I decided to downsize from 4 basses to 3 and get a bass that I would consider my “dream bass.” My criteria: a great neck (I am partial to Jazz style necks), passive and active mode with a P/J configuration and I wanted something that would have both a vintage and modern vibe. The most obvious answer was to get a Fender (which my wife strongly urged me to do), but I was looking for something a little different.
I had never played a Sandberg bass, but had good things read about them – particularly that they have very nice necks. I was impressed with the numerous options and configuration available (although I wasn’t looking at anything too exotic). So, I decided to take a chance and buy one. I ordered one in May of 2021 and received it on May 5th 2022 (it took longer than expected).
Here are the specs:
Model: California VT
Finish: high-gloss, black translucent, swamp ash body
Neck options: standard
Fingerboard: rosewood
Scale & strings: 4-string 34" (standard)
Fretted inlay: front face dots abalone
Headstock: matched
Hardware: chrome
Pickguard: clear
Pickups: Lindy Fralin P/J – P-bass PU 5% overwound
The clear pickguard and PUs were “special upgrades”.
I had decided on the Fralin PUs after watching video of basses with the (stock) Delano PUs. I thought that they sounded good but maybe a little too “modern” and they weren’t what I was looking for. I saw some videos for Fralin PUs and I was very impressed. I called the company and actually had the pleasure of speaking with Lindy who was a great guy!
So…. Taking a chance on the bass (I have never bought one that I couldn’t play first), I was eager and maybe a little anxious when it arrived. However, it didn’t disappoint.
The fit and finish are impeccable – the bass looks great, it is super light (around 7.8 pounds), yet it has a very solid feel. I love the black translucent finish.
The tuners, knobs and bridge are also very nice although I have heard grumblings about the bridge being too complicated (I don’t do my own work, so that will be someone else’s problem).
The pickups sound superb and having the passive/active option gives a lot of tonal options – from a nice vintage “growl” to more aggressive active sounds. I am super happy with the Fralins. I can get the vintage and modern tones that I hoped for. Surprisingly, passive mode is my favorite (and I am a MM freak, so used to an onboard pre-amp).
The clear pickguard is not exactly clear but more opaque. While I wanted to see more of the finish through it, it looks really cool and makes the bass stand out a bit.
The neck is the nicest one that I have ever played on any bass and I have owned a lot of basses in my day, including a ’61 P-bass. The action is very low with absolutely no fret buzz. The fret work is perfect. The neck is a Jazz/Precision hybrid – narrower at the top and wider at bottom – a great design! It is just so easy to play, you want to play it all the time (I have been practicing a lot more, recently). It makes it much easier to pull off things that I struggle with on my MM Special 4 HH (which I also love dearly but for different reasons).
I was extremely happy to not have buyer’s remorse since the bass was (of course) non-returnable.
My only complaints:
1) I had to pay extra for the face dots. I use the side dots so I didn’t really need them, but aesthetically I just felt they had to be there.
2) No case, just a gig bag? I know that Sandberg isn’t the only “boutique” company that does this, but it is a disturbing trend IMO. It’s a nice gig bag, but still just a gig bag for a pretty costly bass.
3) Why didn’t I buy Sandberg bass years ago????
Overall, it was a pricey endeavor, costing me a little over $3,000. I paid extra for strictly cosmetic things, like the black translucent finish (which caused an upgrade to the swamp ash body), the matching headstock, the abalone dot inlays and the clear pickguard, so I could have got away with a much lower price if I wasn’t being so superficial. However, I am old (and grumpy) and could afford it and I wanted what I wanted (damn it!). Surprising, shipping (from Germany, then Chicago – from Chicago Music Exchange) was free though so that was a bonus.
I also splurged on a Empress Bass Compressor (love it!) and a Boss GT-1000 Core (loving it so far, but I have a lot to learn).
At band practice, the bass cuts and sits well in the mix. My bandmates are very impressed with it as well.
So, the bass has fulfilled my needs and surpassed my expectations. It is the nicest bass that I have ever played and it sounds fantastic! The craftsmanship, thought and care that Sandberg puts into their products truly makes them shine. Highly recommended!
