2003 3:00 am

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 31 Jul 2003 6:39 am

Howard, that is one of the coolest instruments I've ever seen. I was curious about the tuning your currently using and how far the pitch on your 2nd string gets altered by the pitch bender thingy? Right on![This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 31 July 2003 at 07:41 AM.]

Jackie Anderson · Post by **Jackie Anderson** » 31 Jul 2003 6:41 am

Okay, time for the WebPolizei to move this to the Pedal Page!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 31 Jul 2003 7:46 am

No, no, not that!!!!

Brad, you'll never take me alive!

More info & photos later as I'm hard pressed at work right now. These tone wood guitars don't grow on trees you know!

Larry Tresnicky · Post by **Larry Tresnicky** » 31 Jul 2003 7:51 am

Wow!!!! A motorized skateboard in the shape of a Resonator. Where are the Brakes?

Howard - I can read Higgins on your thingamajig. How does it work, what does it do? Hey, did you see that Jim Heffernan is doing Resonator Workshops? One in Dallas in Sept & another up there in yankee land.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 31 Jul 2003 6:00 pm

Yes, the thigamajig on the tuner is a peg bender connected by a cable to a foot pedal.

The peg bender is a lower only unit. My tuning is, from low to high:

A C C# E G A C# E.....stepping on the pedal will lower string #2 a half tone to C.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 31 Jul 2003 6:22 pm

Larry, I did see the Jim Heffernan workshops mentioned on the resoguitarist website.

Jim is monster player, a terrific instructor, (which is most important) and a very personable guy. Jim made a couple of personalized instruction cds for me and they are worth my weight in gold. I think he deserves a lot more recognition.