TRBboy

Ha ha! Check out the last line of the info! [url="http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Sandberg-California-VS-4-Masterpiece-RW-Creme-B-STOCK-.html"]http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Sandberg-California-VS-4-Masterpiece-RW-Creme-B-STOCK-.html[/url]

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1316547913' post='1379598'] Christ, there's a blue one on ebay for £700. [/quote] Hmmm........ I don't think there's anything wrong with this one, but it's been re-listed again and again for the last few months. I think it belongs (or belonged) to a store in Bristol which has closed down but is still trading online. Provided there's nothing wrong with that Gumtree one, it really is a stonking buy for someone, even worth taking a punt on if you're not 100% sure, you'd easily get your money back! It looked really nice in the pic the guy text to me. Seriously, what else could you buy for £400 that would come close?! AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!! SOMEONE BUY IT!!!! WE CAN BE SANDBERG TWINS!!!!! I think I'm losing the plot.................

I got a bit tempted yesterday and contacted the bloke on Gumtree about his Basic......... thankfully it's identical to mine, so I'm not interested! I know it may not be what Silddx is after, but that bass is a seriously good buy for someone at £400! He sent me a pic and it does look in VGC and has a nice grain pattern. [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1316514136' post='1378929'] Right there with you on this. I'm looking forward to airing my Basic PM for the first time in ages tonight. [/quote] Hmmmm....... I've just been eyeing up a Ken Taylor in Virgin White high gloss again....... just when I thought I was GAS free!

[quote name='wombatboter' timestamp='1316449877' post='1378147']I think Sandberg basses are just amazing..I've had around 120 basses in my life (from Status to Alembic, from Fodera to vintage Fenders). I've sold nearly everything and I have around five basses left (a good fretless, a five-string, a nice P bass, my Wal and my Sandberg). I'm even thinking about selling my Wal since I enjoy playing my Sandberg more. The sounds are so versatile, remind me of a great Jazz-bass, a nice Ken Smith, a smooth Stingray... Tastes differ but it beats every Fender I have owned, even my '66 Jazz.. I paid 800 euros for this one second hand, it keeps on inspiring me.. [/quote] that is lovely! I've always wanted to try a Sandberg with two 'buckers, but I've never come across one in the flesh yet. I'd love to try a Basic Ken Taylor, and if I had the money I would probably have one made with the pickups moved forward a little. Very nice bass dude, I thought I was completely GAS free 'til I saw that!

I can appreciate it for what it is but BLEURGH! not for me thanks!

No, there's no point, but if you've got the money and the inclination then why not! Music-schmidt have got a masterbuilt Sandberg VS (p pickup only) for less than half price, it's like €989 instead of over €2000 or something! Depends whether you like the whole "reliced" thing or not really. Not that I'm always banging on about Sandbergs or anything........

Just realised that I seem to have become BC's resident Sandberg evangelist!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1316423699' post='1377726']I think once you are talking £1000+, id have to have a quality returns policy (which all stores should be operating anyway) which allows a full refund. If that isnt an option, I wouldnt bother. I see why people go and test, I used to do it in Newcastle all the time, but now I dont live near any good bass stores, EVERYTHING has to be by the internet. Once you factor in the cost of travel, a whole weekend out (most the time Id have to stay with the missus in a hotel if its 3-4 hours drive) you may as well try the 7 days returns policy. Id love to A/B the Mayones with the Sandberg. The main attraction to the Mayones is the killer blocks, great old Fender colours, and the J+J in the right place, whereas the M+J on the Sandbergs dont seem to be in the right positions. Apparently the Mayones have Glock pre-amps, which also sells it for me.[/quote] I know what you mean, there's no decent shops near me either! I think with the California series basses, you need to not think of the humbucker in Stingray terms. You're right, the positioning is nothing like a 'ray, you just need to think of it like a jazz bridge pickup, only more powerful and gutsy. The California's are truly a modern take on a classic design. They sound much more modern and "hi-fi" with loads of clarity and definition, but it's never gonna sound quite like a vintage fender. FYI, I think all Sandbergs are equipped with Glocks. Hope this helps.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1316415575' post='1377619']http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sandberg-5-string-bass-guitar-/200648843249?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2eb79a5ff1#ht_500wt_1156 Recently sold.[/quote] Nice! It seems crazy how cheap they seem to go used! I'm so tempted to ring the guy on Gumtree about his Basic.........

I've never been in the store, but on their website they don't appear to have any Sandbergs in stock at the moment, and prior to that they only had one Sandberg bass listed for months. When I spoke to Synergy a few months ago about a custom order, they gave me the impression that PMT is the only official UK retailer, although I guess that's since been extended to GuitarGuitar too. Putting 2 and 2 together (and potentially making 5), I guessed that Bass Direct aren't really selling Sandberg anymore, so they're steering customers toward similar alternatives that they do stock. I'm sure that Mark is a great guy, although I've never had chance to meet him, but I'd love a trip to the shop one day for some serious drooling!

I don't think GW was meaning peoples opinions on here, as they are just personal opinions. I love Sandberg but I've never tried a Mayones, so I can't compare them. I do agree though that you should always be cautious of a shop owner who is keen to change your mind from the bass you thought you wanted, which he doesn't stock, to a different brand which he does stock. As we all know, you just need to get it in your hand and have a thrash (if you'll pardon the expression!)

