Are All Sadowsky Guitars Made in Japan?

**musicians** · 01-08-2015, 02:35 AM

Jim Hall Jimmy Bruno LS-17 SS-15
These model are all made in Japan?

**rpguitar** · 01-08-2015, 07:59 AM

Yes, all of the archtops are MIJ. Not the solid bodies though.

**raindog** · 01-08-2015, 08:12 AM

Interview with Mr S here regarding manufacture in Japan and final finish in NYC.

Roger Sadowsky | GuitarPlayer

**Franz 1997** · 01-08-2015, 09:52 AM

Not sure the bruno is made at all now

**docbop** · 01-08-2015, 01:11 PM

Sadowsky started making instruments in Japan years ago with his line of Metro basses made by an employee of his who moved back to Japan. So Roger knows how to get he best he wants in Japan. But the real important value of the Sadowsky's guitars is they all are finalized by Roger and his staff in New York workshop. Roger really cares about every instrument he sells.

**musicians** · 01-08-2015, 09:29 PM

Thank you good!

**edh** · 01-09-2015, 02:39 AM

" But the real important value of the Sadowsky's guitars is they all are finalized by Roger and his staff in New York workshop."

What exactly does that mean?

**Jabberwocky** · 01-09-2015, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by edh

" But the real important value of the Sadowsky's guitars is they all are finalized by Roger and his staff in New York workshop."

What exactly does that mean?

About a 33.33% markup...

**docbop** · 01-09-2015, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by edh

" But the real important value of the Sadowsky's guitars is they all are finalized by Roger and his staff in New York workshop."

What exactly does that mean?

All to final setup, tweaking, adjusting, all the fine tuning of the instrument the stuff that is the difference between custom guitars and production guitars. Plus owning a Sadowsky new or used Roger and crew continue to help and answer questions. I bought my Sadowsky bass used from dealer online and called Sadowsky with questions and they treated me as if I just bought it new directly from them. Sadowsky is all about customer service from pre-sales all the way thru production and as long as you have the instrument.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-09-2015, 03:39 AM

I agree with docbop. That is what one is paying for.

**silverfoxx** · 01-09-2015, 04:22 AM

Franz,
you are correct,the Jimmy Bruno was discontinued some
time ago, JB 's contract with Sadowsky came to an end
I believe.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-09-2015, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by silverfoxx

Franz,
you are correct,the Jimmy Bruno was discontinued some
time ago, JB 's contract with Sadowsky came to an end
I believe.

Pity, really. I thought the JB was the sweet spot in the lineup.

**silverfoxx** · 01-09-2015, 04:58 AM

Hi Jabberwocky,
Yes the JB is a nice guitar, but IMHO it is not in the same
league as a GB100. I moved my JB on ,although it was
very comfortable and easy to play I didn't care for the
fingerboard radius nor the tone which does not compare
with the George Benson ( which I've had for 16years or so)
nor with other Archtops I have. For a small bodied guitar it
had incredible volume,

regards Silverfoxx

**docbop** · 01-09-2015, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Pity, really. I thought the JB was the sweet spot in the lineup.

My old high school bass buddy had a signature model bass with a company for many years and eventually they parted ways. So the XYZ model bass is gone, now it just model 1234 bass. So is the same Sadowsky model guitar minus JB name around???

**silverfoxx** · 01-09-2015, 04:49 PM

Hi docbop,
In answer to your question, the Sadowsky website NY. shows
Their SS15 which is almost identical to the JB model, now
discontinued, the visible difference is a Black Pickup instead
of Gold coloured hardware.
The tone of the JB was similar to an ES175 but with a smaller
body,lacking somewhat in tone compared to a L4CES for
example. I reiterate the JB was a very well made guitar and
came with spare ebony bridge, spare truss rod cover & rubber
"F" hole plugs.etc.,

regards Silverfoxx

**LtKojak** · 01-09-2015, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by silverfoxx

the Jimmy Bruno was discontinued some time ago

Sadowsky Guitars | Jimmy Bruno Model

What is this then???

**silverfoxx** · 01-09-2015, 05:50 PM

Hi Pepe,
If you dispute the statement I refer you to a post on this Forum

dated November 2013 which stated " by mutual agreement
Sadowsky and Jimmy Bruno's relationship was terminated "
If you are aware of that being rescinded perhaps you could
enlighten us further ? and whether the Jimmy Bruno model
is in production.

Who loves ya baby ?

**docbop** · 01-09-2015, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by LtKojak

Sadowsky Guitars | Jimmy Bruno Model

What is this then???

I believe someone said there are a few left so like any business person they are a SKU until gone.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-10-2015, 01:19 AM

Roger Sadowsky seems to be shipping fewer archtops. It used to be that were always a few up on the website to gawk at. Are sales of new archtops slowing down?

**cmajor9** · 01-10-2015, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Roger Sadowsky seems to be shipping fewer archtops. It used to be that were always a few up on the website to gawk at. Is sales of new archtops slowing down?

By "a few up on the Website" do you mean this:

Sadowsky Guitars | Archtops In Stock

I wouldn't be surprised, though, if sales of new archtops are slowing down (although I have no definitive information that they are). The US and Europe are both in recession, and archtop buyers (as we know) are a pretty small fraction of guitar buyers overall.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-10-2015, 09:13 AM

3 Lefties out 4.

That tells you sumthin...

Sorry, ah dun feel so gud in de 'ead aftah dat reedickuelust ahlbumm covah thred.

**Chimera1to1** · 01-10-2015, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

About a 33.33% markup...

I was about to poke fun at the mark up and extra transport costs for what is effectively an expensive doubling up on quality control but then again perhaps some other companies should send their guitars to RS before distribution too..

**Chimera1to1** · 01-10-2015, 09:50 AM

BOGOF posts, who knows why?

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

About a 33.33% markup...

I was about to poke fun at the mark up and extra transport costs for what is effectively an expensive doubling up on quality control but then again perhaps some other companies should send their guitars to RS before distribution too..

**Takemitsu** · 01-10-2015, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Roger Sadowsky seems to be shipping fewer archtops. It used to be that were always a few up on the website to gawk at. Are sales of new archtops slowing down?

For what I understand its always coming by small batches. Most of them are directly sent to the client without going on the website. The way it worked for me was:

-"eh I want a Jim Hall"

-"ok there is one left in the batch thats coming in 3 months"

The quality of the guitar right out of the box (setup etc) was out of this world and their service if fantastic.

**RadackGuitars** · 01-27-2015, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by silverfoxx

Hi docbop,
In answer to your question, the Sadowsky website NY. shows
Their SS15 which is almost identical to the JB model, now
discontinued, the visible difference is a Black Pickup instead
of Gold coloured hardware.

Nope. Same body shape, but the SS-15 is significantly thinner than the Bruno was.