Region Gets in Tune With Guitar Maker
Published Aug 18, 2009
Any jazz guitarist worth his major seventh chord will tell you that Benedetto Guitars represent the ultimate in fine jazz instruments.
And master craftsman Robert Benedetto will tell you that Savannah is a pitch-perfect location for his guitar manufacturing company.
A few years ago, as Benedetto neared the end of a licensing deal with Fender Musical Instruments Corp., he considered several cities as potential locations for the guitar factory he intended to build – including Nashville and Atlanta.
“Each city rolled out the red carpet,” says Howard Paul, president and CEO of Benedetto Guitars Inc. “But the fact is, Savannah showed such hospitality, it made Bob feel like they wanted him to live here.”
Benedetto Guitars set up shop in Savannah in July 2006.
“He has not been disappointed,” Paul says. “Savannah had a lot to offer. Other cities had airports and highways, but Savannah has a lifestyle that lends itself to small businesses and creatively oriented people.”
Among the attributes that drew Benedetto are Savannah’s quality of life and ease of starting a business.
The combination of the city’s small-town friendliness, artsy vibe and cosmopolitan appeal also make it a perfect fit for the successful guitar-maker.
Likewise, attracting skilled artisans from around the world to work at the modest, 9,000-square-foot manufacturing facility was not a hard sell, thanks in part to Savannah’s livability.
And while Savannah provides numerous advantages for Benedetto Guitars, the internationally renowned Benedetto name benefits the city in return, sending the message to other master craftsmen that Savannah is a great place to do business.
Story by Carol Cowan
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