-
I've been looking for an SS-15 or similar spec'd guitar for some time. I used to have a 1958 Gretsch single anniversary (24.6" scale and 1 3/4" nut - rare I know.) and have owned a couple of Gretsch 6122-1959 guitars and a Gibson Country Gentleman. The common essential factor with all these guitars was the 1 3/4" nut. I'm old (81) and find the longer scale (25 1/2") and large bodies (17") too much now.
Can someone suggest a source for a Sadowsky SS-15 type guitar with short scale, thin 2" depth body, 14" or 15" lower bout width and the essential 1 3/4" (45mm) nut.
I'd prefer a stock design, but would consider a custom build although long lead times are a no-no at my age.
Any guitar suggestions? I'm in the UK and do not want to import from the US or Japan as the shipping, import and VAT costs add appx 30% to the price.
-
02-28-2026 07:35 AM
-
You should contact Mak at Mak's Guitars - London's Premier Specialist Guitar Store - he not only has good stock, but also knows what is becoming available, either new or second hand.
-
Thanks Rob, I spoke with Mak a few months ago, before they moved, but it can't hurt to make contact again.
-
Would Fibonacci have a suitable guitar? - not cheap I know …
-
I have looked at Fibonacci, nice guitars, beautifully built, but unfortunately, now, pretty expensive.
and non of them quite fit what I'm looking for.
-
Eastman, Ibanez or Peerless? Go for expensive Yamoka,Walk-in Guitars, or Benedetto Bambino custom ordered?
-
If it doesn't have to be an archtop and you're not averse to partscasters and retro aesthetics, have a look at Reverend guitars.
Their bolt-on, semi-hollow, solid spruce topped models are great for Jazz. I have a Club King 290 (approx 15'' lower bout) which sounds fantastic, with the bass contour control adding extra versatility. Their neck pockets are like a Strat so any after-market neck with a Strat type heel will work. There are quite a few UK companies or luthiers that can build you a short scale conversion neck with a 45mm nut and your preferred profile/spec. For around GBP1500 you could have a very nice instrument (and maybe even sell the original neck which is very good quality). I had my neck built with 3-a-side tuners, inlays and binding for a more classic look.
Not the best video quality (just a phone recording) but it should give you an idea:
-
Eastman Frank Vignola is advertised in the UK for £2829.
With a Nut:Bone 1 3/4"
Body Dimensions:15" x 3 1/4"
Scale Length:25 3/8"
See link below:Eastman FV680CE SB Frank Vignola Model - RGuitars
Description
Neck Material:Mahogany
Fingerboard:Ebony
Fingerboard Radius:12"
Neck Profile:Traditional Even C
Nut:Bone 1 3/4"
1st Fret String Height:.022"
12th Fret String Height:Bass .078" & Treble .062"
Fretwire:20 Jescar FW47104
Scale Length:25 3/8"
Body Style:Thorell/Vignola Signature Gypsy Jazz Guitar
Body Dimensions:15" x 3 1/4"
Body Top:AAA Tight Grained Spruce
Body Back/Sides:Highly Flamed Mahogany
Truss Rod:Single Acting
Binding:Top and Back
Binding Material:4 Ply Ivoroid
Finish:Nitrocellulose
Hardware Color:Gold
Pickguard:Ebony
Tailpiece:Thorell Style
Bridge:Ebony
String Spacing:2 3/32"
Tuners:Gotoh SEP780-06MGG
Knobs:Thumbwheels
Neck Pickup:Lollar Johnny Smith
Pickup Height:3/32"
Capacitors:0.047" Ohms
Potentiometers:500K Linear Taper Thumbwheel
Output Jack:Switchcraft
Strings
’Addario NYXL .012 - .052
Case:Hardshell Case
-
Thanks for the suggestions guys, its appreciated.
Jads57 - I had a Peerless Martin taylor a while back but couldn't get on with it. Thinnest Eastman is now 16" wide, and Benedettos V. nice but by the time they get to the UK - Very expensive.
Ibanez AS100 - I actually have three (embarrassed cough,) custom built teles with 44-45mm nuts and one has the shorter scale length. I want something almost tele size but more like a 'proper' archtop acoustically, for sofa playing.
Guy Boden - I played an FV Eastman a while back in Guitar Village, but body depth too deep for me.
Do keep the thoughts coming, I welcome them.
-
It would help if you'd state your budget, it will determine whether this is a problem or not: "I'm in the UK and do not want to import from the US or Japan as the shipping, import and VAT costs add approx 30% to the price." Import costs may not be a deal breaker, and your comment that you'd "consider a custom build" is at odds with this sentiment.
-
Mick-7 Thanks for you reply. My budget for an SS-15 would be about £3000 -£3500. Shipping from US (recently quoted) $650 and import duty + vat would add appx 30% or £1000-1500. Not insignificant.
-
I have a Landscape (but not this model), they are superb under-priced guitars, at least as good as the Sadowskys (both are built in Japan). Not sure if this would exceed your budget -- Landscape AR-101 Full Acoustic Jazz Guitar
Originally Posted by bananafist
-
Any photos? Maybe PM to me with dimensions? Whereabouts are you?
-
Oh, I'm not selling mine.... and that's their 17" model, I was thinking of the smaller 16" model (see link below). The thing is, the Landscape guitars are still in production whereas Sadowkys are not, which has caused their prices to spike. They have the same wide necks as Sadowskys, solid spruce tops, etc. Originally Posted by bananafist
Landscape AR201 "Antique Violin"
There is one AR-201 on Reverb now but with import fees, etc., it might exceed your budget. They show up on eBay too, I found mine at a Guitar Center of all places - was in the right place at the right time for once.
