Club Sandberg ?

[nrssab]

Hey all,

I've been an un-numbered member of Club Sandberg for about a year and a half and I've positively loved my Ken Taylor Basic 5. But after playing a friend's Quantum 5, I realized that the Modulus sound was just closer to what I'm trying to do with my current band and so I'm afraid I'm going to be a formerly un-numbered member of Club Sandberg pretty soon.

This is a slightly odd post to write, but as fans of Sandberg basses I assume some of you have sold them in the past. I've had mine posted for over a week and its generated very little interest so far. You can see details here (I'm a supporting member, not trying to game the system): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=668321.

I think $1100 is a fair price, but the market may be telling me otherwise. I'd love to get some opinions from this group--please be as honest as possible. And I also thought you might know some details about my bass that I don't (I'm the second owner).

I appreciate all your help! And I hope it's not offensive or against TB rules to ask this type of question in this thread. If so, just let me know and I'll take it down.

Thank you for being so concerned about posting this. There is no problem at all. I wish you good luck with the sale and hope you find a good deal on a Quantum. I have never played one but do believe that they must be amazing basses.
The price is fair, in europe those basses go for around 800 euros. Being something rare in the US I would say it's a good deal. Definitely a very nice bass you are selling, somebody will enjoy it very much.
It has a very versatile tone, always with a high quality character to it. On the ones I played I never got any disturbing humming or interferences.
You are right about the european ash body. The electronics are from Glockenklang.
Ow dear I surely miss my Sandberg which is far from me right now. Hopefully I'll have it back in my hands soon, I miss the easy play of them. Currently I play on Warwick, which are great basses with very different tone. I must admit that always when I change back to the Sandberg it is a relief, I learned to play on that bass and it just feels so much more comfortable.
Enough of my Sandberg-adoration chit-chat.
Wish you good luck with the sale, and all the best with the Modulus. If you have any further questions, or any way I cold help selling that bass just let me know.
Maybe if you get some time you can post the pics of the Basic here to, might catch the future owner.

Best regards, enjoy!

 

[Busty]

Sure Busty you can have a number, just please post a pic of your Sandberg. On talkbass rules the policy: "No pics, no bass!".

Looks like i didn't use the subscriptions properly… Sorry 'bout that. There goes my 1995 Sandy:
She's been changed into passive, which explains the two knobs …

Invalid Link Removed

Note: i'd like to know what wood it could be made of. This bass is extremely lightweighted.
Maybe because of that (and maybe the Bartolini), i found that this bass sometimes lacks a bit of agressivity and personality.
What woud you use if you would replace the humbucker?

 

[nrssab]

Looks like i didn't use the subscriptions properly… Sorry 'bout that. There goes my 1995 Sandy:
She's been changed into passive, which explains the two knobs …

Invalid Link Removed

Note: i'd like to know what wood it could be made of. This bass is extremely lightweighted.
Maybe because of that (and maybe the Bartolini), i found that this bass sometimes lacks a bit of agressivity and personality.
What woud you use if you would replace the humbucker?

Hello Busty, nice precious Sandberg you got there!
Nice to welcome somebody in the club after so long.

