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1996 Benedetto Limelite, Maple/European Spruce
This guitar comes with an extra set of socks, since the pair you’re wearing at the first strum will be blown to smithereens. An archtop of this calibre, we see one but rarely: a 1995 Bob Benedetto Limelite. Lightly figured Maple back and neck, dyed-to-match Euro Spruce top, and a 25 inch scale per the original owner’s request. This Benedetto came out of Bob’s East Stroudsburg shop, straight from Bob’s hands to the current owner’s. As such, this is a single owner Benedetto that’s been well-cared for and plays like your grandma’s butter.
The Benedetto humbucker and integrated pickguard volume knob are simple and no-fuss, offering a thunderclap bass and great string-to-string response. The acoustic voice keeps the embers burning in the middle register and fans the flames out to bass and trebles: lively, energetic, with great projection.
How lucky are we to have such a beauty from Bob’s own hands? If you’re feeling lucky too, you can take this 1995 Benedetto Limelite home with you today.
Common misspellings: benedeto, benedtto, bendetto, limelight, european
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.156 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple Add to Compare2008 Benedetto Bambino Maple, Espresso Finish
Here we have a post-Fender Bob Benedetto “Bambino.” Don’t let its small stature fool you — it’s got a voice big enough to fill a room. Designed with the gigging musician in mind, this guitar is lightweight and compact. Its laminated maple top and back and maple neck are designed for comfort. The two nickel plated Benedetto A6 pickups are all you’ll need. If you’re looking for a huge sound in a compact package, the Bambino was designed by The Master himself with you in mind.
Add to CompareBenedetto/Mohychi/Giuliano Project Archtop Flamed Maple/Spruce 16 Inch
at one of Bob Benedetto’s guitar making classes in 1992 but the instrument was not completed. The parts were later brought to famed luthier Giuliano’s Guitar Shop in White Plains, NY. Giuliano, if you are not familiar with his name, was the one who refinished the famous D’Angelico “Fin” archtop owned by Scott Chinery. Giuliano assembled and finished the guitar to perfection. All the work is top notch especially Giuliano’s finish. The guitar is signed inside by Bob Benedetto as well as Bob Moyhchi and dated 9/92. An amazing story for a brilliant guitar.
Add to CompareBenedetto Manhattan Flamed Maple/Euro Spruce
The flagship of the Benedetto line, Bob personally selects the tonewoods, reviews the voicing and inspects each Manhattan model. That’s the reason this guitar has a strong acoustic tone and amazing amplified voice. The Opulent Brown finish is just stunning and the Benedetto abbreviated fingerrest and cell style tailpiece complete the look. This one has been upgraded with a hand made Kent Armstrong PAF pickup. First rate in every way.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple Add to Compare2015 Tom Bills Cremona 16″, Curly Maple/Sitka Spruce
Tom Bills‘ status as a premier builder of archtop guitars is manifest in this gorgeous Cremona 16 inch from 2015. Not only is the fit and finish perfect, the setup glassy, and the neck-to-weight ratio dialed in–the voice, both acoustic and electric, is rich and warm and immediately envelops you. This instrument is an absolute treasure to play. Bigleaf Maple body with Sitka Spruce top, Tom’s custom French Polish shellac finish throughout, and on this Cremona Tom spec’d a rare short scale neck that makes left hand work effortless, and allows for easy bends. Falling across the fingerboard you’ll find several oak leaves rendered in MOP, and elsewhere this Bills Cremona is trimmed in flamed Maple and appointed with Ebony hardware. The humbucker is a custom Lollar with Ebony cover that ties into the pickguard.
If you’re looking for a 16 inch archtop that can keep up with you, that offers new avenues of play, is plain inspiration, this Tom Bills Cremona should fit the bill nicely.
