Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Sandberg California JJ5

cLepto-bass

By cLepto-bass,
in Basses For Sale

 Share

Recommended Posts

cLepto-bass Rising Star

cLepto-bass

Posted
Posted (edited)

After much thought, it has come to that very sad day when I have realised that in order to eat I need to unlock some money in my gear collection. With a very heavy heart, I have decided to move on my much loved [b]Sandberg JJ5.[/b]

This bass is superb, simple as that. I currently own and have owned a number of Sandbergs over the last few years and this one really is the top of the pile. The build quality and sound quality easily out preform all but the really high end basses.

After doing a bit of research, Henrik from Sandberg has kindly informed me of the details of this bass. The bass was a custom shop order from 2007 and features a 35" scale, [url="http://www.haeussel.com/"]Haeussel Pickups[/url] and a beautifully distressed finish that pre dates their hardcore aged option. The body is Alder and the neck is Canadian Hardrock Mapel topped off with a lushous Rosewood fingerboard.

This bass really is stunning, both to look at and to play. Thanks to the Haeussel pickups and 9v active bass/treble premamp, this bass has almost limitless tonal variations, everything from old school 60's boom to tight, focused modern bass snap. Whether you choose fingers, pick or slap, this bass to deliver just what you want.

The sale comes complete with pristine official Sandberg gig bag and all relevant goodies.

It breaks my heart to see it go but needs, must. I have attached some photo's courtesy of the previous owner (silverfoxnik) thanks again Nik and I am looking for what I spent on it, £700 + p&p.

If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to ask. Someone will probably ask its weight, I will find that out just as soon as I can acquire suitable weighing scales. Unfortunatley, not interested in trades as it is cold hard money that is needed to feed and shelter me.

Regards.















Thanks for looking.

Edited by uzzell
Link to comment
Share on other sites
silverfoxnik Grand Master

silverfoxnik

Posted
Posted

Just to confirm what a fabulous bass this is and it really does deliver sonically! The passive tone itself is superb and the sound from the bridge pick up is so funky it's untrue.. Kick in the active circuit and it gets even better! :)

Alan who owned it before me (and who was the original owner) always described it as 'the tone monster' which sums it up perfectly.. :rolleyes:

I would have kept this bass if it was 34" scale but being a person who is 'vertically challenged', I struggled a bit with the 35" scale..

If only..

Anyway, I must stop GAS-ing after this again and be sensible.. Good luck with the sale Chris!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tombboy Collaborator

tombboy

Posted
Posted

[quote name='uzzell' post='787673' date='Mar 27 2010, 09:46 AM']Unfortunatley, not interested in trades as it is cold hard money that is needed to feed and shelter me.[/quote]
That's a shame..... would have given you my Stingray and my left bollock for this!
Hang on..... you could hold the 'Ray over your head whilst nibbling on........ on second thoughts, I'll pass! :) :lol:

Lovely bass! :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cLepto-bass Rising Star

cLepto-bass

Posted
  • Author
Posted

[quote name='Musicman20' post='787872' date='Mar 27 2010, 02:17 PM']Oh heck....thats a nice bass.[/quote]


You're not wrong.

You sir, have a PM and for everyone else, this bass comes in at 10lbs on the button.

I should also point out, as mentioned above that the passive tone on this bass is also great. Whilst in passive mode the tone pot comes alive and provides you with all you need to get pretty much any Jazz sound you can think of. I agree with the 'tone monster' tag too, usually basses that do varied tones tend not to master a specific sound but this bass can honestly be described as 'jack of all trades [b][u]and[/u][/b] master of them too!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cLepto-bass Rising Star

cLepto-bass

Posted
  • Author
Posted

[quote name='Monz' post='788319' date='Mar 28 2010, 08:57 AM']And the inevitable question... What is the string spacing please[/quote]


Hey Monz, thanks for the interest.

String spacing at the nut is 35mm (measurement taken from the centre of the strings, is that correct?)

Meanwhile, spacing at the bridge is 74mm. I should also mention that that is customisable thanks to this bass having the best bridge I have ever used. String hieght, spacing and intonation can all be adjusted then locked in place via a small bolt (I think they are called 'grub' screws but please dont quote me on that) situated on each saddle unit. The whole design works brillaintly and has a really substantial feel about it.

All I know is that at 38mm, my Warwick Corvette is a bit more of a handfull than the Sandberg, it is quite effortless to play in this regard.

