New Benford Guitar

[arfalax]

I know this is kind of a repeat of a post from the "I need a Jimmy Herring Guitar" thread. But for the sake of generating some interest for Steve Benford, I'm adding this here.

To begin with, Mojocaster had replied to that thread mentioning this builder and it piqued my interest as I wanted a similar strat build. After looking through his site and seeing some very nice guitars, and listening to some demos from similar styled strats I decided to contact him.

After a few emails, we had sorted out what I wanted. Within a few short weeks it was finished and a short time later it was delivered.

Friday I got home from working out of town and the guitar arrived. I opened up the box, and pulled out a handsomely built 3 tone sunburst. I first strummed it acoustically and the first thing I noticed was a nice ringing tone. The neck is to die for. Smooth fret edges, easy bends and straight as an arrow with a perfect low action set up.

Plugged in, the guitar does whatever you want. Cleans are clear and depending on the pickups and switches, stratty or humbuck beauty.

Add gain and a pedal and it's full on rock roar. I've had and still have many nice boutique guitars. All I can say is that for the $$, this one does more than some and as much as the rest.

It's a very articulate 2 HB strat with many tonal options with the series/parallel switching. Under 7 bills shipped and hand assembled in the good old USofA.

Here's the link with his pics, much better than mine:

http://benfordguitars.com/specialorders6.html

It's the last one at the bottom.

[Rock Johnson]

Steve is a great guy to do business with. He also makes really, really nice guitars. I had one a while back (HSS strat) that was pretty danged nice.

[arfalax]

He's a super nice guy to deal with. Very prompt responses and quick and helpful to help make decisions on your guitar.

[arfalax]

I guess I'm in the minority here. Steve crafts a nice guitar.

[mahler]

Was going to pull the trigger, then I learned he used poly. I really wanted a strat finished in nitro....maybe another time....

[scottywompas]

Steve is a good dude. He's a hell of a player too.

If I had funds I'd be callin him up with an order.

Scott

[Link Ramone]

Congrats on your new Benford arfalax! I've got two, and they're pretty much all I play these days. Steve does great work and his prices can't be beat. Pix here, http://benfordguitars.com/specialorders5.html, the red T-style at the top of the page and the blue S-style right below it. Steve has a demo of the T up.

[Rod]

Wow, some nice guitars at very reasonable prices.....I've never quite understood how some of these other builders charge $5000, $6000 for a bolt on neck Strat or Tele......

[Rock Johnson]

That's kinda Steve's approach, too. Building these things ain't rocket science at this point... the Tele's been around for 60 years now. What the hell is anyone doing differently to charge $5k for one?

[Rod]

Originally Posted by Rock Johnson

That's kinda Steve's approach, too. Building these things ain't rocket science at this point... the Tele's been around for 60 years now. What the hell is anyone doing differently to charge $5k for one?

I've been wondering about this myself for years....$4K....$5K for a simple Telecaster ??? WTF

[Oaksong]

Originally Posted by Rock Johnson

What the hell is anyone doing differently to charge $5k for one?

Getting rich at the expense of wealthy fools. Truth.

[bdegrande]

As others have said, Steve is a great guy and his prices are great for what you get.

Mine is a Fat Strat type with locking Sperzel tuners, natural ash finish, ebony fretboard, and a Gibson style Varitone tone control.

[arfalax]

Originally Posted by Link Ramone

Congrats on your new Benford arfalax! I've got two, and they're pretty much all I play these days. Steve does great work and his prices can't be beat. Pix here, http://benfordguitars.com/specialorders5.html, the red T-style at the top of the page and the blue S-style right below it. Steve has a demo of the T up.

A bit late but thanks Link. Your 2 are beautiful as well.

Spent the weekend at a house party in New Braunfels with the Benford and a McInturff trading off playing with my buddy. We both got compliments on both guitars but both of us spent more time playing the Benford. Simply an amazing bargain for such a well built S-type.

When I bought my '93 Fender Strat Deluxe I had to play numerous strats at GC. Even then, this one plays hands down better than that guitar. A few years back, bought a '66 Closet Classic Custom Shop that I had to send in for a PLEK to make it right. This guitar plays better than that one even after the PLEK.

Why would anyone buy a mass produced Fender for more money than a hand assembled S or T style with your custom specs? Beats me. All I can say is I've done both and this wins.