dmccombe7 Posted December 22, 2021 Posted December 22, 2021 54 minutes ago, Supernaut said: Buzz at 5th fret would indicate a back bow - have you checked the neck/truss rod? When i got it the bass had a forward bow and 3mm at 12th fret but saddles bottomed out when i dropped the string height and best i could get was 2.75mm. Tweaked the neck so that it has just a slight forward bow same as my other basses and that gave me saddle adjustment to get string height down to 2mm at 12th fret but i raised it to 2.25 because of the fret buzz. I'm making very small adjustments per day to try and get a balance between neck relief and string height adjustment but always comes back to fret buzz at 4th fret. Height of E string is 1mm at 3rd fret which is much the same as most of my basses so i dont think the zero fret is too low. 1mm at 3rd fret and 2.25mm at 12th fret would also indicate the neck is more concave. I like quite a flat neck with just a hint of concave. When i use a straight edge across the 4th fret onto 3rd and 5th it rocks between 3rd and 5th fret and there is another fret near the 12th that does the same. Its not a minor rocking either so i'm thinking a couple of the frets need done and i wont tackle frets myself. On a side note all my other basses are 1mm at 3rd fret and 1.5mm - 2mm. My VM4 is 1.5mm at 12th fret and has a gorgeous feel when playing. I assumed the Marlowe being more expensive would have a similar action. Its a 2016 version maybe before they plek'd the necks ??? After 5 yrs maybe something has changed on the neck ? It certainly confuses me to the point all that's left is a high fret. There's no wear on the frets and doesn't look like its been used much at all in 5yrs. Dave Quote
dmccombe7 Posted December 26, 2021 Posted December 26, 2021 On 22/12/2021 at 16:50, Supernaut said: Buzz at 5th fret would indicate a back bow - have you checked the neck/truss rod? Took your advice and revisited the Marlowe again. Looks like i adjusted the neck a touch too far right enough. Altho the neck appeared ok when i measured below 7th/8th fret when holding 1st and last fret down there was no movement on the string so i think the neck was perfectly straight. I tweaked the neck again and it has def helped the fret buzz issue at 4th fret. The rocking across the 4th is a bit less now and i didnt need to change string height which is now 2mm at 12th. I had originally turned the truss adj about 1/8th of a turn to straighten the neck more when i bought it as i had no more height adjustment on E & G string saddles but at 12th fret it was 3mm on E string.. There was a distinct curve on the neck when i first got the bass. I turned the necck back about 1/16th of a turn back the way. I can see a very slight concave on the neck now and when fretting 1st and last frets the E string moves a little towards the 7th and 8th fret. Cheers for the advice. Sometimes it just takes someone to offer a little guidance to get things just right. Maybe the neck is a bit more sensitive to temperature changes than my other basses because the necck is slim and narrow. Dave Quote
petebassist Posted January 4, 2022 Posted January 4, 2022 Anyone know what the stock strings are on a TM4 SL? Or what would sound similar. Thanks Quote
ead Posted January 4, 2022 Posted January 4, 2022 I think Sandberg normally fit steels 40-100 unless you ask them for something different. 1 1 Quote
fretmeister Posted January 4, 2022 Posted January 4, 2022 12 minutes ago, petebassist said: Anyone know what the stock strings are on a TM4 SL? Or what would sound similar. Thanks They are a tweaked version of GHS Super Steels made for Sandberg to their spec. They are available from Thomann Stock is 40-100 1 Quote
fretmeister Posted January 4, 2022 Posted January 4, 2022 Here you go https://www.thomann.de/gb/sandberg_stringset_040_100.htm 1 Quote
dmccombe7 Posted January 4, 2022 Posted January 4, 2022 The Sandberg steels are quite good strings. I was quite surprised how much i liked them but difficult to get at times so i just went back to my old faithful D'addario nickels. I found the Sandberg strings didnt feel too rough on my fingers like other steel rounds i've tried over the years. Thomann price isn't too bad but the £8 shipping means i would probably buy quite a few sets at any one time. Cant remember where i got mine. Was around 3-4yrs ago. Dave 1 Quote
dmccombe7 Posted January 4, 2022 Posted January 4, 2022 Found the old question i had on BC where to get them and looks like i got them direct from Sandberg. Dave 1 Quote
Lesfunk Posted January 5, 2022 Posted January 5, 2022 I just took delivery of my new five string. I just introduced it to its sibling. 4 Quote
Merton Posted January 5, 2022 Posted January 5, 2022 Bass Direct have just posted two new Lionel shorties on Facebook. They are probably the best two I’ve seen and I’ve been tempted by loads already. This 2022 gear abstinence challenge is going to be tough… Quote
