Sandberg Appreciation Post - Show us those German Basses!

[everydaybassist]

I'm a newer Sandberg owner and it is hands down the best Bass I've played (so far). It's made me want to play more often and for longer than I have in the past.
Share your Sandberg(s), and let us know how you get on with them!

 

[GroovyBaby]

My first was a TT4, then I added a VS4, then a TM5. Gotta agree, they are the nicest playing basses I’ve had. The two four strings weigh 7.7lbs and the TM5 (not pictured) is 8.4lbs. Couldn’t be happier with them. The ergonomics are the best. I have swapped the pickups out to more vintage sounding options though.

 

[everydaybassist]

My first was a TT4, then I added a VS4, then a TM5. Gotta agree, they are the nicest playing basses I’ve had. The two four strings weigh 7.7lbs and the TM5 (not pictured) is 8.4lbs. Couldn’t be happier with them. The ergonomics are the best. I have swapped the pickups out to more vintage sounding options though.

Very nice! I agree, mine is very light and super comfortable to play, and I like the sound actually - it's a bass I don't feel the need to change anything on.

 

[Billyears IV]

Love my VM4. So playable and superb quality feel & build.
Only happened to discover it by accident when in store trying out another brand beginning with F.
This beats all round.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Went into Bass Central a few years back with the intention of buying another StingRay5 Special. Saw this on the wall and the rest is history. I’ve added several other StingRays to my collection since , but this brings something different to the table.

Best ( Jazz ) bass I’ve ever owned . The modern voicing has grown on me.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I put mine up for sale 3 times and couldn’t go through with it . Once I learned to appreciate the fact that Sandbergs don’t feel sound or play like Fenders or any other builder they might happen to take inspiration from, I realized what a joy this bass truly is.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

I'm a newer Sandberg owner and it is hands down the best Bass I've played (so far). It's made me want to play more often and for longer than I have in the past.
Share your Sandberg(s), and let us know how you get on with them!

View attachment 7242494

Hi. I have the same bass. VM-4. It is a great bass. Could you tell me what your pickup height is set at with the strings pressed at the last fret? I can't seem to locate the factory setup height on the web. I have contacted Sandberg a while ago but no reply. Thanks.

 

[frustum]

Love my VM4. So playable and superb quality feel & build.
Only happened to discover it by accident when in store trying out another brand beginning with F.
This beats all round.

Wow, even better than a Fodera! You heard it here, folks.

I have two short scales, both 4 strings, the first a P bass the second is an ultralight J. That second one I ordered the first week of July 2024 and it arrived about a month ago. Unfortunately, it was a $250 more expensive than I was expecting, due to reasons that can't be mentioned on TB.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

I needed a P bass in my arsenal, but I like active basses. This was perfect.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Went into Bass Central a few years back with the intention of buying another StingRay5 Special. Saw this on the wall and the rest is history. I’ve added several other StingRays to my collection since , but this brings something different to the table.

Best ( Jazz ) bass I’ve ever owned . The modern voicing has grown on me.

View attachment 7242657

A masterpiece !

 

[TrevorR]

Got my VM4 this January and I absolutely love it. It’s been keeping all my other basses firmly in their cases since- including my two Wal basses (which is saying something).

 

[Z-Bass]

Here's my TM4 I picked up here on TB back in 2022. It's been my main player for a while. I love the quality, comfort, and playability. Similar to what LadyLoveStingray5 said, I too was somewhat polarized about the tone of it at times but I think I just had to recalibrate my ears to what I had been playing.

Great basses!

 

[everydaybassist]

It's so funny to hear so many people with the same experience - I too first thought.... huh? I was not sold on it at all the first time I picked it up, I had just been playing a G&L L-2000e Series which I also really liked along with my Lakland 44-02 - the Sandberg sounded thin and quiet. But idk, after a day or two it totally overtook every other bass in tone and feeling. So maybe there really is an adjustment period, but the appreciation comes quick after that.

 

[everydaybassist]

Hi. I have the same bass. VM-4. It is a great bass. Could you tell me what your pickup height is set at with the strings pressed at the last fret? I can't seem to locate the factory setup height on the web. I have contacted Sandberg a while ago but no reply. Thanks.

Oooh, I'm not sure if mine would be relevant, raised them slightly when I thought it was a bit quiet in the start, so also not factory. Surprised though to hear Sandberg didn't answer - wrote them twice in the last month, and they got back to me both times.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

It's so funny to hear so many people with the same experience - I too first thought.... huh? I was not sold on it at all the first time I picked it up, I had just been playing a G&L L-2000e Series which I also really liked along with my Lakland 44-02 - the Sandberg sounded thin and quiet. But idk, after a day or two it totally overtook every other bass in tone and feeling. So maybe there really is an adjustment period, but the appreciation comes quick after that.

I also had to ditch the stock Sandberg brand strings. They were a huge No for me in sound and feel. TI Jazz Rounds are a perfect match for me.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

My passive VT5 and VM5 are now my co-#1's. The sizing and ergonomics are perfect for me. I too had to recalibrate my ears somewhat for the sound. They are definitely on the clear side of the sound spectrum, which I do like most of the time.

The VT5 is not a SuperLight but weighs in at shoulder friendly 7.8 lbs. The red one is still good at 8.9 lbs.

My only criticisms of them would be the bridge design (I have heard they have made changes and they will have a fixed intonation adjustment over the "floating" saddle design) and the upper bevel is a bit sharp at the edge of the body. I wish it were more rounded.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Got my VM4 this January and I absolutely love it. It’s been keeping all my other basses firmly in their cases since- including my two Wal basses (which is saying something).

View attachment 7242704View attachment 7242705View attachment 7242706

BLUETIFUL!!!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

My passive VT5 and VM5 are now my co-#1's. The sizing and ergonomics are perfect for me. I too had to recalibrate my ears somewhat for the sound. They are definitely on the clear side of the sound spectrum, which I do like most of the time.

The VT5 is not a SuperLight but weighs in at shoulder friendly 7.8 lbs. The red one is still good at 8.9 lbs.

My only criticisms of them would be the bridge design (I have heard they have made changes and they will have a fixed intonation adjustment over the "floating" saddle design) and the upper bevel is a bit sharp at the edge of the body. I wish it were more rounded.

View attachment 7242738

Nice pair !!

 

[Bthebassplayer]

The white one was my first Sandberg! Don’t have it anymore. The blue one was my second Sandberg. I loved the colour en the block inlays but to be honest, I don’t like the new TM models. The older ones I do like but the VM is my favorite! The last one I’m really in love with…. I have just 1 bass and it does everything for me! Two weeks ago I let the bass fall on the ground……..really hard bang I’m very sad now and had to order new tuning pegs….im afraid to play it so i borrowed another bass and my plan is to first bring the bass to a luthier to check if everything else is okay.

I love Sandberg basses!!!! Nice topic this one!!

 

[Taustin Powers]

I've been trying to sell my Nighthawk Plus TM4 for a few months now. Really surprised it's taking so long.

Only selling it because I play mainly fivebangers now. It's an amazing bass.