What do you think? Personally I don't like the new shape of the pick guard.
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Sandberg California Series facelift
- Thread starter Peke
- Start date
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Nice bass, but wouldn't be my choice from Sandberg anyway, I like their original styles much better.
Just for comparison, here are "before and after" images from the Sandberg configurator:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Aesthetics are subjective, but the geometric differences are very noticeable to me. The body and headstock are both noticeably smaller.
Practical questions that occur to me: will the new shape fit snugly into a standard hardshell case for a Fender Jazz without slopping around...? If not, will Sandberg start providing hardshell cases as standard?
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Aesthetics are subjective, but the geometric differences are very noticeable to me. The body and headstock are both noticeably smaller.
Practical questions that occur to me: will the new shape fit snugly into a standard hardshell case for a Fender Jazz without slopping around...? If not, will Sandberg start providing hardshell cases as standard?
At first I wasn't sure, but the more I look at them - in particular the "jazz" styled one - the more I like it. If nothing else, kudos to Sandberg for trying to do something different and unique as opposed to hanging onto tired old designs. Innovation is always good.
+1
I've been interested in the Californias for a while. If they aren't jazz-shaped I'm not interested any more.
As far as I understand, they will not offer the old models any more.
As of now, they are not producing them any more.
I like it! It is more unique now, definitely more Sandberg.
I am tired of new companies copying the Fender models - they should start designing something that is theirs, not just a 95% Fender copy with a different headstock.
Im happy with my early california PM5, but the new style i love. Its like a yamaha BB mixed with a fender.
Its finally sandbergs take on the classic lines, and more fitting with the range.
Its finally sandbergs take on the classic lines, and more fitting with the range.
I actually own the Sandberg in the BEFORE picture, and it's amazing. I don't think the new look design works as well as a relic.I like it! It is more unique now, definitely more Sandberg.
I would certainly buy one of the new design, just not a relic.
I didn't claim it to not be a good bass, but when you look at it the first thing that comes to mind is a Fender Jazz. I think is nice for other companies to have a design of their own. 
That's a really good point. There is virtually no point to relicing the updated design, whereas I thought they did one of the more tasteful relics out there with the old design, it really worked. Hmmm, I wonder what they'll do, and whether or not demand will change.
