Sandberg appreciation society

[fretmeister]

37 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Well Thomann just lost out on a sale. They have a few Lionels in stock so I enquired on the weight of two of them - approximately 5kg for each was the response. I very much doubt that, clearly a figure plucked out of the air, but if they can`t be bothered to sort out the actual weight for a £1600+ transaction then they can go and brew theirselves a cupoffukoff.

 

They used to be happy to get something out of a box and weigh stuff, but now they don't. I suspect their new massive automated warehouse system would get in the way of wandering over to get one off a shelf.

 

It's a shame but I kind of get it for them - they are probably warehousing hundreds of incoming basses a day. It would need a dedicated team to weight stuff on the way in and stick it on a site like smaller places can do. 

 

But it is also why I won't buy a bass from them anymore.

 

 

[Aidan63]

5kg would be the packed weight with gig bag, ie what is on their system for shipping weight, which probably explains the reply

[chris_b]

2 hours ago, fretmeister said:

 

. . . .  I suspect their new massive automated warehouse system would get in the way of wandering over to get one off a shelf.

 

Probably this, but with Thomann's buying power, in the music industry, they should be able to require the weight of the bass be included on the final check list.

[dmccombe7]

Is each bass in a model range not all the same weight or do they have variations.

Is it not listed on the Sandberg website. ?

Have to admit i generally go to the company website first rather than ask a shop. Don't think i trust shops to give me a definitive answer.

Dave

[Lozz196]

I’ve seen them range from 7.2lbs to 8lbs, and for me 7.5lbs  would be my limit. The impetuous side of me is tempted to order one but then the faff of returning if too heavy brings me back to reality.

[dmccombe7]

29 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

I’ve seen them range from 7.2lbs to 8lbs, and for me 7.5lbs  would be my limit. The impetuous side of me is tempted to order one but then the faff of returning if too heavy brings me back to reality.

I see where you're coming from now. 

That's left you with quite a narrow band to choose from.

Is 2nd hand market a better option where the seller will weigh it before you buy sort of thing.

7.5ibs is quite a lightweight bass. Is it hollow bodied ?

Hope you can find what you're looking for @Lozz196

Dave

[Lozz196]

Sadly the Lionel’s don’t pop up 2nd hand that often Dave. I think they’re alder, but as reduced body size that keeps the weight down a tad, rather than hollow bodied. 

[dmccombe7]

16 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Sadly the Lionel’s don’t pop up 2nd hand that often Dave. I think they’re alder, but as reduced body size that keeps the weight down a tad, rather than hollow bodied. 

Is a custom order direct to Sandberg out the question with a limit on the weight being an essential part of the order. ?

Dave

[Lozz196]

Just now, dmccombe7 said:

Is a custom order direct to Sandberg out the question with a limit on the weight being an essential part of the order. ?

Dave

I’m way ahead of you on that point Dave, order already in (via Mark at Classic And Cool Guitars) for a Superlight Lionel but lead time is 2 years. So if I can get hold of one in the meantime would be great as even my JMJ Mustangs at just under 8lbs are getting a bit heavy, who knows where the back will be in 2 years.

[warwickhunt]

45 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

I see where you're coming from now. 

That's left you with quite a narrow band to choose from.

Is 2nd hand market a better option where the seller will weigh it before you buy sort of thing.

7.5ibs is quite a lightweight bass. Is it hollow bodied ?

Hope you can find what you're looking for @Lozz196

Dave

 

I have 4 Sandbergs and just sold a Lionel... 7.5lb isn't that remarkable, I have a fretless Lionel that is just over 7lb.  

[dmccombe7]

10 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

 

I have 4 Sandbergs and just sold a Lionel... 7.5lb isn't that remarkable, I have a fretless Lionel that is just over 7lb.  

Think all but one of my basses (Yamaha BX-1) are over 8.5lbsup to high 9's. My Overwater Custom 6er fretless will probably be heavier but i'm usually sitting down when i play it.

Dave

[dmccombe7]

29 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

I’m way ahead of you on that point Dave, order already in (via Mark at Classic And Cool Guitars) for a Superlight Lionel but lead time is 2 years. So if I can get hold of one in the meantime would be great as even my JMJ Mustangs at just under 8lbs are getting a bit heavy, who knows where the back will be in 2 years.

thats where i bought my VM4 from and he gave me a great deal on it when i just phoned to ask about it. He offered to drop the price for me without me even asking.

I like them. Its one of my fav shops. Love browsing it even just to see what they've already sold.

Dave

[Ian McFly]

1 hour ago, Lozz196 said:

I’m way ahead of you on that point Dave, order already in (via Mark at Classic And Cool Guitars) for a Superlight Lionel but lead time is 2 years. So if I can get hold of one in the meantime would be great as even my JMJ Mustangs at just under 8lbs are getting a bit heavy, who knows where the back will be in 2 years.

TWO. YEARS.

