TRBboy

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!

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1329512466' post='1543803'] Back in the day Fenders had a piece of neoprene under the bridge cover. The first thing everyone did after buying one was to remove it. I suppose you could use some urethane foam, but my advise is to learn how to mute the strings with your hands. [/quote] Well I do palm mute sometimes if I'm using a pick, or if I want a softer more "old school" sound I palm mute and use my thumb instead of a pick (not very comfortable for long). What I want to achieve is that muted sound, but be able to play fully articulate fingerstyle. I don't have any issue with unwanted strings sounding, and my left hand technique is pretty good IMO. Hope this makes sense!

Just wondered if anyone had any suggestions about suitable material for a string damper by the bridge? Or maybe someone knows where you can buy one from........ I'm guessing the density is fairly important, and also the material. It needs to be able to stand up to the vibration of the strings, but also must be made of something that won't react with the strings in any way and degrade them. Any thoughts?

Exactly as it says above really! I'm kind of resuming my quest for a compressor again, and I have a few considerations, but I don't really know anything about this one (other than the Ovnilabs review). Just to save everyone's time typing: Yes, I'm aware of how useful Ovnilabs is. No, I'm not looking for an argument about compression! Other pedals I'm considering: Rothwell Love Squeeze 3 Leaf Audio PWNZOR EBS Multicomp I'm looking for something simple but good, and not mega expensive. If you've got any opinions or suggestions, please let me know. Thanks for your help!

[attachment=100145:IMG_1762 - Copy.JPG] My baby. I think I've had it about 5 or 6 years, and it's been great, really no complaints at all. Lightweight, sounds great, and easy to use. I really can't see that I'll bother changing it in the forseeable future unless it gets seriously damaged or nicked. I had a full Trace stack for donkeys years before this (AH350SMX, 4X10" and 1X15"), but in the end I got fed up with lugging it about because it weighed an absolute ton! I love the fact that I can walk into a gig or rehearsal with my whole rig in my hands in one trip.

Yeah, fair enough. GuitarGuitar have got several TMs in stock by the look of it, but I don't know whether they're in the Epsom store or not. They've got one identical to the one FS here too.....

Have you seen this? http://basschat.co.uk/topic/167738-fsft-sandberg-jm4-natural-with-blocks-l550-price-drop/ Mmmmmmm............

I've got a Roland bass micro cube which I use for home practice, usually with headphones on, but it also sounds great as it is at pretty low volumes. It's got an aux in, so I plug my mp3/laptop player in to play along with songs I'm learning. It also has built in amp models, effects, tuner, drum loops, etc. Great piece of kit for the money I think. The only annoying thing is that you sometimes seem to get a bit of earth hum or something.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1329302400' post='1540167'] Interesting about the weight as my ash bodied Basic is one of my lightest basses, coupled with brilliant balance makes it my most comfortable bass to wear. All true about the MM p/up, I've always thought about it being a really muscular J. However, I recently did a side by side comparison with my Ray34 and to my ears it's almost there, add a little of the P and it's as near to having a Ray without actually having one, so much so that my Ray34 may shortly be put up for sale. [/quote] +1 When I had a California PM, I thought that the P and MM blended could produce a fairly authentic "sweet spot" humbucker tone.

Another thing that's worth mentioning is weight. Until recently, I think the onnly Sandbergs that I had owned or played were Ash bodies (all of the matt finishes are Ash). Although they're not the heaviest basses I've played, they're no lightweights. I've recently aquired a Basic Ken Taylor 5er in gloss black (all the gloss finishes are Alder), and it's WAY lighter than either of my Ash-bodied Basics. Just worth remembering if you try an Ash one and the weight puts you off. If you see one in the flesh, I would really recommend trying a Ken Taylor. I guess you won't like the look of them if you're into Fender-a-likes, but the necks on the Basic range are just incredible, and the Ken Taylor is so versatile. 2 x MM 'buckers, active/passive, 3-band eq, coil split switch. Don't get me wrong, the necks on the California's are far from chunky. Just be prepared that if you do try some Sandbergs out, it might put you off Fenders completely! That's what happened with me.......

It's worth trying a TM with the MM humbucker at the bridge. It won't sound like a Stingray because of the positioning, but it will make complete sense when you try it! It sounds like a J bridge pickup, but just a bit more gutsy and muscular. There is a mini toggle to split it to single coil too if you want. Risingson is dead right, it's a two band eq, with push/pull active/passive volume control, and the treble pot acts as passive tone control.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1329206017' post='1538605'] But the infinity has 26 frets, not 36 un-frets like his Zon Hyper bass! Er.... And a capo's a bit cheaper than 4 hipshots! [/quote] Doesn't matter about the number of frets though does it? Especially if you're only talking about going down 1 tone.... Yeah, Hipshots would be an expensive option! I think I would just try playing in the D-standard tuning like mart suggested.

[quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1329223836' post='1538989'] As a matter of interest, has anyone come across a Sandberg Bullet model in stock anywhere? [/quote] I've seen them in PMT Brum before. Is there a PMT branch in Nottingham?

[quote name='yorick' timestamp='1329214047' post='1538741'] PMT stock quite a few, but stock varies from branch to branch. Bass Direct in Warwick stocks them as well. [/quote] I think Bass Direct haven't stocked any Sandbergs for quite a while. PMT do usually have quite a good selection, and they're happy to move models between branches if there's something specific you want to try, although I think they ask for a refundable deposit to make sure that you actually show up to try. You're welcome to try mine if you're ever in Hereford!

I think it sounds like a great idea! Might give it a go myself......... Of course, you could buy 4 Hipshot detuners and do a Michael Manring!

Sandberg California VM4 (was PM4). Awesome basses. Bargain on the S/H market. Nuff said.

IMO the overall build quality and feel is much better with a Sandberg. I owned a USA Jazz for 13 years and it was my go-to bass despite others coming and going. I bought a Sandberg Basic on a whim last year, and was blown away! It made my trusty old Jazz feel like an awkward piece of crap, and I have since sold it and my other main basses and replaced them with Sandbergs. Although all mine are Basics, but I did own a California VM for a while and have played TMs too. They do sound a bit more modern, but you have a great (Glockenklang) eq, true passive bypass, coil split (on the TM), and I think passive tone control. I think they sound very natural and transparent, but with plenty of balls and output. They are hand crafted, and I think it really shows in the neck; they feel awesome, SOOO easy to play, and readily take a very good setup. It's easy to achieve a very low action if that's what you like. They are such good value on the used market too! Don't know why they don't hold their value better, but it's great for the used buyer!

[quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1328644961' post='1530655'] [url="http://www.cduniverse.com/sresult.asp?HT_Search=xartist&HT_Search_Info=Keith+Taylor"]http://www.cdunivers...fo=Keith+Taylor[/url] [/quote] Thanks for that! I'm not sure if they're all him though, because I think there's an acoustic guitarist called Keith Taylor too......

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I was just listening to "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" album, and the bass playing is just incredible! I looked in the sleeve, and the player is a guy called Keith Taylor. Can't really find out much about him on the net, but I'd like to know more as his playing is awesome. I'd like to find some other projects he's been involved with. Anyone know anything?