The Sandbergs are a bit more compact. Now is there a noticable difference that effects your playing style? I don't think so, if anything maybe your access to the very upper register but with the bergs having more without needing to rotate your wrist a little.
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I agree. The Sandberg body seems to be a little thinner and smaller. The necks as slightly thinner as well.
Bioth are comfortable, but the Sandberg plays faster . The Sandberg sets up super low as well.
They both have a place in your lifeAnd Sandberg GAS is back too
They both have a place in your life
Not helping! Or maybe I should thank you if/when I spring for one!
Slightly thinner doesn't sound bad. Ibanez necks are very thin (to me at least) and not comfortable!
No where near that thin. Ibanez is too thin for me as well.
I had an active VS that I sold for that reason. Now I have two that are both passive, one with flats and one with rounds, one has an Aguilar pickup and the other a Nordstrand. I love the way the Sandbergs play but prefer a more vintage tone.
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Very helpful (for the GAS
I feel the same. When I first got the bass I was impressed with its modern sound, but I LOVED the feel. Conversely, I have always LOVED the sound of my Fenders of the past, but haven't exactly enjoyed how they feel. I understand there are things about a Sandberg which will always make it sound like a Sandberg, the pickup configuration, the zero fret etc. But I think this bass will become a forever instrument with electronics that suit my likes.
How would you compare the Aguilar to the nordstrand in your sandberg? I do like the Arcane 57/65 pickups from what I have read, and I can get them in a relic'd finish which would suit the bass. But then I am stuck looking for a rear MM pickup to match my vintage/old school P pickup (even harder if I get one relic'd)
Anyone here done something similar?
Another question: on the Sandberg website I saw fretwire size listed as 2.5mm. Would this refer to the width?
I always say that Sandberg should come with a warning label that says Warning : Our Basses do not play or sound like a Fender.
Looking at your bass with the reverse P pickup , it’s will always sound a little different from a Fender P. But for some, that’s a good thing.
Im really interested to see how your more vintage tone pursuits end up.
Honestly not sure I could tell a difference between the Nordstrom’s and the Aguilar, not without putting the same strings on both basses. They both sound pretty perfect to my ear, classic P with clarity and punch. Maybe I’ll do a string change to try and answer your question this weekend. I also have the GZR p in two other basses. They are all very similar, just slightly different flavors of my favorite sound!
However, they all sound very different than the Sandberg big pole p pickup. That has more lows to my ear and an attack I find to be harsh sounding, not mellow. It mellows with the tone turned down but then it loses the top end. It had too much low end that I kept trying to EQ out. For me, the classic P pickups from GZR, Aguilar, and Nordstrand just sound near perfect as-is. Maybe turn the bass up a hair or role the tone back a smidge. With those pickups, the Sandbergs sound vintage and not modern.
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I would add....nor like Music Man
I put Sandberg's Black Label pickups in my VS4 Active and VS4 Passive, which produced similar results - rounder and warmer sounds than the original big-pole pickups.
I guess more accurately my question is: are the frets large or medium? Manufacturers all use different descriptions, measurements, size, etc.
I’m surprised at how quickly the zero fret wears. I’m sure the constant contact is part of the reason, but I’m guessing the fret material is soft. They should use stainless for them. Given the price point, I’m disappointed in that part. Playability is incredibly though. It’s not a huge issue but it does bug me. Anyone else?
