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Club Sandberg (part 2)

You pull the volume knob out to switch it to passive mode, it completely bypasses the active electronics so it works just like a passive bass (even without any battery inserted or with a drained battery). And not only that, the treble control from the 2-band EQ turns into a classic passive tone blend in that mode as well. So no worries, they thought that one through.

Thanks.

Just ordered a California II VM4, did not want to wait too long so took one in blueburst which I'm not a big fan, will try to get a white pickguard to make it slightly better.

If it works well for me I'll consider a custom for next year.
 
Thanks.

Just ordered a California II VM4, did not want to wait too long so took one in blueburst which I'm not a big fan, will try to get a white pickguard to make it slightly better.

If it works well for me I'll consider a custom for next year.

That's a shame with the colour, but I hope the instrument itself will work for you.

Am I the only one around here who really dislikes the new body shape?

Can you still order the old jazz and precision shapes?

I haven't actually tried any of the california basses, I just have my classic special. But from what I've seen the differences seem to make sense (bridge closer to the edge of the body and more symmetrical/better access at the horns). I think they also wanted to differentiate themselves from the classical Fender shapes.

Hi! I have a Sandberg Electra TT4. Superb Bass at this price, i love it. But the bridge is a disaster. Can 1 change it to any normál bridge? Like fender, badass, or others? (At home)
Thanks.

I don't know of any specific drop-in replacements for the Sandberg bridge, but if you check the distance of the mounting screws it shouldn't be too hard to figure out which ones would fit.
Why do you dislike the normal sandberg bridge though? I haven't found a serious flaw with it yet, it actually seems like a really nice bridge to me. I assume the electra basses use the same standard sandberg bridge and that's the first time I'm hearing from someone that it's problematic or a "disaster".
 
I didn't like the new shape California's to begin with but they are growing on me. However, I have 2 Ps and 1 J type that are all the older Fender type shape. I don't know where I heard it, but I think Fender put the freighteners on Sandberg regarding the older body shapes. Regarding the bridges I find them pretty well made and easy to set up although I did think they would be a little heavier. I'm thinking of having a local engineering company make me a brass one just to see what happens.
 
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I now have new shape VS4 and it balances, plays and sounds great. As an added bonus it weighs 7.5lbs! As a personal preference though I re-wired it passive using a circuit based on the passive treble and bass cut in my G&L L1000. This compensates for the high output but slightly scooped Sandberg split pickup.


I wasn't sure about the T body shape but it looks better in the flesh, so to speak IMO.
 
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Delivered!

Ok, actually...I kindda like the BlueBurst and it's a nice change from my other basses

As for the pickguard, consulted with my Wife and she prefers the black, so will hang on this one for a little while

After 10 000km travel everything was in a good shape, the set up is good, slightly buzzing low action but good enough for me.

Of course...it does sound amazing, can't wait to hit the next band practice

Do you know what are the stock strings?


IMG_20160904_103059.jpg
IMG_20160904_103122.jpg IMG_20160903_235604.jpg
 
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Delivered!

Ok, actually...I kindda like the BlueBurst and it's a nice change from my other basses

Do you know what are the stock strings?

That looks stunning! Glad to hear you're enjoying it, they come standard with their "The String" sandberg strings (40-100) which are stainless steel. Not sure where you live and who stocks them, but it's this set: Invalid Link Removed
 
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That looks stunning! Glad to hear you're enjoying it, they come standard with their "The String" sandberg strings (40-100) which are stainless steel. Not sure where you live and who stocks them, but it's this set: Invalid Link Removed

Thanks! I'll bookmark the link for the strings, very likely I will mount my "standard" DR Hi-Beam once they wear off

(I live in Japan, unfortunately the local distributor makes it that the Sandberg are quite pricey here, so I got this one directly from Thomann, I've been holding off the purchase for a month because I was not sure of the blueburst...and now I like it)
 
With a heavy heart selling my Sandberg California TT-4.
Really want to keep it, but I need extra funds for family needs so I should find a new loving home for this black beauty :(
For Sale - Sandberg California TT-4 (Handmade in Germany)
It never left my smoke-free climate-controlled studio.
Pm me with offers if you have any.
 

