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I'd love to set some some thoughts about them from those of you who have A/B'd them.
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11-23-2010 01:04 PM
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Eastman has such a varied product line that you'd maybe do better to ask for A/B on specific models - like a Jim Hall vs. an AR805CE, for example.
Using the above example:
Broadly stated, it is hard to get much farther apart in philosophy and still be ~16" archtops.
The Sadowsky is superbly built - just the best you'll find for clean and solid workmanship (right up with the Terada Gretsch guitars and the Epi Elites). It is also 100% designed for max performance through your amp. Laminated maple and a hard-mounted PU give a great smooth-but-articulate amplified tone with more consistency in resonance and sustain vs. a light carved X-braced spruce top.
The Eastman 805's were pretty rough for a few years, but since around 2006 they have really smoothed out. Very hand-made with noticeable variation from one to the other in fine finish detail. Very nice, but not the brutally efficient clean quality of the Sadowsky. Nitro lacquer, carved solid woods throughout. Light X-braced spruce, floater PU. Expect a very acoustic sound even through the amp, and expect some areas of significant body resonance vs. more sustain and less resonance in other areas of the FB.
Both have very playable necks with no wacky extreme D or V shapes.
MUCH different sound. Traditional light X-braced spruce vs. laminated (bt fairly thin) maple.
Easy to decide of you know your sonic direction.
But this is only the Hall vs. 805. You could just as easily compare the Bruno to a shallower bodied Eastman.
I am dumb-lucky to live close enough to The Music Emporium in Lexington Mass. to be able to test drive this variety of axe-o-sity.Last edited by NiAg; 11-23-2010 at 02:08 PM.
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Sadowsky is in a different league than Eastman.
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>>>Sadowsky is in a different league than Eastman.
That is painting with a somewhat broad brush in my opinion. Sadowsky guitars sure hold their value more in terms of resale, and are a sort of current darling of this small market segment.
I am also sure that if Sadowsky wanted to market an X-braced carved spruce archtop, it would be extremely good. But they don't - and if that is what you want,...
Steve,
I have not played the SS15, so I can only comment on the concept.
I have played the Bruno and it is remarkably "big" sounding, so I would not be at all afraid of the reduced body depth of the SS15. Also, the SS15 has a 1 3/4 nut width, which I really think is better than the economy class seating of a 1 11/16" nut such as on the Bruno.
I assume (no actual info whatsoever) that the SS15 is made to the same superb standard as the Bruno and Hall guitars.
If you are looking to go that small, have you tried a Bambino? Arguably, with the 2 PUs and no f-holes, it lacks the 'purity of purpose' of the SS15 and Bruno, but it sounds and plays great. It does have the 1 11/16 nut if that maters much to you.
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I'll look into the Bambino.>>>Sadowsky is in a different league than Eastman.
That is painting with a somewhat broad brush in my opinion. Sadowsky guitars sure hold their value more in terms of resale, and are a sort of current darling of this small market segment.
I am also sure that if Sadowsky wanted to market an X-braced carved spruce archtop, it would be extremely good. But they don't - and if that is what you want,...
Steve,
I have not played the SS15, so I can only comment on the concept.
I have played the Bruno and it is remarkably "big" sounding, so I would not be at all afraid of the reduced body depth of the SS15. Also, the SS15 has a 1 3/4 nut width, which I really think is better than the economy class seating of a 1 11/16" nut such as on the Bruno.
I assume (no actual info whatsoever) that the SS15 is made to the same superb standard as the Bruno and Hall guitars.
If you are looking to go that small, have you tried a Bambino? Arguably, with the 2 PUs and no f-holes, it lacks the 'purity of purpose' of the SS15 and Bruno, but it sounds and plays great. It does have the 1 11/16 nut if that maters much to you.
I'm really loving my "borrowed" SS-15. It has a wonderfully acoustic tone when played through either my Jazz Amp 10 or AER Compact 60. I didn't mention it before but I have an ES-175 that has tons of rich deep tone, but also the slim 1 11/16 nut and 2" string spacing at the bridge that makes it very challenging for me to play finger style chord melodies. No disrespect to the SS-15, but in comparison to the ES-175 tone wise, IMO it comes up a little short, but again has its own lovely signature tone.
