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Club Sandberg (part 2)

#2,221
Does anyone own multiple Sandbergs or have experience who can describe the difference between the pickup options (Delano vs Sandberg vs SB Black Label) on a TM4 (or VM4)? I really wish the company would release a comparison video or something. I have no idea where to go with these options! I've read a couple of posts that have very vague descriptions but I can't seem to find more than that, even from the reseller I spoke to (at MusicStoreLive... thanks @scubaduba) about the custom order. I like a nice mid growl when I dig in and am not looking for (what some call a modern) scooped tone. Help! :)
 
#2,223
scubaduba said:
I'd like to know too. What are the Sandberg vs. Black Label? I'm assuming since mine is brand new and they are not the Delano branded pickups that I have the SB Black Label pickups?
Click to expand...

The pickups with the large pole pieces similar to the Delanos and which have the Sandberg insignia in each corner are the standard Sandberg branded pickups. The Sandberg "Black Labels" can be identified by having 2 small poles side-by-side where the large poles would be and do not have the insignia on them.
For example, the Ida Nielsen signature model has the Black Labels.
California IDA NIELSEN - Sandberg Guitars
 
#2,225
Messing around with the Configurator today led me to this guy...

tm5.png
 
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#2,227
Cuzzie said:
@Jughead6 As a gross generalisation, and of course these terms get branded around which can be subjective, but it’s about all we have without listening!

Delano’s - crystal clear and hi-fi, but this does not mean sterile and boring, really balanced sound, especially with the Glock pre when active.
When i play this I prefer a blend towards the reverse split P, but the bridge pick up is fine on its own. Does well with pedals.

Sandberg - more vintage sounding, lower output, go really well with all pedals as IMHO if you are pushing a lot of sounds with pre amps, it can overwhelm a signal. The balance on these is just right to mould your sound. It gives you a really good jazz sound and balance on the DK.
When I play this I favour a blend towards the bridge, nice bit of bite.
Be aware the new Sandberg black labels are hotter, more punch to them, but still very refined, a very fine pick up indeed(not in the bass I pictured but I have played them).

Haüssel’s - hot, even being passive, very mid range focussed. The neck pick up solo’d Is about as close to a split coil ‘P’ sound you will get from a jazz bass single coil pick up I have heard. When I play this I am almost exclusively neck pick up only. This does less well with my pedal pre amps (Two Notes LeBass, Hartke VXL) not that it sounds poo, but I have to dial it back compared to the DK to get clarity, but I have worked around so it’s minimal change between basses. Often this is pure - bass-compressor-amp.

All fine pick ups - loads of fun.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Shlabotnik said:
Does anyone own multiple Sandbergs or have experience who can describe the difference between the pickup options (Delano vs Sandberg vs SB Black Label) on a TM4 (or VM4)? I really wish the company would release a comparison video or something. I have no idea where to go with these options! I've read a couple of posts that have very vague descriptions but I can't seem to find more than that, even from the reseller I spoke to (at MusicStoreLive... thanks @scubaduba) about the custom order. I like a nice mid growl when I dig in and am not looking for (what some call a modern) scooped tone. Help! :)
Click to expand...

scubaduba said:
I'd like to know too. What are the Sandberg vs. Black Label? I'm assuming since mine is brand new and they are not the Delano branded pickups that I have the SB Black Label pickups?
Click to expand...

@Cuzzie has this one sorted...
 
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#2,230
@Jughead6 crikey - I talked sense once in my life - thanks for that and for helping out.....
@Shlabotnik hope that helps

Since then I can also add in playing the Haüssel big pole jazz pick ups, and they have a very very full sound, slightly more than the others I played.

I know some say it’s snake oil, but remember the wood choice IMHO of the body and in particular the neck WILL Make a difference to the sound - for example the SL series with them is super snappy and punchy - when I played the prototype before launch it made me want to play slap bass and I never do!
Also the sig models even tho they may look the same as standard ones will have slightly different pick up placement further altering the sound.

With Sandberg there is no wrong option, just levels of correct
 
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#2,231
dwellers said:
Sounds like there wasn't. Thanks for getting involved!

Question: would going to heavier gauge strings (50-105 for example) make the issue worse or possibly improve it and allow for lower action with no buzz?
Click to expand...

It doesn´t matter what gauge you use, that makes no difference on a zero fret buzzing.
But thicker strings have (usually) a higher tension and that makes them rotating in smaller circles, thus you can setup a lower action.
2nd but...from a certain point, the thicker the strings are, the worse they swing (e.g. b-string)
50-105 aren´t a problem usually.

