NGD- Vintage Handmade Semi hollow

[RussL30]

I received an outstanding gift last week from a close family friend that I definitely did not deserve. A close family friend that used to be involved with Elvis in the 50's had this handmade guitar built by a luthier named Julius Bennett in 1979. He doesn't play guitar and it has sat in his Elvis room in his house with his amazing Elvis and 50s music collection unplayed for over 35 years. I refused to take it but he insisted and pretty much made me take it.

I don't know a lot about it or the builder but this is one of the most amazing instruments I've ever held. It has a thick neck but it's very comfortable. I did not know an electric guitar could be this responsive and touch sensitive. It rings very loud acoustically. Looks to be made out of highly figured maple all around. I have no idea about the kind of pickups but they are very loud and deep sounding but with amazing clarity. In side the F hole, it says "Julius Bennett, "handmade: type E no.1. 1979" The headstock isn't the prettiest but it is an original design.

I just wanted to share this amazing guitar and see if anyone knew anything about it or the builder. I definitely don't deserve it and it's too good a guitar for my playing skill. I apologize for being so pic heavy.



[URL=http://s567.photobucket.com/user/rp552001/media/5D7EE376-1103-4285-B096-7F29259B5370.jpg.html][/

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats! What an unexpected gift.

I'm not familiar with Bennett but I did find an obituary from 2015 for someone with that name who "made guitars who some of the finest guitarist in Nashville has played". You might want to try and reach out to someone in that obituary - you might have a treasure in your hands.


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/val...?pid=174439820

[Darwin]

That is one cool guitar. Pretty woods. A treasure for sure! -- Darwin

[Steel and wood]

You're a lucky man!

[Everton FC]

Shows the luthier as "artist". Artisanship at it's finest. I am not yet worthy to strum such a priceless artifact.

Enjoy!

[redir]

I think the headstock looks awesome, totally unique and the carved our back of the head stock is interesting.

What a cool guitar!

[RussL30]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Congrats! What an unexpected gift.

I'm not familiar with Bennett but I did find an obituary from 2015 for someone with that name who "made guitars who some of the finest guitarist in Nashville has played". You might want to try and reach out to someone in that obituary - you might have a treasure in your hands.


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/val...?pid=174439820

Thanks for that! I will definitely see if I can contact someone from that obituary. I'd like to know some information about the build and am curious as
to who some of those Nashville guitarists are that played some of these

[RussL30]

Thanks for the comments. I love all of my guitars but this is he first one
that is truly a work of art. It amazing just to hold it and look at it thinking about every painstaking detail that went into creating this beauty. The luthier was definitely a very talented guy. I am very blessed and lucky and
definitely do not deserve something this nice.

Here's a picture of the back of the headstock.

[Dru Edwards]

That's an interested pic of the back of the headstock. Don't recall seeing such a pronounced 'V' like that before.

Make sure you keep us updated on what you find out about this guitar.

[guitararmy]

Very neat guitar. Those look like the pickups in my Hagstrom Swede...

[guitar12]

Very cool guitar and story and don't ever apologize for being pic heavy here

Rob

[Neonzapper]

Originally Posted by guitar12

Very cool guitar and story and don't ever apologize for being pic heavy here

Rob

+1 The more pics the better on the AGF! I would like to know more about the relationship with Elvis - if it isn't too personal.

[pieterh]

What a gorgeous guitar. I like the headstock, especially the carve on the reverse. In fact the only thing I don't like so much is the binding, it almost detracts from the graceful elegance of the rest of the guitar.

Looking forward to hearing more about this one!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Steve DeRosa]

Sweet-looking guitar but man, that neck is a real baseball bat - you can even see in the pictures just how thick it really is . I'm also curious as to why, given the level of craftsmanship, this guy chose to go with cheap generic hardware; those tuners/bridge/tailpiece/pickups look like standard MIJ lawsuit-era issue, and not even top-shelf stuff at that - strange complement to such a finely-made instrument...

[stringfella]

This is one badass guitar