Ritenour playing a Sadowsky thinline archtop. Anyone know what model this is?

**Jim Soloway** · 01-30-2022, 05:23 PM

This is just amazingly beautiful throughout but when he's not pushing the effects, the natural tone of the guitar is just stunning. (And I love his solo playing)

**David B** · 01-30-2022, 06:00 PM

Hi Jim.
That’s the Sadowsky SS-15 model. I had the chance to try the full archtop range at the Sadowsky shop a few years ago and the SS-15 is a seriously impressive guitar.

**Jim Soloway** · 01-30-2022, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by David B

Hi Jim.
That’s the Sadowsky SS-15 model. I had the change to try the full archtop range at the Sadowsky shop a few years ago and the SS-15 is a seriously impressive guitar.

Thanks. Sure sounds great in his hands. I just love his touch. I wonder if his deal with Gibson ended when they shut down/reduced the archtop department.

**Jim Soloway** · 01-30-2022, 07:37 PM

From the same festival last summer. I think this sounds every bit as good as his Gibson and I thought that was one of the best sounding guitars I'd ever heard.

**srs** · 01-30-2022, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

Thanks. Sure sounds great in his hands. I just love his touch. I wonder if his deal with Gibson ended when they shut down/reduced the archtop department.

He was playing all Gibson when I saw him perform at Dimitriou"s jazz alley in October 2021. It was a quartet that included Dave Grusin but they both also performed solo compositions that night.

**Woody Sound** · 01-30-2022, 09:59 PM

1-3/4 nut, 14 fret net. The Bruno Model I use has 1-11/16 nut, 15 fret neck. Would love to switch to the SS-15 thinline, but I am now used to the extra fret and the neck width. It looks like he has some kind of f-hole treatment going on.

**Oscar67** · 01-31-2022, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

This is just amazingly beautiful throughout but when he's not pushing the effects, the natural tone of the guitar is just stunning. (And I love his solo playing)

Nice! PS he’s got three Twin’s up there… pants floppin’ in the breeze… And his strings seem to be flat on the deck with no action at all.

**Doug B** · 01-31-2022, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

It looks like he has some kind of f-hole treatment going on.

They are Doug's Plugs-foam inserts for the f-holes to help prevent feedback.

**Gitfiddler** · 01-31-2022, 12:47 PM

Ritenour has used a Sadowsky nylon for many years. Seems natural for him to move to a Sadowsky hollowbody SS-15 for his jazz sessions/gigs.

Also, in 2020 he had to replace some of his gear after losing about 100 of his guitars and 40 amps when his Malibu home burned to the ground.

Lee Ritenour Rises from the Ashes - Premier Guitar

**Woody Sound** · 01-31-2022, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Ritenour has used a Sadowsky nylon for many years. Seems natural for him to move to a Sadowsky hollowbody SS-15 for his jazz sessions/gigs.

Also, in 2020 he had to replace some of his gear after losing about 100 of his guitars and 40 amps when his Malibu home burned to the ground.

Lee Ritenour Rises from the Ashes - Premier Guitar

Wow, he's been through a lot. At least he's alive and still playing.

**kris** · 01-31-2022, 12:55 PM

He use Sadowsky nylon strings guitar also at 20 min of this video.

**bluejaybill** · 01-31-2022, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Ritenour has used a Sadowsky nylon for many years. Seems natural for him to move to a Sadowsky hollowbody SS-15 for his jazz sessions/gigs.

Also, in 2020 he had to replace some of his gear after losing about 100 of his guitars and 40 amps when his Malibu home burned to the ground.

Lee Ritenour Rises from the Ashes - Premier Guitar

Wow, I didn't know that story, thanks for that! Two years ago I had to leave my house with 4 guitars and an amp or two because of the fires, luckily for us the wind shifted.

I saw Rit right before Covid, he sounded great, especially on the Wes type tunes.