TRBboy

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1329928127' post='1549917'] I'm secretly in love with the idea of a California PM-5 in tobacco burst with maple board and black pickguard. Good thing that i haven't seen one yet!!! I would still keep my TRB in my possession though! Cheers [/quote] That would be a nice combo........ I guess you're fairly unlikely to see one exactly like that come up on the used market, which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it!

[quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' timestamp='1329927128' post='1549898'] Got my Sandberg off a gent on this forum. [/quote] VERY, VERY NICE! I don't normally do posh wood, but that is lovely! Is that the one that used to belong to Wombatboter? Let me know if you ever want to move it on............

[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1329908542' post='1549346'] I'll join the love in - traded a Stingray for a redburst California JM4 on here a few years ago, its a stunning instrument. Plays like an absolutely dream and is just so versatile, I've never had to fight to get a good tone from it in any situation. I've heard people say they are more modern sounding and can't nail 'vintage' tones, but with flats and the neck pickup I get beautiful Motown thump forom it. Rounds and both pickups I can get a great growling Jazz/Stingray hybrid tone for rock stuff. It's my swiss army knife bass! I'd have another one in a heartbeat, every time a PM pops up for sale here I get severe GAS pains. [/quote] Good work! Where's the pics then? I agree about versatility. I guess I prefer a more modern sound most of the time, but I've always felt that it's easier to get a modern sounding bass to sound more "vintage" (roll off the treble, palm mute, etc,etc) than to make a vintage bass sound modern!

[quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1329865944' post='1548972'] Its in blackburst. I can't remember the exact price - but from memory it was £950ish. Please buy it, as I'm very tempted but can't justify another bass They've also got an absolutely stunning California JM in Lake Placid Blue. [/quote] Nice! That's a new then, but not a bad price. PMT were advertising Basics at about £1095 I think last time I was there in November. Too rich for me I'm afraid, I can only afford second hand.... although it is tempting to sell two of mine to buy one new one built to my spec! BUY IT!

[quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1329864619' post='1548935'] There's a lovely Basic PM at Fuzz Music in Nottingham at the moment. I had a play on it last week, and it's one of the nicest basses I've played in a long time. [/quote] Dare I ask...... ........what colour? How much?

[quote name='GregHughes' timestamp='1329863035' post='1548899'] I've been gassing after a TT (used to be JJ) 4 string for while and might have to pick one up new as I don't think I can't wait until a 2nd hand one comes along as they seem pretty rare, mostly JM4's on here which isn't the tone I'm after. Can't decide whether to go for aged though. They look great but it does seem a little odd to actually pay extra to have it scratched up. From what I can see aged seemed to be pretty popular for resell, not that I'm thinking about that now but you never know. Was thinking light blue, red or possibly even pink, hardcore aged. Any thoughts? [/quote] Yes. Do it! I think both the blue and pink look great, but if it was me, I think I'd go for the pink with a maple board Have you tried a TM? because the MM is so far back, it does just sound like a more muscular J pup, and it does have a coil split switch. I would love to be in a position to buy a brand new Sandberg in exactly the colour I want......

[quote name='Al Heeley' timestamp='1329825449' post='1547877'] Not wishing to hijack this thread, but what is the best compressor for under £50? [/quote] I know Ovnilabs gets brought up again and again, but I think this page is really useful: http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/toppicks.shtml I guess the prices here are a little different to the US, but I've spent quite a lot of time looking at his reviews, and it looks like the Carl Martin Classic Opto would take some beating if buying new (I think you can get it for about £75 - £80). Despite its popularity, the EBS doesn't feature in the Top Picks, and in fact his review suggests that they're not particularly reliable........ I've been looking out for a DOD MilkBox because they look like pretty good value.

[quote name='Paul_C' timestamp='1329857359' post='1548705'] I messed about with a whole load of different density foam a couple of years ago, and the sound I liked the best was . . . . . . some rolled up kitchen towel. [/quote] Awesome, I'll have a try! It's certainly a cheap, easy solution!

[quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1329780768' post='1547424'] TRBoy, where are you based? If you're ever in the north east you are more than welcome to have a blast and a cuppa. It kind of is and isn't my main bass, I use it in the country/rock/blues band Im in and the stringray for the club band. I may be convinced to swap scratch plates with you if you'd like. Dan [/quote] Thanks for the kind offer Dan, but I'm in Hereford so quite a long way away! If I'm ever in your area I'll give you a shout. I made the clear pickguard, and it's not quite perfect up close, and the original one was black and a bit worn.

Great basses! The only other suggestion I would have is to look out for a used Yamaha TRB1005 or Lakland Skyline 55-01.

[quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1329773674' post='1547229'] I have been looking at the Sandberg P-Basses with some interest , the stock available in the UK is quite limited , but there are some very tasty looking basses on some of the European / German websites with free shipping to the UK . My only concern with these basses is every reveiw I have read comments on the weight of P and J based models . Buying from Europe is a bit of a gamble as the specs published by most internet shops are basic at best ( no weight or nut width ) so you may be buying a boat anchor when pushing the buy it now button . Any one have any experiance with the P or J Sandbergs ?? [/quote] Yes, I had a California PM (the p type one), and yes it was quite heavy. Since getting my Ken Taylor, I've realised that potentially the gloss finish (alder bodied) ones seem to be lighter than the matt finish (ash bodied) ones. BCer longtimefred is a Sandberg endorser and has an Ash bodied California PM, and might be happy to give you a nut width and weight if you PM him. Mikeh (see above) has a California JM (j type) and might be willing to do the same. You really need to try one out if you can. The PMT group have the biggest stocks in the UK and they will move them between branches if you want to try a specific model. Guitarguitar also have some now, but not many I think. They are exceptionally good value on the used market, but you can't be too picky about colours, etc., as there's not a huge number floating about. Thomann seems to be considerably cheaper than anywhere else at the moment if you're buying new. I strongly recommend you try one as they are superb basses! Hope this helps.

Well done for getting more pics up guys! I guess this should be a porn thread really..... Mikeh, loving the natural/black Cali JM, and I wholeheartedly second your opinion about Fenders! Like I said, my US Jazz had been my old faithful for a very long time, until I got my first Sandberg, after which the Fender just felt like hard work and not very pleasing (even though it was a great bass). Dan, I would LOVE a go on a fretless basic, I bet they're awesome! Is that your main bass or not? Hmmm, a white pearloid scratchplate might look nice on my greenburst.........

[quote name='Jerry_B' timestamp='1329760327' post='1546910'] It depends on whether your natural playing style is to play in the middle of a fret when playing a fretted bass. If you do that with a lined fretless, you may have problems. [/quote] To me, this is exactly why lines make it easier. Playing a fretted bass, you can get away without perfect fingering without affecting the pitch. The lines on a lined fretless tell you exactly where to put your finger for correct intonation; you just have to get used to pitting your finger ON the line instead of behind it. I found, when I first picked up a fretless, that a root/octave stretch felt a bit further because you have to be right on the note. I really don't think that having a lined fretless has any detrimental effect on your technique. As I said before, you don't HAVE to look at the fretboard, and once you get used to a fretless you almost certainly won't very often, but it just might help you out to start with and help develop a more accurate muscle memory.

I don't really see the problem with lines, it can help you get to grips with a fretless if you're not used to it, and when you get to the stage where you don't need to look at the fretboard it's irrelevant whether you've got lines or not. As for the whole asthetics thing........ maybe I'm not image conscious enough! FWIW I've had both, and as a pretty inexperienced fretless player, I found that I did have more confidence playing the lined one. It's not like I was looking at it all the time, but if I ever doubted my intonation I could have a quick look (depends what the gig is, but it's sometimes hard to tell if it's you or someone else out of tune!) The lined one I had was a Yamaha BB614 fretless, and I was amazed by how good it was! I put some black nylon tapewounds on it and it sounded great.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1329743493' post='1546556'] This thread needs more photos! [/quote] Yes definitely! And where's Longtimefred?

