My brand new Sandberg Electra VS4 arrived today! It needed a good set up which I already did.
Electronics:
One STOUT P pickup but many tonal variations with the 2 band active eq and it responds just as well as any other top quality bass to hand placement and attack. Lots of basses lose volume and sound thin when taken out of active mode. Not this one. I could play it as a passive P all day long. The active eq just enhances what's already there.
Hardware:
The bridge really impressed me. Quick release design. Setting intonation and action is a breeze. You can even adjust string spacing. The knobs and string tree look really sleek. I haven't seen those on any other bass before.
Electronics:
The eq is really sweet. The bass control is subtle but very effective. They truly hit the frequency sweet spot. The treble is nice. No harsh overkill. It's more like opening up a passive tone control. As far as I know, the pickup/preamp combo is Delano/Glockenglang.
Neck:
I personally am not a fan of the "zero fret" and I don't know what purpose it serves but it doesn't bother me. I love the fingerboard with no inlays. Just like my custom built Martin D-18V. I've always been a big fan of that look. I'm a huge Tony Rice fan. The tinted satin finish is very cool.
Build:
The build, assembly, fit and finish are all impeccable. The 6 bolt neck is rock solid. Germans have a reputation for building quality products.
The look:
I've always loved white basses with tortoise pick guards (Michael Rhodes, John Cowan, Sonny Lemaire) so this is right up my alley.
Overall:
It's like a great jazz and a great P in one! Unless you need a 5 string or a fretless, you won't need another bass. I don't need a 5 as I tune down a whole step. I never REALLY use anything below a low D anyway.
I'm sold on Sandberg. I'd advise anyone to give them a try. I think you'll be impressed as I am.
Electronics:
One STOUT P pickup but many tonal variations with the 2 band active eq and it responds just as well as any other top quality bass to hand placement and attack. Lots of basses lose volume and sound thin when taken out of active mode. Not this one. I could play it as a passive P all day long. The active eq just enhances what's already there.
Hardware:
The bridge really impressed me. Quick release design. Setting intonation and action is a breeze. You can even adjust string spacing. The knobs and string tree look really sleek. I haven't seen those on any other bass before.
Electronics:
The eq is really sweet. The bass control is subtle but very effective. They truly hit the frequency sweet spot. The treble is nice. No harsh overkill. It's more like opening up a passive tone control. As far as I know, the pickup/preamp combo is Delano/Glockenglang.
Neck:
I personally am not a fan of the "zero fret" and I don't know what purpose it serves but it doesn't bother me. I love the fingerboard with no inlays. Just like my custom built Martin D-18V. I've always been a big fan of that look. I'm a huge Tony Rice fan. The tinted satin finish is very cool.
Build:
The build, assembly, fit and finish are all impeccable. The 6 bolt neck is rock solid. Germans have a reputation for building quality products.
The look:
I've always loved white basses with tortoise pick guards (Michael Rhodes, John Cowan, Sonny Lemaire) so this is right up my alley.
Overall:
It's like a great jazz and a great P in one! Unless you need a 5 string or a fretless, you won't need another bass. I don't need a 5 as I tune down a whole step. I never REALLY use anything below a low D anyway.
I'm sold on Sandberg. I'd advise anyone to give them a try. I think you'll be impressed as I am.
