It took some deep Google diving and I managed to find a post on HarmonyCentral from 2008 where someone asked Sandberg if they notched and it got confirmed.
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It took some deep Google diving and I managed to find a post on HarmonyCentral from 2008 where someone asked Sandberg if they notched and it got confirmed.
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If you search this thread for "zero fret" you'll find that this is a recurring topic.
Suffice to say, it's perfectly normal and part of the standard setup.
Thanks! I just sent them a support email as well. Just to be sure. I have seen a few different answers while googling as well.
If anyone's looking for a VM5 there's an unbelievable deal on a used Natural VM5 at GC right now. I've been wanting one for a while but don't want Natural otherwise I'd snag it. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] $1100 is a steal!
If that was a TM that would be on its way to Park City. Great Deal for a no-question return for 45 days.
This is a great video showing Sandberg’s production processes. Zero fret slotting at 16’36”
Thank you. Will watch it on a bigger screen later, on my tiny mobile screen it looks like it is the nut he is filing, but it may be the zero fret.
The main reason for my concern was that first I noticed the notches.
Then I searched and first hit was from Basschat which showed a picture of a notched Sandberg zero fret and everyone, including a well known UK builder, said that was wrong and was because of the Sandberg SS strings.
Lastly I went to the Sandberg web page which have an article that shows a zero fret without notches, and how to buff out scratches and dents:
I hear a pinging noise when I bend strings, what is wrong? - .strandberg* Guitars Knowledge Base
But that may only be for their guitars.
If you guys / gals are telling me it's fine, and with the before mentioned HarmonyCentral post, then it's all good
Thank you. Will watch it on a bigger screen later, on my tiny mobile screen it looks like it is the nut he is filing, but it may be the zero fret.
The main reason for my concern was that first I noticed the notches.
Then I searched and first hit was from Basschat which showed a picture of a notched Sandberg zero fret and everyone, including a well known UK builder, said that was wrong and was because of the Sandberg SS strings.
Lastly I went to the Sandberg web page which have an article that shows a zero fret without notches, and how to buff out scratches and dents:
I hear a pinging noise when I bend strings, what is wrong? - .strandberg* Guitars Knowledge Base
But that may only be for their guitars.
If you guys / gals are telling me it's fine, and with the before mentioned HarmonyCentral post, then it's all good
That's a different make. Strandberg with a tr.
LOL - Yah, that goes to show to never Google anything in a hurry or while at work.
How did I miss that?
I will just go hide in a corner...
No. No problems. I have never had a zero fret and bought the bass used. So I wanted to make sure it didn’t need to be replaced, when I saw the grooves. I thought maybe it was from stainless steel strings that had been in it. Also wanted to know if this was normal in case I wanted to sell the bass (which at this point isn’t in its future).
The open strings don’t sound exactly like the fretted notes. Is that what the zerp fret does?
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Yes, the zero fret is supposed to make the open strings to sound closer to fretted note. It's not perfect but definitely very different if the string was resting in the plastic nut.
Also, even the Stainless Steel strings would have a hard time eating the zero fret because there's less travel between the string and the fret. Changes are the frets at the middle of the board or near the neck end will be eaten first due the attack.
Thanks!
All my frets look smooth with no wear. That’s why I was surprised to see the grooves in the zero fret.
This Sandberg is just...woah.
Light as a feather, Precision bass on steroids and everything is done the German way aka to perfection.
I just tuned it down to C standard and everything played perfectly.
Was thinking that I would be running it in passive mode mostly, but honestly I cannot hear any difference other than a tiny bump in volume, so it's staying in active mode.
I know I got this used, but the price on these are stupidly low - I would have expected to pay 3 times, if not more, for a bass like this.
Light as a feather, Precision bass on steroids and everything is done the German way aka to perfection.
I just tuned it down to C standard and everything played perfectly.
Was thinking that I would be running it in passive mode mostly, but honestly I cannot hear any difference other than a tiny bump in volume, so it's staying in active mode.
I know I got this used, but the price on these are stupidly low - I would have expected to pay 3 times, if not more, for a bass like this.
It's the California VS4 - I am looking for a TT aswell now as I have a set of Kloppmann pickups that needs a new home. If I am unable to find a lefty that I like, I am now such a beliver in the brand I will purchase a brand new one.
Same here. I have only played mine, but if they are all this supple to play and easy to set up I will also be in the market for a TM. More likely an Ida Neilsen VTM
I have 2 Sandbergs and bunch of Stingrays (and one lonely G&L), all 5 strings. The Stingrays still edge out my Sandberg VM2 5 by a small amount, the B string on my Stingrays are better than the Sandy. If the B strings were equal I dunno I might prefer my Sandy over my Rays.
I have 2 Sandbergs and bunch of Stingrays (and one lonely G&L), all 5 strings. The Stingrays still edge out my Sandberg VM2 5 by a small amount, the B string on my Stingrays are better than the Sandy. If the B strings were equal I dunno I might prefer my Sandy over my Rays.[/QUOTE/]
This is my position as well. If I had to go down to one bass, it would be my StingRay5 Special. The B sting is massive. So thick and rich and full bodied.
My Sandberg Ida VM5 excels at note clarity and separation. I didn't buy my Sandberg to sound like StignRays. It is more like a Jazz bass on Steroids. I can also get some Pbass like sounds due to the neck pickup . The 2 pickups offer a lot of variety. My Sandberg Ida VM5 fills a void on my bass stand where I would normally need 2 spots. One for a 5 string Jazz, and one for a 5 string Pbass. The Ida can cover both of those for my needs. That leaves me an extra spot for a my short scale passive StingRay.
Mine is the opposite; the VM5 B-string is better than my Stingray 5.