1. Njxt2: Sandberg California JM5 blackburst
2. Nurk: Sandberg Custom
3. Bassman312: Sandberg Basic PM 4
4. Boom.SWE: Sandberg California J Hardcore Aged
5. Odysseyian: Sandberg Basic 4
6. Kinch: Sandberg California JM5 Special Imbuia, California JJ4 and California JJ4 Fretless in aged Orange
7. Nrssab: Sandberg Terrabass
8. BassManic: Sandberg California PM5 Special Imbuia
9. Gillento: Sandberg California PM5 upgraded with AlNiCo PUs
10. Papanooza: Sandberg California JM5
11. Warcorv: Sanberg California PM4
12. Derfel81: Sandberg California JM5 Supreme
13. Voxpop: Sandberg Custom 4 and Thinline 4 (wow!)
14. CoolHat: Sandberg California JM5 Blueburst
15. Greame Moss: Sandberg California JJ4 Custom Silver
16. Gnslmf: Sandberg Custom 5 and Thinline 5 (again wow!)
17. DasUrks: Sandberg Basic M4 Greenburst
18. TjD: Sanberg Basic M4 Blackburst and California PM4 Custom Cream
19. Baker69: Sandberg California JM4 Supreme
20. Gomandre: Sandberg California JM4 Sunburst
21. Sven Olaffson: Sandberg California JJ5
22. Schooldays: Sandberg California JJ4 3 Tone Sunburst and California JM4 Supreme Cream
23. Freak4pc: Sandberg Ken Taylor 5 Wenge top
24. Jfunch: Sandberg California JJ4
25. Sandbergbassist: Sandberg Basic PM5
26. Femto: Sandberg California PM5 Aged Tabacco & soon Basic 4
27. Premek: Sandberg California Custom JM5 Block Inlays
28. Atoni: Sandberg Terrabass
29. BartS: Sandberg California JM4 Sunburst
30. kweejibo69: Sandberg Ken Taylor 5 Bubinga top
31. Mekanik.H: Sandberg California JM5 Natural
32. l0calh05t: Sandberg California JM5 (with PM-5 body)
33. Dont Panic: Sandberg California JM4 Tobacco Burst
34. Ian774: Sandberg California JM4 Custom Shop
35. Alex6: Sandberg California PM4 Butterscotch and Sandberg California JM4 Violet Burst Custom Shop
36. LE_Gui: Sandberg California PM5 Custom Shop
37. Tomve: Sandberg Bullet Booster 5 Fretless Brownburst and Sandberg Custom
38. Darthplagis: Sandberg California PM5 Tabacco Burst with a glossed neck.
39. Dave The Bear: Sandberg Basic Ken Taylor 4 Cocobolo
40. HelgeBas: Sandberg Thinline 5
41. Derek Smalls: Sandberg Basic 4
42. Witness: Sandberg California JJ5 Red with a tiger pickguard.
43. Kwesi: Sendberg Custom 5 Wenge
44. Billy Low: Sandberg California JJ4 Vintage White
45. Elykoko: Sandberg Custom 5 string
46. Ursus: Sandberg Umbo 5-string
47. Vormgevers:Sandberg California JM4 White
48. JulienJeff:Sandberg California PM4 White
49. Busty: Sandberg 1995
50. ----

I forgot which woods are used for those old Sandbergs. I bet somebody else on here can enlighten us.
If you want something more aggressive you may go for a Delano or something as different as a MEC. Or if some more money is spared a custom made Haussel pickup, Sandberg is offering them now as custom option. An alnico would give very much of a high end.
Well I'm no expert just throwing out ideas somebody else can help you for sure by far more. But contacting Mr Haussel wouldn't be a bad idea he is one of the most experienced custom pickup makers.

Enjoy and keep us up on the news.

 

[Chadwickw]

Thank you for being so concerned about posting this. There is no problem at all. I wish you good luck with the sale and hope you find a good deal on a Quantum. I have never played one but do believe that they must be amazing basses.
The price is fair, in europe those basses go for around 800 euros. Being something rare in the US I would say it's a good deal. Definitely a very nice bass you are selling, somebody will enjoy it very much.
It has a very versatile tone, always with a high quality character to it. On the ones I played I never got any disturbing humming or interferences.
You are right about the european ash body. The electronics are from Glockenklang.
Ow dear I surely miss my Sandberg which is far from me right now. Hopefully I'll have it back in my hands soon, I miss the easy play of them. Currently I play on Warwick, which are great basses with very different tone. I must admit that always when I change back to the Sandberg it is a relief, I learned to play on that bass and it just feels so much more comfortable.
Enough of my Sandberg-adoration chit-chat.
Wish you good luck with the sale, and all the best with the Modulus. If you have any further questions, or any way I cold help selling that bass just let me know.
Maybe if you get some time you can post the pics of the Basic here to, might catch the future owner.

Best regards, enjoy!

Thanks, Nrssab!!

I really appreciate your thoughts. Still not a lot of interest from folks in the classifieds, but I've had a few offers--just nothing quite like what I think this bass is worth yet. Here are some pics for this forum.

