NBD (belated). Sandberg California II SL Super Light

fretmeister

This arrived on Friday.





Sandberg's newest idea - the Super Light.

Cedar body. Norwegian maple neck. Redesigned bridge and tuners and even the control plate. All aimed at getting the weight down for anyone with back / core problems and those who just don't want to carry around a 10lb jazz bass for a 3 hour covers set...

6.58 lb / 2.9 kg *

It is amazingly resonant and very punchy - sounds quite like the Marcus Miller Fender I had years ago.

Pickups are Sandberg's own Black Label stacked humbuckers with a Glockenclang 2 band preamp. I swapped the stock strings as soon as it arrived and put on some D'addarios.

Took it to rehearsal on Saturday for big band tunes to try it out - and I'm definitely using it at the concert in 2 weeks. Very happy with it.

* - as a comparator. The Mono Bass Vertigo gig bag weighs more than 6lb empty!

Winny_Pooh

Cedar... interesting. Looks like lots of logical improvements, including the stacked pickups.

simonk

Lovely! I do like a Sandberg.

Funkfingers

They make some nice stuff. I shouldn't look. Temptation!

GuitarAndy2

Drooling even though I wouldn't be able to afford one anytime in the foreseeable future.

fretmeister

When they were announced last year I thought they would be stupid money and I didn't really think of them anymore

Then it turns out they are about £300 cheaper than a Fender American Pro Jazz, - and more of a like for like about £700 cheaper than the Fender Elite (active) Jazz.

I've had it about a week, and even though I'm still in the honeymoon period I haven't touched another bass.

Schnozz

Glockenlang make my favourite preamps

How's the low end on these?

Bridgehouse

Schnozz said:

Glockenlang make my favourite preamps

How's the low end on these?

Have you tried an East?

Schnozz

Yeah, but I preferred the Glockenlang personally

fretmeister

Schnozz said:

Glockenlang make my favourite preamps

How's the low end on these?

Punchy. No flub. 

Does that Sadowsky thing where if you play alone you wonder if there is quite enough, then you play in a mix and it’s bang on. 

bandmaster188

That is rather lovely. Liking the lack of fret markers although I’d probably be lost without them.
must get and try a sandberg sometime soon.

fretmeister

First gig with it will be on Saturday.
Big band set.

really looking forward to it.

DLM

fretmeister said:

I swapped the stock strings as soon as it arrived and put on some D'addarios.

Oh, which ones?

The bass concept is excellent!

fretmeister

Pro-Steels.

I have tried it with TI Flats too - that was very nice and that might end up being the favourite. But TI flats need quite a while to bed in and I haven't got time before the gig.

So Prosteels 40-95, with the treble turned down as they are very bright when new.

Set list for Saturday is

(All big band arrangements with 20-25 horns / reeds / piano / drums / bass)

Zoot Suit Riot
Don't stop me now
Havana
In the mood
Final Countdown
Don't worry about a thing
Superstition
Uptown Funk

Should be fun!

DLM

Sounds wicked! Didn't you used to swear by La Bella, though?

fretmeister

I used to love their "Hard Rockin' Steels"- they've since re-named them

Then they changed the gauges a little and they seemed to end up rougher to the touch too. Didn't like the changes.

Since then - D'addario Prosteels for rounds and TI flats for flats.

guitarfishbay

Love pro steels on a Jazz. Seems to really suit the natural scoop of the instrument.  They still sound great for a long time as they age too.

DLM

I've ProSteels on my Sandberg at the moment, got a balanced tension set to try next out of curiosity, though.

MrBump

Looks ace - how was the gig?

fretmeister

The bass sounded great.

I had brain fade in the middle of a tune and arsed it up!  

guitarfishbay

fretmeister said:

The bass sounded great.

I had brain fade in the middle of a tune and arsed it up!  

Jazz bass plays jazz notes