After years of dabbling (and the endless quest for "the right" hollow body), I made the move to all short scales (that, and not having "too many" basses - as if that's a real thing). Until last week, that meant a JMJ Mustang (sporting TI Jazz Flats) that I really dig.
But alas, I am a "P guy", and I've had that yearning I always get when I don't own a precision. I can't describe it but it's very real ... there's something about that P tone - like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
Anyway, I debated the custom build route or doing upgrades on a used shorty but these can be treacherous roads to travel, often fill with twists and turns and GAS-inducing distractions.
Instead I picked up a "Sandberg California VS Lionel" - a short scale, passive, P bass. I'm very happy that I did!! I rate it 10/10.
Week 1 impressions (no band play yet):
- Fit, finish, build quality: flawless, impeccable. It came in the sealed box from Germany (via Florida) - just needed tuning and it was ready to go. Mine is tort on black (classic) and has a matte finish (hope it hides the inevitable scratches) with a yummy roasted maple neck.
- 7.8 pounds and feels super solid. No neck dive (with a 2" nylon strap). I was struck by its guitar-like size and profile - it's working for me. The contours of the body fit me well - it fits my hands and long arms, too. Very comfy.
- I love the neck. Fast and easy playing. Not a vintage profile like the JMJ ... flatter, maybe something like modern C meets a traditional P neck profile? 1.55" at the nut and 2.375" (2 3/8") at the 12th fret - some kind of compound radius thing going on. The frets are just crazy smooth. I've played plek'd basses before but nothing like this. "Like butta" in all directions.
- The Sandberg "Black Label" pickup is HOT. Plain and simple. But it has grown on me (more below).
- The tone control covers a really wide range - more than any other P bass I've had. You can do a lot with it, including a little P-slap.
Pickup ramblings***
- It came with rounds (not my thing) but I didn't have any SS flats on hand. I did however have a new set of D'addario tapes, so I did that - been meaning to try tapes on a P anyway.
- I really thought I'd quickly change to a more vintage voiced pickup (and I still may) but now I am not so sure - you can do a lot with string choices and EQ (I use a VT Bass DI). I've also dialed down the bass volume knob maybe 5%.
- It sounds fantastic and the tone is definitely taking me to that special P place! Maybe "hot" just means "sits in the mix" better? Time will tell.
*** If anyone has looked under the hood, let me know what kind of pots and capacitors we have. I've read Sandberg used 500K pots in the full scale jazz/MM style basses but can't find much on Lionel.
I may still do a swap but I don't wanna scratch any screws just yet!! Thanks!
I hope my impressions are useful to someone/anyone!
If I can answer any questions, I will certainly try.
Have a great one, TalkBass friends! Thanks for tuning in!
But alas, I am a "P guy", and I've had that yearning I always get when I don't own a precision. I can't describe it but it's very real ... there's something about that P tone - like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
Anyway, I debated the custom build route or doing upgrades on a used shorty but these can be treacherous roads to travel, often fill with twists and turns and GAS-inducing distractions.
Instead I picked up a "Sandberg California VS Lionel" - a short scale, passive, P bass. I'm very happy that I did!! I rate it 10/10.
Week 1 impressions (no band play yet):
- Fit, finish, build quality: flawless, impeccable. It came in the sealed box from Germany (via Florida) - just needed tuning and it was ready to go. Mine is tort on black (classic) and has a matte finish (hope it hides the inevitable scratches) with a yummy roasted maple neck.
- 7.8 pounds and feels super solid. No neck dive (with a 2" nylon strap). I was struck by its guitar-like size and profile - it's working for me. The contours of the body fit me well - it fits my hands and long arms, too. Very comfy.
- I love the neck. Fast and easy playing. Not a vintage profile like the JMJ ... flatter, maybe something like modern C meets a traditional P neck profile? 1.55" at the nut and 2.375" (2 3/8") at the 12th fret - some kind of compound radius thing going on. The frets are just crazy smooth. I've played plek'd basses before but nothing like this. "Like butta" in all directions.
- The Sandberg "Black Label" pickup is HOT. Plain and simple. But it has grown on me (more below).
- The tone control covers a really wide range - more than any other P bass I've had. You can do a lot with it, including a little P-slap.
Pickup ramblings***
- It came with rounds (not my thing) but I didn't have any SS flats on hand. I did however have a new set of D'addario tapes, so I did that - been meaning to try tapes on a P anyway.
- I really thought I'd quickly change to a more vintage voiced pickup (and I still may) but now I am not so sure - you can do a lot with string choices and EQ (I use a VT Bass DI). I've also dialed down the bass volume knob maybe 5%.
- It sounds fantastic and the tone is definitely taking me to that special P place! Maybe "hot" just means "sits in the mix" better? Time will tell.
*** If anyone has looked under the hood, let me know what kind of pots and capacitors we have. I've read Sandberg used 500K pots in the full scale jazz/MM style basses but can't find much on Lionel.
I may still do a swap but I don't wanna scratch any screws just yet!! Thanks!
I hope my impressions are useful to someone/anyone!
If I can answer any questions, I will certainly try.
Have a great one, TalkBass friends! Thanks for tuning in!
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