Landscape AR201 - Reverb.com
$3100+ USD here: Landscape Guitars from Japan
Last edited by Mick-7; 03-03-2026 at 03:53 PM.
-
Very very nice, there's also a 15 inch Landscape AR201 on Ebay Japan. Originally Posted by Mick-7
But, what is the Nut size?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/397646060831
-
The 1.75"/44.45mm nut is the problem spec. There aren't many of those. That nut width is more common, though still rare, on acoustic guitars. Originally Posted by bananafist
Here are a few possibilities, but probably not useful to you because almost nobody offers a 44.45mm nut. Your best bet for that might be a partscaster with a wide, short-scale neck. Warmoth offers some of these, but I have no idea about availability in the UK.
Conti offers the Estrada with a 15" body, that might almost suit. I haven't played one, I've only seen the website, robertconti.com. USA, though, and 43mm nut.
Godin guitars (Canada; godinguitars.com). A-series, particularly. But 647mm scale and 43.7mm nut.
Eastman El Rey ER1, 2, or 3 - small body, but nut and scale sizes are off from what you specified. Romeo, ditto. See eastmanguitars.com.
D'Angelico (dangelicoguitars.com), particularly the SS models and especially the SS Soho, might be acceptable, but the nut width is still an issue.
Comins GCS-1 and relatives, but that nut thing again, and made in Asia but sold in the USA.
I don't know how the USA tariffs, as unstable as they are, would affect you. My understanding is that the USA tariffs are placed on items coming into the USA, not on items going out, but I'm not sure about that. Maybe there are reciprocal tariffs imposed by the UK.
-
Ah, you're right, they are 15", not 16", I've never played one, just the larger 17" AR-101. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
Believe it has the 1.75" neck width that bananafist is seeking, that's why I suggested it. It's the standard spec for their archtop guitars, and what mine is, but it's an electric nylon, not an archtop.
This ad says the nut width of this model is 11/16 but I am not sure that is correct:
LANDSCAPE AT1 model 17" ARCHTOP GUITAR — Guitars 'n Jazz
I think this is their official website -- Quest International ShopLast edited by Mick-7; 03-04-2026 at 03:00 PM.
-
Mick - 7 Thanks for the suggestion. Its a very personal thing but 45mm nut is essential, hence my problems finding one
I'm not keen on the style of the guitar and importing from US or Japan is not currently an option as I mentioned before. I never thought it would be easy!
-
It's important to recognize that nut width is not the sole factor affecting whether a neck will feel wide or not. The shape and radius of the neck is important too. If the radius is severe, such as 7.5 inch, it's very curved, which makes the spacing at the nut feel narrower. If the nut width is 43–44mm but has a flatter radius, generally 14 or so, the fret wires will be stretched out and can give the impression of a wider nut or wider string spacing.
I would suggest playing a guitar or two that doesn't meet your stated neck width criteria but has a wide radius, you may find that nut width is not as critical as you think. Written specs alone can be deceptive, you may think a particular guitar will not work for you based on it's specs, only to discover once you've played it that in fact it will.
A couple of the older Carvin semi-hollows like the AE-185 have wide necks:
Carvin AE185 Early 2000's, Blue Burst | Carter Vintage Guitar
P.S. - dconeill summed up the challenge well in his post, you're insisting on a small body (15") and a wide neck, which will work if you're shopping for bulldogs but guitars, probably not.Last edited by Mick-7; 03-04-2026 at 03:00 PM.
-
You can contact Jaen guitars in Spain, he's been making archtops for over 35 yrs. He makes a 15" archtop.
https://www.guitarrasjaen.com/
Here's a 14" he makes.
Thanks,
Arnie..
-
Mick-7 I've been playing since 1958 in bands, trios and solo. Over the years I have owned quite a number of guitars like many here and I know absolutely what kind of neck I like and why. Believe me I have played almost every make and model available here in the UK, and owned many of them.
Arnie65 - Thanks for the suggestion of Jaen Guitars, as they are in Europe I will check them out. I hadn't realised they built 14 and 15" guitars.
I see Fremediti Guitars in Greece do small models too.
-
Have you played an Eastman Romeo? I had the original carved top version for nearly three years and loved it. If I remember correctly, the specs are similar to the SS-15, so it has the 44mm nut.
I had an opportunity to buy a Sadowsky Frank Vignola signature model, which shares specs with the SS-15 but adds the bridge pickup. So I bought it and sold the Romeo. If the Sadowsky FV hadn't come along I would still have the Eastman. It's definitely worth a look. If I were to buy one again, I would go for the laminated top. They are richly flamed and less expensive. Good luck with the search.
Romeo - Eastman Guitars
I wrote this review of the Romeo back in 2021. It kicked off a good discussion on the guitar:
My experience with the Eastman RomeoLast edited by Bflat233; 03-04-2026 at 11:06 AM.
-
Originally Posted by bananafist
A lot of guitarists don't realize that 14" and 15" can sound as big as full size archtop; Gilad Hekselman sounds big on his 14" Victor baker guitar, just to name one player. A 14" and 15" is also more forgiving for people who have shoulder, or arm issues. I know it's definitely more comfortable than a 16" or 17"...
Arnie..
-
Well, after getting out my Slaman 16" x 2.5" archtop - with 45mm nut, seems I've fallen in love with it again. No more searching! Thanks for all the suggestions.
My Slaman, built for me in 2018.
-
I can highly recommend Jaen. I ordered a custom Berlin II from him and it was built and delivered in a little over three months. Looks beautiful, plays beautifully, and sounds beautiful too! It's 15in wide and relatively shallow (2.5in), and very very light: Originally Posted by bananafist
Berlin II – Jaén
Reply With Quote
“Shearing style”
Today, 05:26 PM in Comping, Chords & Chord Progressions