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Sandberg Basses?
- Thread starter kyral210
- Start date
Low Down Sound, a few miles away in Ferndale MI is one of the few US dealers. They have a few in stock, mostly Fender styles. I am very impressed by the quality, they are well built, solid, and have good components. They are not lightweights. Their quality is comparable to Sadowsky metros. As far as sound IMHO they lean toward the rock edge for tone. The P Bass models really nail the Solid Meaty P thing well. The J models don't nail the Fender vibe as well. IMO the Greengrove pre is a little to clean with the Delano J pickups. They sound great, but I don't feel they get the Fender vibe as well as Alieva Copola, Sadowsky, Celender, or some of the Lakland models. OTOH they are great values and you could almost buy one, switch out the pickups and pre for the price of many of the other basses I compare them too. So they are certainly worth checking out.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I like the fretboard, but not crazy about the Pbass pup location. A little too close to the bridge, any comments?
I like the fretboard, but not crazy about the Pbass pup location. A little too close to the bridge, any comments?
Hi!
I went to a local dealer (sweden) to try out their 5-strings. I had kind of decided already to like the musicman stingray 5 the best before even trying any of them out, and sure, the stingray was nice and distinct and all. But when I tested the Sandberg California PM5 it really blew me away!
I tried to compare with all the 5-strings they had and there was nothing like it! The sound you got from the PM5 was so deep and strong but still kept a good and solid tone, I was also suprised by the even sound I got from all strings where I feel lots of 5-stringers fail on delivering on all strings, this one was nothing like it! I didn't mind the really low action either, it helped the general impression. =)
Anyways, what I felt compared to the other fender, ibanez, yamaha and musicman basses I tried out was that you really got lots of "punch" and versatility with this one, wich fits my needs perfecly! I've decided to order a Sandberg California PM5 3-tone sunburst as soon as I get my salary!
Take note that I am in no way a pro, so this is just my personal opinions from a testing session that lasted for about one hour.
I went to a local dealer (sweden) to try out their 5-strings. I had kind of decided already to like the musicman stingray 5 the best before even trying any of them out, and sure, the stingray was nice and distinct and all. But when I tested the Sandberg California PM5 it really blew me away!
I tried to compare with all the 5-strings they had and there was nothing like it! The sound you got from the PM5 was so deep and strong but still kept a good and solid tone, I was also suprised by the even sound I got from all strings where I feel lots of 5-stringers fail on delivering on all strings, this one was nothing like it! I didn't mind the really low action either, it helped the general impression. =)
Anyways, what I felt compared to the other fender, ibanez, yamaha and musicman basses I tried out was that you really got lots of "punch" and versatility with this one, wich fits my needs perfecly! I've decided to order a Sandberg California PM5 3-tone sunburst as soon as I get my salary!
Take note that I am in no way a pro, so this is just my personal opinions from a testing session that lasted for about one hour.
Here is their site: http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/
The mass & weight of their bridge puts Fender to shame. I am gas'ing hard for the Cali J Invalid Link Removed
The mass & weight of their bridge puts Fender to shame. I am gas'ing hard for the Cali J Invalid Link Removed
I've tried a bund of different Sandberg's as the local shop try hard to make it their most selling bass brand (they always have about 10 models to try out), and for me it's also the California PM that wins when it comes to great sounds and versatility. It's a great player as well, but a good part of them are quite heavy, as has been mentioned in a post above.
This doesn't mean that they're all heavy, though - I picked up one of the relic'ed versions one day, and it was light as a feather...! Good thing you can really customize these basses when you order one, because I like light basses and would want one of those.
This doesn't mean that they're all heavy, though - I picked up one of the relic'ed versions one day, and it was light as a feather...! Good thing you can really customize these basses when you order one, because I like light basses and would want one of those.
I've got a California JM5 myself and loving it.
Best bass I've ever owned (out of nearly ten) but I won't compare it to Sad Metro or Lakland as I've never played them.
The building quality is imho excellent. The bridge, made by Sandberg, is huge, impressive, solid and can be tuned precisely.
There's a Fret zero and a solid string retainer that scream "quality" here.
Easy to play, a large palette of sounds available (2 band active EQ, splitable humbucker) though it mostly sounds more modern than vintage (JJ and more "vintage' oriented models might sound this way, though). I really like the passive/active push-pull and the bass boost nob turning to a passive tone nob in passive mode !
The first time I played it, I was impressed by the sustain, how the low B sounded and felt, and a general feeling of comfort and toughness.
