NJW Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 Hi hi hi... The time has come for a new bass, but I need some of your advices. I have been peeking at a Sandberg California PM. I currently play an MIA Jazz and love the Fender thang... I want a P style bass to go along with it, but rather than a Fender I was hoping for something a little different. Sadly, theres no way I can get out and try a Sandberg for myself anytime soon... Does anyone have any thoughts on how the Sandbergs might suit my needs? I play in a couple of indie rock bands, and like the middly growl I get from my jazz, but I'm also hoping to begin playing in a covers band soon and need something a little more versatile, and comfy for fingerstyle playing. Your help is, as always, appreciated. Nico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nimrod Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 [quote name='NJW' post='88945' date='Nov 15 2007, 02:04 PM']Hi hi hi... The time has come for a new bass, but I need some of your advices. I have been peeking at a Sandberg California PM. I currently play an MIA Jazz and love the Fender thang... I want a P style bass to go along with it, but rather than a Fender I was hoping for something a little different. Sadly, theres no way I can get out and try a Sandberg for myself anytime soon... Does anyone have any thoughts on how the Sandbergs might suit my needs? I play in a couple of indie rock bands, and like the middly growl I get from my jazz, but I'm also hoping to begin playing in a covers band soon and need something a little more versatile, and comfy for fingerstyle playing. Your help is, as always, appreciated. Nico[/quote] My confidence in Sandbergs was shaken for ever when I saw a few at PMT in Brum. They all had the slots for the frets cut *way* too deep into the fingerboard. So there was a gap of a couple of mm under the fret tang, all along the neck. I wasn't impressed, seeing as Dave Sheriff was touting them as 'Custom Shop quality'. Still, I'm sure that a lot of modern Fenders have their build quality issues too ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 If you're looking for a new bass you should really take time to check out Lakland basses. In my opinion, they beat the other two out of sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 For a few dollars more .. but decidedly different and definitely hand built custom quality ... [url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/jjburnel.htm"]Jon Shuker J J Burnel precision[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulfinger Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 I do like Sandbergs, but if you want pure passive P growliness, they don´t really deliver IMHO. They sound too clean, polished and smooth to my ears. Personally, I´d go down the Fender HW1 or Japan route. If you have more to spend, I´ve heard good things about the Lakland Bob Glaub and Duck Dunn sigs. And that Shuker sure looks lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 ...and then you have the Sadowsky Metros as well. At mentioned before, at this level you could have a bass made for you either by Jon Shuker, Alan at ACG or Robbie at RIM. A quick delve around this site and you'll find examples of basses from all builders. As bassists we're spoilt because there is a load of choice outside of the mainstream brands. I would say have a good look around, play loads of basses and don't rush into anything. An extra week or so of effort will translate into an instrument you are truly happy with instead of the "if only" thoughts going around your head... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJW Posted November 16, 2007 Author Share Posted November 16, 2007 well, the reason I was thinking something other than a Fender P was that I was hoping for something a bit more smooth/less growly than the passive Fenders - I already have plenty of growl from my Jazz. All the Sandbergs in the past I have played I have enjoyed very much. Part of my problem is that I can't go for things like the custom Shukers etc. because I have to be able to source the bass through a specific shop as they are getting me an instrument at drastically reduced price as a payoff for some work I have done for them previously - the only options are really Fender, Sandberg, Rick, Cort, Musicman and all the other usuals... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 [quote name='NJW' post='89408' date='Nov 16 2007, 02:09 PM']well, the reason I was thinking something other than a Fender P was that I was hoping for something a bit more smooth/less growly than the passive Fenders - I already have plenty of growl from my Jazz. All the Sandbergs in the past I have played I have enjoyed very much. Part of my problem is that I can't go for things like the custom Shukers etc. because I have to be able to source the bass through a specific shop as they are getting me an instrument at drastically reduced price as a payoff for some work I have done for them previously - the only options are really Fender, Sandberg, Rick, Cort, Musicman and all the other usuals...[/quote] Buy MM -> Sell MM -> buy what you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulfinger Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 [quote name='NJW' post='89408' date='Nov 16 2007, 03:09 PM']well, the reason I was thinking something other than a Fender P was that I was hoping for something a bit more smooth/less growly than the passive Fenders[/quote] In that case a Sandberg would be a great choice IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Check out the lovelies on here before you decide...... The Gallery should have most of 'em in stock soon.... [post="0"]Yummy![/post] These are superbly made and I will be ordering one in the new year FYI they are not far off the quality of PRS, yes they are that good! PS just seen you way oooop north, these are also dealers..... Sounds Great Music 182 Wilmslow Road · Heald Green SK8 3BG Cheshire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 [quote name='David Nimrod' post='88984' date='Nov 15 2007, 03:46 PM']My confidence in Sandbergs was shaken for ever when I saw a few at PMT in Brum. They all had the slots for the frets cut *way* too deep into the fingerboard. So there was a gap of a couple of mm under the fret tang, all along the neck. I wasn't impressed, seeing as Dave Sheriff was touting them as 'Custom Shop quality'. Still, I'm sure that a lot of modern Fenders have their build quality issues too ;-)[/quote] That was my experience as well. Not good on a bass costing close to £1000. Ive not seen such poor workmanship on a neck like that before. not even on £99 bass's. Bloody cheek if you ask me. so much for craftsmanship. they do play and sound good though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='89498' date='Nov 16 2007, 04:38 PM']That was my experience as well. Not good on a bass costing close to £1000. Ive not seen such poor workmanship on a neck like that before. not even on £99 bass's. Bloody cheek if you ask me. so much for craftsmanship. they do play and sound good though.[/quote] You've just put me off a Sandberg - anyone selling a Lakky? (sorry for the hijack ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theosd Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 MM Sterling HS =] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I know this may sound a bit bland, but how about playing all the basses that you can get in your deal and make a list of the good and bad points after you've played each one. Even after playing 3 or 4 it's possible to forget what the first one sounded/felt like !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJW Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 I managed to get to a store with some Sandbergs, Fenders and others in stock. I loved both the Sandbergs I played, and neither of them had the fret slot problems mentioned. I also loved one particular Fender P which outshone the rest of the Fenders in terms of quality. I didnt really enjoy any of the MusicMans. I had a think, and realised that since it's more likely I'll be able to pick up a 2nd hand Fender at any point, I would get the Sandberg at the moment. It's been ordered and should be arriving by the end of the month. I'll let you know how it is on arrival! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 (edited) Cool !! Good to know that you found what you need .... Bass shopping can be so much fun Edited November 18, 2007 by 7string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJW Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 Totally... obviously my judgement was affected by the fact that the Sandbergs are what I wanted in the first place, but I'll do my very best to give an unbiased review of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumble Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 I've also played some of the Sandbergs in the B'ham PMT. Really can't say I was that impressed. Fair enough, some of 'em look quite nice, but they just didn't sound ...... 'alive' enough for my liking. Not sure whether it's the Delano PUP's or what, but it was all a bit dull. Probably didn't help that it was going through one of the new Trace amps (not really impressed with them either!) When the bass sales guy showed me his custom Sandberg, it sure looked good, but it also sounded a bit dull. He, on the other hand reckons "it does the Musicman sound better than a Musicman"! You have no idea how much I hate it when people say that!! I'm with whoever it was that suggested you try a Lakky. Top basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD1 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 I had a Sandberg California PM5 for a while. Nice bass, well made with a versatile, quiet and well voiced eq - but it couldn't do the "Musicman sound" for all the tea in China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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