GreeneKing Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 (edited) There have been times when I've taken a firm stance on some topics. Included in those would be the merits of relic'd instruments and the narrow mindedness of those who eschew everything that doesn't have an 'F' on the headstock and a single pickup in the 'traditional' position. I do however love that unique P bass tone, in all it's varieties and think that Leo got it right at that time when others failed. I just that for me it's not the only tone, it's not extremely versatile and there are times when it struggles 'in the mix' (my opinion, I know that many would disagree). My ACG Holly Salace headless has a P pickup under the hood (and an MM). I have many great basses with a huge range of wonderful tones but none of them quite had that P bass tone. Becoming bandless left me wanting a simple P for playing in my mini practice room at home. I ended up looking at a new 'soft aged' Sandberg California II VS5 in BassDirect. Given that the bass is new and hasn't been abused AND given the the relic'ing was mild I went ahead with acquiring it. It's funny. I love it. I love it to bits even. It's got a worn finish and the bridge and tuners look 'steam punked'. There are several chips and painted over scuffs and scratches. The fit and quality of components is very high indeed. There is no fret wear. It plays and sounds absolutely lovely (it's also the lightest bass I own) and I'm left feeling slightly fraudulent Sometimes life doesn't follow the path you expected it to. Maybe that's what makes it such fun? I thought I'd share Sandberg's work: Edited March 24, 2017 by GreeneKing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Lovely. I saw that on the BD site. Was quite tempted myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 They've got it made and branded, if you know what I mean ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Looks just right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Lovely indeed. I have a VS4 on order atm but in Dakota Red with matching headstock. Shouldn't be too long now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDaveTheBass Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Nice! I'd never heard the term "soft aged" before, but it describes all of my basses perfectly - looked after, but well used. I like basses that've been 'pre-dinged', as it takes away some of the angst as you watch your singer (in slow motion) knock your prize instrument off its stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Nice, I had a VM5 for a while, that was hardcore aged but certainly was one of the most well made Basses I've ever had my grubby mitts on.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire5 Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Thats a neat touch,having the 'controls' section of the scratchplate separate from the rest of it.Saves taking the whole s/plate off just to get at the electrics.I likes that! Nice bass,by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Great OP. Thinking about a p myself. "Definitely" want an F on the headstock and hate relics... but I wouldn't rule out a Sandberg like that or something similar. I'd have to draw the line at 5 string, though... strictly 4 strings here. Lovely bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geddys nose Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Great looking bass, I picked up a VS4 Electra series about 3 months ago for £250 and was blown away with the quality,Easily on a par with any bass I've ever played to my surprise. I'm now after a German VS4 to see the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Sandberg basses are great I would like one but most of the ones that I tried seemed really on the heavy side of things you say that this is a light bass compared to your others so that is a good sign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 An update. Still loving my P and yes it is light. I'll weigh it. It's my go to bass atm and I have 6 hanging in my den. I'm not sure what strings Sandberg put on their basses but playability is very good and I'm loving the P tone. Nice neck too, quite shallow. The Delano doesn't seem too bright either, a criticism I've heard. The 2EQ works well but I'm as inclined to use it passive with the treble knob doubling as a passive tone. There's only a slight volume drop going into passive. Next week I'll maybe switch to another of my collection but we'll see. I did play the same song on each bass out of interest the other day. The best in terms of playability and tone was my ACG Uber Finn and I'm not just saying that because Alan is a friend. Sometimes a slightly battered (new) P bass hits the spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted April 4, 2017 Author Share Posted April 4, 2017 I just checked. 7.6 Lbs. See I told you, a light Sandberg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 (edited) [quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1491312875' post='3272033'] I just checked. 7.6 Lbs. See I told you, a light Sandberg [/quote]lovely weight time to save up lol Edited April 4, 2017 by Thunderbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Nice bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 [quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1491174329' post='3271052'] I'm not sure what strings Sandberg put on their basses but playability is very good and I'm loving the P tone. Nice neck too, quite shallow. [/quote] I like the ones that came on my VM5 too, when I asked Mark Stickley he reckoned that they are GHS Boomers. I did note at the time that you can also buy branded strings on the sandberg website. Here you go, in german though. https://www.cottoncontrol.com/browse/sandberg/de,0,308,0,0.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted April 4, 2017 Author Share Posted April 4, 2017 [quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1491320944' post='3272097'] I like the ones that came on my VM5 too, when I asked Mark Stickley he reckoned that they are GHS Boomers. I did note at the time that you can also buy branded strings on the sandberg website. Here you go, in german though. [url="https://www.cottoncontrol.com/browse/sandberg/de,0,308,0,0.html"]https://www.cottonco...,0,308,0,0.html[/url] [/quote] Thank you. Interestingly I'd have said they were nickels. GHS style ends though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 [quote name='Geddys nose' timestamp='1491141572' post='3270768'] I'm now after a German VS4 to see the difference. [/quote] Well mine should be along fairly soon so you are welcome to come and have a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dand666 Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 was hoping this was a thread on Humble Pie. What a band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 [quote name='dand666' timestamp='1491564318' post='3273982'] was hoping this was a thread on Humble Pie. What a band. [/quote] What a voice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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