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Decisions, decisions

What would be your choice?

  • Sandberg California V

    Votes: 55 41.7%

  • Ernie Ball Music Man

    Votes: 78 59.1%
  • Total voters
    132
#21
Altitude said:
Hard to make a comparison then?
Click to expand...
I was simply, flat out being a smartass and saying, "Sandberg are not as well known" and not recommending (what I thought he was asking about) a regular stingray vs what is superior to a regular Ray imo, the Stingray special. That being said, we got him to specify, that indeed he was asking about a Special, not a regular stingray.

🙃 ...bit confusing.
 
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#22
A better comparison against the Stingray is the Sandberg California Central. The Central has the single MM style humbucker in the sweet spot and a 3-band EQ.

CAL_Central.jpg
 
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#23
I have 2 Stingray 5'a, a classic and a 35th Anniversary. I love both and the 35th anniversary is my main bass right now. I also have a Sandberg TT5 Panther and it's great too. Both sound great, I was able to get a slightly lower action on the Sandberg. If I had to pick one, the Stingray is a good all around option and the Sandberg is quality. I will never sell any of them.
 
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#26
I voted Sandberg. Assuming they're both fivers that is. The Stingray 5-string styling just doesn't work for me.
Having said that, in spite of having been told one year by the folks I ordered it through, it took 18 months to get my custom order California 5.
I doubt that I would have ordered it had I been told 18 rather than 12, but it was worth the wait. An incredible axe.
 
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#28
I briefly owned a Sandberg Nighthawk TM5. I returned it after 10 days. Build quality was great, it was light, balanced, and the neck was fantastic, up there with the best, most comfy necks I've played. It oozed "Really Nice Instrument" vibes. I dug the 18mm spacing.

But I didn't gel with it because the tone felt thin when I got it home through my rig, the dimensions of the neck pickup meant it was harder to anchor my thumb when playing the B string (they don't protrude past the strings as far as my other basses), and the way they do the bevel for the tummy cut into the forearm cutaway was much narrower than my other basses (G&Ls, Modulus), and it felt odd. I probably could have gotten used to it, but for that amount of $$, I figured if I didn't absolutely love it, I shouldn't keep it, so I returned it. Not saying it isn't worth the $$ they charge, it was an excellent, excellent instrument, but I didn't love it, so it went back.

The only downside I see to the EBMM 5er is the string spacing and neck being narrower, which is obviously subjective; some folks like it, others don't.
 
#30
I could probably go either way. I voted Sandberg as I'm playing one as my main bass (a TM4) and really enjoying it but have owned a Stingray 5 in the past. The Stingray 5 neck is my preferred neck profile for a 5-string and I really do love what Ernie Ball has done with the Specials as far as features and contouring but I really do like Sandberg's quality and aesthetics. Tough call and I don't think you could go wrong either way. It may come down to your preference in the pre-amps as they are very different.
 
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#31
I have had two 4-strings of both brands at the same times. I rarely played the stingrays (classic and old smoothie). I have a Sandberg master built california PJ and Basic TM that are amazing. Sandberg basses are more ergonomic to me, especially how I lay my plucking hand across the body. I did like the classic stingray in a live band setting but I cannot play it for as long as either Sandberg.
 
#34
Cleezmo said:
The only downside I see to the EBMM 5er is the string spacing and neck being narrower, which is obviously subjective; some folks like it, others don't.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing Sandberg V indicates Vintage, not 5 string. Regardless, I believe John's a dedicated four-string guy.

That said, your point stands about MM fivers. Loved my old MM fours, but I'll never own an MM fiver: string spacing is way too narrow for my comfort.
 
#40
John K said:
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!
Click to expand...
Bird in hand. I have no experience with Sandberg instruments.
 
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