StevieC Posted August 12, 2008 Posted August 12, 2008 Hi all, Following a promotion at work, I thought I'd treat myself to a second bass - so I'm now the proud owner of a new Sandberg California MM 5 string. It's got a bubinga top and looks and sounds amazing! The range of sounds is impressive what with the 3-band EQ and all, and it will compliment my MM jazz very nicely. It's also a doddle to play, well set up with a low action and fast neck. I went looking today and tried a couple of Sandbergs, a Stingray 3-band/piezo, and a Spector Re-bop DLX. Both the 'Ray and the Spector also sounded fantastic (particularly the Spector), in fact better than my Sandberg, but it's the whole package innit? So, I'm in a very good mood.... There's still a couple of pictures of my bass on the Guitar Guitar web site (I go some more discount plus a few other bits so ignore the price) Steve Quote
OutToPlayJazz Posted August 12, 2008 Posted August 12, 2008 Congrats, StevieC! Are you going to put some pics up? Quote
7string Posted August 12, 2008 Posted August 12, 2008 Always good to reward yourself for a job well done. Congrats on the new addition We have a Guitar Guitar store in Glasgow and a darn fine shop it is too. Great stock and great staff as well.... Quote
StevieC Posted August 13, 2008 Author Posted August 13, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='261279' date='Aug 12 2008, 11:57 PM']Congrats, StevieC! Are you going to put some pics up?[/quote] Aye, I'll sort some pics out later today. Should I be posting them in the Guitar porn section or here?? I used to a play 5 string Corvette, and after playing 4 string for the last three years, it'll be interesting having an extended range once more! Quote
Doc B Posted August 13, 2008 Posted August 13, 2008 Guitar Guitar in Glasgow is a great shop - I've bought a few things from them. Quote
StevieC Posted August 19, 2008 Author Posted August 19, 2008 Hi all, Here's those pictures I promised - As you should be able to see, the G string doesn't line up accurately with the pole pieces on the bridge pick up. I've tried adjusting the lateral movement on the bridge, it's still not right. Surely this can't be causing by dodgy PU routing? Also, the zero fret up by the huge plastic nut is grooved to accept the G string - is this normal, as I've never had this before? [attachment=12435:Sandberg_Bass_005.jpg][attachment=12431:Sandberg_Bass_001.jpg] [attachment=12432:Sandberg_Bass_002.jpg] [attachment=12433:Sandberg_Bass_003.jpg] [attachment=12434:Sandberg_Bass_004.jpg] All in all, I'm delighted with my new bass, but what do you think about the think about the stuff I've spotted? [u]Steve[/u] Quote
budget bassist Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Nice looking bass! And as for the things you spotted, as long as it sounds and plays fine then what's the problem? Quote
StevieC Posted August 19, 2008 Author Posted August 19, 2008 (edited) [quote name='budget bassist' post='265721' date='Aug 19 2008, 05:37 PM']Nice looking bass! And as for the things you spotted, as long as it sounds and plays fine then what's the problem?[/quote] Aye, you're right! You know what it's like when you buy a new bass! Just (this minute) fitted some straplocks so it doesn't come a cropper... Actually, I had to laugh the other day when I realised it looks a LOT like an old WAL I used to drool over. Must be some subconcious thing, as I didn't give it a thought when I was buying it. Edited August 19, 2008 by StevieC Quote
L-mac Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 gorgeous bass mate. enjoy! I had a couple of little quality niggles with my JM4 when it arrived earlier this year. Contacted Sandberg via their website - great response. They sorted the problems out, had the bass back with me inside 72 hours, and picked up the courier charges. cant say fairer than that. Quote
StevieC Posted August 20, 2008 Author Posted August 20, 2008 [quote name='L-mac' post='265897' date='Aug 19 2008, 09:09 PM']gorgeous bass mate. enjoy! I had a couple of little quality niggles with my JM4 when it arrived earlier this year. Contacted Sandberg via their website - great response. They sorted the problems out, had the bass back with me inside 72 hours, and picked up the courier charges. cant say fairer than that.[/quote] Hi L-mac, were your problems similar to mine? It's nice to know Sandberg are helpful. Steve Quote
L-mac Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 [quote name='StevieC' post='266182' date='Aug 20 2008, 11:36 AM']Hi L-mac, were your problems similar to mine? It's nice to know Sandberg are helpful. Steve[/quote] couple of the frets were a bit rough, staining on the fretboard was patchy, nut wasnt quite right. nothing too major, but when you spend £1k+ on a bass I think its fair to expect it to be pretty damn perfect. Quote
warwickhunt Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 re. the G-string run out. I don't think its a dodgy route more likely the pups are mass produced units, branded/stamped for Sandberg and they would thus have not taken account of specific spacing of strings running in toward the nut on different models. Likely as not front and back pup are exactly the same unit and it would be too much trouble to make one with slightly different spacing for neck position. You'd be amazed how many manufacturers that produce exposed polepieces don't bother accommodating this... stand up and take a bow Fender If it sounds OK (and they normally do) as is, I wouldn't worry. Nice bass btw and congrats on the promotion Quote
