grayn Posted November 15 Share Posted November 15 A couple of months ago, I was in Promenade Music, buying a nylon string guitar and spotted a rather lovely, short scale Sandberg bass. It's matt redburst finish, ebony fingerboard and black hardware, really impressed me. So, after 2 months of trying not to think about it, I went over to Morecambe, to check it out. I have owned a number of Sandbergs over the years, including a Lionel Short Scale, and they have never disappointed. It's a simple P-style bass but oozes quality. The split-coil pickup is clear, punchy and full of character, with a lovely harmonic range. The neck, like every Sandberg I have owned plays just right, with a solidity and high quality that matches or surpasses anything else in this style. Yes, this is a serious bass, that looks very cool, to my eyes and really performs through my bass set-up (Galien-Kruger/Mark Bass). 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted November 15 Share Posted November 15 Nice! I don't really like the tort guard, but I love everything else about it! These are great little basses, I love mine. Mine is a brownburst with pau ferro board and black guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obrienp Posted November 15 Share Posted November 15 I’m confused. Why is it called V when it’s a four and how does it differ from a Lionel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlittle Posted November 15 Share Posted November 15 (edited) @Obrienp The V in Sandberg World refers to the precision-style split coil pickup. T being a jazz pickup and M being a Musicman style humbucker. Hence a VM has one split coil and one humbucker etc… That’s a lovely looking bass @grayn 👌 Edited November 15 by simonlittle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obrienp Posted November 15 Share Posted November 15 5 minutes ago, simonlittle said: @Obrienp The V in Sandberg World refers to the precision-style split coil pickup. T being a jazz pickup and M being a Musicman style humbucker. Hence a VM has one split coil and one humbucker etc… That’s a lovely looking bass @grayn 👌 Well that’s a good way to confuse punters! Still doesn’t explain how it differs from a Lionel. It’s a lovely looking bass though and I’m sure it’s great to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 15 Author Share Posted November 15 35 minutes ago, Obrienp said: Well that’s a good way to confuse punters! Still doesn’t explain how it differs from a Lionel. It’s a lovely looking bass though and I’m sure it’s great to play. I have owned a Lionel, not long back, but am not really sure of the difference. It was a great bass but I'd give this the edge over it. Not sure why. Just feels that bit more solid and classy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted November 16 Share Posted November 16 Nice bass. Lionel is just the name for Sandberg’s short scale California VS, so I’d say this one is a Lionel too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted November 16 Share Posted November 16 2 hours ago, pineweasel said: Nice bass. Lionel is just the name for Sandberg’s short scale California VS, so I’d say this one is a Lionel too. Yep, that's accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 17 Author Share Posted November 17 22 hours ago, LeftyJ said: Yep, that's accurate. Interesting, thanks. The shop told me is wasn't a Lionel but I'm happy either way. Loved Sandbergs for many a year and now I'm a short scale player, these are perfect. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 17 Share Posted November 17 It’s definitely a Lionel. I have one as well and I love it. Such an easy instrument to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 17 Share Posted November 17 Also, that red is really nice. Much better in your photos than on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 17 Share Posted November 17 (edited) On 15/11/2024 at 18:23, Obrienp said: I’m confused. Why is it called V when it’s a four and how does it differ from a Lionel? Because it means V and not 5. Basically Sandberg used to use P and J terms and Fender got annoyed. So the PS (precision) became VS, the JJ4 (two J pickups) became TT4 and so on. PM used to be a Precision and a Musicman pickup and now it’s VM, JM4 (jazz and mm) is now TM4. The OP bass is technically a Lionel VS4. Lionel because it’s short scale and as it has a solitary precision pickup and 4 strings it is a VS4. These days you can get a Lionel TT4 as well. And for that matter, any pickup configuration you like if you special order it. Mine was a special order made to Superlight specs so it weighs 5.7lb. Edited November 17 by fretmeister 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obrienp Posted November 17 Share Posted November 17 @fretmeister Thanks for the explanation. I won’t be confused in future. A friend just got a Lionel off BC and he is very pleased with it. I have a custom PJ shorty, which means I’m not in the market for a P (or should I say V) SS but if I was, this would definitely be on my list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.