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Club Sandberg (part 2)

#6,801
Naigewron said:
My 34" Sandberg VM5 was what finally moved me to 35" basses, and I've not looked back since. Such a stunning bass with such a sub-par B string was a massive disappointment.

I'm currently looking for a 35" TM5, but I will admit that I'm nervous about that B string even with the extra inch of scale.

I'm hoping a 35" TM5 can replace my Lakland 55-02, because I'm having some personal struggles with the neck on that one, plus I really want a usable passive mode and tone control. However, the B string is a huge factor for me, and the B on the Lakland is absolutely stellar, so I'm only cautiously optimistic.
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The first time I tried out a Sandberg was at the Bass Centre in Melbourne. They had several Sandberg models to demo including a number of 5-strings. Although it was a long time ago, I recall being impressed by the B-string, but it may have been the overall feel of the neck and spacing that I liked. I'll admit, I haven't been wowed over by the online videos of the Sandberg B-strings but with so many variable at play, it's tough to evaluate.

I had the same struggle with the Lakland 5-string necks. Incredible B-string but that 35" scale, 19mm spacing, and wider profile was not for me. And it's something that I didn't pickup on right away, only after playing it for a while. Anyway, I hope you're able to find what works for you.
 
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#6,802
I love my short scale TT, but I'm finding an issue with it that is probably inherent to the build: the upper frets are quite difficult to play, because the neck joins the body at the 15th fret. Not only can't I wrap my hand around the heel at fret 15, it places my hand against my own body, unless I shift the bass off to the left. I'm no virtuoso and wouldn't be playing up there much, but lines like the break in 'Sir Duke' kind of cry out for it.
My other short scale bass is a Chowny SWB-1, and it doesn't have this problem as the neck joins at fret 19. Along with that, it has some neck dive, which the TT doesn't, at al. The SWB isn't as good a bass overall as the Sandberg, unsurprisingly, since it's a lot cheaper, and between the two basses there's no question which one I prefer. In fact I'll probably be listing the SWB in the classifieds here soon.
Still...this is a drawback of the TT short, and makes me think I need to try a medium scale bass. I've gone the SS route due to my stubby fingers and that has worked out very well; I feel as comfortable on the TT's fretboard as on a guitar now.

Maybe a Lionel owner here can confirm for me whether the neck on that bass also joins at the 15th fret.
IMG_1032.jpeg
 
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#6,804
@Chicago Al I don’t have a Lionel (but boy do I want one after getting to play one) but I’d suspect that neck interface is very similar to the California TT. Based on specs I’d wager that they both use the same necks.

I took a look at my Warmoth short scale, and it appears to be the same thing - screws go in under the 15th (and 18th) frets.
 
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#6,806
I posted earlier about installing a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt flatwounds on my TM4 and wanted to give an update now that I've had a gig and several rehearsals with them. I really like these strings on this bass. They have a different feel and attack than rounds (obviously) but don't seem to loose any definition and are not dark sounding by any means. I think they help bring out some mids in the overall tone as well and help make it pop a bit more.
 
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#6,812
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
Their own Sandberg brand that I couldn’t get off my bass fast enough. Replaced with TI Jazz Rounds and now it’s perfect !!!
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I replaced the Sandberg strings on my Nighthawk VM5 with Elixir NanoWeb nickel plated steels, which I now have on all my Sandbergs. Great strings: smooth sounding, last for ages.
Our local dealer gave me a set of Sandberg’s “the string” .045 - .130 and the B was too long to fit the bass: Sandberg’s own brand! Needless to say I didn’t put them on.
 
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#6,815
Z-Bass said:
I had the same struggle with the Lakland 5-string necks. Incredible B-string but that 35" scale, 19mm spacing, and wider profile was not for me. And it's something that I didn't pickup on right away, only after playing it for a while. Anyway, I hope you're able to find what works for you.
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I own two US made Lakland 55-94’s and the 35” scale was a challenge in the beginning and sometimes (on the B string) still is. That said my hands are smaller and the 19 mm spacing works well for me. Other than my 59 Precision the neck profile, radius and fret size are very comfortable. Just my take. I’d love to find a 34” Lakland5 early on they made some, but they’re rare as hens teeth.
 
#6,819
Bthebassplayer said:
You are totally right!! I will bring the bass to a luthier I know, just so he can check out if everything is okay. Besides that, it is very difficult to find some new tuners for a good price but I will buy and replace them.
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My Sandberg arrived with a twisted tuner in a GigBag when I bought it 6 years ago. Sandberg sent me a new one immediately.
 
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