Considering picking up a new bass and have narrowed it down between a Sandberg California V and an Ernie Ball Music man. Leaning towards the Sandberg as I can customize her, but will take a little bit to get her and I wont be able to play her before buying. Just wanted to see what the consensus might be here from my bass brothers and sisters!
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Decisions, decisions
- Thread starter John K
- Start date
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Play the EB first and see how you like it. Everyone is different. I like P necks, of course, Ive been playing them for 40+ years.
Good call! Not sure why I didnt think of that hahahah. Blaming my current lack of caffeine!
I don't even know what Sandberger is ....
Get a EBMM Special, preferably the 4HH. Its lighter, voiced better, roasted neck, lightweight tuners, 5 way toggle
...
I had a EBMM 4H, It was heavy, did not like the eq. It may be ok, for some mild hippy, funk junk, just didn't fill my H.C. needs.
Get a EBMM Special, preferably the 4HH. Its lighter, voiced better, roasted neck, lightweight tuners, 5 way toggle
...
I had a EBMM 4H, It was heavy, did not like the eq. It may be ok, for some mild hippy, funk junk, just didn't fill my H.C. needs.
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Agreed on the above - if it's a EBMM Special get it. I picked up a Special 5H about a month ago and it's quickly becoming my #1 and I've picked up some nice instruments in the last year.
I had a EBMM Stingray 5 many years ago and I moved it on.
It was beautifully made and sounded great, just like every EBMM bass I've ever played. So, why did I sell it? I didn't like the narrow string spacing at the nut.
I don't know what Sandberg's string spacing is like on their 5-ers but if they're wider than the Ray 5s I would definitely consider one. They make really nice instruments. I also wouldn't rule out a Lakland.
It was beautifully made and sounded great, just like every EBMM bass I've ever played. So, why did I sell it? I didn't like the narrow string spacing at the nut.
I don't know what Sandberg's string spacing is like on their 5-ers but if they're wider than the Ray 5s I would definitely consider one. They make really nice instruments. I also wouldn't rule out a Lakland.
In that case, buy it!
Seriously, I'm a big fan of the Specials. I also have a Sandberg TM-4, but I'd personally give the edge to the StingRay.
Hard to make a comparison then?
I've owned a Stingray 5. Liked it; the neck was thicker than any of my other basses. Issue for some people, not for others.
The Sandbergs have a slightly more modern neck. They sound more like a Stingray than not like one. Color options are probably a wash.
Resale might be better for the Ray, since everyone knows what they are and the buyer pool is larger.
I'd buy the Ray unless you hate the neck.
Stingray
You don't have to waste money customizing it as there is nothing you can replace that will be better than what is already there.
You don't have to waste money customizing it as there is nothing you can replace that will be better than what is already there.
Best to buy the real thing than something trying to be the real thing
Tough call honestly and I'm a Stingray Special fan and owner of 2, 4 HH & 5 H.
I stayed away from 5 sting basses for years because most brands necks were not comfortable in my hands. But that wasn't the case with my 5H Stingray special.
Sandberg makes great looking gear has great reviews but I've only tried a 4 sting Jazz basses at NAMM. So, with saying all that I vote Stingray Special mainly due to accessibility and I've had nothing but great success with them. Also, their customer support is fantastic.
I stayed away from 5 sting basses for years because most brands necks were not comfortable in my hands. But that wasn't the case with my 5H Stingray special.
Sandberg makes great looking gear has great reviews but I've only tried a 4 sting Jazz basses at NAMM. So, with saying all that I vote Stingray Special mainly due to accessibility and I've had nothing but great success with them. Also, their customer support is fantastic.
There are so many configs to the Sandberg, it's really hard to know what you're looking at.
www.sandberg-guitars.de
I do like the layout of the "M" which uses both the MM bridge pickup and a P-style neck.
CANV2-VM:S-N-5S-35-MF-3TS-ASH-NOT-RO:MPF-F-BB-NOM-BKH-CLT-2EQ-BP-BCP-RH
California 'V' Series - Sandberg Guitars
Official website of Sandberg Guitars - German producer of guitars and bass guitars: California T Bass, California V Bass, Basic Bass, Classic Bass, Custom Bass, Electra Bass, Forty Eight Bass, Panther Bass, STS Guitar, Florence Guitar, California DC Guitar, Electra DC Guitar, Forty Eight Guitar
www.sandberg-guitars.de
I do like the layout of the "M" which uses both the MM bridge pickup and a P-style neck.
CANV2-VM:S-N-5S-35-MF-3TS-ASH-NOT-RO:MPF-F-BB-NOM-BKH-CLT-2EQ-BP-BCP-RH
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The Sandberg would motivate me more to play than the other but that's me.
It also looks more like a personal treat, seems prestigious to me and probably more versatile.
It also looks more like a personal treat, seems prestigious to me and probably more versatile.
If you've never had a Stingray I would suggest trying one. I really enjoy mine.
Availability- unless you are buying the Sandburg off of the shelf, I was told yesterday that the wait for a "custom"
one is 2 years...
one is 2 years...
First there was Musicman Stingray.
Then there was Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray.
Then there was Lakland.
Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray remained.
Then then was Sandberg...
Then there was Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray.
Then there was Lakland.
Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray remained.
Then then was Sandberg...
