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Yep. Most hard cases I have ever gotten with basses have been disappointing. I'd rather buy bass and case separately.
OK OK you convinced me 
...but, try to buy an expensive Gibson of Music Man with cheap Gig Bag?
...but, try to buy an expensive Gibson of Music Man with cheap Gig Bag?
Completely get your point buddy.
I can only say in MM vs Sandy - MM tends to have 1 price point and shape wise not a lot different between their bass models (mainly stingrays really)
Sandy has different prices depending on finish, T shape, V shape, 48, Ken taylor, Basic etc.
getting a properly fitted hardcase for each will be different and more costly, and as someone said aftermarket ones are really good as well. They won’t compete with Fusion, Mono etc
I dunno - just thinking aloud
I can only say in MM vs Sandy - MM tends to have 1 price point and shape wise not a lot different between their bass models (mainly stingrays really)
Sandy has different prices depending on finish, T shape, V shape, 48, Ken taylor, Basic etc.
getting a properly fitted hardcase for each will be different and more costly, and as someone said aftermarket ones are really good as well. They won’t compete with Fusion, Mono etc
I dunno - just thinking aloud
Hi all...I had a brief encounter a while back with a VM5, but since I am primarily a 4 string player, and I wasn't particularly attached to the color (sunburst), I moved it along.
Recently, I picked up a TM2 in trade, and it has kindled my desire to acquire more Sandbergs...enough that I'm starting to sell off my other basses because of how much I'm digging the TM2. I love the aesthetics of the Forty Eight, but I'm a bit concerned by some of the reports I've read about the ergonomics of the bass being "off", especially when on a strap (access to lower frets feels like a reach, access to upper frets is limited by the body shape). Because of those reports, I'm torn between pursuing a Forty Eight or another body shape. I also want to consider something that gives me tones and options that are not all duplicated by my TM2.
Can those that have the Forty Eight weigh in on those concerns? Are they legit, or unfounded? Also, for those that might currently have, or have had, multiple models that include the TM2, what have you found that compliments your TM2?
I was watching a beautiful TT4 in San Remo blue on Reverb that was just snapped up last night...was it someone reading this thread???
Recently, I picked up a TM2 in trade, and it has kindled my desire to acquire more Sandbergs...enough that I'm starting to sell off my other basses because of how much I'm digging the TM2. I love the aesthetics of the Forty Eight, but I'm a bit concerned by some of the reports I've read about the ergonomics of the bass being "off", especially when on a strap (access to lower frets feels like a reach, access to upper frets is limited by the body shape). Because of those reports, I'm torn between pursuing a Forty Eight or another body shape. I also want to consider something that gives me tones and options that are not all duplicated by my TM2.
Can those that have the Forty Eight weigh in on those concerns? Are they legit, or unfounded? Also, for those that might currently have, or have had, multiple models that include the TM2, what have you found that compliments your TM2?
I was watching a beautiful TT4 in San Remo blue on Reverb that was just snapped up last night...was it someone reading this thread???
The Deluxe looks pretty decent, nice!
My VM4 came with the standard one. Nothing special.
Hi all...I had a brief encounter a while back with a VM5, but since I am primarily a 4 string player, and I wasn't particularly attached to the color (sunburst), I moved it along.
Recently, I picked up a TM2 in trade, and it has kindled my desire to acquire more Sandbergs...enough that I'm starting to sell off my other basses because of how much I'm digging the TM2. I love the aesthetics of the Forty Eight, but I'm a bit concerned by some of the reports I've read about the ergonomics of the bass being "off", especially when on a strap (access to lower frets feels like a reach, access to upper frets is limited by the body shape). Because of those reports, I'm torn between pursuing a Forty Eight or another body shape. I also want to consider something that gives me tones and options that are not all duplicated by my TM2.
Can those that have the Forty Eight weigh in on those concerns? Are they legit, or unfounded? Also, for those that might currently have, or have had, multiple models that include the TM2, what have you found that compliments your TM2?
I was watching a beautiful TT4 in San Remo blue on Reverb that was just snapped up last night...was it someone reading this thread???
Try to find one locally and see what you think.
I wanted a 48. I think they look amazing, and they have the right kind of pickups at the right place. I was concerned because due to their shape I thought they've neck dive like crazy. I found a shop in a city not far from me with two 48s, so I went there. Not for me. They didn't neck dive too much, but the neck did have a tendency to drop towards the horizontal. It helps if you wear the bass low, which I don't. Also, due to the position of the strap button, the neck feels really long. Playable, of course, but I wasn't ready to spend £1600-2000 on a bass that I had to fight with, no matter how great the sound was, and the neck on one especially was delicious.
I ended up passing... but I ordered right there and then a VM4 (pretty much same type of pickups under different covers), and I asked for the neck to follow the profile of the 48 that I liked best. Five months later I took delivery of a beautiful bass, light, with amazing balance... I still look at those 48s, because they are so sexy, but I'm glad I went for the VM4. It's the nicest bass to play I own. I still prefer the Stingray, by a small margin, but that VM4 is superb. Everybody who has played it has loved it. It's a very light bass, but it feels 'solid', if you know what I mean.
