TRBboy

[quote name='ashevans09' timestamp='1334615017' post='1618748'] Sounds perfect! Quick question though, what's the differenc between a PM and a VM? [/quote] Ah yes, it can be confusing! They are the same thing; p became v and j became t last year, to reduce the risk of Fender taking issue with them. VM is a Precision and MM pickup, TM is a Jazz and MM pickup, TT is two jazz pickups, etc, etc. When you get a Sandberg in your hands, you'll know why some of us love them so much! They're fairly simple basses, but they're so well made, and just feel and sound awesome.

Hmmmm...... I can see the way this is going! It kind of reminds me why I sold my first 5, a Warwick Thumb. I realised in the end that the B string was probably getting in the way more than it was being useful, and shifted it. Perhaps I'm enjoying this 5er more because it's fairly new to me, and it suits me better than any other 5 I've had.... Maybe I should go for a custom spec 4 then, and keep this 5er. I don't use it that much with my rock covers band, but it comes in handy for the gigs I have with the local soul choir. You need that B string for Gospel, right?

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1334610257' post='1618624'] Yes agreed In that case I can consider myself lucky cause if mine wears out like that it's natural ash with no colour stain to get rubbed off. [IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r200/xt660/d3ca6e77.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] Yeah, I think that's the issue really, the colour starts to wear off.

So basically, if you guys could only have two basses, you would have a four and a five?

I should add that the Basics are very versatile for a single pickup bass, and the neck is the nicest in the whole Sandberg range IMHO (although I haven't tried a couple of models!).

[quote name='ashevans09' timestamp='1334609481' post='1618605'] If it's a p bass body with a P/MM PU combo colour me interested! . ANd session music is ridiculously cheap. Wondering how fast their turnover is... the VM-5 they have in stock is cheap but (however vain this sounds) isn't the right colour/fingerboard wood for me. Might hold off and watch their website. That said, PMT have always done me really good deals on Meinl so hopefully that extends to all German brands . Looking for a maple necked, preferably white or natural VM-5. The one in this video is just gorgeous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRHKMHbnhpA&feature=player_embedded I've heard really great things about them, I hear they're just huge sounding? How do they cut? Anyone know the string spacing on a 5er? Cheers Ash [/quote] Mine's the Basic, which is the one with a single humbucker. I had a PM 4 string last year and the pickup combo works great, although in the end the neck just wasn't as good for me as a Basic. The neck is slimmer than a Fender P, but maybe a little fuller than a jazz. The MM bridge pickup basically works like a Jazz bridge pickup on steroids. Better output and fullness (more balanced with the neck pup), but still a nice burpy bridge sound. When you blend with the P, it sounds more like a Stingray, and obviously the p sounds like ...... well, a precision! The two band glock is great, and the fact you've got the passive tone control makes it a versatile beast with a monster sound. All Sandbergs are just awesome!

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1334608999' post='1618590'] Nice bass indeed but... what's with the pickguard, meaning it's hardly functional, is it, what's the point of it? [/quote] My guess would be to avoid damage from "popping". These sort of finishes start to deteriorate quite quickly from wear like that.

Just wondered if anyone else has been through this, or has an opinion. I've pretty much always had a mix of 4 and 5 string basses. When I was in my teens, I never got the most out of 5 strings, because I only had one to play "nu-metal". However, in the last year or two I've really got into using a 5 string properly, and making the most of the extra positions, lower register, and general feeling of freedom on the fretboard. I do still kind of feel more at home on a 4 though, I guess partly because of the narrower fretboard and partly because I've mainly played 4's throughout my playing years so far. I've come to realise that I don't NEED 3 main basses (two of which are identical except colour) and if I sold two of them, I could afford to buy a brand new Sandberg built to my spec. I quite fancy a five string, but I want this to be my main bass, so I would probably want to only play 5's so that I get used to it. I guess the question is; should I sell both of my 4's and just have two 5's, or do I sell one 4 and my current 5, leaving me with a 4 and a 5? I think I'm leaning more toward having two 5's (my current one could be for "rougher" gigs, etc). As I said before, just wondered if anyone else has had a similar dilemma? Did you make the move to play only 5's and if so, how did you get on? Apologies for the lengthy and complicated post!

[quote name='JayPH' timestamp='1334592912' post='1618172'] Ok will do. How do you contact Sandberg? If I had the dosh I think I'd go for a J in either blackburst or redburst with block inlays. Or the green and blue haha they look so nice. Hope they play as good as they look. [/quote] You can't buy from them directly. You can buy through PMT or GuitarGuitar in the UK and they can order whatever you want. It's far cheaper from Germany at the moment though, through Thomann or Session Music. Are you sure I can't interest you in a Greenburst Basic 4? Much nicer neck than a California, and it'll cost you less than buying a new one!

