Sandberg TM4, fender flea active or stingray special??

[Rizky Ardi]

Dear all,

I dont know whether its appropriate thread or not just want to ask all TBers fellows.
Now, i have a GAS for some new gear, and my option is leaning to those 3 bass in the title. Please note that im not a professional band member, only do gig once or twice a month with my friends. And now i already have some other gear like EBMM 97, G&L MIJ, sire v3, fender P bass etc. so mostlikely i already have common bass with common pickup configuration.

The question is, which one you would buy and suggest to me if all bass in on same ballparks price level and why?

im very anxious about sandberg especially for the aged version, but i dont know whether its worthed or not.
Stingray special is same but not same kinda with the stingray that i already, i dont know whether i need to add same model or not.
Lastly, im very curious also for the fender flea active, and want to taste what is feel of stingder bass is…(stingray fender).

do i live in japan, stingray is the most easiest to find, 2nd is sandberg eventhough not quite different colors available and i cant find fender flea activ anywhere even on used market place.

so what is your suggestion my fellows tbers??? And why…

thanks b4 for your advice..

 

[Ghastly]

I vote the pink Flea.

 

[Rizky Ardi]

I vote the pink Flea.

Thanks…do you already play all of those bassess? If yes what is your opinion?.
Here in japan, i cant find fender flea anywhere…sadly..

 

[Ghastly]

No, I'm sorry. I've just been gassing for the Flea for a few years now.

 

[Rizky Ardi]

No, I'm sorry. I've just been gassing for the Flea for a few years now.

 

[Bright Midnight]

Sandberg any day.

 

[Rizky Ardi]

Sandberg any day.

Is there any specific reason?? Do you already play all those bassess?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

These are my basses.

What type of sound are you after? Sanbergs do not sound like Fender and the MM pickup is closer to the bridge than a StingRay. Sanbergs have a very clear, rich, piano like tone. More modern voiced. Even in passive mode. Build quality will be boutique level on the Sandberg and the Ernie Ball. They will most likely both weigh less than the Fender if that matters to you.

If you already own a pre Special StingRay, you will find the Specials to be less aggressive or more voiced towards the Fender camp. It still sounds like a StingRay with that signature StingRay bounce to the notes, but it isn't as bright. It has less clank and metallic grind. The Specials feel great and sound perfect to my ears.

I have no real comments on the Fender because I've only played the Flea RoadWorn Jazz which was a great bass.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

These are my basses. View attachment 4984372
What type of sound are you after? Sanbergs do not sound like Fender and the MM pickup is closer to the bridge than a StingRay. Sanbergs have a very clear, rich, piano like tone. More modern voiced. Even in passive mode. Build quality will be boutique level on the Sandberg and the Ernie Ball. They will most likely both weigh less than the Fender if that matters to you.

If you already own a pre Special StingRay, you will find the Specials to be less aggressive or more voiced towards the Fender camp. It still sounds like a StingRay with that signature StingRay bounce to the notes, but it isn't as bright. It has less clank and metallic grind. The Specials feel great and sound perfect to my ears.

I have no real comments on the Fender because I've only played the Flea RoadWorn Jazz which was a great bass.

That is a great photo of your basses. You really take good photos.

 

[Rizky Ardi]

These are my basses. View attachment 4984372
What type of sound are you after? Sanbergs do not sound like Fender and the MM pickup is closer to the bridge than a StingRay. Sanbergs have a very clear, rich, piano like tone. More modern voiced. Even in passive mode. Build quality will be boutique level on the Sandberg and the Ernie Ball. They will most likely both weigh less than the Fender if that matters to you.

If you already own a pre Special StingRay, you will find the Specials to be less aggressive or more voiced towards the Fender camp. It still sounds like a StingRay with that signature StingRay bounce to the notes, but it isn't as bright. It has less clank and metallic grind. The Specials feel great and sound perfect to my ears.

I have no real comments on the Fender because I've only played the Flea RoadWorn Jazz which was a great bass.

thank you for your advice…frankly speaking i’m not search particular sound, but the stingray sound that i have now is the fittest sound what i like…
Its interesting that you said sandberg is bell/piano like so its not have enough low end? How if its compare with G&L L2K?
And for the special, its more polite than the before special? But with more headroom maybe?
I become more curious for the fender flea active now hehehehe….

 

[Rizky Ardi]

These are my basses. View attachment 4984372
What type of sound are you after? Sanbergs do not sound like Fender and the MM pickup is closer to the bridge than a StingRay. Sanbergs have a very clear, rich, piano like tone. More modern voiced. Even in passive mode. Build quality will be boutique level on the Sandberg and the Ernie Ball. They will most likely both weigh less than the Fender if that matters to you.

If you already own a pre Special StingRay, you will find the Specials to be less aggressive or more voiced towards the Fender camp. It still sounds like a StingRay with that signature StingRay bounce to the notes, but it isn't as bright. It has less clank and metallic grind. The Specials feel great and sound perfect to my ears.

I have no real comments on the Fender because I've only played the Flea RoadWorn Jazz which was a great bass.

i envy for your bass collection….

 

[Z-Bass]

These are my basses. View attachment 4984372
What type of sound are you after? Sanbergs do not sound like Fender and the MM pickup is closer to the bridge than a StingRay. Sanbergs have a very clear, rich, piano like tone. More modern voiced. Even in passive mode. Build quality will be boutique level on the Sandberg and the Ernie Ball. They will most likely both weigh less than the Fender if that matters to you.

If you already own a pre Special StingRay, you will find the Specials to be less aggressive or more voiced towards the Fender camp. It still sounds like a StingRay with that signature StingRay bounce to the notes, but it isn't as bright. It has less clank and metallic grind. The Specials feel great and sound perfect to my ears.

