Club Sandberg (part 2)

[bbjonz]

Here's my SuperLight California TM-5. Pau Ferro, matte 2-tone burst finish. I'm out of town for a bit so I don't have my scale handy but it seems less than 7lbs. I didn't know these existed until I saw an ad for one on the emporium. After checking some reviews, all of which were extremely positive, I bought this one new from Bass Central. I like it so much that I ordered a fretless version in matte black with mint guard. Wait time is 10-12 months.

Really pleased with how it plays, sounds, and looks. I like the active/passive option and the single-coil switch for the back pickup, which gets pretty close to full on Stingray and Jazz Bass. Most everyone on TB raves about Sandberg, which made me a bit more confident in taking the plunge sight unseen.

I did replace the stock strings (which folks say are GHS SS) for Chromes, which suit me lately. I have them on most everything, including my Stingray Special 5HH and USA Sterling 5h fretless.

 

[Terry Farmer]

Congratulations!

 

[TheRealGru]

I would love to get one, but I am wanting the full sized body California. I checked with Mark from Sandberg and a year or so ago he said they didn't make these anymore... Too bad.

 

[Agentbenicio]

I’m looking at buying a Sandberg VS, but really have no way of playing it beforehand as I live in a rural area. I’ve been doing a lot of research and thought this might be the best place to ask a couple questions.

Someone told me the 14” radius and the smaller body were hard to adjust to. Has anyone else had that problem? I currently play a Stingray and a Fender P bass. Should I be concerned about adjusting to a Sandberg?

 

[dmccombe7]

I have various different sized basses from Overwater 6 string custom fretless to Warwick Thumb NT to couple of Fenders Jazz and Precision and found both my Sandbergs an absolute skoosh to change over to. The VM4 is so comfortable to play and has one of the best necks i've played. I have managed to get string height down to 1.5mm on that bass without fret buzz. That's the lowest i've ever managed and i do play fairly hard fingerstyle. My MarloweDK i can only get down to 2mm but the slim neck is glorious to play with a tone to die for.
I dont think you'll find the change over an issue at all but we are all different with different opinions on how comfortable a bass feels to us.
Obviously i'm a fan of Sandberg basses. I've not played any of my other 9 basses since buying my Sandbergs.
Dave

 

[mcnach]

I’m looking at buying a Sandberg VS, but really have no way of playing it beforehand as I live in a rural area. I’ve been doing a lot of research and thought this might be the best place to ask a couple questions.

Someone told me the 14” radius and the smaller body were hard to adjust to. Has anyone else had that problem? I currently play a Stingray and a Fender P bass. Should I be concerned about adjusting to a Sandberg?

I wouldn't think so.
I'm primarily a Stingray and Precision player, I find the smaller bodied Sandberg (VM in my case) nicer if anything. The flattish fretboard is a matter of preference, personally I do prefer more curved fretboards but to be honest I have never given it more than a fleeting thought in the 3 years I've had my VM.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I’m looking at buying a Sandberg VS, but really have no way of playing it beforehand as I live in a rural area. I’ve been doing a lot of research and thought this might be the best place to ask a couple questions.

Someone told me the 14” radius and the smaller body were hard to adjust to. Has anyone else had that problem? I currently play a Stingray and a Fender P bass. Should I be concerned about adjusting to a Sandberg?

Not at all. I play a StingRay5 Special, a PBass, and a Short Scale Ray. My Sandberg TM-5 Ida is the most comfortable and easiest to play if my 34 scale basses.

 

[bpc]

A Sandberg basic has a body very similar in size and shape to a musicman. Can't add all the fancy options with the configurator but if you asked a dealer to quote for a special you might be able to get one with the woods, finishes and treatments you want. Don't let the name put you off. It is anything but basic. A work of art in wood, metal and plastic.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Here's my SuperLight California TM-5. Pau Ferro, matte 2-tone burst finish. I'm out of town for a bit so I don't have my scale handy but it seems less than 7lbs. I didn't know these existed until I saw an ad for one on the emporium. After checking some reviews, all of which were extremely positive, I bought this one new from Bass Central. I like it so much that I ordered a fretless version in matte black with mint guard. Wait time is 10-12 months.

Really pleased with how it plays, sounds, and looks. I like the active/passive option and the single-coil switch for the back pickup, which gets pretty close to full on Stingray and Jazz Bass. Most everyone on TB raves about Sandberg, which made me a bit more confident in taking the plunge sight unseen.

