Thanks...just added that one a couple days ago...still not sure what it started out as, since there are EMGs and a John East J-RETRO 01 preamp installed...
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Thanks...just added that one a couple days ago...still not sure what it started out as, since there are EMGs and a John East J-RETRO 01 preamp installed...
Hello fellow Sandberg-ians. I posted this as a thread, and a fellow member kindly reminded me that this thread/group exists, so let me post the question here:
Hey folks. Quarantine got me all weird up in here, entertaining silly gear purchases.
I have a Sandberg TM4 that I ADORE. The sound, the playability, the stability. Just everything.
I’m so enamored, that I want a P version. This leads me to the VM4...but wait, the Forty Eight has a P style pickup hidden under that ‘bucker cover! And I do love that Firebird/Explorer shape. So flipping metal.
Has anyone played both? Could you tell me if they generally sound the same? Is the feel as similar as it can be, given the radically different body shape? Any firsthand info would be greatly appreciated.
Hey folks. Quarantine got me all weird up in here, entertaining silly gear purchases.
I have a Sandberg TM4 that I ADORE. The sound, the playability, the stability. Just everything.
I’m so enamored, that I want a P version. This leads me to the VM4...but wait, the Forty Eight has a P style pickup hidden under that ‘bucker cover! And I do love that Firebird/Explorer shape. So flipping metal.
Has anyone played both? Could you tell me if they generally sound the same? Is the feel as similar as it can be, given the radically different body shape? Any firsthand info would be greatly appreciated.
I wanted to try a 48 because I loved the look and wanted something kind of MM/P. I went to a store where they had two. I ended up ordering a VM4.
The sound is not very different, if at all. The neck on my VM4 was based on one of the 48s that I really liked: I asked if it coul dbe similar to that bass, and with serial number in hand, Sandberg said they'd match it.
They do feel very different. Look at where the strap button is on the 48 and on the VM4. It makes the 48 'feel' like the neck is a good couple of inches longer. Also, they didn't quite neck dive like some other basses with a similar design, but the neck does pull towards the horizontal. Because of those two things, I decided to get a VM4. It's not as 'sexy' as a 48, but it's got the right sound and feels a lot better, to me.
I generally agree with what @mcnach has said, but I went the other way. I got a 48 because it sounds like a VM4 and looks great. The ergonomics are different and may not be for everyone. I'm 6'2" with long arms, so maybe that helps.
That’s the one CME sent me by accident the first time great bass also. Thought about keeping it.
Thanks for this info. Very cool, and tremendously helpful! How different were the neck profiles between the 48 and the VM?
Your insight has me leaning towards a VM4...
Yeah, lots of people play Thunderbirds and EB0/3 type basses and they're happy with it despite having the same 'long neck' syndrome. I could get used to it, I suppose, but when I'm paying decent money for a bass I am willing to sacrifice looks for playability (again, my own preference, others don't care).
I have a cheap Telecaster-shaped bass made by Shine that is super light, beautiful, sounds great... but it has the same issue. I use it at home but it's never been out on gigs, just some rehearsals, because when I'm playing live I don't want to be fighting the instrument.
I hesitated at the shop when I was trying the 48 because... come on, look at them, they look AMAZING!
I really wanted to dismiss the negatives and buy one. I had spent soooo much time on the configurator trying to decide the colour etc 
But the experience with the Shine bass made me go for the VM4 because I knew I'd never be 100% happy.Now, you mentioned having long arms. At 5'7" you're a great deal taller than myself, and that might help, as you point out. I noticed that a lot of people who have no issues with Thunderbirds seem to like to wear the bass much lower than I do. Being tall perhaps also helps in the same way, for body balance. Long neck is not an issue, for me, with regards to reach: I still reach all the way. The problem is that if I don't look at the neck I would often be 2-3 frets off. Playing at home is not an issue, but live I can't be looking at my hands all the time and I just would not be comfortable. I'm sure with practice you'll get used to it, just like you do when you play a 5 string bass for the first time. It's not like it would be impossible to play for me, but it's certainly a "try before you buy" kind of bass, I think.
I still look at them and go "hmmm" while I look at my credit card
If I could afford putting £1600-2000 on a bass that I might not use much, I'd get a 48. But first the VM4
If you can, do try a 48 first. Perhaps the balance/long neck feel does not bother you too much: a lot of people are happy with basses like that. @Jughead6 loves his 48, for example, maybe you would too? If you can't try it, I feel the VM4 is a safer option. Maybe try a couple of Thunderbirds to give you some sense of what the 48 would be like? Bear in mind the 48 will be almost certainly lighter and slightly better balanced, but you'll get a good sense for how much or how little it bothers you that the neck is shifted towards the left compared to your standard Precision style bass.
I have only tried one VM4 besides mine and I can't say it was much different, if any, to the two 48 basses they had at that store. Even the two 48s were not identical, although they were close. I chose one of them to model the neck of my VM4 on. Although I went to the same store to collect the VM4 once it arrived, I didn't go back to compare it to the 48s (and after 5 months waiting, they probably had been sold anyway), but I really like it. It's on the slim side, but not too much. I'm more of a Precision/Stingray type of neck, rather than Jazz. The VM4 is one of the slimmest necks I own, but it's not as slim as a Jazz. I guess it sits somewhere between your standard Precision and a Jazz, which is a good place to be.