 

[Busty]

Hello Busty, nice precious Sandberg you got there!
Nice to welcome somebody in the club after so long.

Precious? What do you mean?? € $

Thanks, nrssab. I also appreciate the advice about the pickups!
Definitely going to have a look on those you mentioned…

 

[nrssab]

Precious? What do you mean?? € $

Thanks, nrssab. I also appreciate the advice about the pickups!
Definitely going to have a look on those you mentioned…

Hello Busty!
Oh don't get scared, with precious I mean that they are quite rare and Beautiful basses. Also the quality of those is much higher than the newer Sandberg basses due to that now it all is pretty much a rush building a bass, before more time went into them. Those Sandberg get sold very rarely I only saw few, though the price on them never gets very high, around 600 from what I saw. (Here I found a similar one sold in Germany)
They are more keeper basses.
I'm still not quite sure about the body wood, though I suspect it to be ash which is used very often in Sandberg basses and has a light feel.

About the pickups, yes those Bartolinis are not very aggressive but maybe you can still get something out of them with a different setup on the Sandberg. You could maybe rise the Pickups and get them closer to the strings, if you haven't tried that already.
I doubt that it's the body wood that doesn't give your Sandberg the personality you are asking for.

Oh look I found Mr. Häussels website: http://www.haeussel.com/
This is a nice example of how the Häussel MM can sound like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4q35f6olM8
This are the Jazzbuckers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzbyTtok-YY

If you really end up trying out those Häussel, could I come visit you someday and test your bass? Maybe I'd get some to then!

Best regards!

 

[Busty]

Hello Busty!
Oh don't get scared, with precious I mean that they are quite rare and Beautiful basses.

I was just getting greedy…

About the pickups, yes those Bartolinis are not very aggressive but maybe you can still get something out of them with a different setup on the Sandberg. You could maybe rise the Pickups and get them closer to the strings, if you haven't tried that already.
I doubt that it's the body wood that doesn't give your Sandberg the personality you are asking for.

Yeah i'm going to try that… maybe use this bass for a drop tuning… The Häussel sounds fine, indeed.
But i'm not quite shure that replacing the Barto will have a huge effect, in the end…

Anyway, thanks again for the info - and if you'd like to hear how she sounds now
(no effect through a SansAmp Bass Driver + light compression & reverb on the sequencer):
http://www.box.net/shared/lj3ys3qpm3

 

[milo]

Does anybody knows why Sandberg changed the headstock design.
First one is better

 

[nrssab]

I was just getting greedy…

Yeah i'm going to try that… maybe use this bass for a drop tuning… The Häussel sounds fine, indeed.
But i'm not quite shure that replacing the Barto will have a huge effect, in the end…

Anyway, thanks again for the info - and if you'd like to hear how she sounds now
(no effect through a SansAmp Bass Driver + light compression & reverb on the sequencer):
http://www.box.net/shared/lj3ys3qpm3

Hey Busty! Thanks for the soundclip I was already curious about how it sounded. I hear those Bartolinis are pretty clear, so the Häussels would probably not be the right choice (except if one gets some custom made ones). Perhaps a Delano could do it but I also am not sure, I wish it was easy to try out different Pickups, but connecting them is quite a hassle.
Yes maybe drop tuning would be a way to go, or perhaps different strings, which ones do you have on now? Do you like the sound of flatwounds?

I found a video featuring a Bassline fretless with this Häussel Jazzbucker (3-Way splittable Humbucker). That one indeed is a great pickup, but you would need new electronics to have the full advantage.
Still have a look (Bassline is also a pretty nice German Bass-builder, the basses are similar to Sandberg maybe a ding more high-end).
Keep us up on any modifications or plans you are thinking of.
Regards!

 

[Billy Low]

Looks like i didn't use the subscriptions properly… Sorry 'bout that. There goes my 1995 Sandy:
She's been changed into passive, which explains the two knobs …

Invalid Link Removed

Note: i'd like to know what wood it could be made of. This bass is extremely lightweighted.
Maybe because of that (and maybe the Bartolini), i found that this bass sometimes lacks a bit of agressivity and personality.
What woud you use if you would replace the humbucker?

