TRBboy

Sandberg Basic's have got the skinniest, fastest, most comfortable necks I've ever played, even more so than any soundgear I've ever played. I bought my first one in march last year, and it turned my bass world upside down! My faithful MIA Jazz (which I'd owned for about 13 years and was my go-to) suddenly felt incredibly fat-necked and difficult to play, and sadly I ended up having to sell it because I knew things would never be the same again. I've since bought another 4 string Basic, and at the end of the month I'm parting ways with my TRB1005 and replacing it with a Basic Ken Taylor 5. With the exception of my spare/knockabout bass, I will be a one brand man. I'm fine with that, and I have no interest in owning any other type of bass now. I have also had a Sandberg California PM pass through my hands this year, and despite it being better than a Fender (controversial I know), it just didn't feel the same as the Basic. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they're particularly attractive, but they feel incredible and sound great which is all I'm interested in. I always think that the neck feel reminds me of and Ibanez RG guitar but in bass form; slim, effortless to play, and with that slight flatness down the centreline of the neck (which becomes more noticeable as you progress further up). I think the fact that they have a fairly flat fretboard radius helps too. All this combined with a very reasonable pricetag on the used market = good times for me! If you can get your hands on one, give it a spin, and if you're ever in Herefordshire you're welcome to have a go on mine.

Personally, I think you need to get some of these basses in your hands. I've always maintained that the feel of a bass is the single most important thing; if it doesn't feel comfortable and easy to play you're never going to get the most out of it or realise your full potential as a player. Anyway, my personal recommendation would be to go for either a Yamaha RBX270 or an Ibanez SR300. I would personally go for a bigger combo, like a 100w 1x15", a. because you'll get a bit more depth and guts out of it, b. because if you want to play with a drummer or something you'll be able to keep up, and c. because there's a lot of satisfaction to be had from cranking it up once in a while! As others have mentioned, any of the well known brands will be fine; Fender, Ashdown, Peavey, Marshall, Laney, Ampeg, etc, etc. There are some older Trace Elliot combos to be had for not much money for a great amp. Good luck, hope you find a bass you love!

I wouldn't have thought it would be too difficult to return it to standard. You'd just need to get an MM 'bucker and a standard pickguard, both of which you might be able to find s/h I guess. I would've thought it would be worth more like that but who knows?

Yamaha RBX270 s/h takes some beating, especially if you upgrade the pickups. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/121667-best-l200-bass-ever/page__hl__best%20%C2%A3200%20bass%20ever

Is there a route for an MM pickup under the pickguard? Looks like a 'ray that's been modded to me..... Pickguard doesn't look like it came from the factory.

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1301399660' post='1180696'] First Bass Owned: Squier Precision 'Go To' Bass: MIA Fender Jazz Bass 'Your' Bass: Sandberg Basic 4 [/quote] Mine has since changed......... First Bass Owned: Squier Precision 'Go To' Bass: Sandberg Basic 4 'Your' Bass: Sandberg Basic 4

Sandberg are very much still in business. They don't make "stock" instruments as such because they are pretty small outfit, they basically build to order, some of which are custom orders and some are orders from shops for stock. In other words they don't just keep producing and stockpiling instruments, partly because they haven't got the capacity to, but mainly because they have so many options that it wouldn't be practical to try to hold stocks of everything. If I were you, I would start by contacting Alan at Synergy Distribution (UK distributor), who is very helpful and will point you in the right direction if you explain what you want to achieve. I think that PMT and GuitarGuitar are the only stockists now, although I believe only the Epson GG store has any stock: when I enquired about a custom order with GG Birmingham recently, none of the staff knew that they could get hold of Sandbergs until I told them! The PMT online stock list is nonsense (they told me this!), but the Birmingham store usually have a handful in. When I was in there about a month back, they had a few Basics, an Umbo and a California VM, and I think that was about it. Have you seen the California TT on eBay at the moment? Hope some of this helps!

I found that most 34" were no good for me too, and ended up choosing between the TRB and the Lakland. I like the Ibanez SRs too, but just found the B too floppy. If you like Ibanez, what about a BTB? I'm pretty sure they're 35" scale. If PMT have failed to provide you with the bass you paid for, I'm pretty sure you could push for a refund..... Anyway, at least make sure you push them for a mega deal because of all the hassle! Good luck!

[quote name='M-N-Y' timestamp='1325237303' post='1481133'] Probably a little more than your budget but these are monster basses build and tone wise. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/162608-fs-yamaha-trb-1005-trans-dark-red/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/162608-fs-yamaha-trb-1005-trans-dark-red/[/url] [/quote] Thanks M-N-Y, it is a cracking bass, and in brand new condition too! They are seriously good instruments and will stand up against pretty much anything IMHO. ChristopherGilbert, if you are interested in my bass I could consider going down a bit if you could come up a bit......

Shameless plug I know, but I reckon my Yamaha TRB1005 would be perfect for you! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/162608-fs-yamaha-trb-1005-trans-dark-red/