When I ordered my last Sandberg like 12 years ago, the wait time was 6 months. Even back then, I thought it was ridiculous, I get they're popular, but I don't know, hire more people? Expand? But it is now TWO YEARS? Who in their right mind has the patience to wait that long? My interest for it would fizzle out after 6 months of waiting... 
Like, I've got a Warmoth body on order that should be here in 3 months and I've already lost patience haha...

[Lozz196]

Yeah it’s a fair old time, just got to be patient - which is something I’m really not very good at.

[BabyBlueSound]

10 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Sadly the Lionel’s don’t pop up 2nd hand that often Dave. I think they’re alder, but as reduced body size that keeps the weight down a tad, rather than hollow bodied. 

 

My Lionel is ash body, 3.8kg / 8.4 lbs. Not the lightest, but fine for me. Could be lighter, yeah...

[fretmeister]

10 hours ago, Ian McFly said:

TWO. YEARS.

When I ordered my last Sandberg like 12 years ago, the wait time was 6 months. Even back then, I thought it was ridiculous, I get they're popular, but I don't know, hire more people? Expand? But it is now TWO YEARS? Who in their right mind has the patience to wait that long? My interest for it would fizzle out after 6 months of waiting... 
Like, I've got a Warmoth body on order that should be here in 3 months and I've already lost patience haha...

 

 

2 years is after they actually put in an extra production line a few years ago! If they hadn't done that, then it would have been 4!

 

I got mine in 1 year almost to the day in 2023.

[martthebass]

12 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

I’ve seen them range from 7.2lbs to 8lbs, and for me 7.5lbs  would be my limit. The impetuous side of me is tempted to order one but then the faff of returning if too heavy brings me back to reality.

Lozz, I've had 4 of the Alder bodied ones through my hands, they've all been near as dammit 7.5lbs.  The ash ones are a pound heavier.  Alder is used on the relic and gloss painted ones.

I know what you mean regarding Thomann's enquiries on specific basses though; I bought a B stock Lionel from them last year and enquired on the condition before buying.  I was assured it was just a return and it had minimal signs of handling; as it was a soft relic I was happy with this and placed the order.  When I received the bass it was in a rough condition, the back was ripped up with buckle wear and it was grime ridden.  In comparison to the gold soft relic I already had it looked like it had been dragged behind a car.  It went back but it took me 6 weeks (and a couple of email reminders) before I got my money back.

Edited 11 hours ago by martthebass

[Lozz196]

Part of me is still tempted to give it a go, aaarrrrggggh

[martthebass]

29 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Part of me is still tempted to give it a go, aaarrrrggggh

I think you'd be safe with this one Lozz.

 

https://www.thomann.co.uk/sandberg_california_vs_lionel_pf_bk.htm?srsltid=AfmBOop68odtvY22cC7MOJ5e3dIi5pbPqQ9y96_qnavhNNdId965YODafgE

[Lozz196]

That`s the very one I`ve been umming & ahhing over

[fretmeister]

13 hours ago, Ian McFly said:

TWO. YEARS.

When I ordered my last Sandberg like 12 years ago, the wait time was 6 months. Even back then, I thought it was ridiculous, I get they're popular, but I don't know, hire more people? Expand? But it is now TWO YEARS? Who in their right mind has the patience to wait that long? My interest for it would fizzle out after 6 months of waiting... 
Like, I've got a Warmoth body on order that should be here in 3 months and I've already lost patience haha...

 

 

Also... I've been on the Analogman King of Tone waiting list for 6 years now. Still not at the top!

 

But you don't pay at the beginning for that. Only pay when you confirm you still want it when you reach the top.

[martthebass]

4 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

That`s the very one I`ve been umming & ahhing over

[dmccombe7]

The very worst that can happen is you don't like it, have to send it back and then wait for your refund.

But then again you could fall in love with it and job done.

 

Is your glass half full or half empty decision. ?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Dave

Edited 4 hours ago by dmccombe7

[martthebass]

1 minute ago, dmccombe7 said:

The very worst that can happen is you don't like it, have to send it back and then wait for your refund.

But then again you could fall in love with it and job done.

 

Is your glass half full or half empty decision. ?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Dave

He'll love it Dave.

Still use mine in preference to my EBMM Ray Shorty which was a fair bit more (even used), they are awesome little basses.  Us old Glamsters have found a sweet spot with Sandbergs eh?

 

[dmccombe7]

3 hours ago, martthebass said:

He'll love it Dave.

Still use mine in preference to my EBMM Ray Shorty which was a fair bit more (even used), they are awesome little basses.  Us old Glamsters have found a sweet spot with Sandbergs eh?

 

100% he'll love it.

My VM4 is my goto bass for everything.

I did use the MarloweDK with the punk band but now that's finished its become my back up for the VM4.

I have used it on occasion at a Glam gig and it works quite well. Guitarist likes the Marlowe and my wife says it sounds clearer than the VM4.

No matter what they are superb basses @martthebass

Dave

Edited 46 minutes ago by dmccombe7