Glad to see there's quite a few other Sandberg lovers on here! Did you guys have the same sort of epiphany when you first tried one; did you think "oh hell yeah, this is for me!" I really find that these basses inspire me to play better, because they just feel so "right" in my hands and easy to play.

I can highly recommend the Glockenklang systems. You could have a vol, blend, treb, bass setup. The vol ppt is push/pull true passive bypass, and in passive mode the treble pot acts as a passive tone control. Don't know what you would do with the mini toggle hole....... wire in an LED? Install a dummy switch?

[quote name='JustaBass' timestamp='1329675373' post='1545706'] Which of the 3 is your favourite and why? [/quote] I guess I probably like the natural one best. It's my favourite colour out of the three, and it's in mint condition. Sound and playability wise, there's not much to choose. Obviously the Ken Taylor is a bit more versatile, I'm still getting to grips with it because I haven't had it long, but it does growl! The greenburst one is the most "played-in" out of the three, which kind of makes it feel nice. There's really not much to choose between them really!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1329670886' post='1545609'] A change of username to BERGboy seems appropriate My Basic PM4 [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/PB090001.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] Yeah, I was thinking that too! I'd love a Basic PM, but you don't seem to see them about. I had a California PM for a while, and I loved the pickup combo but it just didn't feel as nice as the Basic (and it seemed to weigh a fair bit more). If you ever fancy trading for a Basic let me know.......

Well, as some of you already know, in the last 12 months I've finally discovered the bass that works perfectly for me; the Sandberg Basic. Since I bought my first one last March, I've changed my three main basses for Sandbergs, including getting rid of my old faithful US Jazz which had been my go-to bass since I bought it 14 years ago. I'm so happy with my basses at the moment, and have zero GAS (for basses anyway....). I find that the neck is absolutely perfect for my hands, VERY slim with a lovely profile that flattens out down the centreline slightly. They sound great too, although it took me a little while to get used to. They're much brighter, responsive and harmonically rich than any other basses I've owned, and the Glockenklang preamps are great. they allow you to dial in enough variations to be useful, but are very natural and transparent. These basses take such a good setup; it's very easy to achieve a low action without any compromises, and they are absolutely effortless to play IMO. They're not necessarily the colours I would have chosen if I could afford to buy new, but the used Sandberg buyer can't afford to be too picky! Obviously describing sound is subjective and difficult to do. but I would describe the two Basic 4s as being kind of like a cross between a Stingray (obviously), a Warwick Thumb, and a super jazz blended more towards the bridge pickup. They are punchy, growly and articulate. You can dial in great tones for most styles, particularly IMO a nice burpy funky fingerstyle sound, and a great slap tone, although it also does a good rock pick sound.The pickup is slightly further forward than on a 'Ray. The Basic Ken Taylor is obviously much more sonically versatile, with the two pickups and the option to split them to single coil. It is also slightly warmer sounding, I think due to the fact it's Alder bodied, unlike the other two which are Ash. The Glock also has a push/pull volume pot for true passive bypass, and with the EQ centred there is zero volume or tone difference when you switch between active and passive. Anyway, here's some pics. The bottom one is an attempt to show how slim the neck is, although I don't know how well it comes across. Also I made the clear pickguard for the greenburst one recently to show off the colour. [attachment=100360:IMG_1787.JPG] [attachment=100367:IMG_1792.JPG] [attachment=100361:IMG_1788 - Copy.JPG] [attachment=100362:IMG_1789 - Copy.JPG] [attachment=100363:IMG_1790 - Copy.JPG] [attachment=100368:IMG_1793 - Copy.JPG]

[quote name='1976fenderhead' timestamp='1329565667' post='1544282'] I've just bought the MXR Bass Compressor and I'm very happy with it. [/quote] Thanks, it looks like it's got great features for a pedal comp.

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1329512293' post='1543801'] I've used a bit of old cot mattress and it's doin great so far... got plenty left if you want some? [/quote] I would never have thought of that! Thanks for the offer, I'll give you a shout if I need some!