Sadowsky Semi Hollow vs SS 15?

**tlathrop** · 05-21-2016, 06:33 PM

Hi there. New to this forum but not to guitar.

I'm trying to decide between the above guitars (Sadowsky Semi Hollow and SS 15) without having access to play them. I'm looking for warmth, clarity, and definition without high-end tinniness or harshness. (My Eastman El Rey 2 tends a little toward the tinny on the high E string.)

The SS 15 looks like it would be better on the warmth side -- which would be good for the pianistic chordal stuff I sometimes play. But I also like to lean toward a more biting lead blues sound on occasion, in a Robben Ford, Larry Carlton direction. That would appear to favor the Semi Hollow. But I wonder how warm-without-harshness the Semi Hollow might be.

I've checked out available online video comparisons, but the difference is not clearly audible to me.

Neck-wise, I tend to prefer a slim-taper. The El Rey works for me too, although I'd be fine with a little less width.

I suppose I could use the SS 15 for warmth and turn to my other guitars for crunchier blues styles.

Any opinions would be appreciated!

**jbucklin** · 05-21-2016, 07:22 PM

It's too bad that the SS 15 doesn't include a bridge pickup. I have a dual-pickup D'Angelico EX-SS that is completely hollow, with the exception of a feedback-preventing block under the bridge. It's a thinline and looks very similar to the SS 15. Since it is only a $1600 guitar it came with cheap Kent Armstrong pickups. I put a set of Lollar Imperials in it and now it is a monster of a guitar. Sweet, fat jazz tone on the neck pup; switching to the bridge pup, and stepping on an overdrive pedal the thing rocks beautifully. Not trying to persuade you to get one. Maybe you could call Sadowsky and inquire about having a bridge pup added to the SS-15? They'll probably answer in the negative, but what have you got to lose? Also, keep in mind the great jazz players who only play semi hollows---Scofield, Ben Monder, Adam Rogers, to name just a few.

**tlathrop** · 05-21-2016, 07:45 PM

I had no idea the Kent Armstrongs were considered cheap. I played a D'Angelico EX 175 today that had them, and they sounded fine. Ditto on my El Rey 2. But I would never look to them for an over-driven sound.

Looks like the semi hollow might be a better bet for me overall.

For an all-purpose guitar I've been using a Gibson CS 356. Its lack of body and its metallic ring drove me nuts for a while, so I replaced its Classic 57 pickups with a pair of WCR Godwoods. That helped warm and fatten up the sound. But it remains a narrow and choked sounding version of a 335.

That SS 15 remains tempting, however

**jbucklin** · 05-21-2016, 07:49 PM

The pups that are handmade by Kent are not cheap and are great. The factory jobs are cheap. They do sound good but the Lollars are primo.

**tlathrop** · 05-21-2016, 08:27 PM

I'll have to check out the Lollars.

**jbucklin** · 05-21-2016, 08:32 PM

Expensive but well worth it.

**Jabberwocky** · 05-22-2016, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by jbucklin

The pups that are handmade by Kent are not cheap and are great. The factory jobs are cheap. They do sound good but the Lollars are primo.

Let us be clear lest good old Kent get a bad rap. The ones supplied in the Made in Korea D'Angelico guitars are Made in Korea branded Kent Armstrong pickups. The real Kent Armstrong pickups are Kent Armstrong Handmade and made in Vermont, USA.

The Korean KA pups are not known to be good sounding. It is unfortunate that Kent's name got mixed up in this mess.

**llazarides** · 05-23-2016, 10:36 AM

For what you seem to be looking for, the semi hollow might be more appropriate.

I own an SS-15 and it is amazing in very specific contexts - mainly straight ahead clean tones. Bop tone with a slightly more modern edge, but definitely lacks in the versatility department.

**Gilpy** · 05-23-2016, 12:14 PM

I agree, the SS-15 will not give you as wide a range of tones as the Semi. It's neck pickup tone is among the best,
though.

If you like slim necks, you should be OK with a Sadowsky. Their necks are a really comfortable shape, not too thin but definitely not chunky.

**Flat** · 05-23-2016, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by tlathrop

But I also like to lean toward a more biting lead blues sound on occasion...

My opinion: Get the Semi-hollow. Great for blues, it can be plenty warm for jazz as well. Have you seen this one?

**jbucklin** · 05-23-2016, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Flat

My opinion: Get the Semi-hollow. Great for blues, it can be plenty warm for jazz as well. Have you seen this one?

If that doesn't convince you, well......

**Woody Sound** · 05-23-2016, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Gilpy

I agree, the SS-15 will not give you as wide a range of tones as the Semi. It's neck pickup tone is among the best,
though.

