Musicman20

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1370448505' post='2101062'] Your touching on a really complicated and potentially very sticky subject here Gareth , on what makes basses above a certain price point worth their asking price and how they compare in terms of overall quality and value for money . My abbreviated answer would be that above a certain point , the law of diminishing returns kicks in more and more , and you are , in a lot of cases at least , paying for very small but not neccesaruilly inconsequential differences and improvements to the overall playing and owning experience . I've never played or even seen a Sandberg in the flesh , so I can't comment on them , but I do know that Mike Lull builds basses to a very high standard in anyones estimation , and he is a very good guy to deal with . If he puts his name on a bass , it has had some care taken over it . Exactly the same with Roger Sadowsky . If either of these guys makes you a bass , they are genuinely concerned that the bass is as right as it can possibly be , without exception . They have built a reputation on that , and they take it very seriously . That said , is the experience of playing one of these high end basses that much better overall than a well - chosen bass at half or less than half the price ? Overall I would say probably not . Playing an EBMM or American Standard Fender can sound and feel just as good in the final analysis . Small differences in manufacturing techniques and cosmetic features that soon just become part of the furniture anyway end up costing a lot of money . Don't get me wrong , I love high - end basses , but , paradoxically , they aren't that much more useful for actually playing bass on than a mass - produced basses of decent quality . [/quote] Ay, don't get me wrong, Lull/Sadowsky basses are absolutely top notch and superb. We do unfortunately however pay a fairly large chunk in import duties and VAT, so it shoots up even more. Plus, the dollar/pound isn't great at the moment. Sandberg are available much cheaper, (about £1200-1400 for a top notch 5 string) and a lot of that comes from the fact its European. The Americans then get burnt with the Sandberg prices and pay about £1800+ for the Marlowe DK bass, whereas here I've seen them for £1450. ALl interesting though. Shame all my GAS is usually for USA products!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1370448727' post='2101068'] I had watched this twice before I realised this little get together was in Portugul . Intially , when I couldn't make out what people were saying I presumed it must have been the North East bass bash and the people speaking were Geordies ! [/quote] HAHA!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1370445510' post='2100998'] Sandberg don't make a T-Bird shaped bass so they are certainly not a Mike Lull equivalent! [/quote] They will custom make anything...they have made some VERY obscure basses recently. It isn't obvious though, when looking at their site, that this is an option. The Lull T Bird looks great, but far too pricey for what it is, IMO. Lull basses as a whole seem to be very high quality, but I wouldn't want that headstock.

NICE.

I know, I know, a lot of people would laugh at the question. But just think about it... In places like the USA and Japan, the Sandberg basses are very expensive. It is almost the equivilant of the extra we pay on something like a Sadowsky Metro or, as another more expensive example, a Mike Lull. I’ve seen comments asking why the USA have to pay so much for a Sandberg....welcome to our world!!! Lull’s aren’t as ‘mass produced’ as the Sandberg basses, I agree, but the Sandbergs are essentially hand build in Germany, with some quite high end kit like Delano pickups and Glock pre’s. I’ve seen a few posts on Talkbass comparing the Sandbergs to the Sadowsky Metro’s, and noting they are approaching the same quality, but different designs. I can’t comment, as I’ve not properly played both close together. Are we missing a trick here? I’ve been discussing an order of a Sandberg bass, and the waiting list is now 6 months plus, because they are becoming busier and busier. It seems to me the market is starting to take notice of them. Is the reason behind the difference in price simply down to brand? The USA brands have such dominance, but I’d really like to start buying some European kit... Compare the Sandberg TT or TM4/5 with a Metro UV 4/5...massive price difference. The Sandberg can be two single coil pups, or a H (with coiltap) plus a single coil. The H allows you to drop into single coil mode to get a normal jazz tone. The pre’s aren’t that different in what they can do, eg the Sandberg is 2 band, push/pull active/passive, with a tone control. The Sadowsky is a 2 band, with the VTC. Both can have blocks, no binding, but Sandberg has a lot more colour options. One would set you back £2200 ish, the other £1200-1400 ish. Is there a large difference in quality? Is the tone good with both basses? I have no idea. Then you have the option to have boutique quilt tops, ageing, and all sorts of options with the Sandberg. That takes the price up, and then its almost what we expect from a Lull... Again, the difference? Who knows. Is this just another example of dominance of brand?

