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NBD - Sandberg VM5 Nighthawk

Guinness20

Guinness20

Jan 24, 2013
1,827
1,056
33
Liverpool, UK
#1
Ever since I saw a picture online of one of these I wanted one, before I really knew what it was. I finally got the chance to play a Sandberg VM5 at a show in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago and loved it! It sounded great and played really nicely, after that it was kind of inevitable I'd end up with one haha.

PXL_20220421_163821805.PORTRAIT.jpg


When I was debating whether to buy it or not, I wasn't sure if I'd like the look of the pau ferro fretboard and would have preferred rosewood. Now that I'm in possession of the bass I'm not sure why I ever thought that, the pau ferro is beautiful!

I also wasn't 100% sure I'd like the metal pickguard, the only other time I played a bass with one was a Fender classic series 50's p bass and I didn't like the feel of the pickguard. Again I needn't have worried.

I've always loved a the sound of a p bass but it doesn't ordinarily cut through enough for what I play, being able to blend in the bridge humbucker adds some serious punch. So far my favourite sound is both pickups together, the low end is really growly but I also get the top end sizzle of a stingray.

Needless to say I'm a very happy boy :D
 
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#5
Guinness20 said:
Ever since I saw a picture online of one of these I wanted one, before I really knew what it was. I finally got the chance to play a Sandberg VM5 at a show in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago and loved it! It sounded great and played really nicely, after that it was kind of inevitable I'd end up with one haha.

View attachment 4666829

When I was debating whether to buy it or not, I wasn't sure if I'd like the look of the pau ferro fretboard and would have preferred rosewood. Now that I'm in possession of the bass I'm not sure why I ever thought that, the pau ferro is beautiful!

I also wasn't 100% sure I'd like the metal pickguard, the only other time I played a bass with one was a Fender classic series 50's p bass and I didn't like the feel of the pickguard. Again I needn't have worried.

I've always loved a the sound of a p bass but it doesn't ordinarily cut through enough for what I play, being able to blend in the bridge humbucker adds some serious punch. So far my favourite sound is both pickups together, the low end is really growly but I also get the top end sizzle of a stingray.

Needless to say I'm a very happy boy :D
Click to expand...

Nice bass, what are the pickups on your bass? Sandberg usually have Delano’s with big pole pieces
 
#9
That is a nice bass. I have a Sandberg too, a Custom Thinline fretless, quite different to your bass but an excellent tool for the job it does. I really like the Sandberg ethos and the fact they've been putting out excellent basses for so long without relying on huge marketing campaigns to pus their brand. They seem to have grown quite organically and arrived at their place in the marketplace via word of mouth.

Holger Stonjek seems like a great guy too. His passion for his business and the instruments they produce is infectious.
 
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#12
Guinness20 said:
Ever since I saw a picture online of one of these I wanted one, before I really knew what it was. I finally got the chance to play a Sandberg VM5 at a show in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago and loved it! It sounded great and played really nicely, after that it was kind of inevitable I'd end up with one haha.

View attachment 4666829

When I was debating whether to buy it or not, I wasn't sure if I'd like the look of the pau ferro fretboard and would have preferred rosewood. Now that I'm in possession of the bass I'm not sure why I ever thought that, the pau ferro is beautiful!

I also wasn't 100% sure I'd like the metal pickguard, the only other time I played a bass with one was a Fender classic series 50's p bass and I didn't like the feel of the pickguard. Again I needn't have worried.

I've always loved a the sound of a p bass but it doesn't ordinarily cut through enough for what I play, being able to blend in the bridge humbucker adds some serious punch. So far my favourite sound is both pickups together, the low end is really growly but I also get the top end sizzle of a stingray.

Needless to say I'm a very happy boy :D
Click to expand...
Congrats! Sandbergs aren’t really my thing, but the Nighthawk is simply a mouthwatering bass.
 
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#13
Mastodon2 said:
That is a nice bass. I have a Sandberg too, a Custom Thinline fretless, quite different to your bass but an excellent tool for the job it does. I really like the Sandberg ethos and the fact they've been putting out excellent basses for so long without relying on huge marketing campaigns to pus their brand. They seem to have grown quite organically and arrived at their place in the marketplace via word of mouth.

Holger Stonjek seems like a great guy too. His passion for his business and the instruments they produce is infectious.
Click to expand...

While they're not unheard of, it feels like they're going under people's radar still. The bass wasn't cheap but it's really good value for money, I'd take one of these over a US Fender any day.
 
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