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Club Sandberg (part 2)

#3,061
kasbrey said:
Yes I know but they are a hotter type of pickup, probably ideal for metal etc but leaning toward the high output ceramic pickups like SD Quarter Pounders, DiMarzio Model J and the Delanos etc.
I've always found this type of pickup too "in your face" and lacking in subtlety for my preferences.
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That’s interesting cause I actually love the way Alnico-V sounds but wanted something similar but humcancelling, I know it’s probably not achievable cause true single coils tone is unique. I actually like Dimarzio Model J tone but they are linear split coils humbuckers while Black Labels are stacked coils.
 
#3,062
anton72 said:
That’s interesting cause I actually love the way Alnico-V sounds but wanted something similar but humcancelling, I know it’s probably not achievable cause true single coils tone is unique. I actually like Dimarzio Model J tone but they are linear split coils humbuckers while Black Labels are stacked coils.
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Yeah I've owned Model J's, Ultra J and Quarter pounders and didn't really get the ceramic connection as the problem initially because I loved my G&L's MFD. That is a 1981 pickup though and has probably mellowed.
 
#3,063
Before starting a new thread I think I'll just ask you guys since you probably have the most experience with a wide variety of Sandberg basses. I found a Czech store that sells to Austria for very good prices, they have Sandberg Electra II VS4s for 650€, Sandberg Electra II M4s for 700€ and a used (a few dings and scratches) Basic 4 for 930€.
Are there any major differences in fit and finish, fretwork, etc. between the Sandberg Electra line and their "normal" basses? I know, the Electra series is CNCed and lacquered overseas, but they are still assembled and pass quality control in Germany from what I know. So are they also PLEKd and done to the same standard as normal Sandbergs?
The pickups and electronics on all of these basses (the basic and the electra line) are "sandberg designed", I know that my Classic Special still had Delano pickups and Glockenklang electronics and from what I looked up back then Delano actually made those "Sandberg designed" pickups as well, just with the Sandberg logo on them. Is this still true, or more generally, are those Sandberg designed pickups as good as the Delanos? I suppose you can always just use them as passive basses if the preamp isn't all that great, but those Delano pickups kick ass and I'd love to have them included in these as well.
Besides that, I'm pretty sure the electra basses use the same hardware, so I'm mostly concerned with these things. Fretwork, pickups and electronics.
 
#3,064
Hi guys. New to the forum and Sandberg (man they make some beautiful basses!). Hopefully one of you can help.
Can anyone speak to the tonal differences between the California VT4 and the VM4?
I’m am looking for a versatile and well rounded bass for blues/jazz (trad. and fusion)/soul/occasional classic rock. Basically I am tired of having to choose between my Fender P and J, or log around both. Originally I thought the VT4 might fit the bill, but after scouring the internet for reviews, pick up configurations and specs I have found a lot of praise for the VM-series and almost no mention of the VT-series.
Thanks ✌️
 
#3,066
Yding said:
Hi guys. New to the forum and Sandberg (man they make some beautiful basses!). Hopefully one of you can help.
Can anyone speak to the tonal differences between the California VT4 and the VM4?
I’m am looking for a versatile and well rounded bass for blues/jazz (trad. and fusion)/soul/occasional classic rock. Basically I am tired of having to choose between my Fender P and J, or log around both. Originally I thought the VT4 might fit the bill, but after scouring the internet for reviews, pick up configurations and specs I have found a lot of praise for the VM-series and almost no mention of the VT-series.
Thanks ✌️
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Ive played both. The VT sounds similar to a Fender PJ. The J pickup is what it is in the bridge position. Works in certain applications to get certain jazz like tones. Not much application for as I rarely seek those tones, and I always had it off when I have a PJ. The Music Man style pickup in he bridge however can add a really depth and range of tone. I use it in my TM all the time. I also think you could dial it in to get close to those bridge pickup jazz sounds. That said, I personally like the sound of the VS and never want for a bridge pickup when Im playing it.
 
