Club Sandberg (part 2)

[vindibona1]

When I had a Basic VM5, the strings I liked best were Cobalt Flats.

This past week I tried some Cobalt Flats on my Ken Taylor signature and got some insteresting tones. I don't know how I did it, but I got a very close sound to a string bass. While I can't duplicate that sound with those strings on my Yamaha TRBX605 due to the pickups/electronics differences, in general the Yamaha is too eerily similar to the Sandberg... So the Sandberg SS strings went back on!

 

[pepito666]

Some questions...
I'm in the market for a California TT4, but the TM4 has a M pickup that can be switched to single coil.
Would a TM4 sound similar to a TT4?
I don't need the M sound really 'cause I already own a VM4. I'm looking for a jazz bass sound, so the TT is the perfect option. Anyway, could a TM sound like a jazz bass?


Another one
Alder, ash or paulownia?
Would you notice any difference in sound beetween those?
Thanks

 

[_Obra_]

Some questions...
I'm in the market for a California TT4, but the TM4 has a M pickup that can be switched to single coil.
Would a TM4 sound similar to a TT4?
I don't need the M sound really 'cause I already own a VM4. I'm looking for a jazz bass sound, so the TT is the perfect option. Anyway, could a TM sound like a jazz bass?


Another one
Alder, ash or paulownia?
Would you notice any difference in sound beetween those?
Thanks

This video can help You with a question could a TM sound like a jazz bass...
Although in this video Sandberg was recorded only with singles, where the coil in humbucker is one closer to the neck. My experience says that with a splited humbucker the sound is more reminiscent of '60s Jazz, and with a full humbucker in the bridge it is more like '70s Jazz.

 

[pepito666]

Thanks, I've already seen this video and like a lot the sound of the TM4 (although I like more the Fender in this case). Wonderful bass and amazing playing.

When switching the M pickup to sigle coil always works only the one closer to the neck in the TM?

 

[waver]

Has anyone found a nice short scale bag for their Sandberg.

The ones that come with the bass are ok - a bit on the thin size and they are full scale. Just checking.

I have my Florence in a real nice Gator guitar gig bag - fits really nice, but for the Lionels it is a bit to snug.

thanks

I use this Roadrunner electric guitar case for my Lionel. Just does fit with the inside pads removed. It’s a semi-hard case with lots of storage in the top.

 

[Z-Bass]

Some questions...
I'm in the market for a California TT4, but the TM4 has a M pickup that can be switched to single coil.
Would a TM4 sound similar to a TT4?
I don't need the M sound really 'cause I already own a VM4. I'm looking for a jazz bass sound, so the TT is the perfect option. Anyway, could a TM sound like a jazz bass?

I have a TM4 with an alder body. In my opinion, the MM pickup switched to single coil combined with the neck pickup doesn't quite sound like a jazz bass. It gets you into jazz bass territory but not an exact match. But I think that's more to do with the switch selecting the front/neck coil of the MM pickup. This configuration is too close in my opinion. I'm looking into whether this can be changed such that the rear coil can be selected. All this being said, I think the pickup types will play a big part. I have the big pole magnet Delanos and they kind of have their own thing going on. I do wonder how different pickup set would sound, something like a Delano alnico set or the Sandberg blacklabel pickups. Also, my opinion on the MM pickup. Due to it's location and the preamp design, it doesn't quite sound like a typical MM. I've stated in other threads that the pickups sounds more like the fattest bridge J pickup you've ever heard.

 

[LennyJ]

I use this Roadrunner electric guitar case for my Lionel. Just does fit with the inside pads removed. It’s a semi-hard case with lots of storage in the top.

View attachment 5376323 View attachment 5376324

Wow - I went to GC and tried one of those and my Lionel would not fit. But I did take the bottom pad out. but not the neck pad out???????

I wonder if they are not consistent on manufacture. I will go try all the ones they have.

Thanks for your input.

Lenny

 

[waver]

Wow - I went to GC and tried one of those and my Lionel would not fit. But I did take the bottom pad out. but not the neck pad out???????

I wonder if they are not consistent on manufacture. I will go try all the ones they have.

Thanks for your input.

Lenny

I had to take the neck pad out too. And it’s still a little tight, but works.

 

[Jon Draffan]

But I think that's more to do with the switch selecting the front/neck coil of the MM pickup.

Could you explain what you mean about the switch?

 

[Z-Bass]

Could you explain what you mean about the switch?