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I have a question for you Sandberg experts.
How is it the process of ordering a bass throug the specs chosen from the configurator?
How could I check the pricing of the custom-choiced specs, such as top woods, fretboard wood, inlays, etc.?
How much time would it take to have it delivered to me?

I am wondering if it would worth a try, or it will be better to buy one on stock from an online store. I have seen some close enough to what I would ideally like. However, if the process, pricing and waiting time of a custom order are reasonable enough, I could consider to get one made to my precise preferences instead of one "almost" there.

I am thinking in a California VM4, with block inlays and chosing specific colour for bass, headstock and pickguard.
 
I have a question for you Sandberg experts.
How is it the process of ordering a bass throug the specs chosen from the configurator?
How could I check the pricing of the custom-choiced specs, such as top woods, fretboard wood, inlays, etc.?
How much time would it take to have it delivered to me?

I am wondering if it would worth a try, or it will be better to buy one on stock from an online store. I have seen some close enough to what I would ideally like. However, if the process, pricing and waiting time of a custom order are reasonable enough, I could consider to get one made to my precise preferences instead of one "almost" there.

I am thinking in a California VM4, with block inlays and chosing specific colour for bass, headstock and pickguard.

I custom ordered my classic special, you basically contact any official dealer, give them the code from the configurator and they'll tell you how much it'll cost. In my case (since I was curious how expensive different top woods were) I gave them 3 configurations with different woods to get the prices. Waiting lists are 5-6 months and I think it'll take longer if you want a masterpiece aged bass. I paid 300 in advance and then the rest once the bass was built, then they just shipped it to me.
Keep in mind that it'll cost more than the models they have in stock though, even if you just change the colour or pickguard.
 
Ok, thanks a lot.
So it seems that probably the best idea is going for the stock one which is closer to my liking, but asking prices won´t do no harm. So I´ll ask, and then probably buy stock. The main drawback being the 6 months waiting... that should help in getting the funds for the extra cost on the custom order, but is too much time.
Thanks again!
 
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Hello everyone - wanna try some new pickups on my Sandberg VM4 - has anyone upgraded those basses with Bartolini's (P-style and MusicMan-style pickups)?

I also have an opportunity to replace stock preamp w/ Aguilar OBP-3 but haven't got enough money for both upgrades - which one seems more reasonable on you opinion (pups or preamp)?

Thanks!
 
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Hello everyone - wanna try some new pickups on my Sandberg VM4 - has anyone upgraded those basses with Bartolini's (P-style and MusicMan-style pickups)?

I also have an opportunity to replace stock preamp w/ Aguilar OBP-3 but haven't got enough money for both upgrades - which one seems more reasonable on you opinion (pups or preamp)?

Thanks!

It depends what sound you want to achieve. I have an older VM4 with Delano's and it used to have the old preamp without passive cut. While I was replacing the pickups the preamp gave up on me and I've since tried a few different pre's and also wired it passive and added a more vintage P and a Haussel alnico MM.
I wasn't really getting on with it so I decided to return it to stock before selling it. I put the original pickups and a new Sandberg pre in it and it now sounds great and I've decided to keep it.

What do you feel needs improving ?
 
It depends what sound you want to achieve. I have an older VM4 with Delano's and it used to have the old preamp without passive cut. While I was replacing the pickups the preamp gave up on me and I've since tried a few different pre's and also wired it passive and added a more vintage P and a Haussel alnico MM.
I wasn't really getting on with it so I decided to return it to stock before selling it. I put the original pickups and a new Sandberg pre in it and it now sounds great and I've decided to keep it.

What do you feel needs improving ?

I'm not really into stock Haussel MM-pickup - it just too "thin"-sounding by itself.
I enjoy sound of Wojtek Pilichoswki who uses Bartolini soapbar pups or (ha-ha) Or Lubianiker who uses Aguilar DCB soapbars. Both using Aguilar OBP-3 pre, so...