Check out another video of this Tom Bills featuring Duane Simpson: https://youtu.be/pVcltKcVuS0
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, art of lutherie, 1825, duane simpson, fingerstyle, jazz box
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 24.75 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Bigleaf Add to Compare2007 Blanchard Archtop, Maple/Spruce
Mark Blanchard does. it. all. We love his flattops, his nylon string crossovers, and now we love his archtops too. This beauty comes to us from 2007 with light honey Maple and Spruce, and a Lollar gold foil pickup with volume knob integrated into the finger rest. Round hole rather than F holes, and we feel that does add a warmth and roundness to the voice, too. Acoustic or amplified, this Blanchard is sweet, balanced, and warm—easy playing to boot. 16 inches at the lower bout makes for a comfortable archtop build, and Snakewood bindings (plus knobs on the Waverly tuners) tie it all together.
Other keywords: arched top, lutherie, luthier, boutique guitar, mop, fingerstyle, p/up
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce, Maple Add to CompareBrand New Blue Arch Big Bang Archtop, African Padauk/Western Red Cedar
Our own Paul Heumiller said, “Dreaming on a guitar like this is easy.” What more is there to say? Gorgeous aesthetic, powerful sound and a fit and finish that screams pristine. This instrument is powerful and inspirational. Dressed in African Padauk and Western Red Cedar, this ain’t your grandpa’s archtop, but it sounds like it would have been. It’s no coincidence this instrument has been dubbed “Big Bang.” That is as much of a descriptor as it is a title, both unplugged and amplified it’s resonance is prominent. From the carbon fiber bracing, to its custom humbucker this guitar seems to have neverending features that draw the player in. Listen and see for yourself.
Other keywords/mispellings:Luthier, lutherie, archtop, jazz, tric,
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Cedar - Western Red, Padauk Add to Compare2018 Borghino Mirragio 7 String, European Maple/Italian Spruce
We’re no strangers to Mirko Borghino’s work here at Dream Guitars. Not only is he the maker of John McLaughlin’s Shakti (here we’ve got one of his McLaughlin Signature Series in right now, check it out: https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/builders/borghino-guitars.html), he also builds a wide range of steel and nylon string instruments. And then there’s creatures like the Mirragio 7. An archtop engineered for the veteren 7-string player, but also accessible and appealing to the 7-string-curious-6-string player. Effortless is the experience of playing this beauty from 2018. We currently have it set up with roundwounds, and it would also be a beast with flats–but currently it’s got a bit extra bite in the voice, which the custom I-Spira Replica Vintage pickup takes to handsomely. The body is figured European Maple with Ziricote bindings and appointments throughout; Italian Spruce top; and a flame Maple neck that manages to retain a C profile even as wide as it is with the added seventh string. That in itself is a feat.
Hands down, this 2018 Borghino Mirragio 7 is a complete instrument, designed for extended range while maintaining playability and comfort. Sky’s the limit.
Other keywords: lutherie, borghino guitars, miragio, 7 string, duane simpson
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 2.031 in String Spacing 2.438 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Maple - Flame Add to Compare2019 Borghino BB1, Italian Walnut/Italian Spruce
Italy’s Mirko Borghino has collaborated with Italy’s Francesco Buzzurro for this boutique hybrid archtop nylon string 2019 BB1 equally at home for jazz and the classical repertoire. An arched Italian Walnut body is paired with a carved Italian Spruce top from the Val di Fiemme, Alessi tuners, and the dynamite Graph Tech Ghost nylon string pickup system. This offers both 1/4” and MIDI outputs plus volume knobs for both outputs, and bass, treble, mid, and mid sweep tone. So many options! The Borghino BB1 is immensely fun to play, hands down. It handles a wide range of styles and attacks with aplomb, plays effortlessly, and has a lively and quick response that translates perfectly from an acoustic setting into amplified territory.
Other keywords: crossover guitar, fingerstyle, cutaway, andy jurik, hiscox
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.875 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Walnut - Italian Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Blue, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
Brand new! This is what happens when a master archtop builder continues to push the envelope: Tad Brown CC Blue. Red Spruce top, Red Maple body, plus a CC Pickups ES250 Charlie Christian pickup and cobalt array, pale Maple bindings with an extra bevelled edge (and a subtle arm bevel introduced into the bindings and top itself at the lower bout); Rosewood appointments throughout; a slim build weight and 1 3/4” nut. The “blue” model designation refers to Tad’s use of lapis lazuli in the finish, resulting in a three-dimensional effect that pulls extra depth out of the Flame Maple body and Adirondack Spruce top.