Sandberg California PM? The Humbucker won't do "Stingray" on its own 'cause it's too far back, but blend some of the p into it to give it a bit more depth and guts and you get a sweet MM tone! Obviously it nails the p tone and you can get a lovely slap tone by blending the pickups about 50/50 and boosting the treble a bit. Looks traditional and it's cheap for a hand built, quality instrument (especially second hand!)

[quote name='Bankai' post='1375816' date='Sep 16 2011, 06:25 PM']After the big day we had yesterday we were out for a meal (us being the GG Epsom staff and a few of the company directors). About half an hour into the meal I started having a chat to the guy sitting opposite me. Turns out he didn't work for GG, but was in fact MD of Sandberg in the UK. Needless to say, we had a good chat [/quote] Was that Alan from Synergy? He's always been very helpful when I've spoken to him on the phone!

The main physical difference I've noticed from a "traditional" bass is that the fretboard radius seems to be a lot larger, i.e. the fretboard is flatter. I LOVE this, it seems to help make the neck feel faster and easier to play. In case you're interested, here's the link to when I bought my Cali PM a couple of months ago; [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=147557&hl=Sandberg"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...amp;hl=Sandberg[/url]

[quote name='lowfer' post='1375447' date='Sep 16 2011, 01:09 PM']I had a Sandberg JM5, infact the one in my avatar. While the bass was well made just never got on with the tone, it neither offered a jazz tone or a music man tone, so moved it on for a music man 5 string and a squire classic vibe jazz. Never played a PM so can't comment[/quote] Another good point....... For anyone considering buying a JM or PM blind; They do not do "Musicman". Because the humbucker is right back at the bridge it works just like a fuller, more gutsy jazz pickup. I find with my PM that it works really well, and there's not the output difference that I've experienced with PJ setups before e.g. the bridge pickup does not sound weak compared to the P pickup.

[quote name='Spoombung' post='1375138' date='Sep 16 2011, 08:21 AM']You should also consider the Polish GMR basses - they have them at Bass Merchant. They're infinitely better designed than Sandbergs - shaped ergonomically with slimmer necks and better balance[/quote] I'm sure they're nice, but they are at least double the price of a brand new Sandberg! In what way are Sandbergs not well designed, not ergonomics and not well balanced? Which Sandberg models have you owned!? My Basic is extremely well balanced and comfortable even after playing for 3 hours. The Californias are about as balanced and well designed as..... well, a Fender, only they feel much, much better! Like I said, I'm sure the GMRs are great and all, and I know a lot of people like that sort of thing, but I could never justify paying a massive premium for a "blingy" bit of wood (plus I'd feel like an ar*$hole playing it in a rock band!). One man's coq au vin is another man's chicken in a basket!

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1374941' date='Sep 15 2011, 10:06 PM']If you are ordering or looking to find a Sandberg bass please note that due to obvious copyright issues they have had to change the names of all their models and here is a page on their website which explains what is what now: [url="http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/news/current-news/425-pickup-names"]http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/news/curren...25-pickup-names[/url][/quote] Ah yes, good point GW! T = J pickup and V = P pickup. So a PM is now a VM, JM is now a TM.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1374889' date='Sep 15 2011, 09:26 PM']I think for that price, it's not bad. Ive seen £1000 Fenders with bigger issues. [/quote] +1 At least the neck, pickups, and bridge are in line on this one!

It'll definitely be metric. Just pop into your local DIY and pick up a set for a few quid, and then you'll have one for your truss rod too, and flat pack furniture, and anything else you might need a hex key for!

Just spotted a Basic on Gumtree for £400! In your part of the world too. No pics but would be worth ringing about for sure! [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/sandberg-basic-4-string-bass-guitar/87536115"]http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/sandberg...guitar/87536115[/url] (sorry on my phone and can't get hyperlink to work properly!)

By the way, you could also try contact the UK distributor, Synergy Distribution about info on nut measurements, etc.

Finding Sandberg has been a complete revelation to me. Like a lot of folk on here, I've had many, many basses pass through my hands over the years, and I've played loads of others as well in a never ending quest to find "the one". When I bought my Sandberg Basic, that was it. It really can't get any better for me in terms of feel, sound, build quality, everything. I've played some "boutique" basses costing bucketloads more, but I've never found anything that feels as comfortable and effortless to play, and responds to my playing as well. Getting my Basic was the final nail in the coffin for my trusty old Jazz, which just felt like hard work to play in comparison. I have since purchased a PM4 which is awesome, but for me the Basic really is the one. I guess it depends whether you want a Fender look-a-like or not, but I would strongly suggest trying a Basic if you can get your hands on one. The neck on the PM is a little fuller and more traditional feeling than the Basic (which is very flat and slim), but it feels slimmer (depth-wise) than my Jazz neck, and is just as effortless to play as the Basic. I am a true convert, and I'd be surprised if I ever own a Fender again! I've bought both of mine S/H, and I would suggest looking on here and eBay as they don't seem to be holding their value at all well, despite being great instruments. You should easily get one for about £500-£600 in good condition. I got my PM4 for stupid money....... like, ridiculously cheap. Let me know if you need any more info, or if you happen to be in my area you're welcome to have a try.

It would be Sandberg for me definitely, you just can't go wrong with them! You could probably order a custom spec one for that money, or buy one off the shelf and have a load of change!

If it's strictly between a P and J, I'd say go for a jazz and stick some Dimarzio Ultra Jazz in! They're SOOO punchy and powerful, but defined and articulate too. Loads of guts, but they really cut through the mix too. If you're open to other options, I would go for anything you like the feel of that's loaded with MM humbucker(s). Try a Sandberg if you get chance........