goonerjoe Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) Reluctantly selling my Sandberg California VS4. I really, really like this bass - the craftmanship and sound is amazing but for some reason I haven't fallen in love with it like I thought I would - it just isn't me. I bought it new from Bass Direct in June 2020 and it arrived around 6 months later, anyone on here who owns a Sandberg can vouch for their build quality. Like the CN212, the CTM100 and the Musicman USA SUB i'll probably regret selling this but this is what we do, right? 😉😂🙄😭 Here are the specs; 3 tone sunburst Alder body (nice grain) Pau Ferro fretboard with white dots (with some really nice "swirling") Maple neck (profile is somewhere between a P and a J) 2 band EQ, active/passive push pull switch Standard Sandberg pickup 3.58kgs according to my kitchen scales It's left the house about 3 times over the last year, for obvious reasons, and is therefore in excellent (9.5/10) condition. It has been stored in a mono case and doesn't really come out much, so has avoided any major wear and tear. A few very minor bumps around the side of the bass that I can't even photograph, apart from that the body/neck are absolutely fine. The SB logos on the pickups have worn away (this happened really quickly), and there is a small amount of rust on the poles under the D and G strings, which would be easy to remove - I may have a go at myself if I get the time. This comes with a unused SB gig bag (no pics as it's in storage and I have been using the mono, but it's this model https://www.thomann.de/gb/sandberg_gigbag_493951.htm?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=psm&utm_campaign=shopzilla-gb), diMarzio straplock strap attached and the original strap buttons thrown in. Open to offers. No trades please, unless you've got a Fender P to offer... but be warned I am quite fussy. Cash on collection preferred, i'm really reluctant to ship this. I'm based in Witney, West Oxon, but work in South Oxon and am willing to discuss delivery for petrol money. Any questions/requests for more pictures, just shout. Edited January 3, 2022 by goonerjoe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 I've just bought the 'roadworn' version of this bass and it is SUPERB! I've owned a fair few Fenders over the years and IMHO I think you'd regret going from this to a Fender... but then again that could be someone else's gain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 PM’d regarding a potential trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonerjoe Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ander87 Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 @goonerjoe, being that you ordered this bass made to yourself, have you not considered changing the electronics or pickup? I've always found Sandbergs a bit dull and tasteless and I'm pretty convinced it's the electronics, especially when the build quality is good and the resonance is there.... A top end P pickup and passive electronics from KiOgon or similar could have you all sorted with a new bass for like £150ish! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 21 minutes ago, Ander87 said: @goonerjoe, being that you ordered this bass made to yourself, have you not considered changing the electronics or pickup? I've always found Sandbergs a bit dull and tasteless and I'm pretty convinced it's the electronics, especially when the build quality is good and the resonance is there.... A top end P pickup and passive electronics from KiOgon or similar could have you all sorted with a new bass for like £150ish! I have to agree with this. I had an old VM which was a great build, but the tone, whilst perfectly acceptable, wasn’t exciting and a bit bland (I now wonder why I bought it, oh yes, GAS). I’m just looking at getting a nice playing Squier and doing what @Ander87 suggests. Current leader in the pickup stakes for me is the DiMarzio Model P followed by the Duncan Quarter Pounder and Nordy NP4A. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ander87 Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 oh yes! love my NP4A for a punchy clear all rounder pickup - great purchase. the Power blade is great too but I guess depends if you want something more rock/hi octane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonerjoe Posted December 17, 2021 Author Share Posted December 17, 2021 Was going to keep this but circumstances change quickly... Friday bump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfingers Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 On 27/11/2021 at 10:58, Ander87 said: A top end P pickup and passive electronics from KiOgon or similar could have you all sorted with a new bass for like £150ish! Agree with this 100%. The build quality of Sandbergs is fantasitc. Really well put together. The electronics are a matter of personal taste but have never suited me. I found them a little too "modern". I have an entry level VS4 with the best neck I have ever played. Converted it to passive recently with SD Antiquities pickups and it is now an absolute keeper. Plus a KiOgon loom of course! As @Ander87says, a relatively minimal outlay will really sort you out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonerjoe Posted December 24, 2021 Author Share Posted December 24, 2021 Xmas Eve bump... Open to sensible offers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonerjoe Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 Traded, please close this thread 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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