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I've always wanted a Sadowsky. But than again I love the sound of the ES175. Played my buddy's at a gig recently and was impressed. I don't care about vintage or new since I've played vintage guitars that were dogs. I'm more about build quality, playable, and sound and at this point don't want a guitar that I'm not going to play and stays in the case. I just sold 5 guitars that I haven't picked up in a year. I also don't want any issues like finish checking, bad tone pots, Fret job, tuning machine problems etc. that you get with old instruments. Currently gig with a Peerless Tone Master that I upgraded the pickups and wiring harness on. Not bad but want to upgrade. Any suggestions? Going to spend up to 3,000.00. Oh and BTW I like laminate guitars but that's another subject. LOL Just me.
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08-29-2016 01:02 PM
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I really like my Bruno. The smaller form factor, and the flawless neck/fretboard. Also, you get an extra fret clear of the body. Recently I've seen a few reasonably priced used ones.
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Thanks for the reply Woody. I'm always amazed that you never hear anybody complain about the Sadowsky archtops.
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Yeah, just the price
Originally Posted by Stew23
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Two fine choices. I suggest playing both and choosing the one that speaks to you. FWIW, I have a '59 RI ES175 VOS that is my favorite guitar. It is set up perfectly. I love the full neck, and it has the iconic 175 sound. I play it a lot more than my L5CES.
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I've got the Sadowsky Jim Hall. It might be a little closer to an ES-175 in tone. But I don't know--I've never played a Bruno.
What do you think, Woody? Would you say your Sadowsky Bruno can do a good ES-175 tone?
I love my SJH--but it really doesn't sound all that much like an ES-175 when you get down to it. The SJH is more open, clear, bell-like, imho. And it can't really bring that old school laminated thunk. But it is a freakin' wonderful guitar.
Good luck in your quest!
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Oh boy! LOL I guess I will have to do some homework on my own. Kinda knew that it's a personal choice and personal taste. Wanted to see if someone had a strong negative to say about either one.
Thanks
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I have a Sadowsky Jim Hall, as well as a recent 175 VOS, both very different. The JH has a more middy tone, the 175 has a more classic Gibson "smile" EQ, with brighter highs and rounder lows. I can get them to sound similar, but I have to tweak the amp quite a bit, back and forth. Both lovely, each not really a replacement for the other. I'm privileged to have both.
My good buddy got a Bruno because of my interest in sadowskys, but he kept it and plays it a lot, and he buys and sells lots of vintage gear and could play anything he wants, including a great '62 175 ( that is only slightly better than my re-issue.)
A tough decision, get both, if and when you can afford it.
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The gigs are the perfect way to cheque guitars-sounds...etc.
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Well said! Originally Posted by yebdox
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Playing one 175 and having a positive experience does not assure that the next one will be as good, but it could be better.
That's the problem with 175's. I have played some that I wouldn't trade for my Ibanez AF100, and a very few 175's that I'd max my credit card for if I didn't already have one.
I've never played a Sadowski and have no idea how variable they are but judging by everything I have read about them they seem to be a good bet... That is unless you REALLY want that 175 vibe. Then it's a worthwhile endeavor to find "THE" 175.
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Well I've owned and played MANY Gibsons in my life, including a few 175s. The tone is of course a subjective thing. I just think the Sadowsky neck/fingerboard is near perfect, at least for me, and consistant from guitar to guitar. Can't say the same thing about Gibsons. And I like the smaller size of the Bruno. That's just a physical preference.
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I'm still having trouble getting over paying almost as much for a Japanese guitar as it would cost me to get a Gibson or another US or European made guitar ....
I know that's silly these days ... the Japanese are building great guitars ... as are some of the other Asian companies .... even the Chinese can do it right when they want to ....
And those of us who are still addicted to Gibson fairy dust are willing to put up with some issues that you probably won't find on a Sadowsky or an Ibanez ... so I admit to not being completely rational about this
In the end the ideal option is to play before you pay ... or buy both ...
Maybe someday I will have the extra cash to add my Japanese dream guitars to my collection ..... The Ibanez PM200 Pat Metheny and the Sadowsky LS-17 look like guitars that I could love
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"I just think the Sadowsky neck/fingerboard is near perfect"
Yep!
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Except, you can't find a USED Sadowsky for $1900, or even less than $3500 nowadays can you? So kind of an apples oranges price comparison? For $1900, I'm taking my chances with the ES175
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If you're a player, your hands will tell you which is better for you. They're both very good instruments, and to the right player, either could be perfect. So it's a match.
Your hands, your arms, your fingers, your ear.
I have a 16" guitar, I have a 15". Personally, I wind up playing the 15 more; it fits better. So much, that I'd say the smaller Bruno would be perfect for me. But there was a time that a 16" was just right for me and the Gibson sound is something I love.
It's a very personal choice between two really capable instruments. If you're a player.
For me, if it's comfortable, I'll play it forever. If it's a good fit and inspires, I know I can always tweak or even change electronics to get what I want. But the instrument that cradles in my arm and lets me feel like it's not there when the music is, that's what does it for me.
That's my opinion anyway. You'll have to live with it. I've played both. The Sadowsky is the one I remember. But then again, I love the Ibanez Benson and 175 players don't get it. So there.
Good luck
David
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If you keep your eyes peeled, once in a while around $3k for a Sad. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Do you really want to "take your chances?"
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I did. But for $1900 instead. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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Definitely better fit and finish on the Sadowsky, but the VOS is still pretty nice. I like both necks. But the chunky feel to the 175 has a slight edge, to my taste. I'm tall, so I like the bigger body and depth of the 175. Slightly more precise feel to the JH, but interestingly, the 175 sounds more acoustic to my ears, though the JH is often touted as being so.
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Very nice, looks like you won that bet! Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
I did. But for $1900 instead.
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Exactly. I'm a smaller guy with a shorter core, so the Sad JB fits me much better. I haven't owned a 16" or 17" guitar for several years now. I wish I could. Originally Posted by yebdox
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If I can join the fray here, I've had a Sadowsky JB, near flawless, for me the fingerboard radius was too flat, and it Originally Posted by Stew23
lacked sustain, similarily to a Benedetto Bravo DLx, but easy to play. I've had one Es175 a '59 RI which was a dog &
Permanently soured my desire for another. The L4Ces however is a different matter altogether, near to an L5 tone ,
infinitely more playable with a "fat"tone. I very reluctantly PX 'd it for a stunning Byrdland .i suggest a laminate in the
region of 3k if obtainable would be a Tal Farlow ( used) of which I've owned three btw.
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I've played a couple of Sadowsky Jim Hall models and they were very similar in build quality and feel (both great)
As others have said the JH has a more modern open sound than the typical 175, like comparing Jim Hall's "Beija Flor" and Joe Pass' "Joy Spring"
imho ...Last edited by Bill C; 09-01-2016 at 02:06 AM. Reason: clarification
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Sometimes you get lucky...timing is everything. I'd have preferred the '09 sunburst available at $2400, but for a $500 difference I couldn't refuse the '97 blonde. Maybe it was the pink case liner? Originally Posted by Woody Sound
Very nice, looks like you won that bet!
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You make me....SIIIIICK! Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Sometimes you get lucky...timing is everything. I'd have preferred the '09 sunburst available at $2400, but for a $500 difference I couldn't refuse the '97 blonde. Maybe it was the pink case liner?
Did you really score that '97 ES-175DN for $1900? Please tell me it has some defect on it like the case liner staining it pink.
I'm starting to haaate you, man.
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