This time around, Tad spec’d this CC Blue with a tighter lower bout, putting this one at 15 1/2″ across. This makes for an even more easy-playing experience. The neck profile Tad describes as a “slim sportscar neck,” and this one practically drives itself.
Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 470332, adriondack, es-250, 2022, stainless, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Blue, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
Brand new! Raring to go! Here’s a chance to land yourself a slice of the sweetest blueberry pie you’re likely to find. Tad Brown of California’s CC Blue is simply fabulous. Red Spruce top, Red Maple body, plus a CC Pickups ES250 Charlie Christian pickup and cobalt array, pale Maple bindings with an extra bevelled edge (and a subtle arm bevel introduced into the bindings and top itself at the lower bout); Rosewood appointments throughout; a slim build weight and 1 3/4” nut. The acoustic voice has heaps of projection, and a sweet clarity across the registers. Amplified, this Tad Brown becomes a force of nature, refined.
Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 461221, adriondack, es-250, 2022, stainless, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.225 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Gold Archtop, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
In, and right back out! Our latest client commission with Tad Brown is a showstopper. We were sad to see it go, before we were even able to photograph it. But we did land a dynamite demo with our own Al Petteway to showcase the livewire Charlie Christian cobalt pickup array. Ready to snag one for yourself? Give us a shout! We’d love to put it together.
Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 451021, adriondack
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Gold, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
Are we excited? That’s an understatement. We’ve just taken on our first archtop from Southern California’s own Tad Brown—and this brand new CC Gold model is a dream come true. Honey amber hues abound with Red Maple back and sides and a Red Spruce top, pale Maple bindings (rounded for such a lovely play feel), and a CC Pickups ES250 Charlie Christian pickup. Slim, slim play weight (just a hair over five pounds, depending on how heavy your strings), combined with those rolled bindings, makes for an effortless player; setup is gossamer from tuner to tail. Rosewood center strip along the back of the neck as a nod to the vintage Charlie Christian ES-175s, and Tad extended that motif for the pickguard, cello bridge, and tailpiece in Rosewood. The ES250 Charlie Christian pickup is strong and crisp when playing electric, and this CC Gold offers a vibrant and balanced acoustic tone as well. One of our favorite Jazz players, Sean McGowan, plays Tad’s instruments—and we can’t think of a finer recommendation than that.
Other keywords: arched top, lutherie, luthier, boutique guitar, f holes, wavily, calton, fingerstyle, p/up
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.225 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Gold, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
Folks get ready! We have another CC Gold Archtop from Tad Brown that’s an absolute beast. This beauty features Old Growth Adirondack Spruce, Red Maple, and African Blackwood. The pickup is an authentic reproduction of the original 1930’s Gibson Charlie Christian pickup. Nearly all modern reproductions are substituting with compact alnico magnets for convenience, however this one notably features the real deal genuine full size cobalt steel magnets, made by CC Pickups in the UK. Jazz guitarist Sean McGowan plays a Brown CC Gold as well.
Other keywords: andy jurik, duane simpson, fingerstyle, jazz box
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.225 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red Add to Compare1996 Buscarino Monarch Archtop, Flamed Maple/Sitka Spruce
Full size, full tilt, full frontal: our 1996 Buscarino Monarch Archtop in Sitka and Flamed Maple. This is the cream of the archtop crop from ’96 that’s been waking up handsomely in the intervening years, and is now oh so wide awake. AA aged and seasoned Sitka Spruce top pairs up with an AA aged and seasoned Flame Maple body and a 17” lower bout, Abalone tree of life fretboard inlays plus Burl headstock veneers and Scheller M6 tuners. Benedetto humbucker with volume at the pickguard, and a 25 inch scale that’s just so easy on the hands. This is a showstopper Buscarino Monarch—you won’t want to put it down.
Other keywords: jazz box, arch top, big-leaf, custom guitar, B1029795, arched top, duane simpson
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Figured