I'm not going to pretend to be smart like many in the comments, but I'll just say: if I had enough money and needed to buy a bass now, of all the brands in the world, it would be one of the Sandberg California models. And since I don't have a lot of money, and I don't need super high-quality instruments for large halls and stadiums, I remain very satisfied with my modified Harley Bentons and Staggs.
the MM sounds like... a tighter Musicman. the Sandberg sounds like... a 70's Fender Jazz with a modern twist. the MM has more character and depth, the Sandberg cuts the mix much better though. I appreciated the comparison, no slap, no show off. well done.
They don’t though. I have one and it’s great, but it’s one sound. For that reason I’m tiring of mine in a few musical settings. The Sandberg combines the best of the MM & J bass worlds 🙏🏼👏🏼
Stingray 0:42 Sandberg 1:45 You have to consider that the humbucker pickup on Sandberg is closer to the bridge than on Stingray, and that it's an alnico pickup, on the contrary the Stingray pickup is a neodymium pickup. I prefer the Stingray sound, more bottom-end and less high-end
Like the music man for studio work. Silky, milky, with a little froth, and good sub low end... I am a drummer though, so from my perspective, for what it's worth The Sandberg sounds like it's "club ready" maybe more fluid across multiple styles... Ie the go to cover band bass, where you are changing genres every other song
I still can never get over the sound of a real MM, but damn that Sandberg is one of the best comparisons for something just a little bit diff but super close to the MM sound
The MM sounds more tonally even across the strings. TM4 appears to have a deeper and more rounded low end and sharper mids with flat EQ's. TM4 also seems to have cleaner mids to hi end. The neck on the Sandbergs is what i like most about them. I do like the eveness of the MM over the strings. Not sure why the MM always had flat EQ when the TM4 was boosted. Not a like for like comparison. Would have been good to hear the MM with boosted EQ against the TM4.
Great playing and comparison. Both sound really good. I love the growly fatness of the Sandberg down low, but how hard is it on the Sandberg to eq out that clackiness (string noise) on the top end? Every review I’ve listened to seems to have it, so I guess it’s just part of the Sandberg sound?
I've got a TM4 and now want a MM lol. The MM has that little something extra I want to hear. Not that it would make much difference in a bar gig. The TM4 gets the job done and has a nice variety of tones.
@@bassimprovjams3772 Yes. In the test first You can hear straight setup on Sandberg, and the other one is simulating MM with Darkglass. Sometimes I think the sound on Sandberg with Darkglass is more ''Old Stingray'' then on my new MM Special.
Born and raised California boy, but Sandberg wins. The single coil makes the difference. I had a Stingray 5 HH, but sold it because neck pickup is too close to fretboard for my style. Gonna buy a Sandberg 2 California TM5.
The MM sounds more powerful, specially on the E string. But, I wonder with which size of strings is it set up. I know Sandberg 's California series are set up with 40/100(... am I right?).
@@ObraBass thanks for your answer. I 've already tried a lot of Sandberg' s instruments and just one Sterling . I must try a Stingray. That looks great.
Hi, I'm currently thinking about getting a MM SR4 Special, but I can't decide if I should get the black one with roasted maple fretboard or the red stingray with ebony fretboard. Can you tell me how often you are conditioning the fretboard of your stingray and do you know if it is necessary to condition a roasted maple fretboard (I think the MM fretboards an unfinished). Thank you very much in advance!
@@ObraBass thanks for that fast reply. I've never played an ebony fretboard before. But from the sound comparisons which I've seen/heard so far, they both seem to have good highs. I'm mainly planning to play some funk. Lookwise I do prefere the red version with ebony, but from the information I got so far roasted maple seems to be easier to maintain. Since all of my equipment is stored in the basement I'm concerned that an ebony fretboard won't handle it that well and might break.
@@SlinkyBass0815 There is no maintenance needed for Fretboard or any neck parts other than occasionally wipe with a cloth, or put some oil on fretboard maybe once a year usually during strings change. On the other hand, if stored in wet room, there might be some neck bent over time, which is normally solved by truss rod. Considering sound, I have 4 different fretboards on my basses. They all sound and feel lightly different and I love them all.
@@ObraBassThank you for your advice. I just ordered the red stingray with the ebony fretboard . If I'm lucky I will receive it this year (the dealer says approx 30 weeks). The time for delivery for MM is quite long (at least here in germany I wasn't able to find a dealer who has it in stock) .
Interesting video. I wanted to know if the pickup position had so much influence on the sound, now I know. I wish Sandberg had made a bass that could be more MM like when using only the bridge pu, without having to mix it with the neck to get the growl…
Yes, I also wanted an MM in Sandberg, but it is not meant to be like that. Closest for Sandberg with bridge pickup at that position to sound like MM is with Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp and EQ. Then it's pretty close.
@@ObraBass ok, but the pickup will never be on the MM sweet spot, neither the reverse split coil on the Precision sweet spot. So it’s more intended to be a fat Jazz bass sound than a pbass / Stingray hybrid in my opinion
Take a Chance on the Sandberg Basic. Same pu Position as the MM, flat the Sandberg i a Little mellower than the MM but you geht tho Groll with the 3 band eq
@@simonrass2961 I agree, just do not like the headstock shape. However, they released a Rayman model in limited edition for some big store - Basic body and hardware and California Headstock. You can found one white piece on the net.
@@stevepaleface They are in all two different basses. I must say that Sandberg feels better to me related to neck dimensions. Nut width is 38mm in relation to MM which is 43mm. However, finish of the MM neck is so nice, no glossy and feels great, just the nut size is a bit oversized for me. Sandberg body is smaller in comparing to MM and a little bit lighter (although MM Special is much lighter then the regular one before). Both have roasted necks, but my Sandberg is Hard Core Aged - body and fretboard are also roasted. MM fretboard radius is 11" while Sandberg is 14'', so I can setup the action crazy low on the Sandberg, but it's not so important for me. Probably the Sandberg has the most comfortable neck I ever hold. I like them both very much. They are however different, but both at the high level of craftmenship and fun to play, without any flaws.
Someday in the not too Distant future we're all going to wake up and wonder what on Earth we were thinking when we wasted good money on "Relics". #passthepipeplease ✌
