TRBboy

[quote name='cocco' post='1145921' date='Mar 1 2011, 03:41 PM']do all sandbergs have the same neck profile? Id also love a basic but having played a Cali J/MM I really dont like the neck width.[/quote] Not sure really. I've only played the California J/MM too but I found it to be reasonably slim and comfortable - very much like a jazz neck to be fair. I get the impression that the Basic has a slightly more modern, slimmer neck, and any reviews I've read say that they're pretty slim and quick.

[quote name='untune' post='1145037' date='Feb 28 2011, 09:27 PM']It's a GSR200, from the serial it's from 2001 I believe. I'm not sure if the more recent versions of the 200 have the same profile but I'd assume they do. It's smooth and fast to play but I do think a bit more depth would be better, hence why I think a jazz would be more my thing.[/quote] Yeah the GSR is not quite as slim as a SDGR, but probably a little slimmer than a jazz. There's bound to be some measurements online if you really feel like checking on it. If you're in the market for something new, the best advice I can give is try as.many basses as you can - sometimes a bass that you wouldn't have considered based on specs or looks will feel perfect. I read a great interview with Abe Laboriel once who quite rightly said that feel is the single most important thing. You can have a mega expensive bass that looks and sounds great, but if it doesn't feel right, you'll never get the most out of it.

U[quote name='untune' post='1144986' date='Feb 28 2011, 09:03 PM']The SDGR is practically the same as mine I assume, I've been noticing a bit of fatigue and discomfort when playing on lower frets lately and I'm wondering if whether the shallow profile is the culprit.[/quote] What model do you have? In my experience, a very shallow profile can cause more discomfort, tension, and cramp than a chunky neck. I definitely find that if my hand isn't 'anchored' well enough and the distance between the thumb and first finger is small when fretting, I get cramping in the meaty muscle between the knuckle of thumb and first finger. I used to have a warwick thumb 5 that caused me discomfort due to a pretty slim, narrow neck, and the fact that first fret felt like it was at full arms length away!

Thanks for the offer Dan, but it's a bit too far for me. I am quite tempted by that natural finish one that's for sale on here. I know it's not the colour I wanted but it's about half the price of some of the new ones! Just need to hurry up and sell my trb now....... anyone want it? I'll stick it in the for sale section anyway.

[quote name='LawrenceH' post='1120269' date='Feb 8 2011, 04:42 PM']Black bass plus cream Dimarzio pickups and knobs = epic style win. Love it![/quote] Thanks dude! Plain black basses bore me.....

I'm about 185mm from wrist to tip of middle, almost 170mm span from index to pinkie. I always thought I had small hands, but maybe they're about average after all! Definitely prefer a slimmer neck, but not too slim - Jazz good, ibanez sdgr not so good. I always feel like a fuller profile seems to inhibit my playing and I find it hard to be as articulate and quick. Just feels like hard work. Anyway, my wife always says technique is more important than size.......

[quote name='eude' post='1144242' date='Feb 28 2011, 10:40 AM']Always liked the look of these basses, but never laid eyes on one in real life. Seen a played plenty of the J and P ones though and the quality is top notch. There's something about the Basic though, and I bet it makes very nice MusicMan-esque sound. They've done a special edition of the Basic too, called a "Rayman". [url="http://www.musik-schmidt.de/Sandberg-Raymaen-4-VW-HG.html"]http://www.musik-schmidt.de/Sandberg-Raymaen-4-VW-HG.html[/url] Very nice Eude[/quote] Yeah, that looks quite cool too, but isn't it a signature model for someone? I think just the basic Basic will be fine for me. Just spoke to PMT - very helpful. I'll pop up to Brum when I get chance and give one a go. I've always liked the sound of a single MM pickup, but never got on with the feel of a stingray; think I prefer a slimmer, more modern neck feel, so hopefully the Basic will do the job. I think I would go for................. Violetburst! black hardware, white pickguard. I know some of you will think it's horrible, but when I had my first bass (age 13/14, white Squier P), I wanted more than anything a purple bass! Re-sprayed my squier metallic purple and it looked like a pile of crap, but that was more to do with my handiwork! Trouble is, I think I might have to sell my TRB1004 to raise funds, but I've got a 1005 too so it's not the end of the world.

