WELL SUITED 

On February 18th, Benedetto Guitars joined the Miner Family Vineyards during a private event at Neiman Marcus Union Square in San Francisco to celebrate premium Italian clothing maker Kiton’s new luxury men's clothing boutique. 

Kiton, also founded in 1968, is among the world's most elegant and expensive clothiers, limiting annual production to only a few thousand pieces and preserving the tradition of hand tailoring men’s clothing.

This event featured a display of Benedetto Guitars, performances by Benedetto president/CEO Howard Paul and Mike Oria (l), and wine tastings presented by Miner Family Vineyard's president Dave Miner for 750 invited guests. It is the first of several joint Benedetto/Miner events planned at Neiman Marcus locations.

Dave Miner's personal Benedettos - including the Vinodetto III (r) and Andy -  at the Kiton event at Neiman Marcus Feb. 18th.

 Dave Miner (r) with long-time friend Bruce Halus, VP of Men's Clothing for Neiman Marcus.

IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR (1968)

The event was the grand opening of the first west coast store for Kiton, a high end Italian menswear company, within the Neiman Marcus at Union Square.  They had all the dignitaries from Italy and Neiman Marcus executives as well as a team of Italian seamstresses and tailors standing by to measure you on the spot .... All executives from the factory in Napoli, Italy, were present.

Benedetto ties (no pun intended but isn't it great) nicely into the Kiton company lineage (both established in 1968), sharing a philosophy of extraordinary quality and service - traits we also share with Miner Wines and Neiman Marcus.

EYE ON ANDY

   Howard talks about our ANDY model to a guest at the Neiman Marcus Kiton event in San Francisco.

photo by Mike Oria

NEIMAN MARCUS SAN FRANCISO

  Mike Oria and Howard Paul duo - did they leave their hearts?   :-)

CLASS ACT

  A Benedetto Guitar, Miner Wine and Neiman Marcus...

Give up? I'm busy re-sizing some great photos of a very cool event!

In the meantime, some Eye Candy  :-)

Wonderful photos to follow by Stacy Cahill for Drew Altizer Photography -see more here!

OUR NO DIMINISH FINISH!

BG's Talented Finisher Matt carefully inspects his work on a one-off BENNY in the works, again with knock-out Spalted Alder.  :-)

RIM SHOT

   Brad makes rims for yet another fabulous 16-B to "be"!

BIRDSEYE VIEW!  Sold to Music Emporium

"UP"DATE: A trio of Boutique Benedettos just sold to our Boston Dealer, Music Emporium...the Birdseye 16-B (shown) as well as the Claret Americana and Natural Bambino...contact

Joe@themusicemporium.com!

WELCOME BACK...TO OURSELVES!

I know, I know, you all want to see photos of guitars but thought this photo of Bob and me was so sweet just had to share it. Hope you have had "BGNW" (BG News Withdrawal as I have -- missed doing it all last week!)

For those who think this is Venice, it was, to me  ;-) Actually our daughter Gina, and Karl, treated us to a Gondola ride right in San Diego...on a genuine Italian gondola...some good R&R (Rest & Romance)  ;-)   (And yes, that is Miner wine Bob is enjoying!)

 Speaking of withdrawal, this delightful email from Matt Zagami was in my very full Inbox:

Cindy, Cindy, Cindy!!!!!

Don't  you know that before I read "The New York Times", before I read "The Wall Street Journal", before I read "The Washington Post"...................  I READ MY BENEDETTO NEWS????????

I'M "NEWSLESS" and suffering from withdrawal symptoms!!!   (Matt, I'm back on the job!)  :-)

photo by Gina Benedetto

Sunny San Diego

Sorry for the lack of BG news in the last week. We're on vacation in San Diego and having computer problems. Miss doing the news updates - hope you all do too. I'll be back March 1st! -Cindy

P.S. The weather is fabulous, natch!

BENEDETTO BLUES

ALL THAT JAZZ

  It's Flashback Friday (first one)!

LOVE this photo from 2000 (yep, nearly a decade ago)! Taken in LA at the NAMM Show at our Benedetto Players/Guild JazzMasters concert sponsored by Fender.

You should recognize most of these folks, all dear friends of BG!!

(l to r, back row): Roy McDonald (long-time sponsor of Benedetto concerts), Bob, Howard (before being President/CEO!), Bill "Loyal Doyle" Doyle;

front row: The Dear and great Johnny Smith and FMIC's Bruce Bolen.

A night to remember!  ;-)

CURVE APPEAL

  Our exotic Black Pearl 16-B live on the Boutique!

DHR CARVES OUT A NICHE

  Introducing the Benedetto GYPSY Prototype, exclusively offered by our Premier Dealer, DHR MUSIC.

It is a completely hand carved guitar, offering the Benedetto aficionado a fiery Hot Club of France style instrument - for under $10,000!

Beautiful detailed photos of the Gypsy S1858 on DHR's site by Neysa Ruhl