I am having work done on my house and have too many basses that aren’t getting play time. It’s beautiful and I love it but I’m trying to be a responsible adult
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Hey all...I am about to order a brand new California TT4 from Chicago Music today and can't be more excited! After looking at Fender and Music Man, I landed on Sandberg and actually got to try one out. Not the exact one I'm buying but it gave me a sense of the fit, finish, playability, sound etc. Really pretty amazing value for the money.
Couple of questions, mostly in the curiosity category...
I don't seem to see many of the TT models...more TMs and Vs. Any particular reason for this? My playing tends to be a wide range from hard rock to jazz to classic rock/Beatles stuff. Since I have a P bass and a G&L Kiloton, seems the TT will nicely round out the crew.
Since there are so many options available, especially on pickups, is it possible and easy to mod to either change pickups or preamps? I tend to be a "buy it as you want it" kind of guy and like to leave things stock.
Anyway, very excited to join the club...here's the bass I'm getting. I'll take a proper picture, add it to my signature and request a number when I actually land it!
--David
Couple of questions, mostly in the curiosity category...
I don't seem to see many of the TT models...more TMs and Vs. Any particular reason for this? My playing tends to be a wide range from hard rock to jazz to classic rock/Beatles stuff. Since I have a P bass and a G&L Kiloton, seems the TT will nicely round out the crew.
Since there are so many options available, especially on pickups, is it possible and easy to mod to either change pickups or preamps? I tend to be a "buy it as you want it" kind of guy and like to leave things stock.
Anyway, very excited to join the club...here's the bass I'm getting. I'll take a proper picture, add it to my signature and request a number when I actually land it!
--David
The VM4 has a reverse P pickup and a MM style at the bridge. Not a P/J in any way, to my ears. The P (I went with Sandberg's own pickups) does have some P character but it's not a classic P type of sound at all. Both pickups on and/or bridge alone again sounds nothing like a P/J would. It sounds good. No. It sounds great! But if you're looking for classic vintage Precision sounds, it may not be the best choice. Perhaps if you chose another pickup it would get closer?
Update: I just got a note from my rep at CME that “there is an issue with the zero fret on this bass, as its been slotted from Sandberg which doesnt make sense but thats how they do it, however they slotted this fret a bit too much so as its setup how you are asking there is some noticeable buzz, it doesnt really come through the amp but its there.”
I asked for low action so is this common? I think I’ll pass in this one if this is a bad sample.
Thanks for your comments.
My Zero fret on the E-String has this same exact problem!!! We took the nut down, but it still doesnt give it enough relief.
Update two from CME:
“My repair guys can also put a new fret on it for you at no charge, otherwise its atleast 4-6 months on a new one as they are built to order. Let me know what you are thinking.”
I AM SO BUMMED! Sucks when you get excited about NBD, clear a path on the wall, start planning your unboxing and first bonding experience.
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I think I understand what Sandberg have done to get the action low, but photos would help to confirm it.
If I were you, I would accept CME's offer of a new zero fret, get the bass delivered and then play it for a good long time (say a week or two) before tinkering to lower the action.
Thanks for the feedback.
I located a TM-4 I’m interested in and have a question. In single coil mode, does the M pickup sound just like, or at least very close to, the T bridge pickup on the TT-4? Or is it totally different? I know it will certainly sound different with both coils engaged.
Would you characterize the TM as more sonically versatile than the TT? They certainly seem to be more popular.
Thanks again!
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Nope, I already have a Fender P that I love and keep flats on... not looking for an exact P or J... something with some personality but beef... a little more aggressive but not scooped... prefer a little growly but not thin and simply "middy". Appreciating the feedback!!
I have two TM4's... they're certainly sonically versatile. I use the single coil mode all the time, and I like the sound. But I haven't tried to compare against a TT4. Not much help!
Yes, TM4 and VM4 (and Forty Eight) are different animals. But they are both good animals.
Delano pickups in the TM4 (with single coil mode on the bridge pickup). Sandberg's own pickups in the VM4 (with no single coil mode on the bridge pickup, but with the unique sound of an inverted P pickup at the middle position).
Having owned Fender J's, P's and PJ's, I think Sandbergs can be made to replicate Fenders but not vice versa.
Then I would definitely consider the VM4. It's a (good) beast
It doesn't replace my Precision or active PJ (Schecter Model T), but adds to what they do. The VM4 is definitely beefy, and can growl when you want it to. I do miss a simple passive treble cut control, with the active treble control just doesn't do, but that's just being picky... I really like passive tone controls to cut the top end, and then active EQ to shape the rest. So when I get Schecter to make a 'mcnach signature' bass it'll be like that
Until then, the VM4 is awesome.
Hi dwellers,
I´m sorry to hear, that you´re having problems with one of our basses.
It´s correct, that we slot the zero frets for a low action and usually there shouldn´t be any buzzing from the zero fret, because the string gets pressed on the zero-fret.
In some cases buzzing can occur after changing the strings, because the string-gauge is higher and/or the frets haven´t been bent over the zero fret like adviced in our guides (which come with every bass).
An exception is the lowest string of a California series bass, which has got no string-retainer and should be wound at 2-3 times around the pole to gain more pressure on the zero-fret.
Maybe you can send a video of the problem to
[email protected]
Best,
Mike
Hi Mike, thanks for your post/response. Unfortunately, I don’t own the bass yet as I was in the process of purchasing it from CME. They informed me of the buzz when I asked for a low action setup. I trust them and appreciate that they felt the fret had been cut too low.
So I can’t send you any videos and have, to my sorrow, canceled the order.
Again, thanks for the response and if you have any other thoughts or wish to speak live, please let me know.
—David
Hi David,
ok, then we´ll get in touch with CME to get that issue solved.
A lower action should not cause zero fret buzzing. We´re setting up all basses individually by hand here.
And if there is a problem with too low zero frets, then we need to figure out what went wrong and why.
I hope next time you can order a Sandberg without any issues.
Best,
Mike
I just got this note back from CME:
“my techs went and setup the bass yesterday and it seems like after setting in there really appears to be no issue and I think youll be happy with the way the bass performs.”
Good to go?
Having said that, I was able to locate a cream TM4, that I think may be a little older but still new, for less than the black TT4. Plus it has a rosewood fingerboard which is nice. Such decisions!
So CME kinda accidentally set off a fire alarm... at least it's all resolved now.
