tbonepete

Update, I had an evening off gigging yesterday so I decided to have a proper look at the KT5 anniversary that I have........... Hmmmm. Pickups are no named ,which as I've said lack in mids and general output, the preamp seems to be some sort of 2band with a mid module tacked on. No name and messy wiring, but the mid had sandberg printed on it. The potentiometers are Chinese made however, so maybe not a Lidl preamp! Oh , and no cocaine bags found either!!!. All in all, a big disappointment.

Hi Ghost bass, Yes, it was good to find out eventually that the KT5 I have now, and my previous one are basically two different basses. I shall probably look elsewhere for a replacement as Sandberg have also changed the bridge, and done some pre amp mods on their current ranges, so I'm not going to be able to get something the same as my original one anyway. Still, I shall have to do some more research and make sure I don't go just on manufacturers specifications this time haha! Now, what to look at? Thanks again, Regards Pete

I've contacted Sandberg via Facebook as Ghost bass suggested, and sure enough a reply came swiftly, so thanks for that. The up shot is however that it's probably not worth changing the pups and pre according to Sandberg, but rather move it on and get something right from the start. I was right in my guess though, that the anniversary KT5 is indeed a different animal from the KT5 I had earlier. I just wish the spec sheets for the two models were worded to that effect (product descriptions are worded identically for both models!). Still, I'm well into the 24 gigs in July now, so not long to wait before my Spector, and Fender come out of their cases again! Yay!!! Thanks again to Ghost bass for the contact advice, Cheers Pete

Thanks Ghost Bass, I may try that later on. I have 24 gigs in July, and am up against it time wise. I'm forcing myself to use the Sandberg for the whole run so as to give it a fair chance, but it's pretty disappointing sound wise, and I can't wait to start using my Spector, and/or Fender again once things quieten down. Still, thanks for the link, Cheers Pete

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1404742475' post='2495279'] Have you tried contacting Sandberg directly? they offer a great costumer support and reply very fast. If there's anything different in electronics between your current bass and the one you had before they will tell you and help you get the parts you need to make sound like you want. I'm thinking about another thing, maybe the difference in woods may also be part of the problem, in that case you should sell this bass and get one like the one you had before. Send them a mail or a message through their facebook page, they won't take long to reply. They helped me when i bought my VM5, it had a small background noise that they helped me identify as being a few poles on the pickups not properly connected to the ground. A replacement pickup arived in a couple of days along with the envelope to return the faulty one and a complementary new set of strings. Great service. Hi Ghost bass, Yes I have tried on a few occasions to email directly a few years ago, and still to this day no one responded, Also, I agree the different woods would make for a different timbre, but it's the very low output scooped pickups, combined with the pre that has only about half the cut and boost in mids than the bass and treble that I mean to ask about changing. So very little mids available from the pre, and pickups with the mids scooped out!!! Kind of strange. I'm not sure what kind of sound they were hoping to achieve and to bare this out, the pickups aren't used on any other model, (even the electra range seems to have more powerful pups), I still think they're Lidl pickups, although I've yet to find the bag of cocaine! Lol. So, I think it's just a bit of a dog frankly, and will maybe appeal to a collector rather than a player. Thanks for the reply, Cheers Pete [/quote]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1404492524' post='2493223'] Well, i can't really tell you wich pickups to get, it's more of a personal taste issue. The best starting point for you is to identify wich basses with this type of pickup you liked the sound and then try to know what pickups were installed in them. If that bass was made in collaboration with LIDL i would check to see if there isn't a cocaine bag hidden inside the pickups along with a tiny single coil just to produce some noise... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25640485 It could be the cause of it being too polite! [/quote] The second paragraph properly made me laugh, and would certainly seem to point to some value! Lol. Identifying the desired sound is easy! I wanted it to sound like my first Ken Taylor 5, and looking at the specs section on sandberg site uses identical words to describe both the normal model, and the anniversary model. But they are not remotely the same in sound (or quality compared to my first one). I think I shall have to get saving and get something nicer, and definitely less polite if you get me. By the way, where would this bag of cocaine be hidden then? I'm reluctant to start undoing things as I don't want to know what horrors lurk inside! Cheers Pete

Thanks Ghost Bass, Do you have any specific models in mind as the makes mentioned all have many variations? I'm not sure what the pre is, but it sure doesn't sound like either of my previous bergs, one of which was a KT5, and considerably better finished and higher quality hardware etc. I think the pre is from a short lived collaboration with Lidl! Hehe. Maybe best to move it on and go back to EBMM route. Still considering what to do, hence the questions about pups and pre. I shall have a look into the makes suggested, but can't afford to buy loads of different pups etc on the off chance that one may suit, if you know what I mean. Cheers Pete

