TRBboy

Over my 10 year relationship with Sandberg I'm pretty certain I've been a pain in the derrière at times, but they've always done their utmost to accommodate me!

There used to be differences, especially between the California series and the original models like the Basic and Classic series, but I think I'm right in saying that they're all essentially the same profile now. They are pretty slim and very comfy in my opinion. They are all hand finished though, so they do vary a little. I have no doubt if you requested a slightly thinner profile though they would have no issues accommodating you. 😊

They are very approachable, they're a pretty small company with a good business model and customer focus. They are friendly and have a kinda family feel. 😊 I think one of the things that sets them apart is the sheer choice of 'standard' options, which allow you to put together a bass that is a bit different and special to you, but is not a custom model per se. You can't request different inlays or different coloured hardware on a American fender without it being a custom shop build! They will build whatever you want in theory though, but clearly if its a full - on custom build it will cost you custom bass money.

They do feel /respond /sound great out of the box, but several years of regular playing gets you to a very similar point. For me the extra cost isn't worth it, but I get why people like it. Pretty sure you can request the vibro/thermal treatment on a non - reliced bass for an up-charge

Hi Dave, yes they do I believe, its a standard thing. Only the Hardcore aged models get the vibration treatment I think.

@joostone Fantastic job, it looks great! What is the colour? Hard to tell from the pics. Congrats!

Hey folks! Had a bit of a tinker yesterday and made myself a bass mute. Works really well I have to say! Had an offcut of Auralex foam in the shed from an isolation pad I made a few years ago, cut it to size, cut a piece of softwood to size and painted black, glued them together and cut slits in the foam.

Just thought I'd share here my new California TT5 Passive I received last week! Think this is my 8th Sandberg (though the only one I currently own), and it's absolutely prefect for me, I couldn't be happier! 😊

Honestly can't believe how good this bass is, this is my 7th or 8th sandberg now, and the past 10 years has been a voyage of discovery, figuring out what specs make my perfect bass. And I haven't ended up where I thought I would! For me, sandberg basses feel just incredible to play, the neck feel and playability are just unbeatable for me personally. I fitted my favourite strings yesterday (Dunlop Super Brights Nickel 40-120) and it's even better now! Loving playing it, and experimenting with making a bass mute tonight! Happy times, and it's given me a much needed motivation boost during these weird times. 😊

I'll try to fit some of my usual strings in the next couple of days, it'll be just perfect then! Weight comes in at just over 3.8Kg.

After a tortuous 6 months of waiting, I finally received my new Sandberg yesterday! 😊 It's everything I hoped it would be, lightweight, has that incredible sandberg neck feel and effortless playability, and the passive electronics with more traditional style Alnico V pickups are giving me the pure, organic tone I was after. Couldn't be happier! The new Sandberg gigbags are a cast improvement in my opinion too, really nice. Happy chappy. 😊👌

I'm not sure if you really like them or you're taking the mickey! 😂 They are GREAT basses considering they were pretty low-end. I refinished mine a few months ago.

Well my BB435 went off to its new home at the weekend, so my only bass currently is my BBN5.... That is until my new bass arrives later! 😂

Yeah I know they were a lot more, just thinking in terms of comparison to the current japanese-built flagship model.... 🤷‍♂️ But the white 2025 does look cooler! Wish they had done some more inspired colours in the current range, especially the BBP's

Spotted a white 2025 FS today on FB, don't know if it's on here too.... £1500... You can get a new BBP5 for that can't you?

Gorgeous! 😍 Glad you're pleased with it, looks a lovely bass.

Sorry, skimmed over the later posts, see you've ordered the Ultra! It will be a fab bass anyway! 😊👍

Sorry, skimmed over the later posts, see you've ordered the Ultra! It will be a fab bass anyway! 😊👍

Personally I would go for the Sandberg, you're getting a hand built bass for the same price as a factory built fender. I've been using Sandberg for about the last 10 years, and prior to that my mainstay was a fender US jazz for about 14 years (many other basses came and went!). I've had various different model Sandbergs, and what made me really fall in love with them was the neck feel, overall build quality and playability, just incredible. Clearly I'm a huge fan BUT I completely get what you're saying about the tone! They have a great tonal range, but can sound a bit HiFi/Sterile. It's only in the past 6 months or so I've realised that I've been craving that warm, organic tone like you get from a more traditional bass. So, I have a new Sandberg incoming VERY soon.... This time a TT5 passive - the main difference for me is that they have traditional style alnico V pickups, like a fender. I've come to realise that their usual pickups with the large (Delano style) pole pieces are what really create that HiFi tone. The bass is a bass; alder body, maple neck, couldn't be much more standard. But it's the pickups that make that difference. I'm hoping I will get that traditional sound, with the sandberg playability I love. 😊 This video was the final deciding factor for me, sounds great!

The new Ibanez EHB range is lightweight and really ergonomically designed, just depends how you feel about headless basses I guess! I've been lusting after one of the SR Mezzo 5 strings for a while, and see they've had rave reviews on here..... I just don't NEED one really!

You'd struggle to find a bad Yammy tbh. If it feels anything like my 435 you'll love it! I can't imagine it'll feel too different to your 414, apart from obvs being a 5 string, although I think the newer range do have a slightly thinner profile.