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Can't decide between Fender and Sandberg

Sandberg or Fender?

  • Sandberg California Tm Supreme

    Votes: 87 64.9%

  • Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass

    Votes: 47 35.1%
  • Total voters
    134
Klonk

Klonk

Apr 28, 2011
976
399
49
Norway
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#1
Hi all, been reading alot on these boards lately, hope you can help me decide which bass to buy. They are almost the same price, at least for me in Norway, and I just can't decide between these two 5-string basses:

1. Sandberg California TM Supreme:

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or

2. Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass:

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I currently have the 4-string Fender Jazz Bass Aerodyne as my only bass, I have previously owned a 5-string Mexican Fender Jazz Bass bought new in 1996, and a 4-string Warwick Corvette fretless.

If any of you have any experience or thoughts about these two fine 5-string basses, please share them with me. Oh, and there's a poll :)
 
#2
I had the chance to play the Sandberg 5 string in question, and it was awesome. I have also played the Fender you mention. The Sandberg was a superior instrument.

The Sandberg could totally nail the Jazz tone, and it played better, and had better fit and finish than the Fender. To boot, it really nailed the Stingray tone too. It was both the best Fender and the best Musicman I have ever played rolled into a great package. If I were on the market, and had the cash I would get one.

Buy the Sandberg, you will not be disappointed.
 
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#4
In my opinion you should go for the Jazz Bass. The American Deluxe Jazz is one of the best basses in the entire world and it's by far the best Jazz. It has features from many different models, an onboard preamp, it's beautiful, feels great, sounds great, what else do you need? I've never tried that Sandberg, but I've listened to it, and it wasn't that great. Trust me, buy the Jazz.
 
#6
Klonk said:
Thanks for the advice, the Sandberg looks great and I hear good things about it. Nice to hear from someone who has played it, thanks again :)

Anyone else?
Click to expand...

I had a few hours to kill and stopped by a local music store. Their resident bass guy had gotten one in, and I played it for a couple of hours through several amps including and SVT with 810, a SWR SM900 through a 410, and a newer Trace with a 15 and 410. Sounded great through them all.

I am not anti jazz bass at all, and as the others have said, the jazz in question is also a really nice bass. I just like the Sandberg better. It still comes to what you like, and if you can get to a place and play them both.
 
#7
ToneFreak11 said:
In my opinion you should go for the Jazz Bass. The American Deluxe Jazz is one of the best basses in the entire world and it's by far the best Jazz. It has features from many different models, an onboard preamp, it's beautiful, feels great, sounds great, what else do you need? I've never tried that Sandberg, but I've listened to it, and it wasn't that great. Trust me, buy the Jazz.
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Problem for me is, that Mexican 5-string Jazz Bass I used to own (made in 1994-1995) kinda put me off 5-string Fenders - long story, but I wasn't too pleased with the way my B string sounded.

But I know that the American Deluxe is a pretty different animal. I just don't know how different I guess. It seems pretty sweet though, haven't had the chance to test it yet, unfortunately.
 
#10
Anyone know enough of Sandberg basses to give me a quick what's-the-difference-between normal California Tm (previously called JM I think) and the Supreme version? I see the Supreme is 10-20% more expensive or so.

Seems to me they have the same wood for body and neck, and identical pick-ups, but differ in the pre-amp area? Or is there other things I should make a note of?
 
#14
BBQV said:
If you want a Fender style bass you should get a Fender. Call me conservative, but I'd stick with the originals...

Var i Norge bor du?
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Fine, except the Deluxe is a modern take of the original design (just like the Sandberg). As improved as the newer Fender basses are this is hardly the same company that Leo created.

If you don't mind not having Fender on the headstock then you are getting an excellent hand built bass for the same price as a mass produced one.
 
#17
pacojas said:
who buys a Sandberg when they really want a Fender?

btw, a very popular TB'er resently sold a Sandberg and kept the Fender. i wonder why?!!
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That's the exact opposite of what I did. I sold an excellent AV 75RI Jazz and used the proceeds to buy my 3rd Sandberg (a JJ4). I've had numerous Fenders over the years and still like them but they just seem a bit ordinary for the money nowadays.

I prefer the 7.5" fingerboard radius on vintage Fenders to the flatter Sandberg one but overall the construction quality and materials used are way superior on the 'bergs.

Each to his own though.....
 
#19
A Sandberg JM Supreme 5:er has been my main bass for the last two years. Great build, great neck, great sound and great durability so far. I tried to sub it with my other two goto basses - a Windmill JCustom 5:er and a Stingray 5 - for a few gigs, but they really cant compare to the Sandberg for my buckmaking top-gazillion band.

On the other hand, I much rather use the Windmill for doemaking studio works such as contemporary country as it has a much cleaner modern-mid-hump character, and the oomph of the 'ray fits right in every contemporary metal mix - if we are't too Metallica influented ;- .

Still, for live gigs with the Sandberg is good sh*t.

Go for it I say.
 

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