Sadowsky or ... ?

**ACapasso** · 08-27-2013, 01:17 PM

Hi I am new to this forum. I would like to buy a Semi Hollow. I have heard a lot about Sadowsky 's. Can anyone tell if it is the right guitar for a fusion player who does not love 335 so much and looks for a different semi acoustic sound?

**Woody Sound** · 08-27-2013, 02:50 PM

Lots of choices besides Sadowsky for a semi. What's your price range? Is single cut ok, or do you prefer double cut? Long scale, or short scale? Are you leaning more toward jazz, or blues, or rock/fusion?

**Soco** · 08-27-2013, 03:37 PM

Collings.

**docbop** · 08-27-2013, 03:40 PM

What is it about the 335 you don't like it would help people offer suggestions.

**ACapasso** · 08-27-2013, 05:56 PM

Hi. I am not a Mr. 335 fun. I do not need a compressed sound but rather a guitar I can play with chords. I own a tyler and a Tom Anderson . I just need a semi hollow that has a variety of sounds that are not standard gibson. I have never tried a sadowsky but it sounds a less stereotype sound than others... I love Scofield Pat Metheny but also chuck loeb and John mclaughlin ... I have read Zuckers review on semi hollow and i understand that he sponsoring sadowsky but i was amazed by the way he mistreateared Paul reed smith semi hollows... Has anyone any suggestion about that? Leaving traditional jazz aside what semi hollow would you buy???.

**Flat** · 08-27-2013, 06:53 PM

Lots of options, but speaking only for myself, if it was within my budget, I'd go with the Sadowsky.

(Though a Moffa Lorraine could easily seduce me--if I had 4K+ to spend, and a year or two of patience for the build wait.)

**ACapasso** · 08-28-2013, 02:29 AM

Is there anyone who has direct experience with both 335 and Sadowsky SM that can explain the differences?

**marcwhy** · 08-28-2013, 08:07 AM

Again, it would be helpful to know your budget for such an instrument ... I'm guessing you're not in the States, so I'm not sure how import fees, etc. add up to the total price. Sadowsky's are over $4000 (USD), and at that price, you have many options here that are "non-Gibson," and likely many options wherever you are, especially for "fusion." I'd consider an inexpensive thinline tele guitar, too, for a fraction of the Sadowsky price.

It also sounds like this would be your first jazz guitar; I would never recommend a $4000 guitar as a "starter."

**Soco** · 08-28-2013, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by ACapasso

Hi. I am not a Mr. 335 fun. I do not need a compressed sound but rather a guitar I can play with chords. I own a tyler and a Tom Anderson . I just need a semi hollow that has a variety of sounds that are not standard gibson. I have never tried a sadowsky but it sounds a less stereotype sound than others... I love Scofield Pat Metheny but also chuck loeb and John mclaughlin ... I have read Zuckers review on semi hollow and i understand that he sponsoring sadowsky but i was amazed by the way he mistreateared Paul reed smith semi hollows... Has anyone any suggestion about that? Leaving traditional jazz aside what semi hollow would you buy???.

The PRS hollowbody spruce I have is great for both traditonal jazz and fusion
Here is a clip from a recent gig(with overdrive)

here is the PRS clean

Here is a small clip of my Collings Soco deluxe)overdrive)

a clip of the soco clean

TH · 08-28-2013, 10:11 AM

Not-A-Gibson is a huge company and it has MANY different companies as subcontractors. I don't know about you, so I can't even begin to suggest a route (big help right?) but I've tried some very nice, and expensive, guitars that everyone raves about and they didn't inspire me. So they are not good guitars for me. As unpopular as it is to say this in a forum of guitar collectors with opinions, but you might try something of good quality and low price (one of the luxuries of the market now is that these are in abundance) and maybe learn about options in pickups.
You're looking for a guitar that is NOT something; learn about what IS. You want a good variety of sounds, begin with something that feels good before you plug it in. Then make it sound like anything you want by the magic of pickups and wiring.
Have you considered this option? It's not as convenient as someone else's recommendation, but you'll learn a lot about what makes a really good guitar and you'll recognize it the moment you pick it up no matter what's on the headstock.
By the way, I've worked on a lot of guitars and there are a huge range of sounds and feels in the Gibson 335 family alone, within guitars that look identical.

David

**Woody Sound** · 08-29-2013, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by ACapasso

Hi. I am not a Mr. 335 fun. I do not need a compressed sound but rather a guitar I can play with chords. I own a tyler and a Tom Anderson . I just need a semi hollow that has a variety of sounds that are not standard gibson. I have never tried a sadowsky but it sounds a less stereotype sound than others... I love Scofield Pat Metheny but also chuck loeb and John mclaughlin ... I have read Zuckers review on semi hollow and i understand that he sponsoring sadowsky but i was amazed by the way he mistreateared Paul reed smith semi hollows... Has anyone any suggestion about that? Leaving traditional jazz aside what semi hollow would you buy???.