One thing about certain model pickups that are intended to be used in an active system, they tend to have a lower output as to not overdrive the signal; something that is significantly present when a preamp is added to passive pkup system. If, indeed, your pickup is designed as such, this would explain quite a bit. While some model Barts may not have the bite or aggressiveness of a MM or Duncan, they are in no way slouches. The tone can be just as massive (sometimes even moreso) than the other offerings. Most of my Barts have been known to carry a thick, heavy, gut punch, sac rattlin', bottom end (not boomy in the least bit), with a bit of top in glisten. They are not as mid focused as the others, yet the mids are strongly present. They do carry a slightly compressed tone (eliminating alot of fret noise and string chatter), adding a warm, buttery type of smoothness to the tone.

If that's not what u are getting...

Not trying to push u in the Direction of Barts, but they do have a passive pup in an MM config.

Will u get an MM tone with the Bart MM Pup....NO! Can you get a GREAT tone from a Bart MM pup that could put a smile on yer face...OH YEAH!

 

[Busty]

I remember buying this bass as a kid while intending buying a Stingray before.
The MM was just too heavy and only available in awful (to me) colours…

Anytime i would play on a "heavier" classic model, i would often notice some "growl"/"sound of wood" (like the oak you could taste on some wines…) this Sandberg is lacking. However, i accept this bass as an overall modern bass with very decent bass & lo-mid frequencies.

Will u get an MM tone with the Bart MM Pup....NO! Can you get a GREAT tone from a Bart MM pup that could put a smile on yer face...OH YEAH!

Yeah, you kinda read my unconscious thoughts: maybe i wanted this bass to sound more like a MM. But i will definitely keep the Barto and try some down-tuning.

Yes maybe drop tuning would be a way to go, or perhaps different strings, which ones do you have on now? Do you like the sound of flatwounds?

I think d'Addario Roundwounds. I'm pretty much a Don't-care-'bout-string-brand-guy. But after all this years playing i really want to try out those flatwounds! I planned to do it with My Squier PB Affinity (i rarely use). So you think it'd might be worth trying out some flats on the Sandberg?

 

[nrssab]

I remember buying this bass as a kid while intending buying a Stingray before.
The MM was just too heavy and only available in awful (to me) colours…

Anytime i would play on a "heavier" classic model, i would often notice some "growl"/"sound of wood" (like the oak you could taste on some wines…) this Sandberg is lacking. However, i accept this bass as an overall modern bass with very decent bass & lo-mid frequencies.

Yeah, you kinda read my unconscious thoughts: maybe i wanted this bass to sound more like a MM. But i will definitely keep the Barto and try some down-tuning.


I think d'Addario Roundwounds. I'm pretty much a Don't-care-'bout-string-brand-guy. But after all this years playing i really want to try out those flatwounds! I planned to do it with My Squier PB Affinity (i rarely use). So you think it'd might be worth trying out some flats on the Sandberg?

Hey Busty, I would say that yes it would be worthy you try out flats. I prefer flats over rounds, but it all is a matter of taste. Some people like them others don't. If you have been planning to try them out anyway I would suggest you do so on the Sandberg. Now there are many different brands with different tones to them, I suggest you search a bit youtube and get an idea. A good video is this one (though played on a P-Bass): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDZJMKfgaCk
I have always been very keen on the sound of LaBella flatwounds. Also an option to try are Black Nylon strings, but thats again something very different, still maybe you would want to check how they sound like.
If you are not happy with the flats, depending on what brand you decided on buying we can make a deal and I buy them of you. So you wouldn't have them laying around somewhere without use having the feeling it was thrown out money.
Best regards!

 

[Tomve]

Unfortunately fretless is not for me. Therefore for sale in Holland:

My redburst Sandberg Bullet booster 5 string fretless, as good as new. Colour Redburst. The neck has side-lines for "fret markeings".

Price around eu 900, incl hard case. If you have an accoustic bass guitar I am happy to check it out.

Regards,
Tom

 

[nrssab]

Unfortunately fretless is not for me. Therefore for sale in Holland:

My redburst Sandberg Bullet booster 5 string fretless, as good as new. Colour Redburst. The neck has side-lines for "fret markeings".