The only drawbacks I can spot are :
- the weight (but it's not true for all Sandberg model. Panther, custom and other more modern shapes are lighter),
- access to high notes is as bad as a Fender JB
Pics of mine :
http://www.njxt.com/zik/img/jm5/
Feel free to get into the Sandberg Club !
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416795
Best bass I've ever owned (out of nearly ten) but I won't compare it to Sad Metro or Lakland as I've never played them.
The building quality is imho excellent. The bridge, made by Sandberg, is huge, impressive, solid and can be tuned precisely.
There's a Fret zero and a solid string retainer that scream "quality" here.
Easy to play, a large palette of sounds available (2 band active EQ, splitable humbucker) though it mostly sounds more modern than vintage (JJ and more "vintage' oriented models might sound this way, though). I really like the passive/active push-pull and the bass boost nob turning to a passive tone nob in passive mode !
The first time I played it, I was impressed by the sustain, how the low B sounded and felt, and a general feeling of comfort and toughness.
The only drawbacks I can spot are :
- the weight (but it's not true for all Sandberg model. Panther, custom and other more modern shapes are lighter),
- access to high notes is as bad as a Fender JB
Pics of mine :
http://www.njxt.com/zik/img/jm5/
Feel free to get into the Sandberg Club !
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416795
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Hi!
I went to a local dealer (sweden) to try out their 5-strings. I had kind of decided already to like the musicman stingray 5 the best before even trying any of them out, and sure, the stingray was nice and distinct and all. But when I tested the Sandberg California PM5 it really blew me away!
I tried to compare with all the 5-strings they had and there was nothing like it! The sound you got from the PM5 was so deep and strong but still kept a good and solid tone, I was also suprised by the even sound I got from all strings where I feel lots of 5-stringers fail on delivering on all strings, this one was nothing like it! I didn't mind the really low action either, it helped the general impression. =)
Anyways, what I felt compared to the other fender, ibanez, yamaha and musicman basses I tried out was that you really got lots of "punch" and versatility with this one, wich fits my needs perfecly! I've decided to order a Sandberg California PM5 3-tone sunburst as soon as I get my salary!
Take note that I am in no way a pro, so this is just my personal opinions from a testing session that lasted for about one hour.
Dlx Music i Karlberg?
I had the same experience: Went to the local store to try out some Fender JB and compare the MIM and the US models. The seller urged me to try a Sandberg also and I was stunned. The sound was awesome, and with much more details than the Fender models. I tried to switch back and forth between Fender US and Sandberg, but IMO the Sanberg definately won the contest.
Just for the fun of it I asked to try the MIM Fender Standard model also, and was really surprised of the difference between the MIM and US models - If you've ever wondered why the MIM models cost only half of the US models, then go and try out for yourself.
Anyway, back to Sandberg: I tried the California JJ model, but now I'm curious about the JM model. Does anyone have experience with those? I understand that you can actually split the humbucker so it acts as a single coil, but how is the sound when you do this?
In Denmark the price of a Sandberg equals almost a Fender US Standard model, but the seller told me that if you should match the quality of the Sandberg with a Fender, you had to find a model to twice the price. Cheap selling trick, or what?
...well I'm still putting some money aside every month to get a Sandberg.
Hi jfunch,
I have the 4 string JM model and I rarely switch the humbucker to Single-coil, unless I switch to passive mode. I've heard there is a difference in sound between the JM and JJ when switched to singlecoil, JJ is a fraction more J Bass like I would have thought but neither will sound exactly like a Fender but you can get a similar sound. The humbucker gives a more powerful, deeper sound, some say it sounds like a Musicman when played on its own but to me it takes on more of a Fender growl than a Musicman.
This humbucker is really awesome! I'm glad I went for the JM and not the JJ but that is my own personal preference.
Build quality is superb, brilliant bridge and neck, the finish on mine is high gloss and they're not kidding! Great bass for what should cost a lot more, I can't believe they're not more popular than they are.
I still intend on getting a new American Standard Jazz, as I also need a bass that will give me that classic Fender sound. It's hard to say which is the better bass, I've heard such good reports on the new Fenders but Sandbergs do take some beating!
Here's a pic of mine anyway;
The Pickguard looks a bit dull as it still had the protective film on when I took the photo. It is actually as high gloss as the paintwork!