Hi all, As the title says, I'm after options for replacing pups and pre for my KT5. I must say that it's the 20th anniversary model, and it seems that this model has the politically correct don't want to offend or indeed wake anyone pups and pre!. I'm after something with a proper amount of mids, and much higher output in general. Whats out there to recommend please? Cheers Pete

I'm just not able to get this so one last try at explaining the original question, which in hindsight was the wrong wording, so its not really surprising I'm not getting the answers. Ok, so you've got 4 blokes who are each good at doing one thing, bloke one pats his head, bloke two rubs his tummy, bloke three juggles tennis balls, and bloke four spins plates. Then there's one really clever bloke that says he can do all four of these things at the same time. (Please note this is not a question about the order of spinning plates/juggling/etc etc). The question is, can the really clever bloke actually do all four things as well as the four separate blokes, or does something have to give in order to acheive this seeming miracle? (ie maybe the number of plates spun, or times per minute that the tummy is rubbed/ head patted). I'm not concerned whether or not the chain goes head pat first or plate spinning first etc etc, but rather what has to give, and why with regard to the processing power of four individual pedals as opposed to the processing power of a single mfx unit being pulled in four directions at once? blimey, I'm knackered just thinking about how to word the question so it's easily understood, and not mistaken for another what order should my pedals go in type thread. Anyhoo, that's my last attempt at asking Cheers Pete

Thanks for that, So four individual pedals chained together with their four individual chipsets capable of operating with their respective pedals set at any control position will behave and operate exactly the same as one multifx using the same effects, albeit virtual effects with the same control positions through it's single chipset? Do I get this right? Thanks for the replies so far. Cheers Pete

Hmmm, I'm not explaining my question well enough clearly. If we leave personal preference out of the equation, and to a certain extent the chain order, what I'm asking is because a mfx is more integrated than say four (for example) separate fx pedals that may or may not use different styles and types of chipsets to acheive the desired effects, will the same chain order on both mfx and separate fx units yield the same results or be different. Just navel gazing really, and definitely not a question about personal preferences. Cheers Pete

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1401736160' post='2466397'] There is no objective best order for effects, its all subjective. There is orders and rules of thumb to follow, but generally the only rule is to try all combinations and decide which order you prefer, that fits the music you play, and sits well in your band(s). If your asking for others opinions on what they would do, as a jumping off point, it depends heavily on what effects you choose to use with your multi effects, if you use 4 dirt pedals in a row, its going to be a different place to 4 modulation pedals. I personaly use my MS60b as BDDI>HRT 350>noise gate, so im my chain i go: compressor > bitcrusher > distortion > ms60b > delay > loopstation. [/quote]hi elephantgrey, I'm not asking for others opinions on what they would do as there's a plethora of threads on what chain order etc. but I am asking if the order matters in the same way when using a multi effects as opposed to separate pedals because of the more integrated nature of multi fx. Also I appreciate that it's subjective with regard to your answer hence the word preferable in my question. I'm not wishing to come across as terse here, but rather to re state the question. Please and thank you, Cheers Pete

Hi folks, A question for you (silly maybe?), I gather that it's preferable when chaining effects together that they are placed in a certain order for best effect, but if one is using a multi effects unit (in my case either a zoom b3, or a zoom ms60b) does this still apply? Please and thank you, Cheers Pete

Hi guys, and gals, I've rummaged through my spare leads box and tried a couple of other leads, and hey presto! The noise seems to have gone. Strange that it affected only one bass though, but still a win is a win! Thanks , and have a good weekend all ! Cheers Pete

Hi all pedal experts, I've just taken delivery of a BMC pedal and have an issue with one bass when using the pedal. Firstly, my Fender AMDJV, Ibanez SR1205, and Steinberger Synapse V all work fine regardless of volume, eq, blend or active/passive as appropriate and they work fine with the pedal whether it's in bypass or activated, BUT my Sandberg makes one hell of a hum if the pedal is in bypass mode and the bass's volume isn't full on. I've checked the batteries on both the pedal, and the bass (both new batteries, and checked on my multimeter), checked and swapped leads in and out, and as mentioned above tried my other basses on all settings and pedal in bypass and active mode. Has anyone any ideas why the Sandberg, and the BMC won't play nicely with the volume backed off and the pedal in bypass mode? A bit long winded I know, but I wanted to supply as much information as possible. Many thanks in advance, Cheers Pete