I did replace the stock strings (which folks say are GHS SS) for Chromes, which suit me lately. I have them on most everything, including my Stingray Special 5HH and USA Sterling 5h fretless.


View attachment 4701240

Beautiful bass! I've thought about an UltraLight, but I'm pretty happy with my two Sandbergs -- but a less than 7 lbs bass is sooooooo tempting! Also, if you like Chromes might I suggest you try Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats sometime, there are pretty awesome. I have them on my Stingray Special 5HH and will soon on my Sandberg VM5.

Also, what are those pickups? Mine look nothing like that and one of mine is Delano and the other is the Sandberg Black Label I believe.

 

[bbjonz]

Beautiful bass! I've thought about an UltraLight, but I'm pretty happy with my two Sandbergs -- but a less than 7 lbs bass is sooooooo tempting! Also, if you like Chromes might I suggest you try Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats sometime, there are pretty awesome. I have them on my Stingray Special 5HH and will soon on my Sandberg VM5.

Also, what are those pickups? Mine look nothing like that and one of mine is Delano and the other is the Sandberg Black Label I believe.

Thanks! Pickups are Black Labels, as far as I can tell.

My preference, as I get older, is for lighter instruments. My general rule for bass (and I play only 5-strings) is nothing over 9lbs. My SRS 5HH is 7 lbs 14 oz (not a typo) and the USA Sterling 5H is about 8.5 lbs (with hipshot tuners and new Stingray Special knobs). The SuperLight is like a feather with no discernible neck dive, and it’s a joy to play.

I tried the EB Cobalt Flats on my Bongo and hated them. Figured it might the Bongo/Cobalt option so I put them on my SRS—and still hated them. I didn’t like the feel or tone though I get how others cotton to them. So they sit in a freezer storage bag in my music room. Chromes have a bit of zing, which I like, but feel much better to me. To each his/her own…

 

[Terry Farmer]

I would love to get one, but I am wanting the full sized body California. I checked with Mark from Sandberg and a year or so ago he said they didn't make these anymore... Too bad.

Bass Blue check the TB classifieds. Search Sandberg. You may find what you are looking for.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Thanks! Pickups are Black Labels, as far as I can tell.

My preference, as I get older, is for lighter instruments. My general rule for bass (and I play only 5-strings) is nothing over 9lbs. My SRS 5HH is 7 lbs 14 oz (not a typo) and the USA Sterling 5H is about 8.5 lbs (with hipshot tuners and new Stingray Special knobs). The SuperLight is like a feather with no discernible neck dive, and it’s a joy to play.

I tried the EB Cobalt Flats on my Bongo and hated them. Figured it might the Bongo/Cobalt option so I put them on my SRS—and still hated them. I didn’t like the feel or tone though I get how others cotton to them. So they sit in a freezer storage bag in my music room. Chromes have a bit of zing, which I like, but feel much better to me. To each his/her own…

Hmm.. maybe mine aren't black label then. Yours are split pole, mine are single pole. Hahah - I have the exact opposite reaction, Chromes don't do it for me at all. I've tried them a couple of times and they left me flat. LOL.

Here are my basses in comparison, the VM are Sangberg pickups and the TM are Delano

 

[dmccombe7]

Sandbergs own design on the cream bass and Delano on blue. Black labels have the twin pole pieces per string.
I have the Sandbergs on both my basses and they sound amazing to me. I get different feedback on Black Labels tone. Some love them some dont but i guess that's the same for most basses and pick ups.
Dave

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Hi. 2006. Delano's...

 

[bbjonz]

Hmm.. maybe mine aren't black label then. Yours are split pole, mine are single pole. Hahah - I have the exact opposite reaction, Chromes don't do it for me at all. I've tried them a couple of times and they left me flat. LOL.

Here are my basses in comparison, the VM are Sangberg pickups and the TM are Delano

View attachment 4702525

Gorgeous basses! You know, I played rounds and Jazz Basses forever but a year or ago, when I started playing and recording with some friends in LA, I decided I didn’t like my tone. So I explored a few different basses and settled on the Stingray Special but wanted to tame that SR zing a bit. I read somewhere that Bernard Edwards used flats on his SR for those classic Chic recordings and that Joe Dart uses flats on his signature model (the first one with the humbucker), so I started experimenting. I tried LaBella LTRs, EB Group 3 flats, Chromes, and the Cobalts. The LTRs do one thing well but IMO they aren’t terribly versatile and the Group 3 flats were just kinda meh. The Cobalts sound like zingy rounds with the feel of flats but that sound is exactly what I wanted to leave behind. Chromes have the best feel and sound for my tastes, though I wound using the .40 set with a .110 B. (There’s a thread on the TB about using light gauge B strings so I gave that a whirl—I dig them!).

