My Sandberg family is growing , and I’m happy to be almost done with the hunt. If any members here are able to help me , I’m looking to buy preferably a vt4 (pj) in blueburst or a vm5/4 in blueburst , or even a ken Taylor in blue. The pj will end my hunt , here’s one I regrettably missed in the classifieds, and another example.
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I’ll also throw in a booster in blueburst in this search.
the Sandberg ken Taylor model and the boosters are probably my favorite ones out of what I have, such unique sounds out of those two.
Got the California VM5 today. She really does look awesome in real life. I've never been a huge fan of reliced basses, but they did an amazing job with the Hardcore Aged finish. The neck is fantastic too!
One question - this is a 2013 so the electronics are a bit different than what I expected. The push pull for active/passive is there, as is the blend, treble, and bass knobs. I have a switch to split the MM pickup to single coil, which I guess is not on the current VMs, and I expected the treble pot to act as a passive tone control, but it doesn't. Is this an easy thing to add to the circuit?
Edit: I meant to add these pics.
One question - this is a 2013 so the electronics are a bit different than what I expected. The push pull for active/passive is there, as is the blend, treble, and bass knobs. I have a switch to split the MM pickup to single coil, which I guess is not on the current VMs, and I expected the treble pot to act as a passive tone control, but it doesn't. Is this an easy thing to add to the circuit?
Edit: I meant to add these pics.
Sandberg Classic TM 6 2007 Quilted Maple 6 string bass Sandberg Classic TM 6 2007 Quilted Maple 6 string bass | Reverb
Is this a booster, or a special? I dont think actually TM. I paid $1780 and this is my first Sandberg and six string! Arrives tomorrow, getting anxious..
Is this a booster, or a special? I dont think actually TM. I paid $1780 and this is my first Sandberg and six string! Arrives tomorrow, getting anxious..
I played with the configurator and I believe this is a Classic Special. No 6 string option though, so this must've been a custom order through a dealer. I'd send an inquiry to Sandberg, the bass may as well have a story...
I would imagine you'd have to change out the whole preamp. Not sure though. What works for me across the board if I need it is a stand-alone Fishman Platinum Pro EQ/DI box. Not cheap any more but does absolutely everything I need. I didn't bring it to the gig last night with my Jazz5, but really which I did. It took me awhile to dial in the sound even though my bass has a 4 band EQ and a tone selector switch (Audere ProZ preamp).
But the EQ/DI box has compression, and a whole bunch of other goodies including pedal loop that you can use instead of straight out to amp. The nice thing is that I can use it with any of my basses when needed. Had I owned it before putting the preamp in my Jazz 5 perhaps I would have just kept it passive. It was much cheaper when I bought it a few years ago. But still it's worth it. But there are a few used ones around for around $250.
I got the smaller Platinum Stage to help control an acoustic bass when playing at gig volumes, but it also works very well with conventional passive electric bass guitars. Underrated pedals.
I do want to change the whole preamp. I have a couple in my drawer, but even though the TT 's electronics cavity is generous, the ones I have don't fit. So I'm looking around. I'd like to get an East, but it's too big as well. So wondering what others think.
I took a little time today to experiment with strings before going down the pickup swap rabbit hole. I have a Ray25CA that has been wearing EB Cobalt Flats and I wanted to put rounds back on it. The VM5 I got last week had a set of Blue Steels on it so I decided to swap them with the Cobalt Flats and boy, am I glad I did! The Stingray is a slap machine once again and the VM5 sounds like I thought it should in my head. I had heard people say string choice was important on this bass, and I'm a believer.
I tried the Platinum Stage along with the LR Baggs and perhaps one more. I guess I'm greedy, but I wanted all the features. I often use the compression and sometimes bass cut depending on the room. it's just good to have all the tools at hand in one pedal. I actually got it for my acoustic guitars, but they are perfect for bass too.
If your bass has a "generous" cavity how is it that none of these preamps fit?
I wasn't really aware of Markley strings (or reminded of them) until this moment. I'm really unfamiliar, but see they have (in 5 string) 45-125 and 45-128. I can't find what the intermediate gauges are. Any more thoughs/help on these strings. They're one of the few string sets where the prices haven't gone through the roof.
This is honestly the first time I've used them and they came on a bass I bought from the classifieds. If it helps any, they seem to be broken in but still bright. They weren't a good fit on the Sandberg IMO, but they sound pretty damn good on the Ray.
I just got an Oliver Reidel VM 4 string last week. My first Sandberg Having lots of fun with it! Here are some shots:
So You are a guy who is concerned bringing a reliced bass to an audition...
I like it a lot. I get why some are repulsed by relic jobs. I used to think relic'd guitars were pretty dumb too, but they're so prevalent nowadays that I don't care one way or the other anymore. Yours looks great all black. Are those the Black Label pickups? Wondering how different they sound compared to the fat-pole Sandberg/Delano-esque pickups, assuming the preamps are the same.
As for the "audition" thing I can't think of very many band settings where that bass would be outta place, even though I'm a firm believer in always projecting the right image. Hey, it's a Sandberg, take comfort in knowing you're slinging one of the finest production basses around. I would.
Grats on a coolass bass.
As for the "audition" thing I can't think of very many band settings where that bass would be outta place, even though I'm a firm believer in always projecting the right image. Hey, it's a Sandberg, take comfort in knowing you're slinging one of the finest production basses around. I would.
Grats on a coolass bass.
Thanks! Yes, these are Black Label pickups. I look forward to playing it at band practice today!I like it a lot. I get why some are repulsed by relic jobs. I used to think relic'd guitars were pretty dumb too, but they're so prevalent nowadays that I don't care one way or the other anymore. Yours looks great all black. Are those the Black Label pickups? Wondering how different they sound compared to the fat-pole Sandberg/Delano-esque pickups, assuming the preamps are the same.
As for the "audition" thing I can't think of very many band settings where that bass would be outta place, even though I'm a firm believer in always projecting the right image. Hey, it's a Sandberg, take comfort in knowing you're slinging one of the finest production basses around. I would.
Grats on a coolass bass.
I chose this one over a non-relic model (I played both at Bass Central). It’s lighter, has an Ebony board as opposed to pau Ferro, and something about the sound swayed me.
Here's a play-along on my Oliver Reidel signature:
