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Club Sandberg (part 2)

#2,861
Was hoping someone with a California could help me here. I've been thinking of replacing the stock pickups with some that have a bit more range, I have a TT. California a bit similar to this one, a few resellers are asking me about height and measurements of the pickups because it can vary for JB type basses, others don't ask me squat.

Sandberg-California-SL-TT4-2.jpg


Is there something I should know ? Do Sandbergs have similar specs to Fenders for replacement pikups ?
 
#2,865
RogerTheAlien said:
Just regular Jbass Sandberg pickups, it is passive.
Click to expand...

If it's the standard Sandberg Alnico 5's on their newer passive basses on yours then you may not gain much advantage by swapping (regular J bass pickups will fit). I have a set of Nordstrands that I used to have on a series I TT4 that I intended to put on my series 2 TT4 passive but the Sandbergs blew me away.
I noticed a couple of people on here that were considering changing their TT4 passive pickups and then changed their mind when they tried different strings btw.
 
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#2,866
kasbrey said:
If it's the standard Sandberg Alnico 5's on their newer passive basses on yours then you may not gain much advantage by swapping (regular J bass pickups will fit). I have a set of Nordstrands that I used to have on a series I TT4 that I intended to put on my series 2 TT4 passive but the Sandbergs blew me away.
I noticed a couple of people on here that were considering changing their TT4 passive pickups and then changed their mind when they tried different strings btw.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks so much for the advice, I've been hesitating between trying on a new set of pups, dropping in a preamp or a combination of all these things. I've been playing on EB slinky bass strings for so long on my F-Style basses that I never thought about it.

I like the bass but I feel like it's heading for a second life with me and because I've had so many different basses in the last little while I feel like it can only gain from a change in dynamics, I was thinking the pickups first as I find the standard pups a bit bright but not as transparent and round as I've come to expect. It's very Hi-Fi and tone shaping it with my preamp is not as fun when I'm in the middle of a gig, I'd start off 2 - 3 songs with the Pbass which has a very low round sound, switch to the Mustang or Hofner with Flats for 5 songs and then then the Sandberg for the rest of the show but prior to getting it going a lot of adjustments needed because it outputs differently from the other basses, hits my amp more aggressively.

I love the feel of the bass, I just feel that with a transplant of some sort it could maybe do the job of the first 2 basses and make it one less to carry around.
 
#2,867
RogerTheAlien said:
Hey, thanks so much for the advice, I've been hesitating between trying on a new set of pups, dropping in a preamp or a combination of all these things. I've been playing on EB slinky bass strings for so long on my F-Style basses that I never thought about it.

I like the bass but I feel like it's heading for a second life with me and because I've had so many different basses in the last little while I feel like it can only gain from a change in dynamics, I was thinking the pickups first as I find the standard pups a bit bright but not as transparent and round as I've come to expect. It's very Hi-Fi and tone shaping it with my preamp is not as fun when I'm in the middle of a gig, I'd start off 2 - 3 songs with the Pbass which has a very low round sound, switch to the Mustang or Hofner with Flats for 5 songs and then then the Sandberg for the rest of the show but prior to getting it going a lot of adjustments needed because it outputs differently from the other basses, hits my amp more aggressively.

I love the feel of the bass, I just feel that with a transplant of some sort it could maybe do the job of the first 2 basses and make it one less to carry around.
Click to expand...

I find that my TT4 passive is a little lower on output than some of my other basses but very even across the frequency ranges. Single coil Jazz pickups tend to have a wider frequency range than P basses anyway usually with more high end.

The neck pickup solo'd on my TT4 sounds very warm and P like.

I like either GHS Pressurewound or Fender Pure Nickel on my TT4 and the high end can be kept under control, for my tastes anyway, with the passive tone.
 
#2,868
kasbrey said:
I noticed a couple of people on here that were considering changing their TT4 passive pickups and then changed their mind when they tried different strings btw.
Click to expand...
that was me as well ;) I was considering replacing the stock Alnico5 before I restrung my passive TT5 with fresh set of DRs. They are crazy good for a stock set of factory pickups. My only temptation now is trying some humcancelling pickups cause I use the neck pickup soloed a lot.
 