Like it Jigster! Not enough of this around.

I still want a Classic 5

One guy even traded an 80s Sabre is for payment....

Most of those people will unfortunately never see their bass, or money.

I don't take offence to him or find him annoying at all. Quite funny in fact. You can say what you want...Oasis are one of the biggest bands we've seen from this country in a long time. I used to ignore what they did, but now the hype is down (I was getting into music at 13/14 during the Brit pop era) I really appreciate what they were about; quality indie pop.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1370285152' post='2098661'] I have three genz amps and I prefer the FET on the ShuttleMax 9.2, love it, mind you both channels blended together has got some poke! [/quote] Agreed.

Markbass amp, or Glockenklang. I'm not sure about Markbass cabs/speakers, as they are a little bit on the middy side, (not that its a bad thing).

Personally, I think they are totally different! A much warmer, smoother sweeter pre vs a tighter, quicker brighter middier tone

You could save a LOT and get Sandberg to build you one... http://www.session.de/SANDBERG-California-VS-4-P-RW-FR-SA.html?listtype=search&searchparam=sandberg%20bass

[quote name='graham1945' timestamp='1369953592' post='2095024'] That's odd, probably the best amp I've owned. All a matter of opinion I suppose? [/quote] Oh yes, of course. But, to explain what I thought when I was lent one for a tour: Stupidly heavy old technology but without actual tubes. Adding to the weight was basically half an empty shell making it looking like an SVT. Underpowered. Compared to my ex Trace 400 SMX 400 watt, it was seriously quiet even with the mid boosted a heck of a lot. Huge, for no reason. Poor EQ. Compared to the modern, extremely portable/light/loud micros, there is no point in it. If you want an SVT, this doesn't sound like one.

[quote name='WalMan' timestamp='1370158168' post='2096961'] You might add a Genz Benz Streamliner 6 to your list [/quote] Agreed.

Bongos are superb.

Ay, tried the one in Newcastle a few times. Great colour etc, although for me I don't think the 35" scale is my cup of tea.

Sabre. Just to be different. Stingray next time.

I quite like it!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1369766217' post='2092554'] Unfortunately , I think you will find that the exchange rate is working against you at the moment , Gareth . The overall rate is at about $1.50 to the pound at the moment , but you will struggle to get above 1.45 if you are actually trying to change your money and send it to Sadowsky . As a quick thumbnail calculation , that rate translates to ( very approximately ) £3450 - 3500 delivered to the U.K price for the most basic spec four string Sadowsky , with the price increasing incrementally as you add various options or if you want a five . string . If you want a few extras and / or a five string , an NYC Sadowsky is going to set you back about four grand at the moment . Does that tally with what you had been expecting an NYC bass to cost in the U.K ? [/quote] Roughly! That was what I was expecting...ish. I doubt I'd actually go about it that way...more than likely go over and try one out whilst on holiday then decide from there. The Metros are great quality, just extremely expensive nowadays.

I'd like to know if anyone has side by side tested the BF, Ampeg, and Berg NV610.

With the Metro's now being rather expensive, and out of sight for the market they were (IMO) aimed at, (eg a slightly more boutique and well built Fender but not NYC) I'd get an NYC made and sent direct to me, without a dealer. Metro prices now are extreme, but then again a lot of manufacturers are raising prices to rather crazy levels.

Both the VT and BDDI are fantastic. I have the VT version 2 and the BDDI, and I'll also be getting the VT Bass DI.

Oh no.