If you have a preference, ask when placing the order. You may find that they can accommodate a few 'custom' details like that without making the bass much more expensive.
I’m in Australia, and have had it for several months now. Might be its twin
Yea sorry. I didn’t mean that exact serial number but the exact configuration.
Sascha Erni
Making things go whoomp, whoomp since 1994
Update after about a month:
Dream bass for me. The Sandberg VS4 just does what it should, is not head-heavy even after a couple of hours of playing at a time (yay, Corona). After restringing it with my preferred gauge of Rotosounds (0.040-0.100"), I was able to lower the action to a (for me) insane level of 2.0mm at the 12th fret (E / Drop D) without unwanted clanking or buzzing, and I tend to be heavy-handed. No hum or hiss, and the pickups might not be super-hot, but not timid, either. Neck plays very nicely, it’s my first bass where I didn’t strip the neck polish pretty much immediately after deciding to keep the instrument. The bass isn’t super-light, but much lighter than my MIM Precision and easy to play for hours (again, Corona).
Caveats:
- The passive tone control works (or at least, sounds) a lot differently than what I’m used to from the MIM Fender and my Frankenbass with BassLine electrics. It “feels” more like the seesaw mids controls on my Diamond Bass Comp than a traditional tone knob. I’ve found three positions I like, but I haven’t really understood yet how it actually works. The screw hole makes dialing in preferred settings easy, though.
- Pickups could be a tad hotter, but then, I haven’t experimented with pickup height yet.
- Output is positioned in a way I’m not used to, and after four weeks, I still have trouble getting the cable in without looking. Might work better with angled plugs.
Would I get one again? Totally. Once this bloody virus thing has blown over, I’m definitely looking into Sandberg’s fretless options. I don’t have GAS for other instrument makers anymore. As far as I’m concerned, I wouldn’t know why I shouldn’t just get a Sandberg instead. Great instrument, great price for what it is.
- Apr 15, 2010
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My new TT5 passive first impressions report: the neck is a bit beefier than the VM5 Nighthawk I played at NAMM, but still very comfortable. Balance on strap is PERFECT whereas the weight is just 8,6 lbs. the pickups are not as hot as I expected and they are my only concern for now. The tone is a bit mid scoop which is not my favorite. Big lows, a bit harsh on the higher notes, but I still miss the mids. As for ergonomics everything is fine except for the TT upper body side is a bit bigger than the VM model which doesn’t work as good as VM shape for me. Not sure if it’s a keeper for me unless I try to replace the pickups with the Sandberg black labels which I loved in the VM5 Nighthawk.
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My TT4 passive has different woods but it certainly isn't scooped. It also has decent output (after I adjusted the pickup height) in comparison to other Sandbergs I've owned, including a VM4.
My series 2 VS4 however does have an inherent mid scoop, not related to the pickups. It took quite a few pickup change experiments before I settled on an EMG Geezer Butler and going passive with the addition of a Stellartone. I also added some extra weight in the now redundant battery compartment and control cavity (still only weighs 8lb) which has helped.
Also one of my first series Umbos is louder than the other even with the pickups swapped around.
I hope you find a solution that works for you.
My series 2 VS4 however does have an inherent mid scoop, not related to the pickups. It took quite a few pickup change experiments before I settled on an EMG Geezer Butler and going passive with the addition of a Stellartone. I also added some extra weight in the now redundant battery compartment and control cavity (still only weighs 8lb) which has helped.
Also one of my first series Umbos is louder than the other even with the pickups swapped around.
I hope you find a solution that works for you.
+1
My VS4 is the best playing bass I have (over Fenders, Lakland, and Spector).
It's a joy to play, and like yours, the action can go very low and clean. One online review thought they are plek'd? Mine weighs 8.4 lbs so no issues with weight!
Mine does not have the passive tone option so no idea what passive sounds like; by your description I wouldn't like it.
My "used to be main player" is a 73' P that I have since the 80's.
As a comparison, with the treble slightly rolled back I can get a VERY close passive P tone. Of course it can sound like an active bass with just a twist of the knobs.
Does anybody think the Electra pre amps add a little "harmonic enrichment) meaning pleasant disortion?
It is extremely slight but different than my other Fender P's.
Output is the same as my Fenders which is fine by me.
Mine was $850 shipped from CME.
has the price gone way up or is there something with the purple ones costing twice as much?
Sandberg VS4 Violetburst Matte (Serial #34793)
Also, you know you've made it when they start bootlegging your head stock decal!
2- Sandberg Style California Headstock Decals Laser Jet Ink Waterslide Paper! | eBay
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The purple one was built in Germany and the Electras are made in Indonesia and put together in Germany.
Edit : some Electras have their components made in Korea. Maybe the newer ones?
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Thanks for this.
When I was at CME all the Electras were from Indonesia; looks like they now make them in Germany too.
This was the Electra P (also called VS4), J, and MM models.
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