ead Posted January 5, 2022 Posted January 5, 2022 55 minutes ago, Merton said: Bass Direct have just posted two new Lionel shorties on Facebook. They are probably the best two I’ve seen and I’ve been tempted by loads already. This 2022 gear abstinence challenge is going to be tough… Why bother with all the stress of it and the somewhat inevitable conclusion 2 Quote
falling_in2_infinity Posted January 8, 2022 Posted January 8, 2022 I wanted to join in this topic, as a very happy Sandberg owner for about 3 years now. California TM2 5-string 35" in Blackburst with ebony fretboard. I have never had such a relationship with a bass before... there's just something about the playability, balance and quality which work together in complete harmony for me. I kinda want another identical spec, in a different body colour, but I'm reluctant to pay up front for a custom build. Anyway, appreciating my Sandberg at all times. 4 Quote
mcnach Posted January 9, 2022 Posted January 9, 2022 Dang, the control cavity on the VM4 is tiiiiiiight! I bought a John East Uni-Pre de luxe preamp a few months ago to install on this bass... and I don't think I'll be able to fit it in. My original plan was to make it passive because I am liking much better its passive sound and the preamp is 'meh' for my liking. I thought I would just manage with it as it is, since in passive mode you still get a passive tone control, but its action is pretty limited. The Uni-Pre deluxe combines a 3-band EQ with semiparametric mids, and you can tweak the bass EQ points too, as well as having a passive tone control... agh, I'm going to have to buy a different bass now to fit that in Anyway, back to the original plan, fully passive: volume blend Tonestyler tone control additional control for the 'intenity' of the Tonestyler, as I have a spare hole... Watch this space... 5 Quote
falling_in2_infinity Posted January 10, 2022 Posted January 10, 2022 (edited) On 09/01/2022 at 19:13, mcnach said: Dang, the control cavity on the VM4 is tiiiiiiight! I bought a John East Uni-Pre de luxe preamp a few months ago to install on this bass... and I don't think I'll be able to fit it in. My original plan was to make it passive because I am liking much better its passive sound and the preamp is 'meh' for my liking. I thought I would just manage with it as it is, since in passive mode you still get a passive tone control, but its action is pretty limited. The Uni-Pre deluxe combines a 3-band EQ with semiparametric mids, and you can tweak the bass EQ points too, as well as having a passive tone control... agh, I'm going to have to buy a different bass now to fit that in Anyway, back to the original plan, fully passive: volume blend Tonestyler tone control additional control for the 'intenity' of the Tonestyler, as I have a spare hole... Watch this space... Sounds great! I do wish some of the East pre's were fully surface-mount. then they'd fit in more cavities. Edited January 10, 2022 by falling_in2_infinity 1 Quote
vsmith1 Posted January 12, 2022 Posted January 12, 2022 I've joined the Sandberg club. VM4 blueburst, ebony fingerboard. Happy. 5 Quote
knicknack Posted January 23, 2022 Posted January 23, 2022 After over a year of waiting, masterpiece no.2 (sunburst TT4) finally arrived! 12 Quote
dmccombe7 Posted January 25, 2022 Posted January 25, 2022 11 minutes ago, ead said: Just ordered one of these. Look forward to your thoughts / review. Liking that a lot. Dave Quote
ead Posted January 25, 2022 Posted January 25, 2022 Lead time getting longer for Sandberg basses. Currently 10-12 months so don't hold your breath. 1 Quote
thedontcarebear Posted January 28, 2022 Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Just ordered this from Mark at Bass Direct.... Will be the third Sandberg I've owned, sold the original one I had, but the 2nd is my favourite bass ever. Edited January 28, 2022 by thedontcarebear 4 Quote
dmccombe7 Posted January 28, 2022 Posted January 28, 2022 31 minutes ago, thedontcarebear said: Just ordered this from Mark at Bass Direct.... Will be the third Sandberg I've owned, sold the original one I had, but the 2nd is my favourite bass ever. Ooohhh that's nice. Enjoy Dave 1 Quote
ead Posted January 28, 2022 Posted January 28, 2022 Update on lead-times. Apparently a batch of the Cali II Central basses is being produced and will hopefully include mine so looking more like 8-9 months now. 1 Quote
Hutton Posted January 28, 2022 Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) I just purchased this beauty from Classic and Cool guitars. It's a California TM2. Edited January 28, 2022 by Hutton 8 Quote
dmccombe7 Posted January 28, 2022 Posted January 28, 2022 53 minutes ago, Hutton said: I just purchased this beauty from Classic and Cool guitars. It's a California TM2. Tasty. Are the pick ups both switchable split coils on that one. ? Dave 1 Quote
Hutton Posted January 28, 2022 Posted January 28, 2022 37 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said: Tasty. Are the pick ups both switchable split coils on that one. ? Dave They are indeed Dave. If you look very closely you can just see the switch on the control plate. Quote
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