I have had 2 PRS hollowbodies - a spruce and a maple - and l thought they wre both great. But the spruce was fantastic. I just couldn't get used to the wide/fat neck.

**Woody Sound** · 08-29-2013, 04:11 PM

Do you need both pickups?

**ACapasso** · 08-30-2013, 03:52 AM

Thanks to all. There are some issues that I think I want to consider:

- I generally buy second hand guitars.
- I am not in the States (I am based in Italy), so guitars are much more expensive. On the other side the market is very snob. Only well known brands have a market and only generally expensive models. As I wouldn't want to wast money on a guitar that the second market would never buy I am thinking about a known brand.
- there are loads of 335 on any second hand market. Are they all good? Are there any specific year or model that are better then others. Is the option Custom Shop a certainty?
- I am definitely looking for a guitar that has a good acoustic sound, but it is not acoustic. Rather than a pickup oriented sound I would like to buy a wooden oriented sound with very good pickups. A guitar that plays like a piano. For chords. But a thin line or at least a semi hollow that is not big as the 175.
- I generally buy luthier guitars because they are well made and made of good wood. My tyler elite is more acoustic than an average acoustic guitar. I like the sound of wood before that of pickups. I think that the 335 is more an electric guitar with a good acoustic sustain (while the 339 is an electric with a little acoustic sustain).
- One ore two pickups is not a problem. I generally use bridge pickup even in my electrics.
- I like the Collings that Soco has posted. It is not easy to find such a guitar in the second hand market in Europe.
- My budged is within 2000 euros (2500 dollars).
- What do you think about Godins?

**Soco** · 08-30-2013, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I have had 2 PRS hollowbodies - a spruce and a maple - and l thought they wre both great. But the spruce was fantastic. I just couldn't get used to the wide/fat neck.

I agree, the spruce is the best sounding model... I like the wide-fat neck PRS makes, but nowdays they have started using the pattern-regular profile... Unfortunately the HB spruce is discontinued... I think this guitar as well as the CE24(I have one of those too) and the old swamp ash special model(before they redesigned it) are the most underrated guitars PRS ever made.

**Soco** · 08-30-2013, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by ACapasso

Thanks to all. There are some issues that I think I want to consider:

- I generally buy second hand guitars.
- I am not in the States (I am based in Italy), so guitars are much more expensive. On the other side the market is very snob. Only well known brands have a market and only generally expensive models. As I wouldn't want to wast money on a guitar that the second market would never buy I am thinking about a known brand.
- there are loads of 335 on any second hand market. Are they all good? Are there any specific year or model that are better then others. Is the option Custom Shop a certainty?
- I am definitely looking for a guitar that has a good acoustic sound, but it is not acoustic. Rather than a pickup oriented sound I would like to buy a wooden oriented sound with very good pickups. A guitar that plays like a piano. For chords. But a thin line or at least a semi hollow that is not big as the 175.
- I generally buy luthier guitars because they are well made and made of good wood. My tyler elite is more acoustic than an average acoustic guitar. I like the sound of wood before that of pickups. I think that the 335 is more an electric guitar with a good acoustic sustain (while the 339 is an electric with a little acoustic sustain).
- One ore two pickups is not a problem. I generally use bridge pickup even in my electrics.
- I like the Collings that Soco has posted. It is not easy to find such a guitar in the second hand market in Europe.
- My budged is within 2000 euros (2500 dollars).
- What do you think about Godins?

Without bashing Gibson, I would say that they are not all good. They can vary greatly depending on the individual guitar.
If you find a really good one, it can be great. If you are looking for an more acoustic sound, I would definitely look into Collings, that's their thing. The I-35 deluxe and I-35 standard is like a 335 with a more acoustic sound. The Collings I-35lca is laminated and more similar to a 335 in sound(I think it is better). The Sadowsky semis aren't ase acoustic sounding)still very nice guitars).

**Soco** · 08-30-2013, 04:33 AM

To ACapsso,
I think my previous post somehow didn't get posted because of technical problems.
Here is what I was saying,
-335's can vary greatly both in terms of sound and quality. They are not the most acoustic sounding guitars, so you might want to look into someting else. It sounds like the Colligns soco or I-35 would be a good fit, however I understand the price-concern. The I-35lc is a bit less, but it is more 335 sounding, not quite as acoustic as the regular I-35.

