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The custom VM4 Superlight I ordered from Thomann over two years ago has landed on their doorstep, so it will be a few days before I get my hot little hands on it, but I thought I'd show a sneak preview before I do a full review. I might be the first person on TB to have a Superlight with the new ash center block.
It didn't even cross my mind to ask because all the demos I'd seen/heard used the bigger poles. I did spec out another Sandberg with off-menu Delano pups and preamp, so I'm sure changing to the double magnet pups would be easy.
Congrats! Beautiful, very classy with the matt black finish. In addition to the ash center block, it looks like you also have the newer bridge with the intonation adjustment screws. Looking forward to your first impressions.
Yes, I'm happy to see that was updated, too. It always seemed like such an odd design choice before.
If anyone on this Sandburg thread have owned a Lakland 55-94 could you compare the Fret Size and neck profile. With your TM-5’s Thanks
Not a 55-94, but I owned a 55-02 which I sold to finance my VM5. The 55-02 and 55-94 are as far as I know identical in terms of dimensions and general specs (though please correct me if I'm wrong). I also believe the TM5 has the same neck as my VM5.
With those disclaimers out of the way: The Lakland was much fatter and a fair bit wider. It's a very comfortable neck overall, but I was very happy to move "down" to the slimmer Sandberg neck.
I have big hands and tend to prefer a bit of chunk to my necks, but the Lakland did become a bit too large for me. Though I'm sure part of that was also the move down from 19mm to 18mm spacing at the bridge; it's amazing what that single millimeter does for playing comfort.
I also wish the fingerboard on the 55-02 was rolled off more - The edge was quite pronounced and would sometimes hurt the first joint on my little finger after extended playing (it just always seemed to line up perfectly with the edge). Not sure if the 55-94 is more rounded; it might be.
I don't really tend to notice fret size or fretwire differences, so I can't comment on that.
Greetings Dudes and Dudettes,
This past weekend i purchased a used California TM-4 but it does not seem to be like other TM's i have seen on the interwebz. I am hoping someone can tell me something about this bass.
Its got 4 knobs and two switches. None of the knobs are push pull (like most Cali's have). I would like to know, specifically, what each knob and switch does. It seems one switch is Active/Passive and the other is the MM split, but i want to be sure. I cant seem to find any TM's that have two switches.
The headstock is black and all the pictures i have seen on this series has cream or natural headstocks. Does this mean it was a custom order?
Any info and thoughts you might have about this bass would be helpful.
This bass is AMAZING! I love the way it feels in my hands. The neck is absolutely perfect! I have been a fender guy for the past 20 years (selling all my fender gear) and this Sandberg is my very first 'boutique' bass. I went to The LowEnd shop in Nashville to try out various basses. Tried Dingwall, LowEnd P/J, a few G&L's, a Rick and an Alembic. It was honestly between the Alembic and this Sandberg. I chose the Sandberg because i really like the feel and look of it AND i dont think i could explain to the wife the price of the Alembic.
Based on the serial number, this California was built in 2017
This past weekend i purchased a used California TM-4 but it does not seem to be like other TM's i have seen on the interwebz. I am hoping someone can tell me something about this bass.
Its got 4 knobs and two switches. None of the knobs are push pull (like most Cali's have). I would like to know, specifically, what each knob and switch does. It seems one switch is Active/Passive and the other is the MM split, but i want to be sure. I cant seem to find any TM's that have two switches.
The headstock is black and all the pictures i have seen on this series has cream or natural headstocks. Does this mean it was a custom order?
Any info and thoughts you might have about this bass would be helpful.
This bass is AMAZING! I love the way it feels in my hands. The neck is absolutely perfect! I have been a fender guy for the past 20 years (selling all my fender gear) and this Sandberg is my very first 'boutique' bass. I went to The LowEnd shop in Nashville to try out various basses. Tried Dingwall, LowEnd P/J, a few G&L's, a Rick and an Alembic. It was honestly between the Alembic and this Sandberg. I chose the Sandberg because i really like the feel and look of it AND i dont think i could explain to the wife the price of the Alembic.
