The bridge is serviceable, but if you look at the webshop, a full replacement bridge costs 55 euros, which should hint at the quality you're getting. My Sandberg is over 10 years old at this point, and the hardware hasn't held up well at all. The tuners are already gone, and the replacement bridge isn't going to be a Sandberg unit, that's for sure. Maybe the hardware on the new ones is better, but not interested in finding out.
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The bridge is serviceable, but if you look at the webshop, a full replacement bridge costs 55 euros, which should hint at the quality you're getting. My Sandberg is over 10 years old at this point, and the hardware hasn't held up well at all. The tuners are already gone, and the replacement bridge isn't going to be a Sandberg unit, that's for sure. Maybe the hardware on the new ones is better, but not interested in finding out.
I believe it was the neck pickup placement for me. Bridge pickup was fine. It's hard to find any good sound clips or videos on the Martini Mendez Model. The Sandberg SoundCheck video is short and only shows one tone of the instrument - IMO. If you're after that sound, it does it in spades.
Also, I'm not knocking Sandberg at all. I think they make awesome basses (I picked up and played quite a few since.). The Martin Mendez Model just wasn't for me. I think the Ida Nielsen model is more up my alley.
Are there other bridges that would work as a replacement for the Sandberg OEM? My Sandberg is new but good to know if there’s options out there for bridge and tuner replacement.
I like my Ida 5. Plays and sounds just as good as it looks .I believe it was the neck pickup placement for me. Bridge pickup was fine. It's hard to find any good sound clips or videos on the Martini Mendez Model. The Sandberg SoundCheck video is short and only shows one tone of the instrument - IMO. If you're after that sound, it does it in spades.
Also, I'm not knocking Sandberg at all. I think they make awesome basses (I picked up and played quite a few since.). The Martin Mendez Model just wasn't for me. I think the Ida Nielsen model is more up my alley.
I don't think you'll be able to swap tuners without drilling and leaving holes. It's a unique base shape. Maybe it was old design or a bad batch but my sandbergs hardware is rock solid. The only tuners I have that hold tighter are on my US Stingray and those suckers wear out your forearms on the restring.
Glad you chimed in, this is up top of my gas list. I have an import MTD with double buckers placed lower than usual on a 35" scale and I suspected the Martin Mendez might sound very close to that in single coil mode.
If I was replacing the Sandberg bridge it would be with a hipshot Type A. Although any good quality bridge will do.
There's also the issue of the mounting holes on the Sandberg bridge being a bit forward compared to most, so a replacement bridge's saddles might not have enough travel to intonate properly if you reuse the holes. So, I'd just mentally prepare for a new set of holes on your bass, resale value be damned.
And yeah, Hipshot A-Style (brass) would definitely get the nod from me too. ABM and ETS also make very good bridges (attested to by Sandberg using these on lefty basses in the past), but availability is kinda poor even on the EU side of the pond.
And yeah, Hipshot A-Style (brass) would definitely get the nod from me too. ABM and ETS also make very good bridges (attested to by Sandberg using these on lefty basses in the past), but availability is kinda poor even on the EU side of the pond.
My Sandberg saddles are at the front of the bridge now, so a little extra travel is a good thing.
If my measurements are correct, a Hipshot A style in .75 string spacing with 4 hole mount is pretty much a direct replacement. Unless I have to move it longitudinally. Which is dead easy, drill 4 holes.
I have one on another bass and I'm going to have a go.
My old California PM4 had the ABM 3704 as standard. I much preferred the aged nickel Sandberg bridge I replaced it with.
I've never had an issue with bridge quality on any of my Sandberg basses, but I'm not constantly adjusting intonation.
Do the Superlight basses use the same hardware?
I've never had an issue with bridge quality on any of my Sandberg basses, but I'm not constantly adjusting intonation.
Do the Superlight basses use the same hardware?
I have no issues at all with Sandberg's bridge design or quality. I haven't needed to adjust the bridge on my Sandbergs for many years, and don't expect to for many years to come.
But, if I was ever inclined to change to something else, I would install a Schaller 3D roller bridge. I have Hipshot bridges, and they are excellent, but I don't think they suit the aesthetic of most Sandberg basses.
But, if I was ever inclined to change to something else, I would install a Schaller 3D roller bridge. I have Hipshot bridges, and they are excellent, but I don't think they suit the aesthetic of most Sandberg basses.
there are no quality issues on my basses (newer California). I don’t know what the heck they are taking about. The hardware is top quality. I’ve owned dozens of brands,
Sadowsky, MTD, Ken Smith, Alleva Coppolo, Pedulla, Modulus, Lull, Warwick, EBMM, Fender, Yamaha, and on and on and the Sandbergs are excellent and equal to any of those. Also not sure how much the bridge has to do with it, but my VM5 has insane sustain.
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Funny you mention tanks, that is what I think of the saddles, a little complicated when doing setup but once that is done it stays in place. Not like a bridge where you can physically move all saddles around by will or accident... Pros and cons I guess, the Leo-style ones takes just seconds to setup on the other hand.
Yeah, I can only guess why the couple that do might not get on with the stock bridge. Maybe there's a couple of subtleties in the posts that hint at why.
99% of everyone here and elsewhere do seem to agree it's perfectly fine though.
Also, it just wouldn't make sense for Sandberg to pay the attention they apparently have to the rest of the instrument, only to save £20 on the bridge.
Although I don't think I was eyeing the bridge up to the extent I now would, the the Sandberg I did have a quick blast on looked and felt flawless really. Maybe I'm not the connoisseur that others are.
When I get it though, I doubt I'll be rushing to swap the bridge.
Fine, I'll bite. Pulled the strings off my PM5 to show where the ball ends have gouged into the base plate. The soft metal under the hard chrome plating has collapsed, forming sharp edges just waiting to cut the ball ends off your strings.
I can take a similar shot of the Hipshot A-Style on my 2007 ESP Amaze, but it would be futile because there is nothing to be seen there. A bridge needs to be both durable and functional, and this thing is neither. If you prefer these to a Hipshot, ABM, ETS, or any quality brand made from machined brass, I respect your opinion, but can't understand it.
I can take a similar shot of the Hipshot A-Style on my 2007 ESP Amaze, but it would be futile because there is nothing to be seen there. A bridge needs to be both durable and functional, and this thing is neither. If you prefer these to a Hipshot, ABM, ETS, or any quality brand made from machined brass, I respect your opinion, but can't understand it.
Made in 2010. I can deal with the bridge being a pain to adjust, but I'd expect better quality metal on a bass that would cost ~2800 euros new with a similar configuration.
Ok, that's me well and truly spooked about my pending build.
Doesn't look good. Even the plating on the saddles looks kind of ropey to me.
It's a perfectly serviceable bridge, so don't worry. It's only the long-term durability that is in question, and maybe Sandberg puts better hardware on the new ones, since everyone seems to be happy with theirs.