Before I pull the trigger on an SS-15 I will audition a Jim Hall, which should match the ES-175 tone wise, and then choose.
Truth be told, if they made a Jimmy Bruno model with a 1 3/4" nut, I would already own it (it is about 1" deeper than the SS-15 I believe). I haven't asked, but I do not believe that Sadowsky will not do special custom orders.
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How about a Bravo while you are at it?
There are quite a few used ones for sale at the moment at remarkably good prices.
Laminated spruce top, 1 3/4" family jewels, 16 X ~ 2 1/2. The neck is a little flat, but they are an interesting possibility.
I tried one about two years ago and hated the neck. But either it was unusually flat or I was just cranky that day. I tried another one last winter and bought it. Love the sound although I do wonder what a thinner top of laminated maple would be like. (Probably like a Jim Hall with slightly less body depth ya jackwagon,...)
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The Music Emporium: Disneyland for guitarists!
Originally Posted by NiAg
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As others have said, kind of hard to compare the Sadowsky and Eastman lines. IIRC correctly, all of the Sadowsky's are maple laminate construction, all of the Eastman's are carved solid wood, most with spruce tops.
If you're looking at the Bambino and are still interested in Eastmans, the El Rey series is a similar design.
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The Bravo does look interesting, although if the neck is flattish that would be a deal breaker. Can anyone weigh in on how the fit and finish compares between the Benedetto Bravo and the Sadowsky Jim Hall?How about a Bravo while you are at it?
It would be great to hear some sound file comparisons between the two guitars. Can anyone direct me to a source.
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The Savannah Benedetto production guitars are extremely well made. They have a lacquer finish vs. urethane, so the lacquer will do things like check as the top and neck extension under the FB work against each other. But I consider this a fact of lacquer life and not a fit/finish problem.
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A satisfied bambino owner, make the effort and test drive one
far exceeds eastman , it is made in usa ,
I cannot make the Sadowsky comparison( havent played one0
Has made GAS free
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I'm sure it is a great guitar . . . but the 1 11/16" nut width won't work for me.A satisfied bambino owner, make the effort and test drive one
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Yeah, that was my dilemma also, I also like a wider nut & greater string spacing at the bridge for fingerstyle stuff. I also liked every other aspect of the Bruno spec. I decided to order one anyway (he has a 7 day return policy), still waiting for it. He also verified that he does not offer any custom 1 3/4" neck on the Bruno. The funny thing is, I asked him what the string spacing at the bridge for his 1 11/16 and 1 3/4 neck, and they are both the same (~ 2 1/8), so it would not really make much difference between the two necks if you were wanting more space for fingerstyle. I'm hoping that every other aspect of the guitar will make it a keeper & I figure I can adjust for the smaller bridge spacing. Originally Posted by StevieB
I don't know why more builders don't offer the 1 3/4" nut, 2 1/4" string spacing option on electric/archtop guitars. To me that gives you enough space for fingerstyle while compromising nothing when playing with a pick only. I sold a really nice L5 to get a custom Campellone with a 1 3/4 and 2 1/4 neck, one of the main reasons I sold it was to get the larger neck.
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Yeah, that was my dilemma also, I also like a wider nut & greater string spacing at the bridge for fingerstyle stuff. I also liked every other aspect of the Bruno spec. I decided to order one anyway (he has a 7 day return policy), still waiting for it. He also verified that he does not offer any custom 1 3/4" neck on the Bruno. The funny thing is, I asked him what the string spacing at the bridge for his 1 11/16 and 1 3/4 neck, and they are both the same (~ 2 1/8), so it would not really make much difference between the two necks if you were wanting more space for fingerstyle. I'm hoping that every other aspect of the guitar will make it a keeper & I figure I can adjust for the smaller bridge spacing.