That's just my story. Try a 48 before you buy. Perhaps the way you play it makes it work better for you. It's definitely better than your typical Thunderbird (unless you find a very light one) in the way it balances, but it was a bass I had to concentrate to play, while the VM4 just felt like I had played it for decades.
Thanks, I appreciate your input.
I'm unlikely to find a Forty Eight, or even many other Sandberg models in my area. I've purchased both of the Sandberg basses that I've owned through TB, although I got lucky on the TM2...it was actually from a forum member that lives within 1/2 hour of me in the same state. As far as local dealers are concerned, I'm not aware of any...according to the Sandberg site, New York is the closest option for me (4-5 hour drive). Kind of a double edged sword...one reason that I like brand is that it is not ubiquitous, at least in the US, but of course, that also limits the ability to do much trying before buying.
- Apr 15, 2010
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That was the deal breaker for me with 48. Amazing looking and sounding bass, but not comfortable unless you are a very tall person with long arms. And the neck was heavy too, tended to dive.
My 48 does tend to prefer hanging horizontally, but it's better than many other basses I can think of.
Access above the 17th fret is problematic. So, best to avoid high register solos...
Overall, although it still has deficiencies, I think the 48's aesthetics, pickup configuration and on-board pre-amp make it much more useable than a Gibson Thunderbird.
Sascha Erni
Making things go whoomp, whoomp since 1994
Arrived yesterday, and I’m very happy:
Took ages though, as I wanted the VS4 with passive innards, and when I ordered it back in 2019, only the active/passive version was available from their Configurator. They added the passive option a couple of weeks ago though (mind, only the Configurator, not yet the web site), so I guess my order was sort of the last straw. We settled on routing the battery compartment with mine anyways, in case I want to switch to active electronics down the line. Better get all the woodwork done in advance.
Apart from the electrics and some changes to the hardware I ordered (Hipshot BassXtender, Schaller S-Locks etc.), it's pretty much a stock VS4. Ash body, maple neck and fingerboard, matte black etc.. It was set up nicely by Sandberg I must say, there’s not much I'd setup differently myself. Well, I'll have to, as I really don’t like the strings and I forgot to tell them to swap them out at the factory. Oh well. Tinker time!
Took ages though, as I wanted the VS4 with passive innards, and when I ordered it back in 2019, only the active/passive version was available from their Configurator. They added the passive option a couple of weeks ago though (mind, only the Configurator, not yet the web site), so I guess my order was sort of the last straw. We settled on routing the battery compartment with mine anyways, in case I want to switch to active electronics down the line. Better get all the woodwork done in advance.
Apart from the electrics and some changes to the hardware I ordered (Hipshot BassXtender, Schaller S-Locks etc.), it's pretty much a stock VS4. Ash body, maple neck and fingerboard, matte black etc.. It was set up nicely by Sandberg I must say, there’s not much I'd setup differently myself. Well, I'll have to, as I really don’t like the strings and I forgot to tell them to swap them out at the factory. Oh well. Tinker time!
Am I the only one who actually likes the Sandberg stock strings?
BTW, Sascha You got yourself a very cool piece. I'm sure Roger Waters would have played it if it existed 30 years ago
BTW, Sascha You got yourself a very cool piece. I'm sure Roger Waters would have played it if it existed 30 years ago
This was the other configuration I've giving too much thought to. Let me know how you like it after a little time. Super sexy bass.
Most likely. Those are crazy bright and zingy!Am I the only one who actually likes the Sandberg stock strings?
BTW, Sascha You got yourself a very cool piece. I'm sure Roger Waters would have played it if it existed 30 years ago
Sascha Erni
Making things go whoomp, whoomp since 1994
Will do! It plays nicely so far, but I want to compare it directly to my MIM Precision, and that's in the other practice room. Will take a while until I’m back there. I *think* the Sandberg has far more Oomph, but I also know how badly a human's hearing is at doing audio comparisons with large time-gaps in-between. Also, New Bass Effect aka rose-tinted glasses aka buyer’s remorse – hence, ya, I’ll get back to you a month or three in.
What I CAN say already though is: it's one of the easiest playable basses I’ve ever had in my hands. Even though the neck is quite chunky. And I haven’t even swapped strings yet; I usually play light-weight Rotosound nickel strings (.100-.040). I got the standard VS neck, i.e. 14" radius, 1.56" nut / zero fret width.
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About the playing position of the 48: does anybody have practical experience of how it relates to a Steinberger Spirit?
The strap-pin positions look pretty similar, even if the Steinberger doesn't have an actual body to speak of.
There aren't any fretless 48s in stock in practical reach of here (strange, right?) and the nearest dealer that has any kind of 48 in stock is at the far end of this (admittedly relatively small) country.
However, I do have a Spirit along with an Ibanez SR370EF, so those are my reference points. The 48 just seems more... me.
The strap-pin positions look pretty similar, even if the Steinberger doesn't have an actual body to speak of.
There aren't any fretless 48s in stock in practical reach of here (strange, right?) and the nearest dealer that has any kind of 48 in stock is at the far end of this (admittedly relatively small) country.
However, I do have a Spirit along with an Ibanez SR370EF, so those are my reference points. The 48 just seems more... me.