Hi Geoff, That would seem to be the simplest way wouldn't it? I have over the years tried to contact them three times and each time has been met with silence. By fate though the bass is back with them now (so I've been told) for rectification of some other QC issues. Maybe they will contact me directly, but somehow I doubt it. No biggie though, I have other basses to play. Cheers Pete

Anyone??? (He said to an empty street, with just the occasional tumbleweed for company) Cheers Pete

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1397994819' post='2429275'] The bottom end of Fender's range is a bit jumbled up. The Blacktop and Modern Player basses are made in China, and based on feedback on here score highly on finish and build quality, but less on tone. The 'Standard' series is made in Mexico, and are solid across the board. I have 2 MIM basses - a Standard Precision (2011) and a Deluxe Precision (2004) and both are well built and sound great. I actually prefer the stock Fender pickups to the Seymour Duncans that I tested for a little while. The Mexican basses were renowned for poor quality control which I believe has improved, but make sure you try before you buy because there are 'bad' examples out there. Generally there's about £100 in it between a Modern Player and a Standard series bass - I would say purely from a budget perspective that if you found a MP that agrees with you then you're onto a winner. However you can pick up a used MIM Standard in the for sale section on here for £250-£300, which is £100+ less again than a new MP. [/quote] I don't know if this has changed, but my Blacktop precision (in pearl white) was definately made in Mexico, and very fine it was too. Only moved it on to concentrate exclusivley on 5ers! Cheers Pete

Hi Luke, I've been changing pup heights but to no avail. The pups are different, I just want to know what they are, what else has changed, and I suppose why sandberg felt the need to change at all. Both the 20thanniversary model, and regular ken taylor state the same words in relation to pups and pre amp on the spec sheet, So I thought they would sound the same, but no where near the same! It's no biggy, just a bit underwhelmed at the moment. I had planned for this to be my main player, but as it is I'll just use it as a back up, or for sh**s, and giggles type thing! after all it's not awful or anything! just a bit meh. Thanks Pete

Hi all, (Mods please move if this is in the wrong place!). I can't seem to find out what pups are in my bass. I've recently bought a 20th anniversary ken taylor5 bass, having had an earlier KT5 which I stupidly moved on. I knew the basses would sound different as my first one was a mahogany/rare wood body with maple/rosewood neck, and the bridge was an earlier type (my thoughts are that it was a better bridge design too), but having bought the new one I find that the pups apart from being covered pole pieces sound very different too. They have a lower output when bass eq set flat, and have a scooped quality to the sound. The eq seems to have much less effect on the tone than my previous one which had a higher output, and more mid focused content. At a guess I'd say it's like the newer one is wired parallel/single, and my first one was series/single. It's fair to say that although the newer one is ok, I much preferred the sound of the older one. So, what pups are in the newer one? Have sandberg changed the eq too? Why did they change the pups anyway? Has the wiring changed too? (Series/parallel?). If you have any concrete info on this I'd like to know whats what. I haven't had any luck looking on the Sandberg specs, or indeed on the three times I've contacted them over the years, so that's why I'm asking specific questions here. Please, and thank you Cheers Pete

Oooh, that's a lovely looking bass you have there, well done on getting it. looks really classy. Re serial number, my vm/pm? has it stamped in the back of the headstock (can't say about the pickguard as I've never had call to remove it), and my previous Ken Taylor 5 also had it stamped in the back of the headstock. Both mine were just plain stamped numbers, but pictures I see these days (bass direct etc show a black fancy transfer on the back of the headstock with what looks like the serial number still stamped into the wood in the centre of the transfer). I guess that if it's a custom/showpiece order it may not be numbered, or indeed if it's had a new neck at some time, but this is unlikely after all it's a Sandberg!!! Stunning looking bass in any case. Cheers Pete

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Thanks Guys, all helpful tips.[/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The under the bed thing isn't going to happen because the beds are all divan type, and I think the inside of the gig bags are a woven fabric of somesort (manmade of course). Re the strings going off, I'm not overly worried about that as I'm not selling these as new basses, and in fact I usually change strings even on brand new basses because they've gone dull, or aren't to my liking, but it's never stopped me buying, or trading. Each to their own though.[/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The best course would be for them to find a new owner, and I wouldn't have to worry about storage then [/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I can live in hope.[/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Thanks again for the advice,[/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Cheers Pete [/font]