Note: I say "usually" because the sum of core and windings define the gauge, but some strings have a care with a smaller diameter and more mass on the windings. That makes them the same gauge like strings with a thick core and less mass on the windings, but the result is, that the thinner core has less tension by having the same gauge.
 
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#2,233
#2,234
SB Service said:
Hi dwellers,
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.
Best,
Mike
Click to expand...

Hi Mike, thanks for that advice regarding the extra winding on the lowest string. I hadn't thought of that before. Makes great sense.
For the record, Mike at Sandberg has been very helpful and responsive throughout my Sandberg adventures over the years. Along with Jim at Bergantino, theirs is the best customer support I've experienced, and typical of the overall Sandberg passion. What is it with the 'Berg name? Top of the heap perhaps?

Cheers,
Tim
TRL_1429_GD (1).jpg
 
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#2,236
Shlabotnik said:
Oh no! Can you share what you don’t care for about it? I’d love to know so I don’t make the same mistake though I’m leaning toward a TM4.
Click to expand...

Hmm... I guess it is just not right for me at this time. Pretty lame reason I know. Nothing against the bass. I probably shouldn’t have purchased another bass right now...
 
#2,237
Just got a used Sandberg Marlowedk. Great bass. Very growly and nice slap tone. More aggressive than my passive US Jazz but in a good way. Build quality is spot on. Better than the Fender. Relic’ing is very well done.

I put new strings on and adjusted the truss to match the string tension the same way I do on all my basses. However, this caused a bit of fret buzz. Adding more bow in the neck didn’t help. Raising strings did but they were getting too high.

So I tried straightening the neck instead to a point where there is almost no bow. Strangely this sorted the problem. Is this a Sandberg trait? Maybe the plecking means the neck can be really straight.

Anyhow, it now sounds fantastic. The bridge is a little complicated with lots of hex key adjusters and is awkward when setting the intonation as you have to loosen the string and move the bridge piece by hand (there is no screw as with most basses). Just a small issue and not something you do that often.
 
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#2,238
Well, my SF 49ers lost a close one today, and just as I was about to be totally sad all day, this little beauty showed up on my front door!

IMG_1711.jpg


I definitely need a number but I also need some help.

The finish just above the pickups and between the pick guard and bridge is decidedly rough rather than the shiny smooth of the rest of the bass. I very gently tried to see if it was just some factory polish or something using a polish cloth and then a little guitar polish to no avail. I don't think it's coming off. Could it be a finish imperfection? Unfortunately I am unable to see it or photograph it. It can only be felt. And it stops at the arm cutout where to gets smooth again.

Thoughts? I hate to have to return it but it is brand new.

Thanks people. Very excited to join the "club!"

--David
 

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#2,239
BasEd said:
Just got a used Sandberg Marlowedk. Great bass. Very growly and nice slap tone. More aggressive than my passive US Jazz but in a good way. Build quality is spot on. Better than the Fender. Relic’ing is very well done.

I put new strings on and adjusted the truss to match the string tension the same way I do on all my basses. However, this caused a bit of fret buzz. Adding more bow in the neck didn’t help. Raising strings did but they were getting too high.

So I tried straightening the neck instead to a point where there is almost no bow. Strangely this sorted the problem. Is this a Sandberg trait? Maybe the plecking means the neck can be really straight.

Anyhow, it now sounds fantastic. The bridge is a little complicated with lots of hex key adjusters and is awkward when setting the intonation as you have to loosen the string and move the bridge piece by hand (there is no screw as with most basses). Just a small issue and not something you do that often.
Click to expand...

Sandberg's can take very low action with very straight necks.
 
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#2,240
BasEd said:
Just got a used Sandberg Marlowedk. Great bass. Very growly and nice slap tone. More aggressive than my passive US Jazz but in a good way. Build quality is spot on. Better than the Fender. Relic’ing is very well done.

I put new strings on and adjusted the truss to match the string tension the same way I do on all my basses. However, this caused a bit of fret buzz. Adding more bow in the neck didn’t help. Raising strings did but they were getting too high.

So I tried straightening the neck instead to a point where there is almost no bow. Strangely this sorted the problem. Is this a Sandberg trait? Maybe the plecking means the neck can be really straight.

Anyhow, it now sounds fantastic. The bridge is a little complicated with lots of hex key adjusters and is awkward when setting the intonation as you have to loosen the string and move the bridge piece by hand (there is no screw as with most basses). Just a small issue and not something you do that often.
Click to expand...

I’ve just read a few previous posts in this thread about fret buzz. Straightening the neck will probably put more pressure on the zero fret. However, the buzz I was getting was from higher frets when I fretted at around the eighth fret.
 

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