CHRISDABASS Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 (edited) Hey I was checking out a few sandbergs in my local PMT yesterday! ive gotta say i was pretty disappointed!! my expectations were quite high! i especially disliked the really over done "aged" look on a number of the models in stock!! Its just awful!! (its only my opinion, which never really mattered anyway lol) that and the ones i tried just felt dead and really heavy!! any thoughts on sandbergs in general?? i really, really wanted to like them!! The one thing that saves Sandberg for me is the new model on their website! [url="http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/"]http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/[/url] its called UMBO!! it looks great in the white finish!! (almost larry graham inspired! in an odd way!) i nice new take on the J bass theme!! i look forward to trying one! Edited April 11, 2009 by CHRISDABASS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Hey! You forgot this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted April 11, 2009 Author Share Posted April 11, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='460117' date='Apr 11 2009, 08:54 PM']Hey! You forgot this! [/quote] hahahhahaha!! as you can tell i like these >!!! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 The pickguard puts me off a little. However: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 [quote name='GreeneKing' post='460130' date='Apr 11 2009, 09:08 PM']The pickguard puts me off a little. However: [/quote] The headstock on that looks strangely out of proportion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 that would look great with a straight front pickup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I'm played a few new Sandbergs & my findings were generally that the standard California models were okay, but the ones that stood out were the Panther Ltd 5. That one has a truly lovely & massive sound & is great to play. The other one was a California PM supreme model. I don't know the difference between the standard and the supreme, but this one was utterly biblical. I was almost tempted to trade my bolt on Status 5 for it. But I decided against it in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Just bought A Sandberg Basic in Matt Blueburst and it is a stonking bass IMHO. It's light, great neck profile and a really low action. The bridge is adjustable for string width and the Delano MM pick-up does just that, has that MusicMan "zing". Great range of tones from the 3 band Eq. I intend to coil-tap the pick-up and it will then be competing with my G&L for my attention. I notice Sandberg now have their "own badged" pick-ups and this may have affected the overall sound. Don't know if they are still made by Delano or not. I guess it proves the old adage, there are good and bad in all makes and models. It's the same with Spector's, those that love them, love them. I could not get on with mine and it has now "left the building". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I've got two Chris and can't disagree with you more. My Blackburst is solid but a little heavy. However, the custom (with the wretched custom finish!!) is as light as a feather and plays like a beaut!!!!!! (have a few more!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 [quote name='tombboy' post='460436' date='Apr 12 2009, 10:53 AM']I've got two Chris and can't disagree with you more. My Blackburst is solid but a little heavy. However, the custom (with the wretched custom finish!!) is as light as a feather and plays like a beaut!!!!!! (have a few more!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!) [/quote] i love those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Only two in the whole world! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 [quote name='tombboy' post='460452' date='Apr 12 2009, 11:24 AM']Only two in the whole world![/quote] and i can see why................. just kidding mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 (edited) I've got a ken taylor 5 string, and its bloody brilliant bass, only thing for me is i find the body a bit cramped, with two MM pickups on there and a 24 fret neck, to this end i'd swap for a california JM5 if i had the chance, as i guess i'm more used to traditional Fender shaped basses than more modern styled ones. In terms of sound and build quality they can't be faulted though in my book. Edited April 12, 2009 by Foxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 ( ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 [quote name='Foxx' post='460464' date='Apr 12 2009, 11:41 AM']I've got a ken taylor 5 string, and its bloody brilliant bass, only thing for me is i find the body a bit cramped, with two MM pickups on there and a 24 fret neck, to this end i'd swap for a california JM5 if i had the chance, as i guess i'm more used to traditional Fender shaped basses than more modern styled ones. In terms of sound and build quality they can't be faulted though in my book.[/quote] Im not saying they're not well made, just that they didnt feel right (for me) And the way that the beautiful finish was destroyed on a few of them was plain wrong (again in my opinion) If im gonna have a beaten up bass i want it to at least have happened naturally threw heavy use/gigging etc other wise its like buying an expensive pair of jeans that already have holes in them (how old do i sound now! dam it!) lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I never asked for mine to be relic'ed... that was parcelforce!! (kidding!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 [quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='460477' date='Apr 12 2009, 11:50 AM']Im not saying they're not well made, just that they didnt feel right (for me) And the way that the beautiful finish was destroyed on a few of them was plain wrong (again in my opinion) If im gonna have a beaten up bass i want it to at least have happened naturally threw heavy use/gigging etc other wise its like buying an expensive pair of jeans that already have holes in them (how old do i sound now! dam it!) lol [/quote] I have to agree with you on the relics, i find the whole idea absurd, as someone pointed out on another thread, you wouldn't pay extra for (or probably wouldn't even consider buying ) a car with dents and scratches like that! And ditto with the jeans. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Really don't like basses with angled pickups. To my ears you always end up with the D and G strings not sounding fat enough... Plus they're uncomfortable to rest your thumb on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 it's personal opinion really, but i think my opinions on 'relic'd' basses is well voiced on here. Though i do want to try a sandberg out, one with mm pickups specifically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I like relics. I totally get it and I think you either get it or you don't. Either is cool. I am seriously gas'ing over a hardcore aged California PM ever since I discovered they had a zero fret. Never played one though so next time I am near a PMT I will have to pop in. P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I swear by Cali JM4, it's done everything I've asked it to so far. When I first picked it up, I was playing fast, heavy rock music, and it displaced my Stingray no problem. Got a nice blend between the MM and J pickup, and it had grind and depth to spare. I'm playing in an Americana/Alt-Country type band now, with 3 singing guitarists and a slide player. Thrown a set of flats on, roll off the treble, and stick to the neck pickup, and it's massive. I couldn't imagine using anything else now. I'm seriously considering trading my 'ray for another Sandberg, and if you'd suggested that to me 12 months ago I'd have laughed you out of town. I'm with the angry mob on the heavy relicing though, ruins a gorgeous bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 My Sandberg is by far the best bass I've ever played and owned, I bum it, haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Chris, they probably feel heavy to you because the bodies on your Sadowskys are chambered. Much lighter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieC Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 [quote name='budget bassist' post='461740' date='Apr 14 2009, 12:25 AM']it's personal opinion really, but i think my opinions on 'relic'd' basses is well voiced on here. Though i do want to try a sandberg out, one with mm pickups specifically.[/quote] Hi BB, I'm the proud owner of a Cali MM 5 string (bubinga top) and I absolutely love it. A very versatile instrument (tonally) and easy to play with reasonably narrow string spacing. If ever you're up in the North east, you're welcome to try her. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I think that UMBO is hideous. Reminds me of the Vintage Advance Series Jazzes.. Other Sandbergs - meh. I like the Basics/KTs but the Californias are all wrong for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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