Sandberg Introduces California GRAND DARK Bass Guitar

Wow jeeze! Dingwall NG-2 much?! Sheesh.

 

What a beautiful bass! now I have GAS (again)

 

That's what I immediately thought of. However, I really like it.

 

Wow. That’s a very intentional reference to the ng-2 there.

But then Dingwall have models that are very clear references to other classic basses.

I like it.

 

Just needs fanned frets.

 

Never noticed that. Which ones, for example?

 

Super J
Super P

Unlike Sandberg though, Dingwall is good enough to be open about which models it is referencing though

 

I haven't noticed that. I'll compare them though, I'm sure you're right. Which Sandberg models do Dingwall's Supers resemble?

 

He wasn't saying they look like Sandberg basses. He was saying they clearly look like "other classic basses"...... like a P bass and a Jazz.

Not a huge fan if the orange. But it's a cool bass.

I don't understand why they copied the three little cutouts on the guard though. It's a pretty obvious rip off.

 

Oh, I see. Well, the body shape is clearly a traditional shape. I wouldn't call it a rip-off, as it's an established shape that, I believe has no IP protection.

Yeah, that's a super weird move. I like it, it gives the design a "novel" element. I don't know how popular Dingwall is, but I assume not as popular as Sandberg, meaning many more traditional players who don't like or are detracted by the fanned frets and angled pickups might appreciate.

 

Yeah the Sandberg is a cool design. I dig it. But they could have either left the cut outs off or put them in an obviously-different place.

 

I think what he meant was that Dingwal does it too. In that they model their basses off classic looks as well. That's who I took his comment as anyway. And I agree. It is also a little weird where they put those design accents though. I also agree with that.

 

I like this a lot. I would probably even prefer this over the Dingwal NS2. It seems like it would be a more traditional, yet aggressive if wanted, sounding bass than an NS2. I still think the NS2 rocks as well, just probably not my cup of tea as much as this Sandberg appears to be. Never played either btw.

 

We are saying the same thing.

 

I have an NG2, it is all that and a bag of chips...the Sandberg looks to be a really awesome bass as well...so it does take styling queues from the Dingwall...big deal...how many P and J clones are out there? DG pres are in other basses as well, I think the Sandberg stands on its own and I think this will be on my GAS list once they show up on the secondary market.
I am certain YMMV.
Rock on.

 

Agreed. On paper, the pickup positioning on the Sandberg is closer to what I'd typically prefer (VS the Dingwall NG-2).

It was just the the aesthetic "similarities" that had me shaking my head. I'm sure the Sandberg sounds and plays great.

 

LOL this whole time I didn't even notice that it also has a Darkglass preamp! lolololo

 

These may have visual similarities with Dingwall.
No big deal to me, as really they are quite different instruments.

...And no one is shouting 'Looks like a NOVAX!!!' when seeing a Dingwall. Right?