NBD - Strandberg Boden 4

[MochaFiend]

This is my third Strandberg. The other two are guitars.

Initial impression is that is plays like a dream. The action is perfectly low for tap. I'm accustomed to the enduroneck so that's not an issue. This is my first multiscale bass and I'm occasionally finding my fingers not where I thought they were, but that'll correct itself as I adjust to the fret locations.

The electronics and pickups are solid, but this is not a tone machine. On their website they have a diagram that suggests a particular arrangement of knobs will sound like a Jazz bass. It doesn't. It basically has a good useable tone, and then muddier versions of that. The highs can be startlingly bright.

I wish I hadn't waited so long to get this bass. It's so fun to play. If this is going to be your only bass... don't let this be your only bass. But if you want to have something that plays amazingly well, passively encourages good fret hand placement, and weighs 6 pounds... this is your bass, right here.

 

[Zooberwerx]

The electronics and pickups are solid, but this is not a tone machine. On their website they have a diagram that suggests a particular arrangement of knobs will sound like a Jazz bass. It doesn't. It basically has a good useable tone, and then muddier versions of that. The highs can be startlingly bright.


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That isn't what I was expecting.

Riis

 

[Dale Cruse]

> If this is going to be your only bass... don't let this be your only bass.
Absolutely hilarious!

 

[Jens Telemark]

Why do you say don’t let this be your only bass? I might change the pickups but other than that I found the one I got to check out briefly to be very playable with excellent build quality.

 

[MochaFiend]

Why do you say don’t let this be your only bass? I might change the pickups but other than that I found the one I got to check out briefly to be very playable with excellent build quality.

The bass has a very chime-y bell quality to the tone. If I had to make a more dramatic comparison, it's like the difference between a piano and a harpsichord. Same concept, wildly different sound, and one is vastly more versatile than the other.

Build quality and playability aren't an issue. I love all my Strandbergs. But I couldn't keep this as my only bass because it's limited, tone-wise. Yes, you could mod it, but then it's not the same bass that I'm referring to.

 

[Rdore2000]

I really wanted to like this bass but it just feels like a bass guitar made by a company where bass is the second priority. A friend who hurt his back swears by this bass because of the lighter weight. But it just wasn't for me.

 

[pb9717]

Definitely not a rave review. I was seriously considering one of these a while back. I realize that if it didn’t turn out to be my flavor, then selling it could be a challenge. Your honest opinion has been extremely helpful.

 

[pwilson]

Imho - if you're thinking about getting a Strandberg try the NS Design as well

 

[andare]

The slightly tilted bridge pickup and headless design were enough to tell me I won't let this be my bass at all but thanks for letting us know it also doesn't sound good haha.

I already have a light bass that plays well. It's my Squier Mini Precision, which weighs 2.5kg and sounds like a P bass.

 

[Rdore2000]

In fact, I had a bias against Dingwall for the longest time because of my underwhelming experience with Strandberg. But then I played my friend's Z series, and it was significantly better.

 

[Alban]

I have given these basses a long, hard look for some time now, because the ergonomics do appeal to me. But every single YT video consistently failed to impress me with regards to the tone; it sounds so generic and flat to me. Also, the newer Fishman versions are a step back from the old Nordstrand versions, imho.

 

[Alban]

In fact, I had a bias against Dingwall for the longest time because of my underwhelming experience with Strandberg. But then I played my friend's Z series, and it was significantly better.

Well, you are comparing a mass-produced made-by-Cort bass to a handbuilt boutique instrument, so yes, it is to be expected that the Z is superior ;-)

 

[Rdore2000]

Well, you are comparing a mass-produced made-by-Cort bass to a handbuilt boutique instrument, so yes, it is to be expected that the Z is superior ;-)

That's a fair point but it's not an inexpensive instrument. I expected better at this price point.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I really wanted to like this bass but it just feels like a bass guitar made by a company where bass is the second priority. A friend who hurt his back swears by this bass because of the lighter weight. But it just wasn't for me.

I have a couple headless 5's just for this purpose...they weren't cheap, either...and considering adding a Prog 5.

What changes should be made?

Riis

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I had one for a bit. Couldn't get over how flimsy the bridge components were, one was faulty so instead of getting a replacement I got a refund. No way are those going to last.

 

[Rdore2000]

I have a couple headless 5's just for this purpose...they weren't cheap, either...and considering adding a Prog 5.

What changes should be made?

Riis

It wasn't my cup of tea. I would change the Electronics personally. And it just feels off... To me. Ymmv.

 

[oreillyreally]

I'm a gonna get one. My back and left wrist are having issues with my fretless Thumb and my beloved old Spirit fretted (twisted neck...). I was also looking at the Ibanez 1500...thank you MocaFiend for the heads up.

 

[MochaFiend]

I'm a gonna get one. My back and left wrist are having issues with my fretless Thumb and my beloved old Spirit fretted (twisted neck...). I was also looking at the Ibanez 1500...thank you MocaFiend for the heads up.

If it's any indication at all, yesterday was ALSO NBD for me (happy birthday to me). I got the 5-string version of this bass as well. I don't think you'll be disappointed unless you are after a specific tone that you won't get. As long as you're not expecting it to sound like a Stingray or a Jazz or ad nauseam. The biggest downside, so far: after playing the Strandberg, picking up my modestly weighted basses, like greater than 9 pounds, makes them feel incredibly heavy. And picking up my Yamaha is like a full on upper body workout.