Sadowsky Guitars

If I could give this shop 10 stars, I would.
After another five years and a shitload of road, it was time for some more TLC for my Sadowsky bass, named (gasp!) Leopold! (search youtube for bugs bunny leopold — that’s how I felt when I first opened the case the day I got this baby).
So I packed him up and shipped him off to New York. I enclosed very specific and detailed instructions in the case, regarding the nut, the strings, the frets, electronics, pickups, case, cleaning (as in don’t clean it) — everything. It was long. And specific.
I just got (gasp!) Leopold! back a couple days ago, and good goddamn, everything, I mean *everything* was fucking absolutely perfect and complete.
Most important was the fretwork. Nobody does fretwork like Roger and his crew. Flawless crowning. Utterly level. There’s a machine a lot of places use called a PLEK. It’s machine-​accurate, but it’s not even close to the fine handwork done at the House of Sadowsky. Did I just refer to his shop as a «House?» Yep. Sadowsky’s fretwork is fucking transcendent.
And the action — I have some really great guys do my minor maintenance like setups, but the setup this thing came back with is just beyond. Super fast, super in-​tune, clean, quiet. Goddamn, it’s just perfect.
Last: About that list I enclosed with the bass. I had probably 9 or 10 points on it. Every single one was addressed, exactly, flawlessly. Specific strings installed? Check. Spare set of the same strings enclosed in the case? Check. Go through the electronics and put everything into first class running condition (I forgot to tell him the battery was getting low, too). Check. Including replacing the battery I forgot to tell him was low. Oh-​by-​the-​way-​send-​me-​a-​new-​gig-​bag? Done. There was not one goddamned thing I needed to call him for. Nothing. Perfect. I was almost disappointed, lol!
If I had to deduct one star, and make it only 9 stars, it would be that the House of Sadowsky only works on Sadowsky guitars. Look, I understand. His production is maxed, his repair bench mobbed. But dang, if I could have him breathe on my ’68 Paisley Telecaster bass… I’d probably croak and go to heaven. But repairs are limited to Sadowsky instruments. If you own one, bite the shipping bullet and send it to him every five years or so. You’ll be glad you did!
Now, who am I to write this long-​ass review and update? All kinds of big names play his stuff. Well, I’m not one of them. You don’t know me because I’m not famous. I’m just a working pro for 30 years or so, the guy you might see on stage behind some young singer/​songwriter, or who you might hear playing bass in some TV show or commercial. Or at some shitty bar out in Ventura (whatever pays the bills!).
But oddly enough, as «big time» as Roger Sadowsky has become, he still understands and caters to the working pro musician. I got taken care of as well as, say, Walter Becker from Steely Dan would have. I know this, because it is simply not possible to take better care of somebody than I just experienced. Again!
I’ve had a working relationship with Sadowsky Guitars for 17 years now, and if anything, it’s only got better.
Highest Recommendation. He has no equal.

I have 2 Sadowsky basses and one on the way. I’ve tried many basses over the years… none compare.
Roger responded to my questions in very short time. They ask all the right questions to deliver the instrument you want that’s built for a lifetime.
So many bass ‘builders’ compare themselves to «Sadowsky». I’ve tried a few… not close.