If you like slim necks, you should be OK with a Sadowsky. Their necks are a really comfortable shape, not too thin but definitely not chunky.

But it you opt for an SS-15, be aware that they have a 1-3/4 nut. Still quite comfy.

**tlathrop** · 05-30-2016, 12:22 AM

I wonder whether the Kents in my Eastman El Rey 2 are the handmade versions.

**tlathrop** · 05-30-2016, 12:33 AM

Thanks for the quite helpful replies. While the SS-15 is tempting, it sounds like the Semi Hollow may meet more of my needs. My next step: Give Roger a call!

Good gosh, though. There are so many interesting builders out there: Collings, Triggs, Rebbecke (sp?), the list goes on and on. The search for the perfect guitar is as much of a lifelong quest as the striving for great playing ability.

**NoReply** · 05-30-2016, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by tlathrop

The search for the perfect guitar is as much of a lifelong quest as the striving for great playing ability.

The perfect guitar is always the one you haven't bought yet. - John Abercrombie

**tlathrop** · 05-30-2016, 01:04 AM

Right, John Abercrombie.

Meanwhile, I checked out the Kent Armstrong pickup situation on my Eastman El Rey, and they're most likely the licensed versions, not the handmades. The things they don't tell ya at the music store!

**jbucklin** · 05-30-2016, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by tlathrop

Right, John Abercrombie.

Meanwhile, I checked out the Kent Armstrong pickup situation on my Eastman El Rey, and they're most likely the licensed versions, not the handmades. The things they don't tell ya at the music store!

Any guitar at that price point will not come with pickups that cost $250-350 for a pair. Just do what many, including me, do---swap the pups out for better ones!

**tlathrop** · 05-30-2016, 01:17 PM

Note to self: new pickups for the El Rey.

**Jabberwocky** · 05-31-2016, 01:23 AM

Kent Armstrong the Man is really nice. Give him a call. His pups are worth it. The original Benedetto pups were all Kent Armstrong Handmades. They are Seymour Duncans today.

**tlathrop** · 05-31-2016, 04:08 PM

Good idea to call Kent -- especially since I knew his father, Dan, when he had a repair shop in downtown Manhattan back in the day. I bought a great 1958 Les Paul Special from him in 1968. One of the best necks and sounds I've ever played. Problem: the neck had broken off at some point and Dan had crazy - glued it back on so that it was like new. For a while. I gave up that guitar, sadly.

**tlathrop** · 06-29-2016, 06:08 PM

Well, folks. I've made the move: It's a Semi Hollow, and I should be receiving it in a week or too. I'll check back in to let you know how it works out!

Your responses to my original question helped. Thanks all!

**Jazz_175** · 06-30-2016, 03:28 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

But it you opt for an SS-15, be aware that they have a 1-3/4 nut. Still quite comfy.

I wonder what was the reason behind this choice, as opposed to the more common (I think...) 1- 11/16 nut width

**llazarides** · 07-01-2016, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

I wonder what was the reason behind this choice, as opposed to the more common (I think...) 1- 11/16 nut width

I've been playing my SS-15 a lot more lately and have been wondering that same thing. At first I didn't notice it too much because I guess I wasn't really digging into it like I am now. My technique has definitely taken a very slight hit as I'm used to the 1 11/16" nuts; every other guitar I've had/currently have actually.

That and the move to push the neck deeper into the body I find slightly strange. It becomes a little tougher to play higher on the neck. On the flip side though, this tends to put your right hand more naturally over what I consider to be the "sweet spot" somewhere right above the neck pickup. The resulting tonal implications are very, very nice.

Still, I wish the SS-15 had a 1 11/16" nut, haha. It hasn't been much, but definitely bugging me enough to start considering selling it to get a nice semi.

**Woody Sound** · 07-01-2016, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by llazarides

Still, I wish the SS-15 had a 1 11/16" nut, haha. It hasn't been much, but definitely bugging me enough to start considering selling it to get a nice semi.

It's amazing how much difference that 1/16" makes, whether pro or con. I have 1-3/4" on my Carvin AC375 and on that guitar it feels great. I tried a Sadowsky LS-17 with 1-3/4" and it felt awful. Go figure.

**tlathrop** · 07-26-2016, 09:59 PM

Update: My Semi Hollow arrived via FedEx today. With trepidation I opened the box. Would it have suffered damage en route? Would my risk of buying a guitar without ever touching one of that make and model prove a mistake? I'm happy to report that the instrument is a real winner for me. The sound has the warmth and depth I've been aiming for. The neck feels just right. And it's a thing of beauty. I may have to prune my collection by a guitar or two to replenish ye old bank account, but will first give myself time to come down from the NGD high before doing anything drastic.