Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I used to have one of those Oliver sig basses but sold it. I really loved the front pickup but found the back pickup useless and too tinny/clicky. It's definitely a modern, hi fi sound and not vintage at all. It looks great tho. I just prefer P basses or a Rickenbacker.
I never run the humbucker by itself but blended with P pickup it sounds good. Hi fi sound is right up my alley!
Agree, I think the humbucker is there to fatten up the sound of the neck pickup. I'd never use it on its own.
Just seemed a lot of money for really no use of a music man style humbucker. I get the appeal tho.
I use mine on TM4 all the time. Preamp is Darkglass Tone Capsule with two mids, and it's great. I can make a Stingray ''sounds alike'' with this preamp, and by itself it can sound so nice in ''Jaco sound'' situations. When splitted, it is more like 60s Jazz, but in humbucker mode, it is 100% like 70s Jazz. So versatile!
Although similar in appearance, the humbucker pickup isn't voiced the same and not in the correct position for it to cop the musicman vibe. I've always thought of it being the fattest rear jazz pickup you could have. Also, I've found a lot of useful tones with the blend control slightly in between. So not fully dimmed to one pickup or the other but just a bit off of center in either direction revealed some nice, useful options.
A professional photographer comes along to our local jam night sometimes. Rather like this shot he got a few weeks ago…
Yes, I never think about it as "I've got a P-bass at one end and a Stingray at the other" but rather just two very useable individual pickups/tones, a great 50/50 sound and a range of nice flavours in between. I like your description of the HB being like the fattest Jazz bridge pickup. I feel like mine has got a bit more clout and punch than that but it's a good soundbite description - stock pickups and two band EQ and all. I've still got lots to explore on the bass but I tend to think of it as bridge as a rocky, punchy tone; bridge as a rounder utility tone; plus I find myself using 50/50 blend a lot more as a mellow but still distinct sound - a lot more than expected. Never been a fan of JB 50/50 scooped tones but the mix of reverse P and HB really seems to have more weight and works just right for me.
I'm loving this bass so much it's giving me serious thoughts about realising the value in one of my Wals - something I never thought possible before!
Spa day for the VM.
I absolutely adore this bass.
I absolutely adore this bass.
Boy am I glad I bought my Sandberg in December.
Yesterday US announced 20% tariffs on goods from EU.
Looks like I am back in the Sandberg club. Got my Oliver Riedel Sig today. Compared to my last one it has an updated, better quality gigbag with thicker padding so that's good.
Little tiny speck on back of the neck tho, could I file that down maybe or use a very light sandpaper? It's a speck but you feel it running your hand down the neck.
Little tiny speck on back of the neck tho, could I file that down maybe or use a very light sandpaper? It's a speck but you feel it running your hand down the neck.
Pic of the kids!
Got an unexpected message today from Sandberg after 18 months. Kind enough to let me know my custom order is in “final assembly”.
Let’s see how much longer till the family grows to 3
4th and final sibling is scheduled for February 2026.
Got an unexpected message today from Sandberg after 18 months. Kind enough to let me know my custom order is in “final assembly”.
Let’s see how much longer till the family grows to 3
4th and final sibling is scheduled for February 2026.
My TT short scale, alder body, 'soft aged', pau ferro fretboard, white dots, was about US$ 1700, plus shipping, from Thomann. Pricing for Sandberg Lionels from US dealers looked to be about $2K at the time...and at the time no US dealer had a TT short at all. There has always been a small duty on items over $800, which I expected to be something around $80 on my bass, but for some reason US Customs didn't assess that on my bass. The announced tariffs, when they go into effect, would be in addition to the regular duty--I think--raising the price of that bass by $350 or so.
I have a deposit in at a local dealer for a Lionel, supposed to be arriving in May. It'd have to be pretty damn great, and light weight, to join my TT, but with this price hike, I may pass on it in any case.
Last edited:
Thinking about a vm4 ( like hard)
Question
Do you folks know if that mm pu is series or parallel OR is it 4 conductor?
Thanks
Question
Do you folks know if that mm pu is series or parallel OR is it 4 conductor?
Thanks
New Bass Day
Was in the process of ordering a custom TT Superlight with twin precision pickups in it, but while in negotiations these two beauties came into the shop. I bought the Sunburst one, only a week to wait while it's transported to me, a whole lot better than 18 months.
Can hardly wait.
Was in the process of ordering a custom TT Superlight with twin precision pickups in it, but while in negotiations these two beauties came into the shop. I bought the Sunburst one, only a week to wait while it's transported to me, a whole lot better than 18 months.
Can hardly wait.
