Garda’s Benaco Elite Bass Blends Italian Design With Semi-Hollow Innovation
This week, we’re checking out the Garda Benaco Elite Bass, an innovative design from Italy. Garda utilizes a bolt-on joint with a round neck, which they say ensures greater sustain, and a three-point neck-fastening plate.
The roasted basswood body is topped with flamed poplar and finished in a fetching turquoise color. Its unique shape is not the only interesting aspect; further inspection reveals a semi-hollow design that opens on the upper half of the body.
“Its layered body design creates rich acoustic resonance that carries seamlessly when amplified,” says SoCal Bass and FX. “Practical innovations include a heel-plate truss rod adjustment, eliminating the need to remove the neck or headstock cover—making setup quick, precise, and stress-free without risking damage to the finish.”
Other features include a pair of Delano SBC 4 pickups matched with a Delano Sonar preamp. A push-button control toggles active and passive modes while displaying your status with a blue ring light.
Hear more about it from Bass Upfront’s David Sutkin and Frederico from Garda:
Garda Benaco Elite Bass Photos:
Garda Benaco Elite Bass Specs:
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Roasted Basswood |
| Top: | Flamed Poplar |
| Neck: | Roasted Flame Maple |
| Neck Shape: | Modern C - J Style |
| Fingerboard: | Olive |
| Fingerboard Radius: | Compound 12″ - 16″ |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Low Jumbo Nickel Silver |
| Inlays: | Offset |
| Pickups: | Delano SBC4 |
| Electronics: | Delano Sonar |
| Controls: | Volume/Balance, High, Mid/Frequency, Bass, Passive/Active Button |
| Bridge: | Garda String Through System |
| Tuners: | Hipshot Ultralite |
| Finish: | Turquoise |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
