10 Years On - My Thoughts on the Sadowsky Jim Hall and Some Sound Examples

[@smmossful]

Great video. Love the demo you give of the variation in tone/volume. Obviously you are a very fine player, too.

[@GreyJazz90]

Thank you!

[@hoffy1003]

Those Sadowsky guitars are perfection. I've never played anything that comfortable and that great sounding.

[@dakotacheung]

man I remember watching your first review years ago. I now have the same guitar

[@GreyJazz90]

Hope you are enjoying it man!

[@seanvine39]

I’ve been playing my Sadowsky JH Signature exclusively since 2004. It was one of the first to come out of the shop. I placed an order before the word was even out that Roger/Jim were collaborating. First thing Roger said to me was, “How’d you find out about this?” Ha Honestly I can’t remember now, but I placed an order in 2003. Took 6-8 months if I’m remembering right. It’s an exceptional instrument. Sad to hear Roger is done making archtops.

[@GreyJazz90]

Wow! That’s so cool. Which finish did you get it in?

[@seanvine39]

@@GreyJazz90at the time, there was only one finish available, and that’s the original JH reddish kind of a finish. Lots of flame in the maple. And it’s still my favorite archtop. I have an L5 and I’d take the JH evey time.

[@seanvine39]

@@GreyJazz90have you swapped out the saddle with a Sadowsky Tru tone saddle? Or idk…maybe they all come with that tru tone saddle now.

[@euclidera]

sounds sweet, nice guitar

[@GreyJazz90]

Thanks!

[@broskoone]

Sounds great. How would you describe the neck?

[@GreyJazz90]

Thanks! I’d say the neck feels slightly thinner than my ES-175, and the ebony fretboard gives the notes more of an immediate/snappy attack compared to rosewood. Overall it’s my favorite neck of the three Archtop guitars I have. I feel like my fretting hand gets way less fatigued playing this guitar.

[@smmossful]

What strings do you have on that guitar?

[@GreyJazz90]

Hi Mike, I have this one string up with D’Addario 11’s (round wound).

[@smmossful]

@@GreyJazz90 ah! I thought that might be the case. I was told by Roger Sadowsky that the “default” strings they put on the JH model now are 12-52.

[@alexandereisen3486]

Hey man great video and beautiful playing. I was thinking of getting this or Benedetto. Would love to hear your thoughts.

[@jaymontana2848]

I have been in the same boat. Sadowsky Jim Hall or Benedettto Bravo. I played one and the Bravo is pretty bright IMO. If you read reviews on TheGearPage a lot of people same the same thing. Most video's of Sadowksy Jim Hall's or other archtops he makes (SS-15, SS-17, Bruno) all sounds great. They sound warmer to me which I what I prefer.

[@GreyJazz90]

Hi Alexander, thank you for the kind words! I personally would give the edge to the Sadowsky Jim Hall in comparison to the Benedetto's I have played. That being said, Benedetto makes a wonderful instrument and you couldn't go wrong with either. Which Benedetto model are you considering? I reached a similar conclusion as @jaymontana2848 in regard to the Bravo.

[@rigelloar7474]

Sadowsky makes good instruments. I play his nylon string model, it sounds great. You're getting a wonderful tone from your archtop. Play on. . . . .

[@GreyJazz90]

Thanks! Those nylon models are so nice.