[quote name='simon1964' post='1144224' date='Feb 28 2011, 10:21 AM']PMT ususally have a good stock of Sandbergs - have you tried them?[/quote] Yeah, what a nobhead...... just realised that PMT do them. Unfortunately a few hundred quid dearer than bass merchant though! Opinions would still be appreciated!

So, I want to treat myself to a new bass for my 30th this year and I'm 99% sure it's gonna be a Sandberg Basic 4. The trouble is, I can't find anywhere in the West Midlands that has them in stock. The bass merchant do, but they're on the other side of the country! I've played a couple of California JMs before, so I think I know what to expect with a basic, but I'd still rather be sure before I commit to buying one. Anybody got any suggestions? Anyone own one and have any advice?

No idea Conan, I've never met Sue but I'm sure she's lovely. Perhaps it's worth starting a new topic for "Cheapest, most awesome bass ever!!!". Might be interesting.....

In case anyone's interested, I thought I'd upload a couple of photos of the new improved RBX. [attachment=71319:IMG_0490.JPG] [attachment=71320:IMG_0492.JPG]

Having worked in shops selling both, I'd say that the feel and overall quality of the Yamaha is far superior. They really are unbeatable for the money. If you can stretch to it, the RBX270 is even better (solid Alder body, better pickups and tuners). I picked one up off Gumtree a few months back for £70 in very good condition.

Sounds to me like an earthing problem or possibly the input wired up wrong. The SD wiring diagrams are usually spot on so it should be right, but it would be worth cross-checking against other diagrams for the same configuration on the net.

Yeah, you've gotta hand it to yamaha - even their cheap basses are well built and play fantastically. I've owned quite a lot of basses and worked in guitar stores for 7 - 8 years, and I think they take a lot of beating for the money. I would probably choose an RBX270 over an MIM Fender any day!

Amazing! Wanted a cheap bass to customise a little, and just finished it tonight. I'm absolutely blown away with the results! I've played basses costing 5 times more which haven't hit the spot in the same way! Yamaha RBX270 black off Gumtree £ 70 Wilkinson bridge w/brass saddles £ 15 (I think) Dimarzio model p/j (cream) £100 Cream speed knobs. £ 5 CTS wiring kit. £ 15 TOTAL. £205! It sounds friggin awesome! I've owned a fair few basses, and this is amazing for the money i've spent. Would highly recommend this recipe for anyone looking for an inexpensive bass that plays and sounds great, or as a decent backup.

Its not too scary to do, but any decent repairer should be happy to do it. When I needed the nut on my jazz doing, I went to a local luthier who made me a bone one from scratch and only charged me £15!!! (was a few years ago mind....)

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Anybody got a wiring diagram for wiring up a pj config with vol/3way/tone?

Another possibility I've experienced before when downgrading from heavy gauge strings is that the slot in the nut has worn slightly bigger than it originally was due to the heavy gauge strings. When you then go back to standard gauge, because the slot is slightly too big, it can cause the string to"rattle" ever so slightly in the slot. I spent a while scratching my head trying to figure out where it was coming from! Try packing the slot out a little with some paper or thin card, and see if the buzz disappears. If it does the trick, you'll either have to get a new nut or live with the piece of card (which I did in my Jazz for about 6 years!). Hope this helps.

Ok. So I wanted a bit of a project, something to customise a bit, and bought a cheap Yamaha RBX270 because I know they play well and are pretty well built for a cheap bass. I've got an Aguilar OBP2SK which I was gonna plumb in but now I've decided to keep it passive, buy new pickups and re-wire from scratch. The trouble is, I can't decide which pickups to go for, or what control configuration! I like a nice full, powerful sound (in rock covers band at the mo) but I don't want to spend a fortune. I was looking at the Chinese(?) Kent Armstrongs from WD Music, but not sure that they'll hit the spot. I'm leaning towards Dimarzio Model P/Js but I've also considered SD Quarter Pounders (although I've already got some in my Jazz, so I fanvy something different). The other consideration is what control config to go for. I definitely want to do away with the blend, so it's either VVT or 3-way toggle (if I can find a decent one with a longer thread!) HELP!!! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the advice, very interesting.......