Price around eu 900, incl hard case. If you have an accoustic bass guitar I am happy to check it out.

Regards,
Tom

HOT!
A dream in Redburst! Played just one like it but 4 string and a soapbar Pickup. This must be way better! Please somebody get it, OR! buy it as a gift for me.
Thank you in advance.

Too bad for you Tom that fretless was not it, wish you best luck with the sale somebody will be very happy with it. A fantastic bass!

 

[Busty]

Hey Busty, I would say that yes it would be worthy you try out flats. I prefer flats over rounds, but it all is a matter of taste. Some people like them others don't. If you have been planning to try them out anyway I would suggest you do so on the Sandberg. Now there are many different brands with different tones to them, I suggest you search a bit youtube and get an idea. A good video is this one (though played on a P-Bass): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDZJMKfgaCk

I will definitely try this out. I used to think the flats were something you would mostly put on "classic basses" like PBs, JBs, Hofners…
The video: funny because i stumbled on this one a couple of months ago while trying to find a comparative:

Notice on how flats would (eventually) sound better fingerstyle BUT not so good with slap and the rounds better slapped than… etc.

I have always been very keen on the sound of LaBella flatwounds. Also an option to try are Black Nylon strings, but thats again something very different, still maybe you would want to check how they sound like.

String brands? I don't really believe in this. Some top-shelves are probably more enduring, discounts get worn out very quickly etc.

If you are not happy with the flats, depending on what brand you decided on buying we can make a deal and I buy them of you. So you wouldn't have them laying around somewhere without use having the feeling it was thrown out money.
Best regards!

That won't probably be necessary… i have a P-Bass Affinity standing in some corner…

Thanks for the input. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Massiv]

Hi!
I've been thinking about buying a Sandberg California jazz bass. What's the main difference in the sound between JJ4 and JM4?

 

[mcnico]

Picked up my Cali PM4 Supreme yesterday, after waiting 5 months it was worth it!

Absolutely over the moon with the bass, sounds and feels fantastic, will get some pics up in the not to distant future

 

[Baker69]

Hi!
I've been thinking about buying a Sandberg California jazz bass. What's the main difference in the sound between JJ4 and JM4?

IMHO the JM4 gives a bit more depth due to the large "MM" style pickup, plus as far as I know by flicking the switch you get (in theory) the JJ4 sound as well.

Basically with the JM4 you get the best of both worlds, and more tonal variation, I imagine the JJ4 to have more of a traditional Jazz Bass sound, to my ears the JM4 has it's own unique signature tone but it can also get near Jazz bass sound as well.

Some people are against the JM4's large pickup and visually prefer the traditional JJ pickup configuration.

As most will tell you, it's best to try both if you can, personally I think the JM4 is the better option.

 

[Billy Low]

I imagine the JJ4 to have more of a traditional Jazz Bass sound, to my ears the JM4 has it's own unique signature tone but it can also get near Jazz bass sound as well.

Sorry, I can't agree with you less. My JJ4 sounds NOTHING like a traditional J bass. IMHO, It has it's own unique sound as well. Thats the reason I like it so much! It has a SOUND that turns heads. I have had several musician do a double take when they hear it; as if to say...."Wait, that wasn't a Fender I just heard" and I usually get a smile of approval!

 

[Baker69]

Sorry, I can't agree with you less. My JJ4 sounds NOTHING like a traditional J bass. IMHO, It has it's own unique sound as well. Thats the reason I like it so much! It has a SOUND that turns heads. I have had several musician do a double take when they hear it; as if to say...."Wait, that wasn't a Fender I just heard" and I usually get a smile of approval!

As can be seen from my signature, I do have a Sandberg and an MIA Fender Jazz. In passive mode Ican get a pretty close Jazz sound with my Sandy (but better of course!)

I agree, the Sandberg does have it's own (superb) sound and I too have had good comments about it.

The JM4 is my main bass, the Fender Jazz doesn't even come close. I went mad to get my Fender Jazz but now I wish I'd gone for a JM5!