Now for a 12 month wait... custom Sandberg order.

fretmeister · May 2022

I've put in an order for a custom Sandberg.

I'm going for a 30 inch shortscale - the VS4 Lionel, but as per my obsession with weight it's going to be made to Superlight specs with a paulownia body and Norwegian maple neck. Rosewood board with abalone dots

Should end up a bit like this

Image: https://cdn.basschat.co.uk/monthly_2022_04/1608390449_Sandbergorderlionel.png.a90247a454f30be350c64cd30a611a80.png

Sandberg P pickups tend to be on the bright side so I am anticipating swapping the pickup to an Aguilar 60s wind with 250K pots. It's a lot cheaper if I do that rather than getting Sandberg to do it. And there's a chance I may like the stock ones when it gets here.

Over the last few years Sandberg have really had their sales numbers go through the roof so the waiting time is now about 12 months.

I'm looking forward to it!

Dave_Mc · May 2022

Nice! I've had my eye on Sandbergs for a while (having never tried one), and I've definitely noticed they've got a bit scarce recently (and any which aren't in stock have waits of around a year!). For some reason so many of the stock models (stock in shops, I mean) are in kind of boring colours, too.

axisus · May 2022

Looks dead cool. For many years I hankered after a Sandberg relic bass, still my fave basses for the look.

I can say in all honesty though that I couldn't wait that long for an instrument ....

fretmeister · May 2022

Dave_Mc said:

Nice! I've had my eye on Sandbergs for a while (having never tried one), and I've definitely noticed they've got a bit scarce recently (and any which aren't in stock have waits of around a year!). For some reason so many of the stock models (stock in shops, I mean) are in kind of boring colours, too.

The colour choices in the shops are the choice of the shops. They put in orders for stock and never seem to want to take the risk.

Sandberg will do any colour you like, but the online configurator is a bit more limited. But any dealer can get a full quote.

Bass Direct and Classic & Cool Guitars seem to get the most in the UK.
Thomann get quite a few too.

Bass Direct do seem to re-order pretty much the same thing over and over again so I suspect that's what they think sells.
Classic & Cool have a bit more variety - their guy seems to take a few more risks.

fretmeister · May 2022

axisus said:

Looks dead cool. For many years I hankered after a Sandberg relic bass, still my fave basses for the look.

I can say in all honesty though that I couldn't wait that long for an instrument ....

They've not built a Superlight Lionel before so it was a custom order or not have one! Delivery should match up with my 50th birthday so that will be cool.

I agree about the relics - Sandberg do it better than anyone else. When the mighty Fodera wanted to duplicate Victor Wooten's Monarch bass complete with all the wear on it, they went to Sandberg for the relic process. That's a great endorsement for a £25,000 instrument!

fretmeister · May 2022

The configurator is great fun

https://configurator.sandberg-guitars.de/

Dave_Mc · May 2022

fretmeister said:

Dave_Mc said:

Nice! I've had my eye on Sandbergs for a while (having never tried one), and I've definitely noticed they've got a bit scarce recently (and any which aren't in stock have waits of around a year!). For some reason so many of the stock models (stock in shops, I mean) are in kind of boring colours, too.

The colour choices in the shops are the choice of the shops. They put in orders for stock and never seem to want to take the risk.

Sandberg will do any colour you like, but the online configurator is a bit more limited. But any dealer can get a full quote.

Bass Direct and Classic & Cool Guitars seem to get the most in the UK.
Thomann get quite a few too.

Bass Direct do seem to re-order pretty much the same thing over and over again so I suspect that's what they think sells.
Classic & Cool have a bit more variety - their guy seems to take a few more risks.

Ah I see, thanks for the info. I thought it might be that they had to take what Sandberg sent them. You're right about BassDirect re the colours! They all (exaggeration alert!) seem to be either vintage sunburst or some variation on black...

I don't want to ask for a custom-ordered one because:

a) Most importantly, I'm not sure I even want one just yet- they're a bit dear considering I haven't tried them, and I'm not really sure what spec I would want anyway!

b) Like you, I'm a bit wary about weight... but I'm also not sure about those superlight ones. Based on the ones I've seen weighed, it does seem possible to get one which (I think!) would be light enough for me without having to go down the superlight route, but to be sure I'd need to take a stock one which had already been weighed.

c) The wait... I'm kind of thinking I'd like to try a 5-string, and getting one sooner rather than later will presumably be a better idea in terms of getting to practise it etc..

EricTheWeary · May 2022

There is a Sandberg stand at the Brum show this weekend if anyone wants to look at one. From memory they had a tiny booth last time around staffed by the most miserable people they could drag in off the street. But there should be some basses anyway.

fretmeister · May 2022

Bass Direct have a 5 string Superlight in stock - a TM5

https://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sandberg_TM5_Superlight_Black.html

I already have a Superlight - a TT4 (jazz) and it's lovely. It's my main bass. I wasn't a fan of the original pickups so I swapped them. It's a very articulate sounding bass. Very clear piano type tone. Balance is perfect. I'm very happy with it. It's currently got Ti flats on it as the last thing I need in a Big Band is any zing!