Having said all that, I have a set of Daddario XLs coming for the Sandberg. The Chromes feel just fine but that bass seems to want a more expressive string, given all of its tonal capabilities. So we’ll see…

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Gorgeous basses! You know, I played rounds and Jazz Basses forever but a year or ago, when I started playing and recording with some friends in LA, I decided I didn’t like my tone. So I explored a few different basses and settled on the Stingray Special but wanted to tame that SR zing a bit. I read somewhere that Bernard Edwards used flats on his SR for those classic Chic recordings and that Joe Dart uses flats on his signature model (the first one with the humbucker), so I started experimenting. I tried LaBella LTRs, EB Group 3 flats, Chromes, and the Cobalts. The LTRs do one thing well but IMO they aren’t terribly versatile and the Group 3 flats were just kinda meh. The Cobalts sound like zingy rounds with the feel of flats but that sound is exactly what I wanted to leave behind. Chromes have the best feel and sound for my tastes, though I wound using the .40 set with a .110 B. (There’s a thread on the TB about using light gauge B strings so I gave that a whirl—I dig them!).

Having said all that, I have a set of Daddario XLs coming for the Sandberg. The Chromes feel just fine but that bass seems to want a more expressive string, given all of its tonal capabilities. So we’ll see…

I’m sending you a message about StingRay5 Special / flats/ Bernard Edwards tone.

My Sandberg TM-5 Ida loves expressive strings . I’ve settled on TI Jazz Rounds. Match made in Heaven.

 

[Jamie Hale]

I’m sending you a message about StingRay5 Special / flats/ Bernard Edwards tone.

My Sandberg TM-5 Ida loves expressive strings . I’ve settled on TI Jazz Rounds. Match made in Heaven.

I used the same on my VM5. Wonderful strings, and mellow out nicely (long lasting)

 

[DrGroovenstein]

Gorgeous basses! You know, I played rounds and Jazz Basses forever but a year or ago, when I started playing and recording with some friends in LA, I decided I didn’t like my tone. So I explored a few different basses and settled on the Stingray Special but wanted to tame that SR zing a bit. I read somewhere that Bernard Edwards used flats on his SR for those classic Chic recordings and that Joe Dart uses flats on his signature model (the first one with the humbucker), so I started experimenting. I tried LaBella LTRs, EB Group 3 flats, Chromes, and the Cobalts. The LTRs do one thing well but IMO they aren’t terribly versatile and the Group 3 flats were just kinda meh. The Cobalts sound like zingy rounds with the feel of flats but that sound is exactly what I wanted to leave behind. Chromes have the best feel and sound for my tastes, though I wound using the .40 set with a .110 B. (There’s a thread on the TB about using light gauge B strings so I gave that a whirl—I dig them!).

Having said all that, I have a set of Daddario XLs coming for the Sandberg. The Chromes feel just fine but that bass seems to want a more expressive string, given all of its tonal capabilities. So we’ll see…

makes total sense! You’re right, the Cobalts do have a lot of zing and are more “round like.” They do break in a bit, but you are right that they will not be chromes! Daddario XLs we’re my go to for a long long time, I still dig them but they don’t last very long for me. I have Daddario XTs on the VM5 right now, I don’t really like them. I thought they would just be coated XLs but they seem different somehow and are a bit too zing for me.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

I used the same on my VM5. Wonderful strings, and mellow out nicely (long lasting)

cool, what gage you all used for Jazz Rounds?

 

[Jamie Hale]

cool, what gage you all used for Jazz Rounds?

These are available at a few good places in the US—I just happen to get mine at Sweetwater, so this is their picture if you shop there. Not trying to promote anything other than the string, as everyone has their favorite suppliers.

. For flats I use Thomastik Infeld .33-.136, and just have an extra string (one 5 string has B to G, and the other E to C, so I use the 6 string set for the E to C and save my extra string…)