Highfox

Very early days but loving this already.

MY first fan-fret and first Dingwall.

Not a review but my first thoughts and feelings.

I had faith that these Far Eastern versions would be good quality and haven't been letdown so far. Everything seems topnotch. Hope it stands up to some hard sessions.

By far the easiest playing bass I have ever owned (maybe that's the banjo size frets?) The neck is a perfect P size and shape for me with very smooth rounded edges.

Weighs in just under 3.9kg or 8.9 lbs. The balance on the strap is perfect.

The pickups seem to be amazingly punch for a passive bass, seems all 4 selector positions can be are very usable, never had a bass that I would want to solo the bridge pickup before, this seems to be one that could work for me.

Like I said early days and honeymoon phase right now, but there is nothing not to like (except for the price maybe) but then I have had more expensive USA made and boutique basses that these would give a run for their money. This really is a Super P. The custom shop versions must be obscenely nice!

Maybe it's just the Dingwall thing, and I had no idea all along.

29 minutes ago, Supernaut said:

Couldn't get on with the active circuit but a lovely bass for sure. 

With my Sandbergs, I think I've been able to match the passive tone with tiny tweaks of the preamp. I nearly always use them in active mode now.

I have both 2 and 3 band eq's.

11 hours ago, Raslee said:

Stunning! Is the VS SL a special order? I really want a super light P. 

Thanks. They are really nice and so easy to play.

I'am the 2nd owner,  and as far as I know it was a standard order straight from a Swedish shop.

9 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

How do you find the SD Humbucker compared to the original Sandberg one.

Dave

It was already in there when I bought the bass.

I can say I had a VM that I didn't really get on with sound wise. It was a bit too clean and polite sounding with the Delano's it had in it and the p pickup was in the wrong place for me. I was so used to the Fender sound.

The 3 I now have all seem to work for me by contrast.

Thought I'd post a photo of my trio.

 weight wise..

TT 3.6KG

VS SL 2.7KG

And the monster TM 4.9 KG. Which is loaded with a SD humbucker!

The old style TM is the winner for sound and playability for me, slightly fatter neck than the California ii's , but a bit too heavy for regular gig use.

Interestingly it seems the TT is loaded with splitcoils and not singlecoil. Kind of darker sound for a jazz to my ears.

€754 to here.

I think I'll skip it.

4 hours ago, TrevorR said:

There’s a professional photographer who comes along to our jam night occasionally. Rather like this shot he took a few weeks ago of my Sandberg…

 

 

Nice. Love the colour and blocks.

I go pick up a used TM4 tomorrow, it's one of the older 2008 models. I got back into Sandberg's after doing a trade for a VS4 superlight. Playability and comfort spot on for me these days.

Just checked mine, single ply and painted over.

I had already bought a used  CV rosewood neck to stick on there.

Might be all in the head, but it feels a little less sticky than the gloss and a little warmer sounding. The bass balances a bit better as well now with a slightly lighter neck.

Think I'll keep it like this for a while.

The P bass has landed.

First impression are very good. Fit and finish seem to be spot on, out of the box it was setup better than a lot of the Fenders I have bought. Weight is ok. Tone and volume pots fully function. Everything seems good so far on this.

1 hour ago, Fil1ip said:

Who did you buy it through 🤘

Thomann.

56 minutes ago, Fil1ip said:

Has anyone received their Antigua basses yet 

Mine is with the local post and hoping it arrives before the weekend

I'm back in the Sandberg camp with a California VS4 Superlight.

Pics follow tomorrow.

On 04/09/2024 at 23:11, Dad3353 said:

 

Yes, I would confirm 'Ignition', with the centre block. Slightly heavier than the 'full-fat' 500/1 (but still very light indeed...), and with a different tonal characteristic played acoustically, but an excellent bass nevertheless, far more versatile than they are usually given credit for. Not ideal for 'slap', really, but is that a Bad Thing..? 

Agree!  

 A demo of it's versatility here - In the hands of a decent player.

I have had both the Ignition and the Contemporary Caven (both pups in the neck position). You have to add flats to these basses to get the best out of them imo as well.

The Ignition is pretty good value for money and has more of an acoustic sound without the centre block, maybe a little truer sounding to the German made basses.

The Contemporary is a lot better quality in build, has a zero fret and a much nicer paint job, German made pickups. Mine isn't noticeable heavier than the Ignition. I'd say it has a little bit of a tighter sound to it, but still a good thud. Is it worth double the Ignition, not sure! But I sold the Ignition and still have the C.

Buying one used as mentioned before might the way to go.

They are fantastic basses, so easy to play and you have the added bonus of people telling you how great they look.

Pyramid Gold, could be a match as well.

Got them on my Hof.

I ordered The P bass

Looks like October for incoming. Gives me a chance to get rid of a couple I'm not using in the meantime.

Will report back.

How do you think these newer CV'S will be for quality, any thoughts? I'm almost sure I want the pub stained toilet P-bass

Read mixed reviews online for the 70's CV's. Anyone got one?

I do own a CV 50's  P which is ok and stable, but I did pick that up for under €300 new.

I'm going to find it hard to resist one of these

Reading this I went and double checked my Vintera 70's tele bass.

I never noticed any issues with the tone or volume pots on mine. Not as responsive as a split - P for sure, but I get what I would expect in variations in volume/tone using the knobs. It's a fairly dark pickup for sure, but has  a mellow bite when fully open.

Hope you get yours sorted.

I'm a big fan of these Mexican basses. I have four now  A flea, Player plus, the 70's Tele and just picked up the Vintera ii 60's P. I can't knock any of them for craftsmanship, fit and finish. In some cases better than some American versions.

 I have had to do my own tweaks to get them how I like them, basic stuff, truss rod, string height and intonation, but after that I have been happy with them.

People complain about the high prices on these and I agree somewhat, but hasn't everything sky-rocketed in price lately?

I still think you get a good bass for your money in these middle tier Mexican range.

So many, but that Bow Wow Wow stuff still does me.

Got me wanting that Wal - ting.

9 hours ago, Old Horse Murphy said:

I love mine. None of my other basses have had a look in over the last two months for recording and gigging. It's really that good. 

Same here, it's all I'm using.

Thanks.

Someone gave me a tip on trying some clear nail varnish. I put on a thin layer now and will see how it goes.

Update to this. 

They offered me a 15% discount, which I'm happy to take. 

I have bought new roadworn basses before so no real stress for me having a ding where it is. I guess I might lose some resale value because of it, but hopefully it's a keeper anyway. 

Thanks for all of your input. 

Been playing the bass most of the weekend and really falling for it

I sent an email with photos of the damage to the place I bought it from and will update with their reply/suggestion. 

If they knock something off the price or give me some in store credit, I think I'll hang onto the one I have now. This one was the only one they had in stock the time I ordered.