BD have also got a couple of other normal 5 strings in. Always take BD's weights with a pinch of salt and ask them to check. They are a bit wrong sometimes. Or they swap the bass image for a new one and forget to update the description. They really need a website update.

Sandberg's IG account has far more interesting colours and specs than Bass Direct ever stock! They'll even do 32 inch scale versions of all their basses. That's not on the configurator either. The additional money is the same as wanting 35 inch instead of 34.

I love them. If I had more money I'd order the new California Central bass too - their 'tribute' to the stingray.... and a 32 inch 5 string... and....

equalsql · May 2022

I have a Sandberg California VM4 P bass and am really impressed with it. The construction, finishing and range of tones is first class. I picked mine up used from a private seller on the Basschat forums. It weighs in at 10Ib so feels like an old school precision. Great basses for the money.

fretmeister · May 2022

10lb would kill me these days!

The ones I play are no heavier than 7.5lb. The others are on sale!

UnclePsychosis · May 2022

Oooft.

That looks killer.

Dave_Mc · May 2022

fretmeister said:

Bass Direct have a 5 string Superlight in stock - a TM5

https://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sandberg_TM5_Superlight_Black.html

I already have a Superlight - a TT4 (jazz) and it's lovely. It's my main bass. I wasn't a fan of the original pickups so I swapped them. It's a very articulate sounding bass. Very clear piano type tone. Balance is perfect. I'm very happy with it. It's currently got Ti flats on it as the last thing I need in a Big Band is any zing!

BD have also got a couple of other normal 5 strings in. Always take BD's weights with a pinch of salt and ask them to check. They are a bit wrong sometimes. Or they swap the bass image for a new one and forget to update the description. They really need a website update.

Sandberg's IG account has far more interesting colours and specs than Bass Direct ever stock! They'll even do 32 inch scale versions of all their basses. That's not on the configurator either. The additional money is the same as wanting 35 inch instead of 34.

I love them. If I had more money I'd order the new California Central bass too - their 'tribute' to the stingray.... and a 32 inch 5 string... and....

Thanks very much for the heads-up about the weight! I've been hmming and hahhing about that FGN they have (because it seemed a bit lighter than any others I've seen)- I may well chicken out, or come across something I decide I want more, but if I don't, I'll definitely double check the weight!

Yeah I saw that TM5 superlight, but it's another variation on black! I'm just not sure about the superlights... I'm a bit worried about the tone if it's so light. Also, being superficial, I don't think it looks as good as ash! But they are seriously lightweight... like, lighter than most of my guitars!

What pickups did your TT have?

Dave_Mc · May 2022

fretmeister said:

10lb would kill me these days!

Yeah same here. Well not so much these days, it always would have killed me, lol. My Fret-King is 9lbs 10oz, and it's a bit heavy. I got a Comfort Strapp (from Bass Direct, lol) for it, which helps a bit, but I'd still prefer it to be a bit lighter. Also neck-divey, which is maybe a bigger problem- I've got a Stingray which is about 3 oz lighter, and it doesn't dive, and it's basically fine. I got a Neotech strap for it which helps even more (which I think I prefer to the Comfort Strapp- however luckily the Comfort Strapp seems to help more with neck-dive, so it all worked out!).

fretmeister · May 2022

Dave_Mc said:

fretmeister said:

Bass Direct have a 5 string Superlight in stock - a TM5

https://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sandberg_TM5_Superlight_Black.html

I already have a Superlight - a TT4 (jazz) and it's lovely. It's my main bass. I wasn't a fan of the original pickups so I swapped them. It's a very articulate sounding bass. Very clear piano type tone. Balance is perfect. I'm very happy with it. It's currently got Ti flats on it as the last thing I need in a Big Band is any zing!

BD have also got a couple of other normal 5 strings in. Always take BD's weights with a pinch of salt and ask them to check. They are a bit wrong sometimes. Or they swap the bass image for a new one and forget to update the description. They really need a website update.

Sandberg's IG account has far more interesting colours and specs than Bass Direct ever stock! They'll even do 32 inch scale versions of all their basses. That's not on the configurator either. The additional money is the same as wanting 35 inch instead of 34.

I love them. If I had more money I'd order the new California Central bass too - their 'tribute' to the stingray.... and a 32 inch 5 string... and....

Thanks very much for the heads-up about the weight! I've been hmming and hahhing about that FGN they have (because it seemed a bit lighter than any others I've seen)- I may well chicken out, or come across something I decide I want more, but if I don't, I'll definitely double check the weight!

