dmccombe7

Removed one of the pick ups and they are solid sealed units but they are marked with a 4 so must be 4 string versions i guess. From memory i was sure they used pick ups with a bar pole rather than separate poles like a Jazz pick up. I could be wrong tho. I've never actually played this bass thru my Mesa rig as i normally set up my EBS Reidmar 750 thru Berg HT322 cab in the house mainly because its never gigged and amp is my back up head. Thought i would give it a go and it turns out it has a lot more depth and low end than i thought. Its made me have 2nd thoughts now. Might take it to our next rehearsal and try it out at volume. Dave

Cheers @Dad3353 you are a gent sir. Dave

Just the bass part would be good. No need for the audio. Cheers Dave

Originally i thought a simple swap out and i could do it myself but doesn't look that simple now. Dave

I've given that some thought and might be another option. Its not something i would tackle myself. I've never actually changed anything on a bass. I like them as they are but this was a bargain, has a good neck and generally a nice lookng bass it would be a shame to sell it for buttons when a new set of passive pups would sort the bit that's bugging me. Because i have several other basses this one isn't a priority and more a side project. The fact the pick ups are not set mid point creates another issue for it.. Dave

I've also just noticed that the pick ups don't sit directly in middle of all 4 strings as if they were made for 5 string basses and made to fit ? There is more of the pick up above the E string than that below the G string if that makes sense. Typically a soapbar is 3.5" (89mm) with EMG for a 4 stringer. I've just googled some pics of J4's and pick ups are even top and bottom. The bass was made from spares they had left over from the initial demo basses when approaching Tanglewood. Think maybe going to a Luthier like Chris McIntyre would be best way forward and get him to suggest options to make it a passive P sounding bass. I would replace both ick ups with a switch between them to fully isolate the bridge pick up when needed. Dave

Had a look but it mentions they are for 6 string basses. I like EMG pick ups but will see if they do one for 4 strings. They don't seem to be a standard pick up size. Sure i searched a number of options and couldn't find anything suitable. I was wondering if its possible to use the Overwater cover over something like a P bass pick up if it will fit. Pick up covers are 97mm x 38 mm. I'll try Bass Direct again see what they have. My only other option is to go custom made or speak to a luthier about it. Its a great bass to play but just not a big fan of these pick-ups or pre-amp. Dave

Can view them thru your link but not able to download. Created a Soundslice account but still can't. Are you able to download as a pdf or something we can all keep. ? Dave

Cant open them @Dad3353. Not heard of a gp3 file ? Dave

WAL custom 4 string (circa 80's) Mesa Subway WD800 amp Mesa Subway 210 & 115 cabs I'm a simple man. Dave

Sorted and thanks for another Jeff Berlin song

Can't get the transcription to download @Bilbo ?

Think you may be right. I'm happy to go with that. Neil's a hero of mine and a huge influence. Dave

Saw that bass advertised and it was a beaut. Well done. Stunning colour Dave

Are you on commission @Cuzzie ? My goto font of all Sandberg knowledge and always appreciated. Dave

The Panther bass was the first Sandberg i had ever really paid attention to. Saw it in Bass Direct but couldn't justify the cost at the time. Will need to try the VS4 at some point as i def want a nice P bass. Could be down to Fender Vintera or VS4. My band mates tell me to stick with the VM4 as it does everything and sounds and plays fantastic. I like the simplicity of one ick up passive basses. No batteries and a simple tone control. Life should be simple............like me. Dave

Any experience with the VS4 passives ?

Before starting to play bass i had never tried to isolate a bass line so had to work at that. I originally took lessons for 12-18mths and from there it was a combination of ear or music sheet if i could find it. There were a good few shops in Glasgow that sold music books etc back in late 70's. After a few years i could get most songs i was trying to learn without too much trouble. I was practising 2-3hrs a day after work and longer at weekends for at least 2-3 years when i got fed up with band politics and focused on my own playing. Some songs i could work out on paper without even lifting the bass. (simple ones) Nowadays its back to hard work learning again as i took a 15yr break from bands and lost interest in playing the bass at all. I think its a lot easier to learn new things and perfect your learning process at a younger age. Maybe i was just more of a bass geek back then These days i'll use anything i can to learn a song as easily as poss. Music sheet, bass tabs, ear, youtube or even hand written notes from mates. We have so much choice these days. Dave

Nice one

Yep have to agree that is very nice looking bass. I would buy one of them.

I'd never really noticed that until i heard the isolated bass line in this thread. When i went back to listen to the original recording you get the picture of Neil throwing in some off the cuff fills on the day. They virtually get covered over in the mix tho. Its the same when you hear a lot of the isolated bass tracks. John Entwhistle had some and Geddy too i've heard some odd notes or missed notes. It was a different way of recording back then tho. Still one of my fav bass players and that song is one of the classic rock songs IMHO of course. Dave

its good that you have 2 candidates that are so close. Could be a difficult choice for you. All the very best Dave

Its on my favs in toolbar of laptop now as i regularly use it for help with some of the more difficult songs i like. Plus some songs i had forgotten about over the years like Theme 1 from Cozy Powell Over the Top album. Aaahhhhh memories of my younger days when nothing was difficult or i just ad-libbed to make it fit Dave

Cheers @Bilbo just downloaded for my files and will hopefully have a wee go today. First glance over it and it looks very much like the original copy i had from someone on BC back in 2012. Dave

I use a VM4 in a 70's Glam Rock covers band and it will also work very well in a classic rock covers band. Has more depth than my Fender J bass. The Humbucker gives the P pick up that little bit of edge to the sound. I would say a bit more hi-mid tone than treble like you get from a Stingray. That might be down to my Mesa tube amp tho. Great basses and you won't be disappointed. Dave