Wooks Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 Many Congratulations on the promotion and big hand for the new addition, that's a sweet looking bass there!! Quote
StevieC Posted August 21, 2008 Author Posted August 21, 2008 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='266373' date='Aug 20 2008, 03:42 PM']re. the G-string run out. I don't think its a dodgy route more likely the pups are mass produced units, branded/stamped for Sandberg and they would thus have not taken account of specific spacing of strings running in toward the nut on different models. Likely as not front and back pup are exactly the same unit and it would be too much trouble to make one with slightly different spacing for neck position. You'd be amazed how many manufacturers that produce exposed polepieces don't bother accommodating this... stand up and take a bow Fender If it sounds OK (and they normally do) as is, I wouldn't worry. Nice bass btw and congrats on the promotion [/quote] Cheers, Warwickhunt. I hadn't thought about the angle of the strings. As it happens, one of things I'm really impressed with on the Sandberg is the even-ness of the volume and tone accross the fretboard. I suppose that comes from a decent overall set up. It's better than my Jass, where I tend to get excessive bass from the A and E strings (not always a bad thing I know!) I think the Jazz might benefit from some adjustments.... BTW - Is it you who hates exposed pole pieces? I read that from someone on here recently LOL Steve Quote
StevieC Posted August 21, 2008 Author Posted August 21, 2008 [quote name='Wooks' post='266462' date='Aug 20 2008, 05:05 PM']Many Congratulations on the promotion and big hand for the new addition, that's a sweet looking bass there!![/quote] Thanks, Wooks - I love it! Steve Quote
warwickhunt Posted August 21, 2008 Posted August 21, 2008 [quote name='StevieC' post='266782' date='Aug 21 2008, 07:24 AM']Cheers, Warwickhunt. I hadn't thought about the angle of the strings. As it happens, one of things I'm really impressed with on the Sandberg is the even-ness of the volume and tone accross the fretboard. I suppose that comes from a decent overall set up. It's better than my Jass, where I tend to get excessive bass from the A and E strings (not always a bad thing I know!) I think the Jazz might benefit from some adjustments.... BTW - [b]Is it you who hates exposed pole pieces[/b]? I read that from someone on here recently LOL Steve[/quote] I don't think I've ever expressed open 'hatred' for exposed pole pieces However, saying that I don't particularly like them! The 2 Sterlings and numerous Jazzes etc (though some with particularly sharp edges are worse than others) that I have owned had ExPP and I found that my playing style meant that my fingers were striking the polepieces when I started to really play hard. Part of that is my preference to have the pups as close up to the strings as is possible! Quote
wateroftyne Posted August 21, 2008 Posted August 21, 2008 The Sandbergs look very nice. I'm quite tempted to order a Fretless California PM... Quote
warwickhunt Posted August 21, 2008 Posted August 21, 2008 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='266814' date='Aug 21 2008, 08:50 AM']The Sandbergs look very nice. I'm quite tempted to order a Fretless California PM...[/quote] Hmmm... P pup at the neck Twin J at the bridge... would that be a fretless in sunburst... aged/relic'd maybe! Sounds like an 'new' old version of a bass that is sadly missed Quote
StevieC Posted August 21, 2008 Author Posted August 21, 2008 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='266871' date='Aug 21 2008, 10:09 AM']Hmmm... P pup at the neck Twin J at the bridge... would that be a fretless in sunburst... aged/relic'd maybe! Sounds like an 'new' old version of a bass that is sadly missed [/quote] What have I started? Quote
wateroftyne Posted August 21, 2008 Posted August 21, 2008 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='266871' date='Aug 21 2008, 10:09 AM']Hmmm... P pup at the neck Twin J at the bridge... would that be a fretless in sunburst... aged/relic'd maybe! Sounds like an 'new' old version of a bass that is sadly missed [/quote] Ahh... WRONG! One thing I ain't is predictable. Oh.. hang on. You're 100% correct. Quote
Bullet-Rule Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 Congratulations on your promotion and lovely new bass! Quote
StevieC Posted August 29, 2008 Author Posted August 29, 2008 [quote name='Bullet-Rule' post='272177' date='Aug 29 2008, 12:25 AM']Congratulations on your promotion and lovely new bass![/quote] Cheers Bullet-Rule. This happens to be my last day in the old job (Boo-Hoo) The happy-go-lucky days are gone and the pressure starts on Monday... You may have noticed from the OP that I almost bought a Spector Re-bop 4 Ultra-amber. It sounded fantastic, although the shop did have me trying it through an Ampeg rig! I didn't have GAS until I started on Basschat...LOL Thanks again, Steve Quote
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