Beneteau guitar questions

Subject: Beneteau guitar questions
From: Bee
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 11:58 AM

I had the pleasure of playing a Marc Beneteau guitar a couple evenings ago. I`ve done as much research as I can, including his site, but I can`t seem to find info about his paper label practice.

Thing is, this guitar belongs to the non-playing daughter of the owner, who passed away five years ago. The daughter, and others who knew this rural lady, are convinced she purchased the guitar, the only instrument she owned, in 1977. I didn`t think to look at the neck block, where apparently I`d have found the serial number, but a paper label inside the sound hole read Marc Beneteau, Markham Ontario, and the number 1996.

The guitar is, I think, a smallish OM style (certainly smaller than my Epi DR). The strings on it are at least five years old and pretty dead, but even so, once tuned up it was a dream to play. It has a small ding on the bottom edge and the finish has cracked finely in several areas. I`ve advised the owner on keeping it humidified (has a really nice hard case with plush lining).

So my questions are, can anyone explain the paper label number, and advise me as to the possible value of this guitar. I`m afraid it will be out of my league and I wouldn`t want to make an offer that wasn`t fair.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Beneteau guitar questions
From: Bee
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 06:32 PM

Bumpin' for the evening crowd...

Subject: RE: Beneteau guitar questions
From: Mooh
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 07:02 AM

Call him, he's very personable. My understanding is that he was at the Montreal guitar show on the weekend, but he may be home by now. If you do speak with him, say hi for me.

I don't know when Marc started dating the neck blocks, but if it is like one of mine (eg, 170596, which translates as 17 May 1996) it will be very clear. My paper labels have the year printed on them too, 19__, with the last two digits hand written. Mine were built in St. Thomas where he's been for many years now.

The "Markham" and "1996" seem incongruous to me, I wonder if the "1996" is incorrect, or maybe it isn't the year but a model. (On edit, maybe it means 19-9-6, as in 19 September 1976). Ask Marc.

As for value, I would have the good folks at The 12th Fret in Toronto, or Folkway Music in Guelph, assess it and get Marc's opinion. For what it's worth, no way would I settle for less than double what I paid for mine, not that they're for sale.

I've heard a few older Beneteaus and they've all been very good sounding guitars, as are his current ones. If you do purchase it, you will be more than happy.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Beneteau guitar questions
From: Bee
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 09:32 AM

Thank you, Mooh. I knew you owned Beneteaus, and hoped you'd notice my request. I'll call him after the holiday - and after I see if I can get the owner to look at the neck block. The guitar is in Cape Breton and I'm on the mainland. The paper label is certainly a puzzle. My knowledge of the lady who owned it is that there's no chance she could have purchased a second expensive guitar, and she always had this guitar with her.

I've only played a few other guitars (besides mine) for a few minutes, including a Taylor, a Lowden jumbo, and a high end Martin, but I played this little thing with its old dead strings for hours and it really spoke to me.

Subject: RE: Beneteau guitar questions
From: Mooh
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 09:53 AM

Bee...No question that Marc's guitars will compare favourably to anything else on the market. Good luck with this.

I'd be interested in seeing it if you do buy it.

Peace, Mooh.