#2,870
TT questions:
* Does the passive model sound like the active with the pre amp bypassed (I'm assuming there is a bypass)
* Anybody have experience with the Electra TT series?

I have two Laklands I want to sell at my local used shop but they are closed.
Was planning on going with a California series TT but my Electra P is so awesome.
Curious to know if the neck shape and tone are anywhere close as the TT Electra saves a bunch of cash which could make it a right now buy. OTOH, if there is a noticeable difference I will wait.
 
#2,872
Yep as above - what you can say is that there is not a huge difference in sound between passive and active on the same bass.

If you like the Electra VS, you will likely like the Electra TT - as you know everything is checked in the mothership before leaving for sale.
Me personally - I prefer some form of relic hence probably won’t get and Electra, although I was close to getting one
 
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#2,874
RogerTheAlien said:
Was hoping someone with a California could help me here. I've been thinking of replacing the stock pickups with some that have a bit more range, I have a TT. California a bit similar to this one, a few resellers are asking me about height and measurements of the pickups because it can vary for JB type basses, others don't ask me squat.

View attachment 3825770

Is there something I should know ? Do Sandbergs have similar specs to Fenders for replacement pikups ?
Click to expand...
I have a Mk1 passive TSBS that came with Seymour Duncan BassLines J-style pups, and it’s the most punchy, naturally dynamic bass I have. It’s louder than my Mk1 TM5 with Delanos, a MkII Nighthawk VM5 with Black Labels, and (now sold) MkII VM5 with standard Sandberg Alnicos. Not sure what dark magic is involved with these SD BassLines but they could be worth considering. Came standard as specified by Torsten Scholtz.
 
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#2,875
Juan Lauda said:
I have a Mk1 passive TSBS that came with Seymour Duncan BassLines J-style pups, and it’s the most punchy, naturally dynamic bass I have. It’s louder than my Mk1 TM5 with Delanos, a MkII Nighthawk VM5 with Black Labels, and (now sold) MkII VM5 with standard Sandberg Alnicos. Not sure what dark magic is involved with these SD BassLines but they could be worth considering. Came standard as specified by Torsten Scholtz.
Click to expand...

Basslines is what is written often on the european sold pick ups from Seymour Duncan so they are not a line themselves.
I think they are the SJB-2 hot rod Jazz here
Seymour Duncan » Hot Jazz Bass

SD make some very good pick ups IMHO, I love the APb-1 for a P and it’s AJJ-1 equivalent. Depending on your cavity you can sneak the battery under the plate.

The TSBS now has the black labels as far as I am aware, but it’s a great bass.
 
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#2,876
Cuzzie said:
Basslines is what is written often on the european sold pick ups from Seymour Duncan so they are not a line themselves.
I think they are the SJB-2 hot rod Jazz here
Seymour Duncan » Hot Jazz Bass

SD make some very good pick ups IMHO, I love the APb-1 for a P and it’s AJJ-1 equivalent. Depending on your cavity you can sneak the battery under the plate.

The TSBS now has the black labels as far as I am aware, but it’s a great bass.
Click to expand...

Thanks Cuzzie, you're right. That's them.
 
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#2,878
Hi All. I have a bit of an issue with the finish on my Sandberg and I wonder if anyone else has the same. I have a TT4 in satin black woodgrain - it looks absolutely awesome. I have had it 5 months from new, and it is played probably 4 times a week for about 1.5 hours a time. It has been gigged twice in an acoustic band, so no sweaty gigs. Where my thumb rests against the bridge pickup, I have already worn through the top coat and almost to the wood. It is my thumb nail, but I don't have freaky nails, they are just normal. Sandberg are sort of saying that's what you get with these type of finishes, but I don't buy it. They have suggested sticking on some plastic film or tape - my view is that if the finish is so fragile, the adhesive on the tape will damage it. Its only a small area but it is only going to get worse, and I worry about the finish on the rest of the bass. It is an awesome instrument, and other than this, the fit and finish is great. Any one else had this with this type of finish?
IMG_0575[1256].jpg
 
#2,879
No direct experience with this finish but I suspect that over time there will be wear into the wood too.
Other than the thick polyurethane or epoxy finishes, I don't think that any softer finish would prevent wear from a fingernail. Certainly not a Fender nitrocellulose finish.
 
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