Yeah I saw that TM5 superlight, but it's another variation on black! I'm just not sure about the superlights... I'm a bit worried about the tone if it's so light. Also, being superficial, I don't think it looks as good as ash! But they are seriously lightweight... like, lighter than most of my guitars!

What pickups did your TT have?

It had Sandberg Black Label stacked humbuckers.

It now has EMG-J and an EMG preamp.

Dave_Mc · May 2022

fretmeister said:
It had Sandberg Black Label stacked humbuckers.

It now has EMG-J and an EMG preamp.

Thanks. So sort of noiseless J-style pickups then? What didn't you like about them? I thought the Black Labels were well-regarded, though I guess pickups are very personal things and just because one person likes them doesn't mean another will!

fretmeister · May 2022

Dave_Mc said:

fretmeister said:
It had Sandberg Black Label stacked humbuckers.

It now has EMG-J and an EMG preamp.

Thanks. So sort of noiseless J-style pickups then? What didn't you like about them? I thought the Black Labels were well-regarded, though I guess pickups are very personal things and just because one person likes them doesn't mean another will!

They weren't bad pickups at all, I just have my favourites really.

For J pickups I fell in love with the EMGs when I say that Bobby Vega put some in his 1960s jazz and I thought it sounded amazing. The original J EMG versions were designed to sound like Leo's originals, just without the hum. So the output is actually a little lower than the Black Labels but I like the tone more.

Dave_Mc · May 2022

fretmeister said:

Dave_Mc said:

fretmeister said:
It had Sandberg Black Label stacked humbuckers.

It now has EMG-J and an EMG preamp.

Thanks. So sort of noiseless J-style pickups then? What didn't you like about them? I thought the Black Labels were well-regarded, though I guess pickups are very personal things and just because one person likes them doesn't mean another will!

They weren't bad pickups at all, I just have my favourites really.

For J pickups I fell in love with the EMGs when I say that Bobby Vega put some in his 1960s jazz and I thought it sounded amazing. The original J EMG versions were designed to sound like Leo's originals, just without the hum. So the output is actually a little lower than the Black Labels but I like the tone more.

That's interesting, thanks. That FGN I'm hmming and hahhing about has an EMG version with the J neck pickup... not in stock at the moment, unfortunately. Much like with Sandberg, I don't really want to order one when I don't know the weight of it (the ones I've seen seem to be on the heavy side).

fretmeister · May 2022

I only buy basses if they can be weighed or have a particular spec approach like the Superlights.

Dave_Mc · May 2022

fretmeister said:

I only buy basses if they can be weighed or have a particular spec approach like the Superlights.

Yeah that's more or less where I'm am, too. If it's something I really want, I might take the chance, but at the very least I'd kind of want to know there was a fighting chance it would be a decent weight.

fretmeister · May 2022

Bass Direct, The Gallery, and GAK will weigh everything in stock, they are quite happy to do that.

GuitarGuitar will sometimes.

Andertons refuse completely even for very expensive basses and just say it can be returned if it's not right.

Dave_Mc · May 2022

fretmeister said:

Bass Direct, The Gallery, and GAK will weigh everything in stock, they are quite happy to do that.

GuitarGuitar will sometimes.

Andertons refuse completely even for very expensive basses and just say it can be returned if it's not right.

Thanks, that's very useful info to have.

I just noticed in a thread right now that someone said GG refused to weigh something. And I think I've seen that before (on here, I mean) about Andertons- nice to get it confirmed. Also that's kind of the attitude that means they can't really complain about returns...

I'm not sure I'd be that worried about weight for guitars (apart from maybe known culprits like Les Pauls!) but for basses it's very useful. Some of them can be silly heavy, but there also often seems to be a fair bit of variation too, even for the same model. I don't see why (if you care, like we do) you would put up with a super-heavy one when you don't have to. Especially when they're a fair bit of money, and weight can be a deal-breaker.

fretmeister · March 2023

Well!

I've just been informed that the bass has arrived with Sandberg UK!

Should get delivered to me before the weekend with a bit of luck!

stickyfiddle · March 2023

Woohoo!! I don't seem to have seen this when you first posted but I'm very keen to see how you get on. And maybe call dibs if you don't like it!

Dave_Mc · March 2023

fretmeister said:

Well!

I've just been informed that the bass has arrived with Sandberg UK!

Should get delivered to me before the weekend with a bit of luck!

Sporky · March 2023

Are you super-over-excited?

fretmeister · March 2023

Sporky said:

Are you super-over-excited?

Very much so!

fretmeister · March 2023

Strewth!

Thomastik shortscale strings have gone up in price!!!!

£61 delivered is the cheapest I've found. At least they last a long time.

stickyfiddle · March 2023

Yeah I just paid similar for 34" TIs. And I should really have a spare set, just in case too

Sporky · March 2023

Is it there yet?

chris45 · March 2023

Looking forward to seeing this - I also have a custom shortscale coming in December

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