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Been there , done that myself. I went down to Bass Central to purchase a Snowy White StingRay5 Special. I wanted a maple / rounds version to contrast my rosewood/ flats Amethyst Sparkle .
Once I saw it in person I didn’t really like that finish. I was headed out the door and caught a glimpse of the Sandberg Ida-5 and spent a good hour playing it. I knew I wasn’t buying another StingRay that day.
You will enjoy the build quality and extra clarity in the Sandberg . They are voiced brighter and bring something different to the table . More modern voicing that’s even further away from Fender territory than StingRay Specials.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
The price was good so I know I can sell it if I don't like it, so it felt like a good opportunity to try a bass. I lusted after these when they were released!
I do like modern sounding too.
I also like the adjustable string spacing, I don't mind 18mm but I think I'll set it at 17.5mm to match my Stingray 5
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If I may ask, what didn't you like about the Snowy Night finish? I like what I see in most pictures, but I haven't seen one in person.
The sparkle was way too subtle . It didn't pop at all. Too be honest, it reminded me of the dirty snow I saw on the streets of Philly when I lived up north. The snow pows would come through and push all the snow to the corners of the street.
Going to put this up for sale in the coming weeks. I love the looks and ergonomics (that neck!), but unfortunately this instrument pursues different tone goals than I do. 
Going to put this up for sale in the coming weeks. I love the looks and ergonomics (that neck!), but unfortunately this instrument pursues different tone goals than I do.
That's a Nighthawk plus, right?
Very cool! For what it's worth, it sounds really good in your band's videos. Looks good too, love that color.
I had a TM5 and had the same issue with tone. I think I was hoping for a cross between a beefier jazz and a Stingray. But the bridge pickup placement was too far back for a true Stingray tone. And I never got along with both together. Great bass but I had the wrong expectations. I was probably guilty of assuming I could get a more Fenderish sound. That being said, my TM5 sounds nothing like a Fender or a Stingray, and I love it! GLWTS!Going to put this up for sale in the coming weeks. I love the looks and ergonomics (that neck!), but unfortunately this instrument pursues different tone goals than I do.
Going to put this up for sale in the coming weeks. I love the looks and ergonomics (that neck!), but unfortunately this instrument pursues different tone goals than I do.
Wow that's quite the stunner. Hope you don't miss it some day! Cheers.
Nice looking bass. What do you not like about the sound? Have you tried different strings on it to see if you can bring it closer to what you want to hear?Going to put this up for sale in the coming weeks. I love the looks and ergonomics (that neck!), but unfortunately this instrument pursues different tone goals than I do.
If a may... My Yamaha, which has scarrily similar specs to my Sandberg (Ken Taylor), obviously the electronics not withstanding, was purchased for its ergonomics. I hated the sound. But with the return sticker already printed and the box ready to go, in an 11th hour burst of curiosity I threw a different set of strings on it "just because" [DR Pure Blues]. The difference in the sound was astounding. So much better and so good that I ended up keeping the Yamaha. However, when I picked up the Sandberg and plugged it in I knew it was exactly what I had been looking for, strings and all. So much so that I have no intention of "auditioning" different strings on it... Though I do now have an extra set of Sandberg strings, that if I get another set I may throw them on the Yamaha for giggles and grins. Sorry to bend your ear. I just think such a beautiful instrument deserves all the chances it can get.
Thanks for all the comments.
I didn’t care for the stock strings and changed them on day 2. Tried DR Lo Riders and Fodera Steels. These go on all my basses and make them all sound good!
The TM4 just has an inherent brightness to it that I can’t get under control. I usually go for a cut treble and slight boost in the low mids in my tone. Warm, beefy and punchy. When I dial out the treble on the TM4 to where I think it would sound good, it starts to sound muffled. Can’t seem to find the sweet spot. It just wants to sound bright and clanky until it reaches the point where it’s just dull.
By contrast, I am very happy with the tone on my VM5. It sounds massive and and doesn’t have that inherent brightness. That reverse P is killer.
So is what I am hearing due to the T/MM pickup combo in general? Or could it just be the Black Label pickups vs the regular Sandberg pickups?
I didn’t care for the stock strings and changed them on day 2. Tried DR Lo Riders and Fodera Steels. These go on all my basses and make them all sound good!
