Club Sandberg (part 2)

[thawkeyes]

Hey guys, does anyone own MarloweDK 5 string version? If so how do you find overall playability and tone compared to any 34” California? Is B string more focused on it due to 35” scale? Thanks.

I've never played a 5 string Sandberg, but isn't a 35" going to be more "tight" and "piano-like"? Yes, the B string will be more focused and less flabby, just like on any 35" bass. The longer the scale, the tighter the sound. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Hope this helps Anton72.

 

[anton72]

I've never played a 5 string Sandberg, but isn't a 35" going to be more "tight" and "piano-like"? Yes, the B string will be more focused and less flabby, just like on any 35" bass. The longer the scale, the tighter the sound. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Hope this helps Anton72.

I owned some 35 scale basses with Bad low B and some 34 scale basses with good one. That’s why I ask specifically about Sandberg 34 vs 35, not any bass because it’s not a general rule.

 

[bdplaid]

I owned some 35 scale basses with Bad low B and some 34 scale basses with good one. That’s why I ask specifically about Sandberg 34 vs 35, not any bass because it’s not a general rule.

Same here, there's good and bad on both scales.
Imo guys with 5 string basses focus way too much on the friggin b string. It's 4 extra notes, that's all. So why mess up the feel of the entire bass with an extended scale just for what is essentially an expensive thumb rest?
I am a reformed 20 year 5 string player who happily went back to 4 string because I found everything about it easier, buying strings, parts, maintenance, and playing is way mo fun.
With that said, I'll probably never sell my modulus 5 in 35in scale because it sounds so good.

 

[anton72]

It's 4 extra notes, that's all.

I kindly disagree. Absolutely not it’s not just 4 lower notes but the entire string that can be used I play all nearly all my parts using B string. Because 4 and 5 string basses are just different instruments, it’s not just a 4 string bass with an extra sting

 

[bdplaid]

I kindly disagree. Absolutely not it’s not just 4 lower notes but the entire string that can be used I play all nearly all my parts using B string. Because 4 and 5 string basses are just different instruments, it’s not just a 4 string bass with an extra sting

While that is of course true and I have done that many times, I avoided it because the B string just doesn't sound good above the 5th fret.

One of the best b strings I ever played was on a custom Brubaker I used to have. Therefore, a killer B in 34" is possible. For my money, if I was doing 5 string again, it would be Sandberg in 34" scale.

 

[bdplaid]

I came to the conclusion that if I really wanted "piano like" for a low string, the best way is multi scale. They're like 37" or some such. Low b needs every bit of that, IMO.

 

[anton72]

I came to the conclusion that if I really wanted "piano like" for a low string, the best way is multi scale. They're like 37" or some such. Low b needs every bit of that, IMO.

Fully agree. I may order some Dingwall one day, just to try.

 

[Cuzzie]

Have a 4 string BEAD, and a normal 4 string.

Personally I play drop D or drop C - best of all worlds

 

[deff]

I kindly disagree. Absolutely not it’s not just 4 lower notes but the entire string that can be used I play all nearly all my parts using B string. Because 4 and 5 string basses are just different instruments, it’s not just a 4 string bass with an extra sting

Maybe so, but IMO the notes that are covered on the E string will sound better played on the E than the B hence the previous comment. I understand people who are downtuning wanting a B string, but I'd rather have a dedicated BEAD then, rather than something with a wide neck that ruined the feel of the bass.

Also the assumption that 35 scale is not better than 34 scale for tone on low notes is flawed. If the a 34 and a 35 basses have the same equivalent parts, the 35 will in every case have a better low B. There are obvious issues with some basses construction, but in general those basses won't sound great at 34 either. Physics is Physics.

 

[anton72]

Maybe so, but IMO the notes that are covered on the E string will sound better played on the E than the B hence the previous comment. I understand people who are downtuning wanting a B string, but I'd rather have a dedicated BEAD then, rather than something with a wide neck that ruined the feel of the bass.

Also the assumption that 35 scale is not better than 34 scale for tone on low notes is flawed. If the a 34 and a 35 basses have the same equivalent parts, the 35 will in every case have a better low B. There are obvious issues with some basses construction, but in general those basses won't sound great at 34 either. Physics is Physics.

Agree. It depends on the bass construction as well. Again, I did not ask what gives you better B with 34 or 35 inch scale, right? I know the answer in general and I do not need a tutorial about scales and physics. I've owned a great Spector 35" scale with a killer low B and another one with floppy B... And then I owned Olinto P5 with 34" scale with the B string tighter than on any of my 35" Spector basses....
My question was specifically related to Sandberg MarloweDK 5 string model, I asked the owners of that certain bass about their experience. Hope this helps to clarify my inquiry.

 

[TheLopp]

Agree. It depends on the bass construction as well. Again, I did not ask what gives you better B with 34 or 35 inch scale, right? I know the answer in general and I do not need a tutorial about scales and physics. I've owned a great Spector 35" scale with a killer low B and another one with floppy B... And then I owned Olinto P5 with 34" scale with the B string tighter than on any of my 35" Spector basses....
My question was specifically related to Sandberg MarloweDK 5 string model, I asked the owners of that certain bass about their experience. Hope this helps to clarify my inquiry.

I just received a TT5 with 35” scale, not a MarloweDK but anyway. The B and E string really benefits from the extra scale length. The old one has a decent B string but the new one sounds really good!

Not to mislead someone, I’m an endorsed artist. But I really value my integrity and wouldn’t play anything I don’t like.

The old one has a decent B string but I often use compressors to tighten it up, both live and on recordings. I’ve done many records with that one. Sounds really great.
I’ve just had my new one, the creme masterpiece, for two days so I haven’t played that much. Maybe a couple of hours. Lots of testing in the near future to be done but the B and E string sounds great!