I don't know why more builders don't offer the 1 3/4" nut, 2 1/4" string spacing option on electric/archtop guitars. To me that gives you enough space for fingerstyle while compromising nothing when playing with a pick only. I sold a really nice L5 to get a custom Campellone with a 1 3/4 and 2 1/4 neck, one of the main reasons I sold it was to get the larger neck.
I'm sure you will love your Bruno. I'd love to hear your report when you get it. Yes, I too thought it was interesting that all the Sadowsky arch tops have the same saddle string spacing regardless of 1 11/16 or 1 3/4.
I will tell you that I am very impressed with the SS-15 neck profile . . . it plays like butter. I'm looking forward to trying the Jim Hall soon.
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For someone who is happy with a 1 11/16 nut (which is certainly very common), the erstwhile Corona-built X-180 was an incredible bargain used after Guild/FMIC and the impressionable market decided it was not a good thing.
Sure it is not a Sadowsky Hall, but it also was around $1,000 to 1,100 used for a while there. I think it was around $1,900 to $2,000 when new?
Maple, 16 x 3", fatish round "C" neck. Just what a 175 would be if allowed?
Now I guess the few that were built have all have found players who are very happy with them.Last edited by NiAg; 11-23-2010 at 09:03 PM.
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It's comparing apples and oranges. Machine vs. Handmade, Solid Woods vs Laminates, etc. Then factor in the price...it's two different ball games.
You'd do better to try a few guitars. Personally, if I'm going laminate I'm getting a Tom Painter instrument.
As for the Bambino, if I recall correctly it's not a full depth archie. And is it really worth 2 and a half to 3 grand more than an Eastman? Well, I own a Benedetto and I can't really say it is. It's really splitting hairs, for me anyway.
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The pricing of Eastmans is what makes them such a compelling buy. I for one could not afford a Benedetto. But the John Pisano model from Eastman is a great playing and sounding guitar, if you can find one.
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I believe that the Eastman 803ce model (single humbucker pickup) has the same body size/design as the Eastman Pisano model, but without some of the Pisano's decoration. If this is accurate, then the 803 would really be the best bang for the bug. Originally Posted by jazzguyfromnc
I own an Eastman 810ce that is really a great playing and sounding guitar.
Cheers,
Steve
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As so many have pointed out it´s two different constructions and therefore difficult to compare.
Regarding the Eastman, I have a 805ce witch I have altered quite a bit to make it more electric sounding. It´s not that expensive to do so and in my opinion is a great option for those going for that sound.
If you are interested in that you can probably find my post on it under "altered eastman".
Really like my Eastman but would sure like to own the Sadowsky Hall as well
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There is no comparison.
I dream of getting a Sadowski....would not care about any Eastman....
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11-26-2010, 01:51 AM #21Archie Guest
I'm curious. I haven't had a chance to try either. What's the difference?
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Again, you are comparing apples and oranges.
But A/B a Sadowsky next to a Tom Painter and tell me if there's a comparison....
Originally Posted by jackeroo
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What isn't machine made these days. Even "handmade" guitars today the bulk of the work is done on CNC machines. The handmade part in general is wood selection, fretwork, final assembly. Those are important factors, but worth how much $$$ is the question. Originally Posted by 82Benedetto
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I hope to try an Eastman someday, I think I'd like the carved top. I currently have Sadowski Jimmy Bruno & a Sadowski Semi-Hollow. Both are stunning guitars. I prefer the Bruno because of the better acoustic sound.
Plugged in, they sound very similiar, but the Semi does better as the volume increases.
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Exactly. Imagine my surprise when I inquired about a guitar from a very "reputable" luthier. "The tops are CNCed based on a top that was originally carved by hand to ensure consistency." This was for a more "affordable" (however you would define affordable...) model, but was true for their instruments priced above $10 grand!
That's all fine and dandy, but how is the absurd price justified by that? I think it's a little dishonest, and may be attributed to the lack of efficiency and even business savvy by many guitar makers.
Originally Posted by docbop
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