Opticaleye Posted December 12, 2014 Posted December 12, 2014 Well, it seemed like more than 6 months since I ordered this but it's finally here thanks to Bass Direct. [url="http://s139.photobucket.com/user/optical_I/media/f6052580-c7a7-4422-89de-d2d451422ae3.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s139.photobucket.com/user/optical_I/media/blueumbo1.jpg.html"][/url] This is my 2nd Umbo and I now have 4 Sandbergs in total ! I immediately removed the Sandberg strings and put an old set of LaBella 760FL flatwounds on. The Umbo (IMO) can be very picky with strings and the original strings seem to make the Umbo sound nasal with the 3 position "varitone" switch in anything but mid cut position. The Labellas sound great and I have put an old set of DR Fatbeams on my other Umbo. Between the two basses I can cover just about any passive tone that I may need. Very much an old school vibe and exactly what I hoped when I spec'd this up. Quote
Pinball Posted December 12, 2014 Posted December 12, 2014 Congratulations! Such nice guitars Umbo's........ Quote
Opticaleye Posted December 12, 2014 Author Posted December 12, 2014 Yes, I have you to thank Pinball for my first Umbo . This one is a little brighter sounding and suits flatwounds perfectly. Quote
Pinball Posted December 12, 2014 Posted December 12, 2014 Cool, I was wondering how they compared. They really nailed it with the Umbo. I would love another someday when I make my millions Quote
jassbass Posted December 22, 2014 Posted December 22, 2014 I like my tt5 california hardcore aged,but I have gas for a mm 5er.dam the gas Quote
redbandit599 Posted December 22, 2014 Posted December 22, 2014 Congrats onthe new Sandberg. Love my California JM5. Sounds like you've tried a fair few strings too.Any that you've tried standout on the Sandbergs for a good punchy, rock tone in particular? I've got D'Addario Nickel Wounds on at the mo, but always interested in opinions. Cheers J Quote
Opticaleye Posted December 22, 2014 Author Posted December 22, 2014 I do change strings a fair bit to get an idea of what suits each bass. I find the D'addario nickels ok but a little thin sounding. DR Lo-Riders are great for the style you are describing (if a little higher in tension). I have DR Fatbeams on my TT4 that has Nordstrand pickups and they are a little looser feeling but good also. Quote
M@23 Posted December 22, 2014 Posted December 22, 2014 Not seen these before, looks really nice though. Quote
njr911 Posted December 23, 2014 Posted December 23, 2014 I really like that. I'd love a Sandberg after seeing that one on the 100 Greatest Bass Riffs video. How much are they ? Quote
Opticaleye Posted December 23, 2014 Author Posted December 23, 2014 That one was around £1350. The Umbo was the same model used in the 100 bass riffs video (the same colour and spec as my other one). They really are the most versatile bass that I have owned and it's not a Jack of all trades/master of none situation as it excels at everything. Quote
Pinball Posted December 23, 2014 Posted December 23, 2014 [quote name='Opticaleye' timestamp='1419339895' post='2638894'] They really are the most versatile bass that I have owned and it's not a Jack of all trades/master of none situation as it excels at everything. [/quote] Can't disagree with than and it has its own unique voice and character Quote
longtimefred Posted December 24, 2014 Posted December 24, 2014 Yummy. Looks well worth the wait. Regards strings ... I found the DR DDT's give a beasty rock sound. Best I heard on my sandberg anyway. Quote
GrammeFriday Posted December 25, 2014 Posted December 25, 2014 Ooo luvverly - congrats! Marley Blue, yes? Fab colour, goes perfect with maple fb and white pg & pup covers. Immaculate taste, sir! Quote
uk_lefty Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 hi i've just dug this up as I'm itching to pull the trigger on a new bass now that I know what pennies are coming my way this month. I'm left handed so getting hold of nice basses to try is difficult but i played a Sandberg California VM recently with ebony fretboard and loved the feel, the neck was perfection and it was just so easy to play... I can't really slap but i managed to on this with ease... Anyhow, I spec'd up an Umbo and had Thomann give me a price, I'm now mulling over my options as buying a VM from Thomann's stock would save me around £400. Are you able to offer a comparison of an UMBO to the VM? Obviously the VM has 2 band active EQ, but I'm intrigued by the passive system in the Umbo... Any insight offered is gratefully received! Thank you Quote
Opticaleye Posted March 13, 2015 Author Posted March 13, 2015 I have an early VM (soft aged) but in a band situation I find the blend of P and MM pickups, in the positions they are in, not useful. I preferred my old TM blend of J and MM. The Umbo's (at least the aged ones I have) are much more vintage and woody sounding and very versatile. The 3 position switch is very useful although I don't use the centre mid cut position. You can get a lot of really good passive tones from clean "Jazz" to dirty "P" The Umbo also has a thinner body to my Sandberg TT. The Umbo uses Alnico II pickups instead of the usual Alnico V's on Fender jazzes and there's a bit more complexity in the mids. I'm not so keen on Delano ceramic pickups personally, and I replaced my VM pickups with Alnico Haussels. Quote
Opticaleye Posted March 13, 2015 Author Posted March 13, 2015 [quote name='Thump' timestamp='1426272763' post='2716520'] That's a gorgeous shade of blue [/quote] [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1426280400' post='2716647'] That is stunning...congratulations! [/quote] Many thanks. I got some funny comments from my band though so it's probably not to everyone's taste . Quote
uk_lefty Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 [quote name='Opticaleye' timestamp='1426270480' post='2716476'] I have an early VM (soft aged) but in a band situation I find the blend of P and MM pickups, in the positions they are in, not useful. I preferred my old TM blend of J and MM. The Umbo's (at least the aged ones I have) are much more vintage and woody sounding and very versatile. The 3 position switch is very useful although I don't use the centre mid cut position. You can get a lot of really good passive tones from clean "Jazz" to dirty "P" The Umbo also has a thinner body to my Sandberg TT. The Umbo uses Alnico II pickups instead of the usual Alnico V's on Fender jazzes and there's a bit more complexity in the mids. I'm not so keen on Delano ceramic pickups personally, and I replaced my VM pickups with Alnico Haussels. [/quote] Thanks for this... considering the amount of money I am potentially parting with and the lack of these there is to try in lefty its very useful info! Quote
Fisheth Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 This isn't helping the GAS I have for one of these... Looks tasty. Thanks for all the info, really helps considering these are a lot and not all of us can try them in person. Quote
Opticaleye Posted March 22, 2015 Author Posted March 22, 2015 I'm hoping to do a Youtube vid showing this bass with rounds and my other Umbo with flats going through a number of different styles. Within a week or two I hope. Quote
Thunderbird Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Had a bit of Sandberg GAS and nearly pulled the trigger on one that is for sale on here but luckily I got to try one out and it weighed about as much as a small planet which put me off but think these are cracking sounding basses Quote
Opticaleye Posted March 22, 2015 Author Posted March 22, 2015 All of my Sandbergs are around or just over 9lbs. Quote
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