Hope that all helps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Musicman20 Grand Master

Musicman20

Posted
Posted (edited)

Does anyone have soundclips of what a jj with these pickups sound like?!

The new JJs come with Delanos...but you can order these Haussel pickups still as extra. I'm just wondering if the haussels are more vintage compared to the delanos which I've heard are quite hi fi and modern. Are these haussels alnico pups?

Edited by Musicman20
Link to comment
Share on other sites
cLepto-bass Rising Star

cLepto-bass

Posted
  • Author
Posted

[quote name='Musicman20' post='788758' date='Mar 28 2010, 07:18 PM']Does anyone have soundclips of what a jj with these pickups sound like?!

The new JJs come with Delanos...but you can order these Haussel pickups still as extra. I'm just wondering if the haussels are more vintage compared to the delanos which I've heard are quite hi fi and modern. Are these haussels alnico pups?[/quote]

I'm not quite sure how to answe rthat really but I will try my best.

Compared to my old PM4 that was loaded with the Delano's this bass is not as 'hi-fi' as that. I know that the pickup config's are different but this JJ5 certainly has a slightly more vintage sound to it, particularly when in passive mode. I am pretty sure that this bass has alnico pickups.

Hopefully that can help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
silverfoxnik Grand Master

silverfoxnik

Posted
Posted

[quote name='uzzell' post='788835' date='Mar 28 2010, 08:28 PM']I'm not quite sure how to answe rthat really but I will try my best.

Compared to my old PM4 that was loaded with the Delano's this bass is not as 'hi-fi' as that. I know that the pickup config's are different but this JJ5 certainly has a slightly more vintage sound to it, particularly when in passive mode. I am pretty sure that this bass has alnico pickups.

Hopefully that can help.[/quote]

Just to clarify, the Haussel pickups are alnico ... here's what they said at Sandberg when I emailed them in December:

[i]"hi nik,

the pickup is from a small workshop here in germany called „häussel pickups.
it’s a real single coil with alnico5 magnetics.

Best regards – holger stonjek"[/i]


I tend to prefer a more 'vintage' tone and IMO, these pick ups are definitely biased more that way, though the pre-amp may also have a bearing on that too..
Hope that helps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
alhbass Enthusiast

alhbass

Posted
Posted

Have a Bump on me for a beautiful looking instrument.

But GNNNRRRRaaaargh - why are all these fantastic looking distressed Sandbergs that keep cropping up on BC recently all 5 strings? So frustrating. If this was a 4 I'd sell my children to buy it. Well, ok, perhaps not the kids, but definitley the cat. And the car.

Good luck with the sale. And please don't post any sound clips demonstrating just how lovely this thing sounds, or I may have to consider buying it despite myself...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cLepto-bass Rising Star

cLepto-bass

Posted
  • Author
Posted

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='789020' date='Mar 28 2010, 11:37 PM']Just to clarify, the Haussel pickups are alnico ... here's what they said at Sandberg when I emailed them in December:

[i]"hi nik,

the pickup is from a small workshop here in germany called „häussel pickups.
it’s a real single coil with alnico5 magnetics.

Best regards – holger stonjek"[/i]


I tend to prefer a more 'vintage' tone and IMO, these pick ups are definitely biased more that way, though the pre-amp may also have a bearing on that too..
Hope that helps.[/quote]

Nik, what would I do without you! :rolleyes:


[quote name='oldslapper' post='789156' date='Mar 29 2010, 09:08 AM']Darn it again U...........another lovely bit of kit.

Great guy, great gear, someone pleeeeeease buy this now...

(got the mini's back btw....they shall now stay put!)

john[/quote]

Glad you managed to reacquire the cabs John, are you sure I cant interest you in a delightfull 5 string? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cLepto-bass Rising Star

cLepto-bass

Posted
  • Author
Posted

[quote name='Musicman20' post='789471' date='Mar 29 2010, 03:08 PM']Slightly odd comment, but If I was to purchase this and it wasnt 'right' for me in terms of playing (its won me over on looks) then are Sandbergs held in quite high regard with resales?[/quote]


This will be my second Sandberg sale so I wouldnt think you'll be burnt should the desire to move on it arise. The Sandbergs P's and J's pop up quite often and always seem to go quite quickly and for good money too so I would assume there is quite a healthy market for them at them moment.

I was in Guitar Works in Reading the other week and the guy was telling me that all the new prices had gone up quite a bit for some reason or another so I reckon second hand sales are likely to benefit from that. Thats just my opinion though.

Hope that helps.#

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...