Benedetto Bravo V.S. Sadowsky SS-15

**riovine** · 04-05-2011, 07:58 PM

So, I just recently bought a new Sadowsky Jimmy Bruno so this info is strait from Roger himself. I can only speak for the Bruno, but it would probably be safe to assume that it applies to all new Sadowskys. This is a direct quote from Roger in response to one of my questions vis-a-vis nirto vs poly and his switch to poly:

"Due to Japanese environmental regulations, the reformulated lacquer is too brittle.
Hence the switch to poly.

I do not think there is an appreciable difference in the sound of poly vs. nitro."

I got one of the last (new) nitro Brunos, all the new ones are poly (as I assume all his other models are).

In all honesty, I probably would have been just as happy with poly, but since they had a nitro natural Bruno in the shop (with a small cosmetic flaw), I took the discount & didn't have to wait for the turnaround time for a new poly natural.

**riovine** · 04-05-2011, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by NSJ

a poly finish kills the acoustic tone of the instrument

Not necessarily true. Some of the very finest custom steel string acoustic makers use poly. Go over to the AGF forum and do some searches. From my understanding it's like anything, done right it can be every bit as good as nitro without some of the downsides.

**NSJ** · 04-07-2011, 02:08 PM

Ok confirmed they did go over to Poly on their archtops. I think my Jim Hall is a nitro, though . And still my favorite guitar!

**Allenl** · 10-17-2011, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by NiAg

Love the Bravo. I wish the neck was slightly thicker, but not a big deal. I consider it more comparable to the Sadowsky Jim Hall, with the Hall being slightly more consistent from note to note at the slight expense of some sonic character - in my opinion.

The SS-15 is arguably taking the maple hollowbody down a size from even the Bruno. I liked the Bruno very much (likewise the bambino Deluxe), but have not played an SS-15.

The 15 inch (and smaller) guitars are so small that I can not play seated without a strap holding them up off my leg. You may find them to fit you differently.

I like the idea of the SS-15, but I loved the sound of the Collings CL Jazz. But the CL Jazz is really priced for dentist-collectors. I'd be too worried about the inevitable dings and wear on such a costly guitar. So I'm making a 15" with a routed mahogany body and carved spruce top.

In my opinion, you'd do well to try a Bravo and a Bambino Deluxe (which dealers will still have in stock for a while anyway), then decide if something as small as the SS 15 (thinner than the Bambino) could work for you.

The Sadowsky frets will likely be slightly taller than the Benedetto frets.

Also, don't overlook the Benedetto Bambino. This is a surprisingly good sounding instrument. It can do traditional and more modern jazz tones. If I had to keep just one jazz box, the Bambino would be it...due to its' versatility and smaller comfortable size. I also own the Sadowsky SS-15, a beautiful and great sounding instrument, but Bambino has a more acoustic vibe to the tone. In all fairness, I need to changes strings on my SS-15 to match my Bambino. My Bambino currently is strung with Thomastik flatwounds vs Sadowsky alloys on the SS-15, which has a more aggressive tone.

The Bambino use to be a great deal at $2895 list, with dealers offering a 20% discount. The Bambino now cost the same as the SS-15, at around $4k.

**John Link** · 10-19-2011, 03:05 PM

Which Bambino do you have? I have a base model, double pickup and no f-holes. Although I truely love the guitar I can't say that mine has much of an acoustic vibe. What gage flatwounds are on the Bambino? Do you have the Bambino deluxe?

**jmstritt** · 10-19-2011, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

The country of japan does not have a "standard" finish and as a matter of fact, the daquisto jazzline is poly whereas the sadowsky guitar is nitro even though they are both made by Aria

Wow, that is one of the funniest things that I have ever read on this forum!

**Allenl** · 10-19-2011, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by John Link

Which Bambino do you have? I have a base model, double pickup and no f-holes. Although I truely love the guitar I can't say that mine has much of an acoustic vibe. What gage flatwounds are on the Bambino? Do you have the Bambino deluxe?

I have just the basic Bambino with no F holes, like yours. It's strung with Thomastik flatwound 12s and going through an early 80s Polytone Minibrute II (no middle control). When I said acoustic vibe, I meant "woody vibe"....sorry for the confusion.