#3,067
hardtop said:
Ive played both. The VT sounds similar to a Fender PJ. The J pickup is what it is in the bridge position. Works in certain applications to get certain jazz like tones. Not much application for as I rarely seek those tones, and I always had it off when I have a PJ. The Music Man style pickup in he bridge however can add a really depth and range of tone. I use it in my TM all the time. I also think you could dial it in to get close to those bridge pickup jazz sounds. That said, I personally like the sound of the VS and never want for a bridge pickup when Im playing it.
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Thanks a lot for your insights. I might have to reconsider the VM-series, it sounds like it might be the most versatile option of the two.
 
#3,068
Yding said:
Thanks a lot for your insights. I might have to reconsider the VM-series, it sounds like it might be the most versatile option of the two.
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Man, my response is so poorly written/typed that I'm surprised you understood what I was trying to say. HaHa. The VM is definitely going to get a broader range of tones, but it's a matter of personal preference for sure. Some people love the jazz bridge tone, but I for one just don't have much need for it in any of the music that I like to play.
 
#3,069
As my never-ending search for the perfect bass continues, I keep finding myself coming back to the Sandberg VM4.

Was hoping I could post here and get some insight into the ordering process. If I were to have one built, what is the turnaround time? Also curious about the Electra basses. They don't seem to be available in the US. I've found a few on Reverb from Germany, Hungary, Spain, etc. I'm assuming with covid that they will get caught up in customs for a while. Another option would be to go used.
 
#3,070
brushfirewolf said:
As my never-ending search for the perfect bass continues, I keep finding myself coming back to the Sandberg VM4.

Was hoping I could post here and get some insight into the ordering process. If I were to have one built, what is the turnaround time? Also curious about the Electra basses. They don't seem to be available in the US. I've found a few on Reverb from Germany, Hungary, Spain, etc. I'm assuming with covid that they will get caught up in customs for a while. Another option would be to go used.
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I ordered a custom TM4 in early December and just got notification on Friday that the US vendor received it. So it looks like about 7 months right now.
 
#3,072
hardtop said:
Man, my response is so poorly written/typed that I'm surprised you understood what I was trying to say. HaHa. The VM is definitely going to get a broader range of tones, but it's a matter of personal preference for sure. Some people love the jazz bridge tone, but I for one just don't have much need for it in any of the music that I like to play.
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Not poorly written at all!

The only thing I would add is that the "MusicMan" style pickup is just that...style only. Solo'd, either split or both coils, it sounds nothing like a Stingray. It is its own thing entirely and that's good. But I will say that the VM4 (pictured in my avatar) is extremely versatile getting either close to a J or PJ sound but then having its own unique character mixing and blending the pickups and using both active and passive modes. A true swiss army knife (I know, but made in Germany) bass that records beautifully and allows for an extremely wide range of styles and tastes to suit the occasion. I also play it live because it is light and comfortable. One of the best basses I've ever owned. And it's unique without being too out there looks-wise.

I don't think you'll regret it!
 
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#3,076
FWIW,
I have a fairly new California TM2, which has two of the Musicman style pick-ups. Of course both pick-ups can be split, and playing the bass "passive" rather than "active" seems to take some modern edge off. The bass doesn't
60538407447__F1E32CB7-9484-436F-9E85-2487DAC7A43A.JPG
sound like my MM Stingray, my P-Bass, or my Atelier Z Jazz. But in it's own beautiful way can fundamentally do everything those can do. Different, but great.
 
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#3,079
jjpaaske said:
For you guys who have ordered custom basses from sandberg - did you hear anything while waiting for it to come, or did you just get a notification when it arrives at the dealer?
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I heard nothing from the retailer at all until it was ready to be shipped to me. I don't know if that's typical since coronavirus struck in the middle. I used Music Store Live. They were very nice to deal with.
 

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