**jorgemg1984** · 08-30-2013, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by ACapasso

Thanks to all. There are some issues that I think I want to consider:

- I generally buy second hand guitars.
- I am not in the States (I am based in Italy), so guitars are much more expensive. On the other side the market is very snob. Only well known brands have a market and only generally expensive models. As I wouldn't want to wast money on a guitar that the second market would never buy I am thinking about a known brand.
- there are loads of 335 on any second hand market. Are they all good? Are there any specific year or model that are better then others. Is the option Custom Shop a certainty?
- I am definitely looking for a guitar that has a good acoustic sound, but it is not acoustic. Rather than a pickup oriented sound I would like to buy a wooden oriented sound with very good pickups. A guitar that plays like a piano. For chords. But a thin line or at least a semi hollow that is not big as the 175.
- I generally buy luthier guitars because they are well made and made of good wood. My tyler elite is more acoustic than an average acoustic guitar. I like the sound of wood before that of pickups. I think that the 335 is more an electric guitar with a good acoustic sustain (while the 339 is an electric with a little acoustic sustain).
- One ore two pickups is not a problem. I generally use bridge pickup even in my electrics.
- I like the Collings that Soco has posted. It is not easy to find such a guitar in the second hand market in Europe.
- My budged is within 2000 euros (2500 dollars).
- What do you think about Godins?

Being in Europe is a big limitation on these things.... Much less available guitars and much more expensive.

In my experience Gibson guitars vary A LOT... I would never buy one without trying.

Also I think most semi-hollows don't have that acoustic quality you seek... They tend to be a big compromise between archtops and solid bodies. They are excellent for the post 90s moder jazz guitar sound but they rarely give that acoustic jazz sound... although some can give you that (good luck finding one). I have a very good cheap Cort Source that I might sell exactly because of that... and because my Godin Kingpin can be used for more pop / rock stuff so no need for the Cort.

I don't have that much experience with 335s but a Hofner seems perfect for you (specially because you're in Europe)

Höfner Verythin Amber - Thomann Portugal

They have excellent reviews here and seem to be very acoustic...

I have a Godin Kingpin and love it but very different from what you seem to want.

So... why not an archtop? That will give you an acoustic jazz sound for sure.

**ACapasso** · 08-30-2013, 05:09 AM

they cost a fortune!

**IbanezAS100** · 08-30-2013, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by ACapasso

- I am definitely looking for a guitar that has a good acoustic sound, but it is not acoustic. Rather than a pickup oriented sound I would like to buy a wooden oriented sound with very good pickups. A guitar that plays like a piano. For chords. But a thin line or at least a semi hollow that is not big as the 175.
- I generally buy luthier guitars because they are well made and made of good wood. My tyler elite is more acoustic than an average acoustic guitar. I like the sound of wood before that of pickups.

Based on the description above, your budget and also the fact that this seems to be your first semi/full hollow guitar, I would suggest that you find a used Eastman

T146 (full hollow, thinline)
T184/185/186 (335 shape, different sizes, 184 is like a 339)
T165/66 (siglecut, discontinued but still around)

They're built with solid woods and to my ears, sound more acoustic than your typical semi (the T146 is fully hollow and even more lively). I was looking for a T165 myself but ended up getting a luthier made semi. With a bit of patience you can find one under 1000 Euros and upgrade pickups etc to your liking.

After say, a year or so when you've found out what you like/dislike, you can place your order with Nico Moffa

(only joking but as already suggested you should check out the Lorraine/Arch Lorraine and Mithra/Larissa models)

**Jazz_175** · 08-30-2013, 07:41 AM

Have you played the Ibanez Scofield model?
I think it is in your price range.
By the way, where are you based in Italy?

**ACapasso** · 08-30-2013, 08:34 AM

Thanks for your suggestions. I have never played a Semi Hollow before. I am based in Rome

**ACapasso** · 08-30-2013, 08:45 AM

Hei the Eastmans seem very interesting. Can you compare them to the 335 and 339? Do you think they have a better tone?

**ACapasso** · 08-30-2013, 08:54 AM

They are made in China! Too East Man!

**IbanezAS100** · 08-30-2013, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by ACapasso

Hei the Eastmans seem very interesting. Can you compare them to the 335 and 339? Do you think they have a better tone?

I don't own a 335 or 339 (although I've played a fair few) but as you've probably guessed I own an Ibanez AS100 which is similar to a 335. The Eastman that I've tried (T185, T146, El Rey) had a more acoustic sound than my AS100.

If it's an issue that they're made in China though, you can check out other options. I had a look on Italian ebay and there a few interesting guitars within your budget, especially the Ibanez Pat Metheny and Scofield models, a Guild X170 and a couple of luthier made ones.

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