That's lurvely! It just screams "quality"

Bass Direct haven't sold them for a while, and I think a fellow BCer purchased that sunburst PM at the weekend....... PMT have the best stocks in the UK, although GuitarGuitar have a few too. It's far cheaper to buy from Germany at the moment, I think Session Music are about the cheapest. It's worth seeing if there's any BCers near you that have them, I'm sure you could have a try. They really are superb basses, I cannot praise them highly enough! They are good value new for such a quality, handbuilt bass, and they're just silly value for money used. Since I bought my first one last year, I've sold everything else and bought more, because nothing else hits the spot for me now! I'm going to sell two of mine to help fund a custom Sandberg build, so let me know if you're interested.....

[quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1334576185' post='1617789'] Hahaha!! My thoughts precisely! Dan [/quote] Doesn't get any better IMHO, especially for the money they go for S/H.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1334573538' post='1617714'] Nice basses, and generally better fit and finish than most Fenders. Their pre-amps are better than the Fender ones, too. That said, there are some equally nice instruments out there on the s/h market that are potential Stingray-eaters; Ibanez ATK Status Groove Warwick FNA (corvette) Warwick Streamer Jazzman Warwick Fortress Masterman Modulus Graphite Flea sig (and others!) Plus the in-house competition from Sterling Sterling by Musicman (s/h) SUBs Even some hot-rodded OLPs Not to mention the Bongo! There's nearly as many (good) 'Ray emulators as there are super jazzes and jazz clones. [/quote] Sandberg Basics too!

I've used 1200 grit W&D (any very fine paper would do) before with great effect. Obviously you don't want to take anything off, just slightly abrade the surface to give a sort of satin feel.

Dimarzio Model P's rule!

Have you got a problem with the MEC, or do you just not like it? I put an OBP-2SK in my old BB414 and it worked a treat, although I still didn't like the pickups. The OBP preamps are nice and easy to install. Glockenklang are always worth consideration IMHO. Great quality and pretty cheap from Thomann.

Awesome stuff Ou7shined! I agree with what you're saying about the position of the'bucker. Right near the bridge it won't give "that" stingray sound, but it does work if you kind of think of it more like a p/j setup. The 'bucker gives more output than a j would (much fuller, doesn't sound as thin) but you still get a lovely, burpy, bridge tone when soloed. I found with the Sandberg I had with this config, that you could actually get pretty close to a Stingray tone with the 'bucker and p blended.

Second hand is definitely the way to go, especially in the current climate. It's only really worth going new if you want something special which you won't find second hand.

Will just purchased a strap from me. Great communication, swift payment; another top BCer!

Sandberg? I play my Basic Ken Taylor 5 with the local soul choir and it kills! Huge sound pallette and versatility (and feels great too!). Quite reasonable price anyway, bit seem to be quite cheap from some of the German sites at the moment. http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/basscat-overview/basic-series-top The Ken Taylor's at the bottom. If you click "gallery" just above the pic, you'll see loads of other finishes (although there must be hundreds of possible options!)

Can't think of much that uses up your whole budget new, but an Ibanez SR300 would be a good shout. I guess some of the Squier VM or CV sort of stuff might be around the right price too?

Mainly the feel, sound, build quality, simplicity, looks (not really a fan of Fender-a-likes). The feel of the necks on these Sandberg Basics is just unbelievable. I've played and owned LOTS of basses over the years (no oexpensive boutique ones though!) and nothing has ever felt like these. I am all about slim, comfortable necks, and my go-to for 14 years was a jazz, but I've also had Ibanezes, Warwicks, Yamahas. When I got my first Basic last year, it was just a complete revelation, the neck is so slender and easy, it just plays itself! The neck profile is very shallow, and sort of flattens out down the centre line as you get further up, and I think the zero fret and fairly flat fretboard radius help too. Unfortunately, it made my jazz feel like the neck was huge and cumbersome, so it wasn't long before I sold it. Obviously they're German and handbuilt so the construction is rock solid, the sound is awesome (love the Glock pre!), and I don't think I've ever owned a bass that cuts through so well in a rock band without being too dominating. The sound is very punchy and gutsy, but with bags of definition and clarity too. I am considering selling my Sandbergs at the moment though....... to fund one built to my spec! If I'm gonna have just one awesome bass though, I need to decide whether I'm a 4 or 5 string player........... Anyway, that's a whole other thread!

Ade just purchased a set of Elites from me. Swift payment, great communication, another good BCer!