I'm trying to decide which Sandberg bass... I won't be able to try them first, so I'm asking for your help/experiences/opinions. I want a 4 string. I'm torn between the Panther and the Booster. Any thoughts?
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Help me decide! Sandberg Panther TT4, or Sandberg Booster 4?
- Thread starter BigBluez
- Start date
One more plea for thoughts. I'm starting to lean Panther, based on looks more than anything. I've listened to sound samples on YouTube, but it's so hard to tell from that...
... and today I'm leaning Booster. The looks are growing on me. And from what little I can hear on the YouTube videos, it might be a bit punchier.
This is sound advice given the rarity and uniqueness of these basses. If you do not like either of them, it may be difficult to resale as not a lot folks are as familiar with these models. Just to clarify, is the booster you're considering the classic that has more separation between the pickups or the other version that has them really close together.
I've never played either but do own a Sandberg. It's tough because these bass designs where the pickups are close and also positioned far back towards the bridge can be somewhat difficult to judge. They tend to have a very specific tone that may or may not work for you. Based on what I could glean from online videos, I leaned toward the Panther as I like the style/looks a little more and the demos showcased a bit more variety in tones. If you're a tinkerer, the pickup layout on the Panther may be difficult to modify. The true test would be how it sounds with the band mix but you won't know that until you grab one (hence the importance of the return option).
Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Have no Panther info but my Booster sounds unlike any other bass I've had, including other Sandbergs. There's a baked-in "overdrive-ish" nature about this bass that's hard to get away from. I love that about it 'cos it always sounds musical somehow. Not sure of Sandberg's intent with the elecs design, but it's certainly unique. As for the build, fit and finish....exemplary IMO, with attention to little design details. This finish is called Orange Burst.
Whoa! Seeing your photos has certainly changed my mind about the looks. That's gorgeous. I didn't notice before but the mono rail bridge design is a cool alternative to their usual bridge. And even though the pickups are close together, having them further away from the bridge should open up the tones a bit more than say something like a Thumb 5 string that not only has the pickups real close to each other but also very far back by the bridge. I would think anyway. Not doggin' the Thumb, it's just a very specific sounding instrument. But a very cool looking Booster. I just do not see many of these around at all.
You're asking for an opinion without really knowing what your "sound concept" is. Visually they are different, for sure. But sound wise they are in two different categories. The Panther, from the demos I listened to has a clarity. But is that what you want, while the Booster has a beefier low end, again from what I can here. The Panther sounds a lot like my Sandberg Ken Taylor, which I like for a lot of things because of its clarity. For me, it is all about the sound and the type of music I play and the venues, the sound guy and what I think I can expect when I decide what I'm packing up.
Thanks, all! Valid points. I have my eye on a Booster right now that is an orange burst like @Iridescentone 's. It would be easily returnable, so it feels "safe". I think I'm looking for something a little different, and your comments on this thread helped me to become more clear on that. The Booster looks different from my other Fender and Fender-ish basses; I have a feeling it will sound very different too.
Well, I did it! Memorial Day sale... Here she is... Slight variations from @Iridescentone 's - namely black hardware and matching headstock. Thanks for your input!
It doesn’t sound like any of my other basses, that’s for sure! I think it will inspire me to play more solo bass, something I’ve been wanting to do.
Hopefully it's not a little too late to chime in here for any future sandberg buyers. I own both of these models and a handful of California's.
I whole heartedly love sandbergs other shapes alot more , the booster; panther and ken taylor.
I would compare the sandberg booster to a MM pickup spector in tone with some more articulation and tone variety with the neck pickup. It really sounds like sandberg and spector had a baby together. I love the high fret access of the booster as well. I call it my "piano" bass. It has a baked in tone that would lend itself well to fretless also. The body still has some nice sandberg curvature , but is more slab bodied than the California's.
Comparatively, the panthers horns and whole body is contoured and curved completely. This is hard to capture In pictures , but the horns are not slab shaped at all and completely rounded over. It has a great shape for playing live stuff, and was already said here a more traditional tone pallette. What I will say about the panther compared to all the other sandbergs , it sounds so much darker overall then any others , but while retaining alot of that clarity similar to the ken taylor. I haven't been able to put the panther in a mix yet to test, but I think itll blend very well with anything.
The sandbergs are so clean and clear in a way , the best way to change your tone is in the strings. They really reflect every quality of the string thats on them and changes the way it sounds alot more than just getting another bass. This applies to every bass sure, but I think the sandbergs can be held back in terms of their sound if they don't have the right strings to pair and bring out their voice.
I'm very biased but if I could replace all my California's with boosters or panthers with the same pickup options (vm2 , tm4 , etc etc) I would. I like the shapes that much more.
I whole heartedly love sandbergs other shapes alot more , the booster; panther and ken taylor.
I would compare the sandberg booster to a MM pickup spector in tone with some more articulation and tone variety with the neck pickup. It really sounds like sandberg and spector had a baby together. I love the high fret access of the booster as well. I call it my "piano" bass. It has a baked in tone that would lend itself well to fretless also. The body still has some nice sandberg curvature , but is more slab bodied than the California's.
Comparatively, the panthers horns and whole body is contoured and curved completely. This is hard to capture In pictures , but the horns are not slab shaped at all and completely rounded over. It has a great shape for playing live stuff, and was already said here a more traditional tone pallette. What I will say about the panther compared to all the other sandbergs , it sounds so much darker overall then any others , but while retaining alot of that clarity similar to the ken taylor. I haven't been able to put the panther in a mix yet to test, but I think itll blend very well with anything.
The sandbergs are so clean and clear in a way , the best way to change your tone is in the strings. They really reflect every quality of the string thats on them and changes the way it sounds alot more than just getting another bass. This applies to every bass sure, but I think the sandbergs can be held back in terms of their sound if they don't have the right strings to pair and bring out their voice.
I'm very biased but if I could replace all my California's with boosters or panthers with the same pickup options (vm2 , tm4 , etc etc) I would. I like the shapes that much more.