I have no real comments on the Fender because I've only played the Flea RoadWorn Jazz which was a great bass.

A lot of good information here. I concur about the Sandbergs not sounding like Fender or MusicMan. They have their own thing going on but it's not so far out there. Yes, it is more modern voiced but very usable in a lot of the same contexts you'd typically use a Fender or MusicMan. They just work, and the build quality and comfort factor is exceptional.

Regarding the Stringray Special, the voicing would be something you'll need to hear and decide for yourself but I also agree that it's different than the predecessors. However, what Ernie Ball has done regarding the contouring, the hardware, and the overall subtle redesigns I think is great. So comfortable and most are lightweight (although some fairly heavy examples of the Special exist in the wild).

I can't comment on the Fender Flea as I've not tried one out but it's looks like a cool bass. I do like the specs and what I've heard online sounds good to me. Based on what you have in your collection now, I'd say go with the TM4 for something different but as always, I would encourage to try before you buy if at all possible.

 

[Rizky Ardi]

A lot of good information here. I concur about the Sandbergs not sounding like Fender or MusicMan. They have their own thing going on but it's not so far out there. Yes, it is more modern voiced but very usable in a lot of the same contexts you'd typically use a Fender or MusicMan. They just work, and the build quality and comfort factor is exceptional.

Regarding the Stringray Special, the voicing would be something you'll need to hear and decide for yourself but I also agree that it's different than the predecessors. However, what Ernie Ball has done regarding the contouring, the hardware, and the overall subtle redesigns I think is great. So comfortable and most are lightweight (although some fairly heavy examples of the Special exist in the wild).

I can't comment on the Fender Flea as I've not tried one out but it's looks like a cool bass. I do like the specs and what I've heard online sounds good to me. Based on what you have in your collection now, I'd say go with the TM4 for something different but as always, I would encourage to try before you buy if at all possible.

thank you very much for the advice, yes if we look at from the current bass configuration that i own now, TM4 is the most reasonable one. No doubt.
And all those bassess, im sure has a great playability. One stuck in my mind that stingray special is using 43mm nut width which is very wide for me. But i also dont know what is my current stingray nut width. Its 42 mm maybe and its the maximum width that i can enjoy with ease to play it. Above than that it didnt suit me, just like my Fender P bass (love the sound but hate the playability for me personally)
Frankly speaking, The GAS that i feel is purely because of my curiousity.

And as you said, ideally i need to try it first before buy it. Maybe it can be done for those 2 basses (sandberg and special) but for active flea i cant find anywhere here in japan, so maybe its impossible.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Dear all,

I dont know whether its appropriate thread or not just want to ask all TBers fellows.
Now, i have a GAS for some new gear, and my option is leaning to those 3 bass in the title. Please note that im not a professional band member, only do gig once or twice a month with my friends. And now i already have some other gear like EBMM 97, G&L MIJ, sire v3, fender P bass etc. so mostlikely i already have common bass with common pickup configuration.

The question is, which one you would buy and suggest to me if all bass in on same ballparks price level and why?

im very anxious about sandberg especially for the aged version, but i dont know whether its worthed or not.
Stingray special is same but not same kinda with the stingray that i already, i dont know whether i need to add same model or not.
Lastly, im very curious also for the fender flea active, and want to taste what is feel of stingder bass is…(stingray fender).

do i live in japan, stingray is the most easiest to find, 2nd is sandberg eventhough not quite different colors available and i cant find fender flea activ anywhere even on used market place.

so what is your suggestion my fellows tbers??? And why…

thanks b4 for your advice..

Sandberg

 

[Rizky Ardi]

Sandberg

Thank you… and more and more fellows advice me to this bass

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

thank you for your advice…frankly speaking i’m not search particular sound, but the stingray sound that i have now is the fittest sound what i like…
Its interesting that you said sandberg is bell/piano like so its not have enough low end? How if its compare with G&L L2K?
And for the special, its more polite than the before special? But with more headroom maybe?
I become more curious for the fender flea active now hehehehe….

The Sandberg does have low end. At least mine does. The low B is great. But its very clear. By that I mean, you can hear each note and register very precisely . When I want to play chords , I reach for the Sandberg. It does let any mistake be clearly heard. What I am saying to you is that even though they might look like a StingRay or Fender, it is a very different sound. They warrant having both in your collection . I wouldn't want to be without any of my basses. They all have permanent spot on my bass rack.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Looking at your avatar, you already have a Fender Jazz and a StingRay. I can't really see what the other bass is. I would go Sandberg . I would suggest getting one with the Sandberg black label pickups and not Delanos.

 

[Rizky Ardi]

Looking at your avatar, you already have a Fender Jazz and a StingRay. I can't really see what the other bass is. I would go Sandberg . I would suggest getting one with the Sandberg black label pickups and not Delanos.

in my avatar the other one is black G&L L2K.

Eh…its interesting that you suggest the sandberg black label pickup and not delano why is that? In my understanding standard TM4 is delano right? And i just found the hardcore age is interesting.

 

[Fernando Costa]

Sandberg, no doubt. I have a TM5 and a Nighthawk Plus, if you can afford the Nighthawk, it's a better instrument, the neck is better, it has better pickups and an amazing preamp.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

in my avatar the other one is black G&L L2K.

Eh…its interesting that you suggest the sandberg black label pickup and not delano why is that? In my understanding standard TM4 is delano right? And i just found the hardcore age is interesting.

I find the black labels to be more rich in their voicing and more depth throughout the entire range.