I have the 4 string JM model and I rarely switch the humbucker to Single-coil, unless I switch to passive mode. I've heard there is a difference in sound between the JM and JJ when switched to singlecoil, JJ is a fraction more J Bass like I would have thought but neither will sound exactly like a Fender but you can get a similar sound. The humbucker gives a more powerful, deeper sound, some say it sounds like a Musicman when played on its own but to me it takes on more of a Fender growl than a Musicman.
This humbucker is really awesome! I'm glad I went for the JM and not the JJ but that is my own personal preference.
Build quality is superb, brilliant bridge and neck, the finish on mine is high gloss and they're not kidding! Great bass for what should cost a lot more, I can't believe they're not more popular than they are.
I still intend on getting a new American Standard Jazz, as I also need a bass that will give me that classic Fender sound. It's hard to say which is the better bass, I've heard such good reports on the new Fenders but Sandbergs do take some beating!
Here's a pic of mine anyway;
The Pickguard looks a bit dull as it still had the protective film on when I took the photo. It is actually as high gloss as the paintwork!
My local guitar shop in Birmingham UK are very honest about they're guitars and basses, and all of the bassist there have obvioulsy had a lot of experience in what they sell. The one of them has had Stingrays, Fenders, Laklands and he now owns 3 Sandbergs.
The reason I like them so much is being left handed, you can order any combination of colours, necks, pick ups, hi gloss, matt, scratch plates, no scratch plates, pick up guards, block markers (any colour block markers, they don't even have to all be the same colour), and guess waht - they dont charge any extra for left handed models.
I love the sound and the feel of the California JM so much more than an american Jazz bass or a musicman. The sound is immnense. And for me the heavier the bass the better, so that's not even a drawback.
I can get a left hand Sandberg, with maple neck, black block markers, natural finish in high gloss for £1149 from the guitar store P.M.T.
I can't think why I would need any other bass than this.
The reason I like them so much is being left handed, you can order any combination of colours, necks, pick ups, hi gloss, matt, scratch plates, no scratch plates, pick up guards, block markers (any colour block markers, they don't even have to all be the same colour), and guess waht - they dont charge any extra for left handed models.
I love the sound and the feel of the California JM so much more than an american Jazz bass or a musicman. The sound is immnense. And for me the heavier the bass the better, so that's not even a drawback.
I can get a left hand Sandberg, with maple neck, black block markers, natural finish in high gloss for £1149 from the guitar store P.M.T.
I can't think why I would need any other bass than this.
A lecturer at my University is the Australian importer for Sandberg. I might ask him to bring a couple in so i can try them out, rather then dealing with a shop. Might get a student discount to haha.
haha.One of the music stores here usually has a Sandberg or two in stock, and it's always the one I pick up to play if I go to test anything out. I don't know exactly what the model is, but it's one of the dual soapbox models. The tone is very versatile and completely tweakable, and it has one of the smoothest actions and necks I've played- I'd get one if they weren't out of budget range.
I just tried a Sandberg at Rudy's in NYC and couldn't put it down. It is a fretless, one pickup (bridge) deal with natural wood finish. It sells for around $2000. The neck feels wonderful, and the sound is singing and punchy! All I did was roll the treble down and it was perfect.
I just might buy it, although I need another bass like I need a hole in my leg. I own 30, but I can see this one as being special!
As for comparisons to a Gibson T-Bird (which I also own), well, nothing compares to the t-bird in that one thing that it does. It is monstrous!
I have not played a modern Fender that compares to the quality that I felt in the Sandberg.
I just might buy it, although I need another bass like I need a hole in my leg. I own 30, but I can see this one as being special!
As for comparisons to a Gibson T-Bird (which I also own), well, nothing compares to the t-bird in that one thing that it does. It is monstrous!
I have not played a modern Fender that compares to the quality that I felt in the Sandberg.
i love sandbergs
my PM5 is amazing, the neck is sooooooo comfy and the pickup combo is my fave (i have used that for about 15 years now on my modded basses).
for me they are far superior to fenders offerings, never tried a gibson and as much as i love ricks i hate them just as much
pics for goodnes
my PM5 is amazing, the neck is sooooooo comfy and the pickup combo is my fave (i have used that for about 15 years now on my modded basses).
for me they are far superior to fenders offerings, never tried a gibson and as much as i love ricks i hate them just as much
pics for goodnes
How do you guys compare the PM5 to the PJ5? Is the switch option for the PM5 as good as the PJ5? It appears as though the PJ5 has Delanos, but the PM5 has Sandberg-made pickups. How are they?