I have a couple of Lakland’s with 35” too that I really like. And a Dingwall Super J5, which is “only” 35” as well.

Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions, even though it’s not a Marlowe...

Sorry for a crappy pic.

 

[anton72]

I just received a TT5 with 35” scale, not a MarloweDK but anyway. The B and E string really benefits from the extra scale length. The old one has a decent B string but the new one sounds really good!

Not to mislead someone, I’m an endorsed artist. But I really value my integrity and wouldn’t play anything I don’t like.

The old one has a decent B string but I often use compressors to tighten it up, both live and on recordings. I’ve done many records with that one. Sounds really great.
I’ve just had my new one, the creme masterpiece, for two days so I haven’t played that much. Maybe a couple of hours. Lots of testing in the near future to be done but the B and E string sounds great!

I have a couple of Lakland’s with 35” too that I really like. And a Dingwall Super J5, which is “only” 35” as well.

Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions, even though it’s not a Marlowe...View attachment 4052338

Sorry for a crappy pic.

Great TT5 Masterpiece! This one looks close to my dream bass, I prefer passive basses with alnico pickups. Thank you for chiming in, I appreciate your input. I have a TT5 passive and I love the tone and playability, but since I've been playing Spector 5ers before and they all have 35" scale I am used to a bit tighter B string, but Spetors are neck-through basses which may also contribute for the stiffness of the construction = better sustain. So my concern was that 35" scale might not help with bolt-on Sandberg with the same result as I had with the neck-through Spector, that's why any input from 35" Sandberg owners is appreciated. Glad you're enjoying your basses, Masterpiece series is very special, I am also thinking of getting one. Again, thanks and looking forward to your tone report of your new basses! Cheers!

 

[TheLopp]

Great TT5 Masterpiece! This one looks close to my dream bass, I prefer passive basses with alnico pickups. Thank you for chiming in, I appreciate your input. I have a TT5 passive and I love the tone and playability, but since I've been playing Spector 5ers before and they all have 35" scale I am used to a bit tighter B string, but Spetors are neck-through basses which may also contribute for the stiffness of the construction = better sustain. So my concern was that 35" scale might not help with bolt-on Sandberg with the same result as I had with the neck-through Spector, that's why any input from 35" Sandberg owners is appreciated. Glad you're enjoying your basses, Masterpiece series is very special, I am also thinking of getting one. Again, thanks and looking forward to your tone report of your new basses! Cheers!

This one is actually passive, I just don’t like to have the cable hanging from the front. And to get maximum sustain I ordered string through. Its not an option on the configurator but they can do it!

I have Black Labels in right now but ordered Alnico 5 as well so I’m going to play some more and then change to see what I like best. Delano’s might be an option too, I kind of like them as well. But we’ll see within a couple of weeks.

And the switch is for series/parallel.

 

[bdplaid]

Maybe so, but IMO the notes that are covered on the E string will sound better played on the E than the B hence the previous comment. I understand people who are downtuning wanting a B string, but I'd rather have a dedicated BEAD then, rather than something with a wide neck that ruined the feel of the bass.

Also the assumption that 35 scale is not better than 34 scale for tone on low notes is flawed. If the a 34 and a 35 basses have the same equivalent parts, the 35 will in every case have a better low B. There are obvious issues with some basses construction, but in general those basses won't sound great at 34 either. Physics is Physics.

Say what you will , but having played great and poor b strings on both scale lengths, the elements missing from your equation include materials, construction and design.

 

[bdplaid]

Its not an option on the configurator but they can do it!

This is an important comment, as I have found Sandberg willing to do pretty much anything as long as you pay for it. It's not the easiest thing, as all orders must come through a dealer and questions are delayed due to time zones, but be sure to ask. You can get a fully customized bass relatively inexpensively.

 

[TheLopp]

This is an important comment, as I have found Sandberg willing to do pretty much anything as long as you pay for it. It's not the easiest thing, as all orders must come through a dealer and questions are delayed due to time zones, but be sure to ask. You can get a fully customized bass relatively inexpensively.

Yes, that’s true. I love bindings on the neck and I don’t think that’s on the configurator either. But they make it! Really nice!

 

[thawkeyes]

I owned some 35 scale basses with Bad low B and some 34 scale basses with good one. That’s why I ask specifically about Sandberg 34 vs 35, not any bass because it’s not a general rule.

This one is actually passive, I just don’t like to have the cable hanging from the front. And to get maximum sustain I ordered string through. Its not an option on the configurator but they can do it!

I have Black Labels in right now but ordered Alnico 5 as well so I’m going to play some more and then change to see what I like best. Delano’s might be an option too, I kind of like them as well. But we’ll see within a couple of weeks.

And the switch is for series/parallel.

Was that switch from the factory or custom? thanks!

 

[TheLopp]

Was that switch from the factory or custom? thanks!

Custom. But just ask, they are really good at finding solutions.

 

[bdplaid]

I have yet to post my NBD for my new Sandberg VT4. My options included un-reversing the P pickup back to standard layout; making it an SL superlight; adding the 3 band tone section. So I have a killer sounding and playing bass that's both or either vintage and modern, and is incredibly versatile.

And weighs around 6lbs 1oz!

It is, as they say, totally the shizz.

 

[Jughead6]

I have yet to post my NBD for my new Sandberg VT4. My options included un-reversing the P pickup back to standard layout; making it an SL superlight; adding the 3 band tone section. So I have a killer sounding and playing bass that's both or either vintage and modern, and is incredibly versatile.

And weighs around 6lbs 1oz!

It is, as they say, totally the shizz.

View attachment 4052827 View attachment 4052828

Lovely Pau Ferro fretboard too, by the looks of it. Congratulations!