The TM4 just has an inherent brightness to it that I can’t get under control. I usually go for a cut treble and slight boost in the low mids in my tone. Warm, beefy and punchy. When I dial out the treble on the TM4 to where I think it would sound good, it starts to sound muffled. Can’t seem to find the sweet spot. It just wants to sound bright and clanky until it reaches the point where it’s just dull.
By contrast, I am very happy with the tone on my VM5. It sounds massive and and doesn’t have that inherent brightness. That reverse P is killer.
So is what I am hearing due to the T/MM pickup combo in general? Or could it just be the Black Label pickups vs the regular Sandberg pickups?
Autocorrect got me. That 2nd TM5 should have said VM5.
I have an option on my Cali that gives me the reverse P with J and find I love the tone of the reverse P in passive mode by itself, it's so rich. I threw out the stings right away and put on D'Addario nickel wound EXL220TP super lights. It's sounds amazing when recording direct.Thanks for all the comments.
I didn’t care for the stock strings and changed them on day 2. Tried DR Lo Riders and Fodera Steels. These go on all my basses and make them all sound good!
The TM4 just has an inherent brightness to it that I can’t get under control. I usually go for a cut treble and slight boost in the low mids in my tone. Warm, beefy and punchy. When I dial out the treble on the TM4 to where I think it would sound good, it starts to sound muffled. Can’t seem to find the sweet spot. It just wants to sound bright and clanky until it reaches the point where it’s just dull.
By contrast, I am very happy with the tone on my VM5. It sounds massive and and doesn’t have that inherent brightness. That reverse P is killer.
So is what I am hearing due to the T/MM pickup combo in general? Or could it just be the Black Label pickups vs the regular Sandberg pickups?
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Still waiting for my 35th anniversary 5 to show up! UPS got slowed by the rain out here I think
Can't wait to check it out. Been wanting to try a Sandberg for years
Can't wait to check it out. Been wanting to try a Sandberg for years
Thanks for all the comments.
I didn’t care for the stock strings and changed them on day 2. Tried DR Lo Riders and Fodera Steels. These go on all my basses and make them all sound good!
The TM4 just has an inherent brightness to it that I can’t get under control. I usually go for a cut treble and slight boost in the low mids in my tone. Warm, beefy and punchy. When I dial out the treble on the TM4 to where I think it would sound good, it starts to sound muffled. Can’t seem to find the sweet spot. It just wants to sound bright and clanky until it reaches the point where it’s just dull.
By contrast, I am very happy with the tone on my VM5. It sounds massive and and doesn’t have that inherent brightness. That reverse P is killer.
So is what I am hearing due to the T/MM pickup combo in general? Or could it just be the Black Label pickups vs the regular Sandberg pickups?
Low Beams sound very good. I struggled for a year trying to find strings I liked as well. I'm still working on the perfect combination.
Hi from Upstate SC
New...to me...bass day
Just took delivery of my first Sandberg a 2016 California TM5 I am very satisfied with it!
It plays and sounds wonderful.
Can I be in the club? lol
I had never played one or even seen one in person before this.
Only thing I had to do to it was adjust and tighten a couple of the little bridge string spacing saddles that were loose and could move around. Tobacco Burst finish I think. First bass I have had with Delano Pups too. Came with the original Knobs and Sandberg Gig Bag and Dunlop Straplocks too which is what I put on all my basses.
I just am partial to 34" scale 5 strings and full 19mm spacing too.
Seller said it is wearing DR Blues. I love the zero fret and the light weight too.
New...to me...bass day
Just took delivery of my first Sandberg a 2016 California TM5 I am very satisfied with it!
It plays and sounds wonderful.
Can I be in the club? lol
I had never played one or even seen one in person before this.
Only thing I had to do to it was adjust and tighten a couple of the little bridge string spacing saddles that were loose and could move around. Tobacco Burst finish I think. First bass I have had with Delano Pups too. Came with the original Knobs and Sandberg Gig Bag and Dunlop Straplocks too which is what I put on all my basses.
I just am partial to 34" scale 5 strings and full 19mm spacing too.
Seller said it is wearing DR Blues. I love the zero fret and the light weight too.
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