Musashimonkey

...still no bids...! This is getting exciting...!

Well, there's one bonus for so many confusingly named ranges of varying quality basses! Fantastic. 😊

Bump

Why no bids...???...!
This could be a steal for someone...

And for further confirmation from Mike Tobias himself:

thanks for writing. I don’t have records by serial number. that is rosewood. the only basses that get ebony are lined fretless. enjoy the bass

Best regards,
Michael Tobias
MTD (Michael Tobias Design LLC)
3 Lauren Ct
Kingston, NY 12401 USA
845.246.0670
[email protected]
www.mtdbass.com

Just clear up the ebony/rosewood fretboard:

Hi Steve,

The only two choices for fingerboards on the fretted Kingstons are rosewood or maple. Your bass was made in June of 2010. The fingerboard is rosewood. Rosewood has a lot of color variation. It is also possible that the
previous owner kept the fingerboard oiled. Many oils darken the wood.

That's a good looking bass!

Regards,

Dana Teague
Dana B Goods
3000 Paseo Mercado, Ste 101
Oxnard, CA 93036

SOLD a while back, sorry!

Brilliant, thanks for all the help guys. And an interesting discussion topic. 😊

Just for clarity: (Plek is standard on all Sandbergs, the listing was unclear, but it is the fret markers that were the costed upgraded).

Neck Shim or sanding the saddle seem like the options. Sandberg want to go with the saddle option and have been very helpful. As have the shop staff. 😊

Lots of interest...

^ Cool, thank you 😊

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1483617524' post='3208675']
You shouldn't have this problem with a Sandberg, they have great QC but some lemons may get through. Hopefully they have even better CS so the best thing you should do before messing with the bass and voiding your waranty is to get in touch with them (facebook or use the contact on the site) and they'll be happy to help you. They may also clear things about the store charging you for the plek service and would apreciate the information.
[/quote]

Good call, I'll do just that. 😊

[quote name='threedaymonk' timestamp='1483649653' post='3209056']
In my experience, any bass with a plank neck (i.e. Fender design) will need a shim if you want a low action. My '95 Stingray has one (but I don't know if that's original). I had to add one to my '09 American Standard Jazz to get the bridge screws to a sensible, non-palm-shredding height.

My Spector 6-string doesn't have one, but the bridge is routed several mm into the body.

I've always seen the need for a shim as an inevitable consequence of the Fender design. I've never encountered any problems, and I'm inclined to think that if that's all it takes to get a good bridge height, I'm pretty content.
[/quote]

Shimming to lower the saddle screws (of an arguably poorly designed bridge) for comfort is different IMO to having to shim from not being able to lower the saddles low enough straight from the factory for the correct action.

Your Spector sounds well built, recessing the bridge is a solution, but not neccessary for this bass... it's relative height so it can be lost and made up wherever with material from neck, pocket, body under bridge or bridge thickness itself. Your Spector shows it can be done. 😊

I agree if you have an old bass and need to get a good bridge height that a shim could fix it, and it's opened my eyes as to how many have them; but I'm not sure that a bass should require a shim straight from the factory! I still think the saddles in this brand new bass should allow every string, not 4/5 to lower onto the fretboard.

Surely a shim is to replace too much material removed? Had the design tolerances been more accurate you wouldn't need one...

Would a good shim cover the full neck pocket otherwise it's an uneven surface which could create a hump in the neck?

I do think that shimming a neck that's been plekked is going to negate that treatment though.

Thanks for everyone's views. It's interesting to see the different opinions.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1483647967' post='3209046']
Afaik all Ernie ball basses come with a factory shim.
[/quote]

Wow! Really?

Bargain!

Guys, very impressed with all your opinions and support. Thank you. Sandberg has been notified and it's going back to the shop anyway (as the bottom strap pin was broken). I'll see what is suggrsted but will likely go for a refund here, the issue will likely get worse over time with neck angle changing and frets wearing. I agree that the shim, although a possible solution may negate the Plek dress. So a shim or milling the saddle I don't feel is acceptable after spending close to 2k on a bass.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Much appreciated. I think I'll head for a refund. Distance selling regs are on my side too, so shouldn't be an issue.

The bass was and some still are advertised as the Plek dress costing an additional £189...! But I think you're right Karl... looks like it comes as standard... Shocking!

Grangur - I think you're right, those were the only two options I could think of. Far from ideal.

Thanks for all the support guys.

The neck relief is spot on, it was already very good and just a smidge off straight. Fixing first and 16th fret spacing is about .012 (0.3mm) over the 8th fret = ideal in my book.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1483603468' post='3208527']
What if you need to have the frets leveled and dressed again in the future? You'll need the bridge even lower.

I wouldn't be happy.
[/quote]
Yep, very good point I hadn't thought of. Thank you.

Running anything through Bluetooth creates a lag time for the information to be passed. So that if your running your bass through it will be painfully slow in response. (That's my understanding and experience)

Hi all. I'm looking for some opinions please.

I've just purchased a new Sandberg bass from a U.K. Bass shop. It's great in every way. However the bridge saddle for the G-string is already fully grounded out at its lowest setting and it can't be adjusted any lower. The bass had additional costs due to a Plek fret dress; I feel that I can't really access that upgrade without a neck shim, which after spending this kind of money, and as the bass is new, I don't think is right.

I'm waiting to hear back from Sandberg, and the shop are currently helping with the issue, but I'm wondering what people's thoughts are and if you've had any similar issues?

I always thought a bridge should be capable of lowering the strings completely onto the fretboard to give the user the full range of action options.

Looking for a quick sale...!

SOLD

Price change £429...!