Note: Some of the pics look purplish, but the bass is indeed black.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Sandberg; I’m just some shmuck who bought a bass from them.
I had never played a Sandberg bass, but had good things read about them – particularly that they have very nice necks. I was impressed with the numerous options and configuration available (although I wasn’t looking at anything too exotic). So, I decided to take a chance and buy one. I ordered one in May of 2021 and received it on May 5th 2022 (it took longer than expected).
Here are the specs:
Model: California VT
Finish: high-gloss, black translucent, swamp ash body
Neck options: standard
Fingerboard: rosewood
Scale & strings: 4-string 34" (standard)
Fretted inlay: front face dots abalone
Headstock: matched
Hardware: chrome
Pickguard: clear
Pickups: Lindy Fralin P/J – P-bass PU 5% overwound
The clear pickguard and PUs were “special upgrades”.
I had decided on the Fralin PUs after watching video of basses with the (stock) Delano PUs. I thought that they sounded good but maybe a little too “modern” and they weren’t what I was looking for. I saw some videos for Fralin PUs and I was very impressed. I called the company and actually had the pleasure of speaking with Lindy who was a great guy!
So…. Taking a chance on the bass (I have never bought one that I couldn’t play first), I was eager and maybe a little anxious when it arrived. However, it didn’t disappoint.
The fit and finish are impeccable – the bass looks great, it is super light (around 7.8 pounds), yet it has a very solid feel. I love the black translucent finish.
The tuners, knobs and bridge are also very nice although I have heard grumblings about the bridge being too complicated (I don’t do my own work, so that will be someone else’s problem).
The pickups sound superb and having the passive/active option gives a lot of tonal options – from a nice vintage “growl” to more aggressive active sounds. I am super happy with the Fralins. I can get the vintage and modern tones that I hoped for. Surprisingly, passive mode is my favorite (and I am a MM freak, so used to an onboard pre-amp).
The clear pickguard is not exactly clear but more opaque. While I wanted to see more of the finish through it, it looks really cool and makes the bass stand out a bit.
The neck is the nicest one that I have ever played on any bass and I have owned a lot of basses in my day, including a ’61 P-bass. The action is very low with absolutely no fret buzz. The fret work is perfect. The neck is a Jazz/Precision hybrid – narrower at the top and wider at bottom – a great design! It is just so easy to play, you want to play it all the time (I have been practicing a lot more, recently). It makes it much easier to pull off things that I struggle with on my MM Special 4 HH (which I also love dearly but for different reasons).
I was extremely happy to not have buyer’s remorse since the bass was (of course) non-returnable.
My only complaints:
1) I had to pay extra for the face dots. I use the side dots so I didn’t really need them, but aesthetically I just felt they had to be there.
2) No case, just a gig bag? I know that Sandberg isn’t the only “boutique” company that does this, but it is a disturbing trend IMO. It’s a nice gig bag, but still just a gig bag for a pretty costly bass.
3) Why didn’t I buy Sandberg bass years ago????
Overall, it was a pricey endeavor, costing me a little over $3,000. I paid extra for strictly cosmetic things, like the black translucent finish (which caused an upgrade to the swamp ash body), the matching headstock, the abalone dot inlays and the clear pickguard, so I could have got away with a much lower price if I wasn’t being so superficial. However, I am old (and grumpy) and could afford it and I wanted what I wanted (damn it!). Surprising, shipping (from Germany, then Chicago – from Chicago Music Exchange) was free though so that was a bonus.
I also splurged on a Empress Bass Compressor (love it!) and a Boss GT-1000 Core (loving it so far, but I have a lot to learn).
At band practice, the bass cuts and sits well in the mix. My bandmates are very impressed with it as well.
So, the bass has fulfilled my needs and surpassed my expectations. It is the nicest bass that I have ever played and it sounds fantastic! The craftsmanship, thought and care that Sandberg puts into their products truly makes them shine. Highly recommended!
Note: Some of the pics look purplish, but the bass is indeed black.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Sandberg; I’m just some shmuck who bought a bass from them.
