I haven't played a Sadowsky, but I've a pair of Bacchus 5 strings and the only thing, really the
only thing, that I'd change would be that both of them have binding on the body and that can be a teeny bit uncomfortable on the wrist after a while but, other than that, I just don't believe it would be possible to improve on anything else and that's only a feature of the two models I have. Acoustically, they're so resonant it's really stunning the first time you experience it. The hardware is absolutley top drawer stuff. The build quality is as good as you're going to find anywhere. It's hard to describe, but your hands just feel the care and attention that went into the bass and it's on a level I haven't witnessed on any other instrument. When you play them, you just feel the body vibrate in your ribcage, I love them both, but the 02 Standard 5 is the kind of bass that continually reminds you why you were drawn to play bass in the first place, it's amazing, for want of a better term.
My Bacchuses cost me about half what it would cost to get a Sadowsky. I don't believe the difference in price would equate to a difference in quality however. Having said that, I would love to play a Sadowsky, I am sure they are superb instruments also. To be honest, I don't think you'd regret buying either, they are refinements of a great design, created by people who really care about the quality of the instruments they produce. Get both
