PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[Secret2goodtoneispractice]

Have heard some rumors about this for a while. Pat's website no longer lists Gibson as an endorsed maker. Meanwhile Benedetto appears to be crafting some Martino guitars:

http://www.benedettoguitars.com/players_patmartino.php

http://www.benedetto-guitars.com/bb-partmartino.php



Too bad for Gibson: They had an iconic artist representing them in jazz!
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Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. Form your opinion from what you value. Your need, preference, circumstance, experience, and opportunity are the most important factors.

[stratocasturbator]

looks like benedetto built his own version of the same model. the components and design, the smaller headstock with straight string-over-nut, the florentine cutaway, even the signature on the pickguard. hey, endorsement deals come and go. it could be, and is probable, that gibson didn't really market the martino model as it might have. I heard that 50% of their sales are in les pauls alone. so the martino model was just one small fish in a big rock in roll bowl. going to benedetto is probably a smart move for pat martino. and benedetto as well. they'll have a "name" solidbody in their catalog now...

[Jazz Playa]

Oh WOW that's so cool. That's just what I'm looking for right now. I'm thinking hard about a thinner style hollowbody that will work for jazz and other types of music too. I've actually been eying the Benedetto Bravo. I really like the option to have other finishes on the guitar than just the standard traditional finishes, that's just me though. That glossy black finish on the guitar Pat is holding looks really modern and classy. That Martino Benny Deluxe looks nice I'm eying the Bravo right now.

[Jazz Playa]

That's neat it looks like a spalted maple top. I bet it plays like a dream too.

[jlc]

I guess Gibson drops pat and possibly paul jackson jr. another artist's guitar that i was always interested in, smaller, comfortable guitars with F holes and quality components, no feedback issues, good tone etc. etc.

It does look like the Benedetto model is similar. Pat being real arrived at the design from extensive playing experience and still desiring the same type, size etc. guitar, he will now get it made by one of the best and that is what he deserves, the best. At least during the time he was endorsed it seems that he actually played his signature model, or a single pup derivative, unlike some others that might be seen playing many different models other than the their sig model. I have only seen pat on your tube, which is only a snapshot of his career.

I'm afraid i won't be able to follow pat over to Benedetto, as good as it will be: Quote from the Benedetto site.

""Once Pat received the instrument he realized he had grown accustomed over the years to a slightly thinner body. Rather than modify this instrument, we are making him an entirely new guitar with modifications to the body depth and fingerboard scale. The Prototype, #S1786, is now for sale to the public. $12,000 (With discount, $9,600) with hardshell case, strap, photographs and letter of provenance, and original strings set up to Pat's specification."""

Gibson Model:





Roll the tone down and you don't have to do much experimenting to achieve Pat's tone, but the chops are another story.

a real nice player.


peace

[randyc]

That is a pretty instrument, the only PM model I've seen outside the Gibson site. I confess that I don't completely understand the concept but the result - as expressed by Martino - is inarguable. Thanks for the nice photos, I wish more people would post them since it's so easy to do now.

$9,600 for the Benedetto model!! What was Gibson's "retail" price, I wonder?

cheers,
randyc

[jlc]

The guitar shows good workmanship throughout, and considering i am not that hard to impress, it did tend to take my breath away when i first opened the case, and i really enjoy playing it. the back and sides are one piece of mahogany and it is hollowed out, and a carved maple cap on top, with 57 classic pups.

But it really was never marketed for the masses, and comparatively low production numbers. But the price point was pretty much for the average man.


Gibson $ 2900.00

peace

[stratocasturbator]

pretty sure the 9600 price tag has more to do with it being pat's personal instrument, the first prototype, before they went back and built him one with a shallower body. I'd be very surprised if the regular benny/martino models retail for that much...

[randyc]

I re-read the quote, you're right - they want to sell their prototype.

[Jazz Playa]

Beautiful guitar jlc, nice finish and it really looks like a great player. The new Pat Martino model looks like a real fine instrument too. I think the price is because its a signature model. Pat is definitely one of the guitarist's who influenced me in jazz playing, and his live shows here in town are always fantastic. Can't wait to hear him playing his new signature model. Hopefully some live clips will pop up soon and then an album of course.

[Secret2goodtoneispractice]

Personally, I am saddened by the migration. Martino's sound with his Gibson signature guitar was amazing. It's definitely a gorgeous looking guitar, as well. Plus, Martino has a long history with G. However, Pat always sounds like Pat, no matter what guitar he plays.

He also has an interesting history of affiliations with small luthiers in his past: his Sam Koontz guitar shown on Starbright, his Abe Rivera solid body, his Parker Fly variant. There's probably a whole stable that I am not aware of.

Back to Benedetto, though. Gibson's loss is their great fortune. Although Benedetto has great players using their guitars, they all bow to Martino. My first lust for Benedetto was upon hearing Joe Diorio's Bonita album. Diorio is pictured on the front of that album playing a gorgeous Benedetto Cremona. It's a model one doesn't see much anymore, likely because of cost associated with special woods and inlays, or?.



The element that I find most appealing about Benedetto guitars is Bob's continued presence in his company, from both design and production viewpoints. Imagine what Gibson would be if they had modern day equivalents of Orville and Lloyd present.

A Cremona for the road?


_________________
Beware of alliances that are formed by dividing relationships of others.
.
Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. Form your opinion from what you value. Your need, preference, circumstance, experience, and opportunity are the most important factors.

[jlc]

Pat's prototype Benedetto, he played it, they even stated the same strings are still on the guitar, photographs, provenance, etc., so all of this contributes to price and marketability, so that is probably why that particular guitar is priced so high.

Since Pat's guitar will be a thinner, smaller guitar, resembling his Gibson, not a big arch-top the price could be/should be more reasonable, and i think that Pat's input will go beyond the design and i think he would want the guitar to be within reach of a larger segment of guitar players, so hopefully it will reasonable, but it is a Benedetto and signature model.

But i like the one he is holding in the picture on this thread.

Thanks for the comments on my PM, he made a lot of great music with one like it and you are correct, Pat will sound like Pat regardless.


peace

[Generic Sobriquet]

Funny seeing Pass playing in front of a bunch of shredder strats.
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