The switch on the Cali TM control plate changed the MM pickup from full humbucker to single coil but the front or neck side portion of the pickup.

 

[vindibona1]

This video can help You with a question could a TM sound like a jazz bass...
Although in this video Sandberg was recorded only with singles, where the coil in humbucker is one closer to the neck. My experience says that with a splited humbucker the sound is more reminiscent of '60s Jazz, and with a full humbucker in the bridge it is more like '70s Jazz.

That was a nice video you attached. I was only confused by one thing; when the screen said "tone 100% *off*, did that mean in the DETENT position?

The Fender had a distinct sound but the TM4 sounded a lot like my Ken Taylor. You were pretty good at getting close to the Jaco sound.

 

[Jon Draffan]

The switch on the Cali TM control plate changed the MM pickup from full humbucker to single coil but the front or neck side portion of the pickup.

Oh OK yes. I thought they were essentially in 60s position…? Is that not right?

 

[Z-Bass]

Oh OK yes. I thought they were essentially in 60s position…? Is that not right?

Based on what I can tell when comparing my TM4 to my Lakland Skyline 44-60 (which has the typical 60s spacing), the front coil of the MM pickup on the TM4 is closer to the neck pickup than on the 44-60. So 60s-ish spacing. I'm not sure if the spacing makes the difference or if the difference in pickups (ceramic big pole vs alnico single coil), but I'm guessing the later.

 

[Jon Draffan]

Hmm. I wonder how different it would sound if the switch was rewired to split into the rear coils…?

on a side note, how do you like the 44-60 compared to the TM4? I almost bought one when I bought the sandberg instead

 

[_Obra_]

Hmm. I wonder how different it would sound if the switch was rewired to split into the rear coils…?

on a side note, how do you like the 44-60 compared to the TM4? I almost bought one when I bought the sandberg instead

My experience says that front coil and rear coil sounds a lot different. Real coil is much more closer to full humbucker sound. That's way they choose a front coil to work when humbucker is splitted.
If You want rear coil sound, just turn on the whole humbucker. Even closer is in active mode with EQ where You can set humbucker to sound almost 100% like solo rear coil would sound.

I did not like my TM4 at first, and needed more that a year to found that I like it. Now I love it more and more every day and wouldn't change it for TT or any two singles never.

 

[Z-Bass]

Hmm. I wonder how different it would sound if the switch was rewired to split into the rear coils…?

on a side note, how do you like the 44-60 compared to the TM4? I almost bought one when I bought the sandberg instead

I enjoy them both. They are both well crafted instruments. My 44-60 is a 2018 Skyline in ice blue metallic. It came with the neck Pleked as a standard feature. It's a great playing and sounding jazz style bass although I'm probably going to replace the pickups. To me that's the weak link on the bass. They sound nice and warm but very low output; when I try to boost the signal, it gets a bit harsh. So I'll be looking for a more well balanced set and fortunately there are so many after market options to choose from. I will say that the TM4 just feels so good and that electronics package bulldozes what the 44-60 can put out, but that's understandable given the design goals of each.

 

[Z-Bass]

I did not like my TM4 at first, and needed more that a year to found that I like it. Now I love it more and more every day and wouldn't change it for TT or any two singles never.

Ha! My experience was very polarizing as well. At first I loved it. Then I didn't. Then I loved it again but was going to change the electronics. Then I decided not to do that. Then I wasn't sure. Now I'm just playing the crap out of it and making it work as the neck feels so good.

 

[_Obra_]

Ha! My experience was very polarizing as well. At first I loved it. Then I didn't. Then I loved it again but was going to change the electronics. Then I decided not to do that. Then I wasn't sure. Now I'm just playing the crap out of it and making it work as the neck feels so good.

I also didn't like the preamp, so I change it to a Darkglass Tone Capsule with 3EQ (2 mids and a bass) that I got straight from Sandberg factory, with wiring scheme.

 

[Z-Bass]

I also didn't like the preamp, so I change it to a Darkglass Tone Capsule with 3EQ (2 mids and a bass) that I got straight from Sandberg factory, with wiring scheme.

That's right. I think I recall you mentioning that in another post and that it worked out well. That makes sense to me as I think the Delano pickups have plenty of lows and highs, they could use a little help on the mids.

 

[Jon Draffan]

I also didn't like the preamp, so I change it to a Darkglass Tone Capsule with 3EQ (2 mids and a bass) that I got straight from Sandberg factory, with wiring scheme.

Oooh, I should look into that pre-amp. Do you have more information about it?