Based on the serial number, this California was built in 2017
Attachments
Assuming this is used? Interesting that it has a 1 piece pickguard. Most of the California models have the separate control plate. Unless this is how the were made back in 2017. I wonder if it's an aftermarket pre-amp with that 1-piece pickguard installed.
Yep, there are more questions about this bass than answers.
Yes, it is used. Got it from The LowEnd shop in nashville.
Its got a bit of road rash on it and changing the pickguard is something i want to do first as its got a few scratches. The more i dug into Cali's the more i realized how unusual this one is.
You bring up a very good question about what preamp is tucked under the pickguard. When i take it to my luthier pal for setup i will have him take lots of pictures of what is there.
Sorry, I reread your post and realized you already stated it was used. In fact, I remember seeing this bass online previous times when I've perused The Low End's inventory. Another interesting aspect is that this appears to be a VM body style but with TM pickup layout. So I wonder if this was someone's custom configuration. Please do let us know what you find out from the visit with your luthier about the preamp.
Does this mean you (and others) have seen this bass passed around a lot? Did i end up buying a stinker? Trying not to read to much into what you said
I have a Sandberg VM2, had two others (don't ask me about my state of mind when I sold them).Does this mean you (and others) have seen this bass passed around a lot? Did i end up buying a stinker? Trying not to read to much into what you said
All are great instruments.
Don't worry, just enjoy your new acquisition.
Nice bass, love that finish too.
Contact Sandberg directly with your serial # (if it has one) etc, and maybe some pics. They've been good about replying to questions. I'd check there first about it before asking your tech for an answer. Good luck.
Contact Sandberg directly with your serial # (if it has one) etc, and maybe some pics. They've been good about replying to questions. I'd check there first about it before asking your tech for an answer. Good luck.
I just want to give a huge shoutout to Sandberg for their ongoing customer care. In my experience no other manufacturer comes close.
I’m in Australia and my custom-ordered 2012 TM5 (one of the first in Oz) developed an issue where the output suddenly dropped to almost nothing. I’d checked the wiring and all seemed intact, and there were no obvious visible issues.
I was considering taking it to a luthier but thought I’d reach out to Sandberg’s service department in case they could advise from afar, and I attached a couple of pics of the wiring and pots.
Within 5-10 minutes of sending my email, Dustin from Sandberg’s service department responded with a spot-on diagnosis: he suspected there may have been a grounding issue with the blend pot and suggested I loosen the pot from the backing plate and see if the output improved.
Sure enough, the problem disappeared completely. I emailed him back straight away, and he then advised me to clean the pot with compressed air to blow out any buildup. All of this took less than 30 minutes… it was as if he was with me all the way.
Sandberg’s motto is “always by your side”, and from several similar experiences I’ve had with them over the years, I feel that these are not just empty words. They embody the spirit of the company.
I’m in Australia and my custom-ordered 2012 TM5 (one of the first in Oz) developed an issue where the output suddenly dropped to almost nothing. I’d checked the wiring and all seemed intact, and there were no obvious visible issues.
I was considering taking it to a luthier but thought I’d reach out to Sandberg’s service department in case they could advise from afar, and I attached a couple of pics of the wiring and pots.
Within 5-10 minutes of sending my email, Dustin from Sandberg’s service department responded with a spot-on diagnosis: he suspected there may have been a grounding issue with the blend pot and suggested I loosen the pot from the backing plate and see if the output improved.
Sure enough, the problem disappeared completely. I emailed him back straight away, and he then advised me to clean the pot with compressed air to blow out any buildup. All of this took less than 30 minutes… it was as if he was with me all the way.
Sandberg’s motto is “always by your side”, and from several similar experiences I’ve had with them over the years, I feel that these are not just empty words. They embody the spirit of the company.
Good question. I hadn't seen anything about it previously, but about a year after I placed my order with Thomann, I was playing around in the configurator and noticed the change. I asked my contact at Thomann if I could get my order changed to include the center block, because the bass was still about a year out from production, and Sandberg readily agreed. I didn't have any inclination as to why it was needed, only that Sandberg must be doing it for a good reason, and I didn't want to miss out.
I did find this though:
